Marston Road, Sherborne, DT9

This gracious house has much to offer, with origins thought to date back to the late Georgian period. Typical of a house of this era, the ceiling heights are excellent with many attractive period features remaining. Thought to have belonged to the local quarry master, Cleve House, with its double storey canted bay windows to the front, was built on bedrock out of local stone and lies within walking distance of the town centre. During their tenure, the current owners have carried out a programme of extensive improvements including fitting a new kitchen, utility room and bathrooms, with new flooring throughout the ground floor. A wood burning stove has been fitted in the family room, along with a boiler and radiators which have recently been installed. In addition, the gardens have been significantly hard landscaped and re-planted. Arranged over two floors, with the addition of a useful attic room, the accommodation is versatile with a flexible layout that has all the character and appeal expected of a property of this age. A decorative wrought iron gate leads to a paved pathway and steps up to the front door, which opens to the entrance hallway. Following on is the capacious double aspect sitting/dining room some 31 feet in length, which extends to a bay window at one end allowing the south easterly light to pour in and giving views out towards the roof tops. Double doors lead to a useful utility room with basin, WC and ceiling mounted clothes dryer. There is also space and connection for a washing machine and a tumble dryer. Off the sitting/dining room is the family room with fireplace and inset wood burning stove with slate hearth providing a central focal point and ensuring a cosy atmosphere. Following on is the dual aspect recently updated kitchen with views over the rear garden. There is a range of dark blue base units under Quartz worktops with water softener, integrated Bosch dishwasher, Bosch oven with inset gas hob and extractor above. A door leads to a useful store/pantry. Off the kitchen is a rear lobby with stable doors to the garden. Stairs rise to the first floor where there are four double bedrooms, all with far reaching views. There is also a well fitted shower room. The bedroom to the rear has an ensuite bathroom, plus access to the attic room with loft space, perfect as a home office. OUTSIDE To the front of the house is a pretty enclosed garden bisected by a paved pathway with steps to the front door. On either side are richly planted herbaceous beds bounded on the roadside by a small area of lawn and hedging. To the other side is a colourful selection of mature shrubs and flowering plants bordered by an attractive stone wall. Abutting the rear of the house is a paved terrace, which is completely private and perfect for some alfresco dining. A timber side gate leads to the road, opposite which is the single garage. Steps lead up to a raised area of lawn, bordered to one side by established hedging and to the other by a beautifully planted stone edged border of mature shrubs and flowering plants flanked by a steep bank to the side. There is outside lighting and a water tap. Undemised kerbside parking for up to 3 cars is available at the front of the house. LOCATION Cleve House is situated on Marston Road within easy reach of the plentiful amenities Sherborne has to offer. Dominated by its ancient Abbey and school, Sherborne is arguably one of the most attractive towns in Dorset. Numerous musical and cultural events 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 a designated 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 pretty villages and 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 London Waterloo in about 2 hours 15 minutes; Sherborne station is within walking distance. The A303 (linking with the M3) is a dual carriageway thus putting London within easy reach. SPORTING AND RECREATION The area is well known for its beauty and there is a network of bridleways and footpaths which cross the countryside making it ideal for walking, bicycling and riding. Water sports can be found at Sutton Bingham Reservoir (near Yeovil) or on the south coast and racing at Wincanton, Salisbury, Bath or Exeter. Golf at various courses including Yeovil, Sherborne and Dorchester. EDUCATION The area is noted for its independent school with Leweston, Sherborne Boys, Sherborne Girls, Sherborne Prep, Perrott Hill, Hazlegrove and Millfield all within easy reach. The Gryphon secondary school is highly rated and very easily accessible.