Bere Lane, Caundle Marsh, Dorset, DT9

Nestled in gently rolling country down a quiet lane, Oak End is a Grade II listed house that has been thoughtfully and cleverly developed and extended on the footprint of previous agricultural buildings to create a beautiful home. A wonderfully light, glazed porch welcomes you into the house, where a slate-floored hallway leads to the stunning open-plan kitchen, undoubtedly the focal point of family life. With a double-height ceiling, this sleek and well-designed cooks’ paradise features a central island complete with a wine fridge and storage, along with an array of painted bespoke units built by a local craftsman who also fabricated cabinetry throughout the house. High-end fitted appliances include a full length, Miele fridge, Siemens induction hob with adaptable rings, Gaggenau microwave oven/grill, eye-level fan oven with grill and warming drawer and a Miele dishwasher. Corian work surfaces incorporating a 1½ moulded seamless sink along with a larder unit and discreetly lit shelving, complete this fantastic installation. The spacious dining area connects with the terrace via French doors allowing for seamless summer entertaining overlooking the garden and fields beyond. Inside, a seating area provides a great spot for pre- or postprandial relaxation.

The cosy sitting room shows off the classic cottage features where one can unwind in front of the woodburner set in a traditional inglenook fireplace. An additional sitting room provides a generous space in which to entertain, featuring a discreet pop-up television concealed in an array of bespoke cabinets. This end of the house also includes a convenient downstairs bedroom, opposite a family bathroom. A very well-appointed utility room with space and connection for a washer and drier, along with fitted wall and base units completes the ground floor where the majority of accommodation enjoys underfloor heating.

Upstairs, the generous, dual aspect principal bedroom is accessed by its own staircase and sits cozily in the eaves, benefitting from a fitted wardrobe and ensuite shower room with large walk-in shower. On the other side of the house, a second staircase rises to two spacious and light double bedrooms each with custom-made storage, enjoying triple aspect glazing and sharing a shower room. The house has been beautifully decorated by the current owners and enjoys a wonderful sense of light and outlook, with many rooms taking in views across the gardens and surrounding country.

Garden and Outbuildings
The pretty garden is mostly laid to lawn with hedging boundaries kept low to draw the eye towards the encircling fields and woodland. Borders are stocked with cottage garden favourites including lavender, salvia, santolina, verbena and geums, giving a rich display throughout the growing season, while a careful selection of evergreen shrubs provide winter structure. An extensive terrace with stone flags provides spots from which to catch the sun from morning through to evening, scented by a fabulous mock orange hedge. A wooden framed garden studio sits at the other end of the lawn offering a peaceful location in which to work and create. The gravel drive with space for several cars leads up to an oak framed Townsend Timber double garage with power and fully boarded mezzanine storage.

Set in a bucolic, pastoral landscape with sweeping views, Oak End combines historic charm with modern comfort and style, offering a wonderful opportunity, to enjoy country living within ten minutes of the delights of Sherborne.

LOCATION
The hamlet of Caundle Marsh lies within the Blackmore Vale, some of the most unspoilt and attractive countryside in the region, where gently undulating pastureland gives way to the more rugged heights of Dogbury, Nettlecombe and Bulbarrow. Unsurprisingly this is designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and little has changed over the centuries, remaining much as it was when Thomas Hardy immortalised it as the Vale of the Great Dairies in his Wessex novels. Quiet lanes gently wind their way through this rural idyll with pretty villages comprising mainly period houses and cottages breaking up the lightly wooded landscape. Nearby Bishop’s Caundle is a highly regarded village benefitting from a popular public house, The White Hart, shop, petrol station, church and village hall, together with a strong sense of community.

Sherborne provides an excellent range of independent shops, cafés and restaurants, alongside Waitrose and Sainsbury’s supermarkets. Communications are excellent, with Sherborne station offering regular services to London Waterloo, while the A303 provides swift access towards London and the South West.

SPORTING AND RECREATION
The surrounding countryside provides excellent opportunities for walking, cycling and riding, with a network of footpaths, bridleways and quiet country lanes radiating from the village.

Sporting facilities include golf at Sherborne, Yeovil and Folke, racing at Wincanton and sailing and water sports along the Dorset coast. Sherborne itself is a cultural hub, with Sherborne Abbey hosting regular concerts and recitals and The Sherborne Arts and Culture Centre forming a focal point for exhibitions, theatre and community events. Further cultural attractions include The Newt and Hauser & Wirth in Bruton, while theatres in Yeovil, Salisbury and Bath provide additional choice.

EDUCATION
The area is well served by a range of schooling options. Local primary schools are available in nearby villages, with state secondary schooling in Sherborne and Yeovil. Independent schools are particularly strong in the area, including the Sherborne Schools Group, Leweston, Hazlegrove, Millfield, Milton Abbey, Bryanston and Perrott Hill.