Property description
An elegant beautifully presented Victorian Listed townhouse situated in the heart of a Dorset market town with extensive & versatile accommodation including a newly created annexe.
Property The Old Rectory is a fine example of Victorian architecture drawing upon the symmetry of the Georgian era with its elegant double fronted façade in greenstone under a slate tiled roof. Grade II Listed and constructed in the 1850’s for the rector of Trinity Church opposite, this is now a lovely elegant family home with high ceilings and shuttered sash windows complimenting the original fireplaces and varnished wooden floors. The well-proportioned and particularly versatile accommodation is arranged over four levels and is more extensive than might be readily appreciated at first glance from outside. This includes an excellent lower ground floor annexe designed and fitted by a highly respected local craftsman in the spring of 2016 with a sitting room, kitchen, two bedrooms, a well-appointed bathroom, cloakroom and wine cellar.
The reception rooms on the upper ground floor include a drawing room, dining room and study. This level also has an attractively fitted kitchen/breakfast room with a four door electric Aga, rear hall/garden room and a cloakroom. On the first floor are three very pleasant principle bedrooms, one of which has an en-suite shower room, a dressing bedroom and family bathroom. The second floor has two good-sized bedrooms, a family room that could be used as a sixth bedroom, a cloakroom and a large loft room that subject to consent, might be suitable for converting into a bathroom.
Outside
To the front of the property is a shallow area of garden with wisteria, climbing hydrangea and roses bordered by a wall and iron railings. A shared drive to the side provides access to an electric gated and gravelled parking area for several cars with lapsed consent (NDDC 2/2012/0631) for a two bay car barn. The prettily landscaped walled and stone paved town garden to the rear is a delight with well stocked flower, shrub and rose borders.
Situation The property is conveniently situated a short level walk from the centre of the Saxon hilltop town of Shaftesbury famed for the iconic steeply cobbled street of Gold Hill. With its vibrant community life, this ancient market town offers an excellent range of facilities including shops, supermarkets, boutiques, cafes, restaurants and inns. There are also doctors and dentist surgeries, a cottage hospital, an arts centre and reputable state run primary and secondary schools. The local road network gives ready access to the other main towns in the region including Bath, Blandford, Salisbury, Sherborne, Warminster and Yeovil as well as to the South Coast whilst the A303 trunk road linking with the M3 makes London accessible for the motorist. Gillingham (4.5 miles) and Tisbury (8 miles) have stations with mainline services to London (Waterloo) and the West Country.
Many families are drawn to this area by the quality of life and excellent choice of state and independent schools including Port Regis, Clayesmore, Sandroyd, Bryanston, Bruton, Downside, Sherborne and St Mary’s amongst many others. This part of North Dorset enjoys wonderful undulating scenery and picturesque villages with many miles of public footpaths and bridleways from which to explore the beautiful countryside whether by foot or horseback. It is also ideal for a variety of other rural pursuits such as cycling and fishing whilst there are golf courses at Tollard Royal, Blandford, Salisbury and Warminster with racing at Bath, Salisbury and Wincanton and sailing at Shear Water near Warminster. There are several excellent dining pubs in the vicinity as well as many places of interest such as the Longleat Estate, Old Wardour Castle, Wilton House, the National Trust Gardens at Stourhead and the Fovant Badges.
EPC Energy Efficiency Rating As a Listed property an Energy Performance Certificate is not required.
Property Features :
- Scope to Create an Annexe or Work Facility
- Seven Bedrooms, Loft Room & Two Bath/Shower Rooms
- Drawing Room, Dining Room & Study
- Three Basement/Lower Ground Floor Rooms
- Kitchen/Breakfast Room with Electric Aga