Plum Orchard, Nether Compton, Sherborne, Dorset, DT9

Built in 1996 and looking onto a pretty green with a lily pond at its centre, 7 Plum Orchard has a lovely position on the edge of the village backing onto unspoilt countryside. The development contains eight houses designed by an architect associated with Poundbury, which are all slightly different but blend perfectly forming a peaceful community at the end of a no-through lane. 7 Plum Orchard is set well back from the lane with the house, parking area and formal garden enclosed by tall stone walling that provides a high degree of privacy. Beyond the rear of the walled garden are a further, less formal area of garden and mature woodland.

The house is built of local stone that matches older, period houses in the village and has been the much-loved home of the current owners for the past 20 years. Indeed, they are only the house's second owners since it was built 28 years ago. It has well-proportioned and beautifully presented accommodation on two floors with views behind of the surrounding countryside. The ground floor is arranged around an elegant hall with a laminated wood floor that is overlooked by the first floor's three-sided galleried landing. Overall, the ground floor has four reception rooms: a large, well-lit drawing room, cosy sitting room, good sized study and dining room, with the first two looking south over the rear garden and both having French windows to the terrace. The kitchen and dining room are connected via a wide archway and the kitchen also looks out onto the garden and is fully fitted with a range of units and built-in electric appliances. Also adjacent to the kitchen are a walk-in pantry and the utility room, which has a door through to the double garage. Upstairs there are four double bedrooms. The principal and guest bedrooms face south and have far-reaching views, with the former having its own ensuite bathroom. The family bath and shower room is shared by the remaining three bedrooms. The house contains a wealth of storage space including generous built-in wardrobes in all the bedrooms plus good-sized airing and linen cupboards off the landing.

There is a pea-gravelled parking area in front of the house with the double garage to one side, attached to the house at an angle. The garage incorporates a workshop area as well as an integral machinery and tool store that is accessed from the rear garden. The parking area is approached off the lane via a pair of wrought iron gates set in high stone walling that curves around to encompass the rear of the garden. At the centre of the rear garden is a pond surrounded by lawn fringed by richly stocked, colourful borders containing a wonderful mix of Spring bulbs, herbaceous perennials and flowering shrubs including several camelias. In one corner is a stone-built garden room that could serve as a quiet home office or studio if desired. Beyond the walled garden is a more informal area of garden containing several fine, mature rhododendron and raised vegetable beds. Adjacent to it, separated by a pretty, fir-lined stream, is an area of woodland containing a variety of native, broadleaf trees including Oak, Ash and Beech. In all the garden and grounds amount to about an acre.

Nether Compton is a small, pretty village with good amenities including a pub and active village hall, with Sherborne close by offering a range of shops and local businesses for most everyday needs including a Waitrose supermarket. The area has excellent schooling from both the private and state sectors and the village is in the catchment area for the well-regarded Gryphon School (state secondary). Sherborne train station has a direct rail service to Waterloo (2.25 hours) and there are trains from Castle Cary to Paddington (90 minutes). Bournemouth, Bristol and Exeter Airports are all easily accessible too offering connections to UK and international destinations.