Location

Loders is justifiably regarded as one of the most attractive villages in West Dorset, made up predominantly of period stone cottages and houses many of which are listed buildings in a glorious rural valley just a few miles north east of the handsome Georgian market town of Bridport.

Loders has the popular Loders Arms public house, the parish church of St Mary Magdalene and a primary school contributing to what is an active community.

The vibrant nearby town of Bridport has an excellent variety of shops, both national chains and independents, several supermarkets including a Waitrose, a popular annual Literary Festival and hat festival, a most successful twice weekly market and the Electric Palace theatre.

The larger centres of Dorchester and Weymouth have further facilities and the nearby Jurassic coastline a UNESCO World Heritage site can be accessed via the charming coastal resort of West Bay with its harbour and popular beach being just under four miles away.

Communications include the A35 with connections to the M27 and Southampton and there are train services running from Weymouth, Dorchester and Crewkerne to London Waterloo.

Sporting opportunities include golf at Weymouth and West Bay and water sports along the coastline at Weymouth Harbour and West Bay, horse racing at Wincanton, Exeter and Bath.

Description

Oak Cottage is quintessential detached property in the heart of the village, with charming, attractive honey coloured stone elevations under a part thatched, part tiled roof. The house is dated 1755 and accordingly retains many period features including exposed timbers, fireplaces and stone floors whilst at the same time having a fabulous, contemporary kitchen extension to the rear, with hand built kitchen and AGA and bi-fold doors to outside. Stairs from here lead up to a bedroom above with an en suite shower room.

On the ground floor the original house provides a large, characterful drawing room with exposed ceiling timbers and stone walls and impressive inglenook fireplace. There is a further sitting room, also with inglenook and an attractive hallway with timber screen and exposed beams. Also on the ground floor is a utility room, cloakroom and superbly appointed family bathroom with shower. On the first floor are the main bedroom with en suite shower room, second bedroom with en suite bathroom and a further bedroom.

Outside
Oak Cottage is approached from the lane via a driveway where there is parking for several cars. To the front of the property is an elevated stone path with access to the covered porch. From the parking area at the rear a gate opens onto a large terrace with bi-folding doors to the kitchen extension. The garden stretches out from the rear of the house, is level and mostly laid to lawn with mature hedging giving privacy to the boundaries. In the garden are some attractive mature trees and there are distant views to Boarsbarrow Hill. On the north eastern boundary of the garden is a substantial outbuilding providing storage and a games room.

Photographs taken 2023-2025

Directions

From the east, head West on the A35 towards Bridport passing through Winterbourne Abbas and the turning to Askerswell on the right hand side after about three miles. After a section of dual carriageway proceed down the hill and take the left hand turn at Loders Cross sign posted to Uploders, Shipton Gorge & Loders. Proceed to the T-junction and turn right. Continue to the junction with the Crown Inn on the left hand side and turn left. Proceed through Uploders and into Loders. Oak Cottage is on the right hand side, opposite the school.