Farmhouse with unconverted barns in Martinstown, near Dorchester, Dorset
16th century farmhouse with three stone built barns, two of which have planning consent for conversion to holiday lets, all set on 0.6 acres of land in the Dorset village of Martinstown, just four miles from Dorchester
Washing Pool House was built in 1590 - as identified in the carved date stone above the door with the intriguing initials of possibly either the Elizabethan stone mason or original owner. Although the cottage may have changed over the years, it still remains tucked away from the thriving hustle and bustle of this particularly popular village.
LOCATION
Martinstown or Winterbourne St Martin is a popular destination for those who seek the convenience of the County Town on their door step, but just far enough away to enjoy rural life! Located a mere four miles from Dorchester and just a short distance from Dorset's famous Jurassic Coast, Martinstown has good village facilities with the Church of St Martin forming a focal point, together with a local shop / post office, popular farm shop and cafe and the 'village local' public house. The appealing Winterbourne flows alongside the road which runs through the village and also feeds the listed stone-built sheep 'washing pool' in the lane leading to the cottage - hence the property's name!
THE PROPERTY
A quite enchanting house of stone elevations under a pitched tiled roof connected to a larger barn with pantiled roof.
Double-fronted, the house has a south facing cottage front garden with path leading to the central front door. The flag stone hallway provides a welcoming entrance, which leads to the principal reception rooms. Both these rooms have stunning inglenook fireplaces with bressummer beams - the sitting room has the original bread oven in place. A feature of the house is the wood panelling on the ground and upper floor, believed to have been an addition in Victorian times. In brief, the upper floor comprises four bedrooms with bathroom, with, on the ground floor, a sitting room, dining room, newly fitted kitchen, utility room, cloakroom with fitted shower, study and also sun room which actually incorporates the original well (with custom made well cover).
ACCOMMODATION
Ground floor
Entrance hall
Reception room (17'7" x 14'9" / 5.36m x 4.5m)
Conservatory (20'3" x 11' /6.17m x 3.35m)
Bedroom five / office (17'10" x 9'9" / 5.44m x 2.97m)
Dining room (13'6" x 13'4" / 4.11m x 4.06m)
Kitchen (13'8" x 11'9" / 4.17m x 3.58m)
WC / shower room
Utility room
First floor
Landing
Bedroom one (21'7" x 10'10" / 6.58m x 3.3m)
Bedroom two (14'9" x 10'6" / 4.5m x 3.2m)
Bedroom three (10'4" x 6'7" / 3.15m x 2m)
Garden room / bedroom four (19'4" x 10' / 5.9m x 3.05m)
Bathroom
OUTBUILDINGS
Three stone built outbuildings - barn, stable and workshop
The largest barn is divided into three units at present and is very much in it's original state - this holds planning permission for conversion into holiday let accommodation (details in our office).
A second building - thought to be a stable block with two loose boxes still in evidence, also holds planning permission for conversion into holiday let accommodation.
OUTSIDE
The property is contained within an approximate 0.6 acre plot with the original stone barns, walls and track leading to a hard standing area for several cars.
The gardens around are mainly laid to lawn with steps and banks leading to various areas - one of which is the perfect area for al fresco dining and enjoying the views. There is also a paved terrace to the rear of the house, together with planted orchard, vegetable growing areas - all enclosed with walls and mature shrubs, hedging and bushes.
