Property description

The Old Rectory is a truly exceptional, handsome Grade II listed residence within a period stone walled garden that boasts a plethora of beautiful features associated with classic Georgian architecture including open fireplaces, sash windows, original shutters and high ceilings. The property originally dates from 1730 and is of tremendous character with numerous light and airy rooms traditionally arranged to be a welcoming versatile family home.   

The property is immaculately presented throughout and has benefited from some sympathetic refurbishment and additions in past decades making it the substantial home you find today. The arrangement of accommodation provides huge flexibility and is readily adaptable to suit both small and large families alike.   

The welcoming atmosphere is apparent and unmistakable in this much cherished home. The large sash windows allow natural light to flood in, giving the home a bright and positive ambience. The elegant accommodation is indicative of the era, offering the luxury of an abundance of flowing and generously proportioned living areas suited to formal entertaining or casual, comfortable homely and relaxing rooms. The beautiful drawing room and sitting room are of particular note, both boasting open fireplaces and are of a southerly aspect with large French doors opening out to the stunning garden and capturing the superb vista of the church and Blackmore Vale countryside beyond. Further rooms worthy of mention are the contemporary yet functional kitchen/breakfast room, useful boiler room and the versatile separate study, once used as an annexe to the main home. The first floor accommodation comprises of five bright and airy bedrooms, serviced by three bathrooms, two of which are en-suite, with the master bedroom benefiting from spectacular dual aspect views of the garden and church. Two further bedrooms can be located on the second floor. There is a further staircase leading to useful attic room that could converted to another bedroom ideal for a self contained guest suite. Each bedroom has been designed and finished to an exacting standard, whilst the character is still evident throughout.

This plantsman’s garden compliments the house perfectly. There is a productive vegetable garden including a classic new Alitex greenhouse with under ground pumped water reservoir which creates an area of tranquil surrounding for this elegant home. The traditional outbuildings consist of a game larder, wine store and log store, all of which are prime for conversion subject to relevant permissions.   

This glorious home occupies a wonderful position in the heart of St Johns Hill and we thoroughly recommend a viewing at your earliest opportunity as homes of this quality in such a stunning location are exceedingly rare.

Situation
The Saxon hilltop town of Shaftesbury is well known for its gorgeous countryside views and historic cobbled street of Gold Hill. The town provides a range of everyday amenities including public houses, cafes, restaurants, independent and high street shops, a doctor’s surgery, post office, banks and a cottage hospital. The nearby cathedral city of Salisbury offers a further range of services including a cinema, theatre, hospital, dental surgeries, award winning eateries and a twice weekly farmers market.

The beautiful Dorset countryside is ideal for a variety of outdoor pursuits such as horse riding, fishing, cycling, walking and golf can be enjoyed at Rushmore Park.
Shaftesbury has two primary schools and a secondary school and there is an excellent range of state and private schools within easy reach including St Mary’s School, Clayesmore, Port Regis, Sandroyd, Bryanston, Sherborne School for Boys, Sherborne School for Girls, St Anthony’s Leweston and Millfield.

The communication links in the area are very good with the A303 and A30 just a few miles away providing access to London and the West, whilst there are mainline railway stations at Gillingham and Tisbury both with services to London Waterloo (approximately two hours).

Outside
Over the years considerable thought has gone into the arrangement and presentation of the beautiful gardens. The walled gardens are of a predominantly southerly aspect creating a sunny and tranquil setting for the house. The gardens host an array of exquisite plants and trees, box parterres and a rose covered pergola leading to a fountain. The stone terrace is an ideal entertaining and seating area with French doors leading to the drawing room and sitting room and serves as the perfect position to absorb and enjoy the many splendours of the gardens and open views beyond. The gardens are arranged into usable garden rooms; the formal lawns lead to a private 'white garden' that in turns leads through an original iron gate to the rear gardens where the productive kitchen garden can be found. There are a selection of outbuildings including a summerhouse with power, splendid Alitex green house and potting shed.   

The house is enclosed within a large stone wall and can be accessed through secure electric wooden gates which leads to the recently created gravelled parking area offering very secure parking for numerous vehicles.

Property Features :

• Entrance Hall
• Kitchen/Breakfast Room
• Dining Room
• Drawing Room
• Sitting Room