Compton Road, Over Compton, Sherborne, DT9

East Wing, which is Grade II listed, forms part of this impressive Manor House comprising some of the principal rooms, which provide wonderfully elegant and spacious accommodation. There has been a house on the site since at least 1086 when the Manor at Compton Hawy, as Over Compton was then known, was mentioned in the Domesday Book. The house originally took its name from the Hawy family, who were Lords of the Manor in the 12th and 13th centuries. Since then, the lands and property have changed ownership only a handful of times. In 1736, the house became the ancestral seat of the Goodden family and remained in their tenure for nearly 270 years. Following a fire in 1827, the house was largely re-built between 1839-43 in a local Tudor style. Compton House is mentioned by both Pevsner in his definitive work The Buildings of England and by the Royal Commission on Historical Monuments. Over the years the house has undergone a series of reincarnations, including being a butterfly visitor attraction. In 2007 the house was sympathetically converted into four properties. Despite its grand facade, with archetypal stone mullion windows, crenelated parapets, canted bay windows and octagonal chimney stacks, East Wing is very much a family home with plenty of space for both entertaining and unwinding. Internally the house doesn't fail to impress either, with many period features remaining, including a fabulous arch-braced compartmented ceiling in the main reception room. There are also working shutters, carved fireplaces, intricately decorative cornicing, niches, and exposed flagstone floors. The property is set over three floors and is accessed via an enclosed entrance porch with ribbed vaulted ceiling and fixed stone benches either side. Elaborate Gothic style doors open to an impressively capacious sitting/dining room with generous windows to the front and a central carved open fireplace, the perfect place for entertaining or family gatherings. Adjacent is the elegant and equally impressive double aspect drawing room, again with open fireplace and a front bay window. A door opens to the rear lobby with flagstone floor, off which is the good size kitchen/breakfast room with plenty of space for a table and chairs. Beyond is the utility/boot room, cloakroom and door to the cellars. A ''must' for the wine enthusiast! A further door leads to a cobbled courtyard. Stairs rise to the first floor where there is a double bedroom with two recessed wardrobes, ensuite shower room and an adjacent laundry room. Off the landing, to the rear, stairs lead to two further double bedrooms, both having ensuite shower rooms and dressing rooms. There is also a useful study/bedroom four. On the second floor are three further double bedrooms, one with a dressing room. Another has the benefit of a separate kitchen and an ensuite. The front and side bedrooms have wonderful far-reaching views over the gardens, parkland and to the adjacent St Michael's church. The property is approached from the private road to the front and side of the property where there is parking for several cars and a covered log store. Immediately abutting the front of the house is a private gravelled area screened by mature hedging. To the west side is a substantial area of lawn. Additionally, to the east of the house and also accessed via the side lobby, is an area of cobbled courtyard, perfect for breakfast alfresco. All in all this is an impressive and elegant historic house set in a beautiful and peaceful location, but with easy access to essential amenities. Over Compton is a village of predominantly period houses largely built of local honey-coloured stone and is one of several highly popular villages, including Trent and Nether Compton which lie in pretty, undulating countryside, tucked away from main roads. Within the private parkland and just a few minutes' walk is Trencherman's purveyors of fine foods and wine. The ancient historic Abbey town of Sherborne, arguably the most attractive town in Dorset is just 3 miles away and offers numerous musical and cultural events which occur throughout the year and there is a superb range of traditional shops and boutiques. The two castles, one of which was home to Sir Walter Raleigh, reflect the historic nature of the town, the centre of which is designated a Conservation Area in which a policy of strict planning control operates to preserve its special character. West Dorset is well known for its unspoilt landscape and there are many countryside walks nearby. The Jurassic Coast is a mere twenty miles away at Weymouth. This stretch of coastline, from Portland to Lyme Regis, with its spectacular cliffs, has recently been designated a World Heritage Site. Communications to this part of the country are excellent. From Sherborne there is a regular train service to Waterloo in about 2 ¼ hours. The A303 is a dual carriageway almost the whole way to the M3, thus putting London within about two hours' drive. Agent's Note Images taken when previously furnished.