Location

The sought-after village of Martin sits within a Conservation Area, on the edge of the renowned Cranborne Chase, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It is a particularly peaceful location, surrounded by exceptional countryside and farmland, in addition to Tidpit Down and Martin Down, which is a National Nature Reserve. Martin has a community shop in the village hall, operated in connection with Future Farms, which is run by volunteers and specialises in stocking local produce. The village also has a church and a social club. The neighbouring village of Rockbourne has a primary school and pub, as does Damerham. The small town of Fordingbridge, about 6 miles east, has a good range of everyday amenities, including two small supermarkets, independent shops, chemists, pubs, cafés, hairdressers, a book shop, Forres Sandle Manor Prep School and Burgate Secondary School.

The beautiful Cathedral city of Salisbury offers a wide selection of shops, restaurants, arts and recreational facilities. Trains from Salisbury to London Waterloo have a journey time of approximately 90 minutes.

Racing is available at Salisbury Racecourse and Wincanton and golf at Rushmore Park and South Wilts Golf Club. This area is renowned for its fishing on the River Avon, Test and outlying chalk streams. The A303 provides access to the south west and London, via the M3. There is a wide selection of both state and private schools in the area, including Forres Sandle Manor, Canford, Clayesmore, Salisbury Cathedral School, Chafyn Grove and Godolphin, as well as Bishop Wordsworth and South Wilts Grammar Schools.

All distances and travel times are approximate.

Description

This Grade II listed timber-framed barn, constructed of traditional red brick under a clay tiled roof, is believed to date from the early 18th Century and was converted into an exceptional home in 1992. The accommodation is eminently flexible, with contemporary design features sitting comfortably alongside stunning historic architecture. The floors throughout are hand-laid solid oak floorboards and Jericho limestone, with underfloor heating on the ground floor. All internal doors are handmade and solid oak.

Entry is, via glazed double doors, into a spectacular central atrium. Double height with vaulted ceilings, it has full-height windows on both sides, with doors onto the south-facing garden. To one side, a suspended and pivoting fireplace separates this majestic atrium from the adjacent sitting room, with Jericho limestone floor tiles running through to the conservatory. This south-facing room benefits from full-width sliding doors, overlooking the garden and with far-reaching views towards Tidpit Down. The kitchen/breakfast room, by Smallbone of Devizes, has Jericho

limestone floor tiles, a large central island, a four-oven Aga, butlers sink and black honed granite work surfaces. Integrated appliances include a fridge/freezer, combination oven/microwave, dishwasher, wine cooler and coffee machine. It has a door opening into the garden. The utility room has a range of cupboards and a butlers sink, alongside additional fridge space and plumbing for a washing machine and tumble dryer. It offers access to the plant room.

A glazed wall divides the inner hall from the study, with fitted deep storage cupboards and shelving. The adjacent triple-aspect snug has been cleverly converted from the former cow shed. A cloakroom/WC completes the ground floor. Up the main staircase from the atrium is the striking principal bedroom. Accessed via a dressing area, with an en suite shower room off to one side, this generous double height, triple-aspect room features a wealth of exposed timbers, including the Queen truss, in its vaulted ceiling. Positioned in front of the south-facing window, with far-reaching views towards Tidpit Down, is a hand-made, William Holland, copper bateau bath. A further bedroom, with en suite bathroom, sits on this side of the atrium. A suspended walk-way, with glass balustrade, offers access to the library. This galleried room has floor-to-ceiling fitted bookshelves, with a rolling library ladder, and looks down into the central atrium. A bedroom with an oak staircase to a galleried mezzanine level has fitted wardrobes/ drawers and an en suite bathroom. A further, dual-aspect bedroom has an en suite shower room. From the landing is a walk-in linen cupboard, with open shelving. A spiral staircase offers alternative access to the ground floor.

There is additional ancillary accommodation in the converted barn across the drive. On the ground floor is a four-car garage and a garage storage room, as well as a garden store and workshop. There is separate access to a guest bedroom, shower room and storage room. On the first floor is a fully sound-proofed music studio acoustically treated by the renowned acoustic engineer Nick Whitaker (it also has a separate sound-proofed isolation booth, both with air-conditioning). This room would make an ideal media room/home cinema. There is a second bedroom/gym, with air conditioning, on this floor.

The property has a particularly special brick and flint listed wall around the garden, supplemented by beech hedging. The garden is south-west facing and laid predominantly to lawn, with terraces adjacent to the house, a hot-tub, fire-pit and a pretty summer house. Up behind the second barn is a tennis court, which was re-surfaced and painted in 2020 and, beyond that, a semi-circle of mature beech copse and a paddock, with post-and-rail fencing.

Directions

(SP6 3JP) From Salisbury, take the A354 towards Blandford. About 6 miles on from Coombe Bissett, soon after joining the stretch of dual-carriageway, turn left towards Martin. Proceed through the village and out at the far end. Continue on this road, over Tidpit cross-roads, and Chase Barn will be found on the left-hand side, after approximately half a mile.

All distances and travel times are approximate.