Location

Church Farm House occupies a delightfully quiet and secluded location at the head of a no through lane in this sought after village.

Ibberton is situated in a designated National Landscape with access to a vast network of footpaths and bridleways through the beautiful Dorset countryside.

Spectacular views can be enjoyed from Bulbarrow Hill, and the Blackmore Vale offers fine riding and walking country.

Within the village are the 13th century Church of St Eustace, the village hall, and local pub The Ibberton.

There is a village shop in Okeford Fitzpaine about 2.5 miles away whilst for further needs Blandford Forum is about 8.9 miles, and Wimborne Minster about 19 miles both offering excellent amenities including cafes, bars and restaurants, Blandford having an M&S Food store, and several supermarkets, and Wimborne a branch of Waitrose.

The coast and beaches of the UNESCO World Heritage Jurassic Coast are about 22 miles, and Poole Harbour for yachting and watersports about 25 miles.

Trains run from Gillingham and Tisbury to London Waterloo, and the A303 north of Shaftesbury provides road access to London.

State schools include the primary school in Shillingstone and secondary schools in Sturminster Newton. Renowned independent schools in the wider area include Sherborne School, Leweston, Bryanston, Canford, Milton Abbey, Clayesmore, Port Regis and Sandroyd.

Description

A most appealing Grade II listed period farmhouse having charming elevations of brick, stone and render beneath a thatched and tiled roof. The house is understood to date from the 18th Century, with later Victorian additions, and has been the subject of considerable refurbishment over the last four years. including the replacement of both bathrooms, installation of a new oil-fired boiler, rethatching of the roof, installation of library shelving and redecoration. This attractively presented home offers many charming period features including some fine fireplaces, ceiling beams and flagstone floors. It offers bright accommodation with generous room sizes, and a flexible layout that could be arranged to suit a buyer's needs. There is a large, detached barn outbuilding currently providing stabling and storage, which could offer huge potential for conversion subject to any necessary permissions being obtained. We are advised that the owners have had a positive Pre-Application consultation with the local authority.

A brief summary of the accommodation is as follows:

A studded wood front door opens into the welcoming reception hall, with flagstone floor and a guest cloakroom. Double doors open into the glazed garden room with doors to the terrace. The cosy snug has a deep inglenook fireplace with original bread oven, and an excellent range of library shelving. An inner hall with a garden door and a most attractive tiled floor gives access to the drawing and dining rooms. The drawing room has a handsome stone and brick fireplace with open grate and heavy beam over, double aspect windows, and herringbone wood flooring. The formal dining room features wide exposed floor boards. The kitchen/breakfast room offers scope for the new owner to refit to their own taste, and currently has a range of oak fronted units, a ceramic hob, one small oven, oil fired Aga, and a larder. There is a door to the garden and a door to the utility/boot room with storage, plumbing and space for a washing machine, and the oil fired boiler. The first floor is approached via two staircases, one leading up to the main landing. The spacious main bedroom has double aspect windows and is adjacent to the family bathroom.
This has been refitted with a bath, separate glazed shower, basin, and WC. There are three further double bedrooms, two sharing a 'Jack and Jill' bathroom, also refitted and having a bath, basin and WC. Bedroom 4 is accessed via a staircase from the hall.

Outside
Church Farm House is the last house on a no through lane leading to the church which can be glimpsed from the garden. Wooden gates open into a shingle driveway providing an extensive parking area. The house is set in delightful gardens and grounds of approximately 9.5 acres, which extend around the church and churchyard. They include a natural spring which rises on the southern side and feeds into a freshwater swimming pool and series of ponds. At the rear of the house is a terrace and barbecue area perfect for summer entertaining overlooking undulating lawns with a variety of shrubs and a backdrop of mature trees. A good size timber cabin, ideal for use as a home office or playroom, enjoys glorious views across the garden. Adjacent to the freshwater pool is a brick building with wood fired sauna. Beyond the garden is a secluded swimming pool with paved surround, plus a large, detached Barn/Outbuilding formerly the milking parlour, currently arranged as several store rooms, one housing the pool filtration equipment, plus stabling, a tack room, and an open 'party barn'. Beyond are three excellent paddocks, two areas of established woodland, and a separate access from the rear.

N.B. There are two public footpaths, one through the woodland from the church, and one around and across the paddock, although we are advised they are rarely used.

Directions

From Blandford Forum, take the A350 towards Shaftesbury, turning left towards Durweston, on to the A357 towards Sturminster Newton. Proceed through the village of Shillingstone, turning left into Okeford Fitzpaine. Proceed straight through the village and up the hill (ignoring the left turn to Turnworth and Winterborne Stickland), but staying straight on towards Ibberton. Drive into the village, passing the village hall on your left, then bearing left along Church Lane. Proceed to the end, and Church Farm House is the last house on the right hand side.