Kings Stag, Sturminster Newton, Dorset, DT10

Most attractive country house and converted mill on the River Lydden with beautiful gardens and grounds extending to about 48 acres.

Description

Lyddon House underwent a significant transformation when purchased by its current owner 24 years ago. Originally a mid-19th century farmhouse, the property's potential was significantly extended and meticulously renovated, now establishing it as one of Dorset's premier country houses. Set within nearly 48 acres of picturesque gardens and grounds alongside the River Lydden, the house stands proud in its glorious rural setting.

Facing southwest towards the Dorset Gap, the house is flooded with natural light, thanks to its spacious rooms, high ceilings and wide sash windows. The interior is tastefully decorated with well-chosen fittings, providing a blend of sophistication and functionality. Careful maintenance over the years has ensured its good condition and timeless appeal.
The layout revolves around a magnificent central reception hall, overlooked by a three-sided galleried landing on the first floor. Three main reception rooms, all facing southwest, offer delightful views of the surrounding garden, woodland, and pasture. The drawing room, positioned to one side of the reception hall, is an impressive space with French windows opening onto the garden. Beyond the drawing room a secret door leads to a pool room featuring a part glazed roof and a changing room with shower and integral sauna complemented by additional tall sash windows.

On the opposite side of the hall lies the sitting/dining room, providing access to the kitchen through sliding doors and access to the study through another door. The kitchen, boasts windows on three sides, offering panoramic views of the garden, mill, mill stream, and parterre garden. It features bespoke hand-painted units under marble work surfaces, blending practicality with elegance. Beyond the drawing room a secret door leads to a pool room featuring a part glazed roof and a changing room with shower and integral sauna.

Upstairs, there are four large double bedrooms, each with its own bathroom. Both the principal and guest bedrooms have en suite bathrooms leading to separate dressing rooms, while the principal bedroom also offers two walk-in wardrobes. The dressing room to the guest bedroom could be a fifth bedroom if required. From every bedroom, you are treated to glorious views.

Ancillary accommodation and outbuildings

In addition to the main house, Lyddon House offers a range of ancillary accommodation and outbuildings set in a courtyard arrangement around a grass turning circle. A particularly charming red brick converted mill, serves as a self- contained guest cottage with its own pretty garden overlooking the mill stream. The building has two reception rooms, one with an integrated kitchen and the other currently being used as a 4th bedroom. There are three double bedrooms, one with an en suite WC and a family bathroom. This accommodation is ideal for accommodating extended family or elderly relatives.

On the opposite side of the turning circle stands a large garage block, with access and stair case to a two-bedroom self-sufficient flat known as ‘The Cottage’. Adjacent, is a triple-bay carport with external stairs leading to a spacious home office above. Other amenities include a greenhouse, machinery and log store, a timber stable block requiring reconstruction and two modern agricultural barns.

Garden, grounds and land
Lyddon House is accessed via discreet yet extensive front and rear driveways. Nestled within approximately 1.71 acres of immediate gardens around the house and the adjacent mill stream. The grounds feature a southwest-facing formal garden, an orchard, and three expansive ponds, complemented by stretches of woodland offering seclusion and tranquillity.

Encircling the property is a horseshoe of woodland and pasture spanning approximately 43.71 acres (17.7 hectares). This includes 9.03 acres (3.66 hectares) of woodland and 34.68 acres (14.04 hectares) of pasture, divided into eleven enclosures.

The total acreage totals about 47.92 acres (19.39 hectares).

Location

Lyddon House enjoys a picturesque setting along the River Lydden in the charming countryside of the Blackmore Vale.

Situated less than a mile from the village of Kings Stag, with the highly-rated The Green Man public house (4/5 on TripAdvisor) and a convenient fuel/ vehicle repair garage.

For immediate necessities, Hazelbury Bryan hosts a Spar convenience store, whilst Sturminster Newton, a nearby small market town, caters to most day-to-day needs.

Further amenities can be found in the larger towns of Sherborne, Blandford Forum, and Dorchester.

Transportation links are easily accessible, with the A3030 and A357 to the north, and the A352 to the west.

Direct rail services from Sherborne 8.5 miles (Waterloo 2 ¼ hours), Castle Cary 19 miles, provides swift connections to Paddington in about 90 minutes.

Bournemouth Airport is less than an hour's drive, while Exeter, Southampton, and Bristol International Airports are all within a 90-minute radius.

The area boasts a surplus of reputable schools, including Leweston, Bryanston, Milton Abbey, the Sherborne schools, Hanford, Bryanston Prep, and Clayesmore, all conveniently located within a 10-mile radius.

Square Footage: 5,661 sq ft


Acreage: 47.92 Acres

Directions

Directions (Postcode DT10 2AU)
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From the A357 running east to west just south of Sturminster Newton, turn onto the A3030, signed to Sherborne. Continue for just over a mile and then turn left onto Blackrow Lane/B3143. Drive for just under a mile and a half to the village of Kings Stag. On reaching a staggered crossroads in the village and opposite The Green Man pub on the right, turn left towards Hazelbury Bryan. The entrance to the front drive to the property will be found on the right after about a third of a mile, taking the first right after the hump-back bridge.

Additional Info

Council Tax Band H Lyddon House
Council Tax Band F Mill House

Mains water & electricity. Private drainage. Oil-fired central heating. Bottled gas. Full fibre optic broadband.

Distances
Kings Stag 0.8 mile, Hazelbury Bryan 1 mile, Sturminster Newton five miles, Sherborne 8.5 miles (Waterloo 2.25 hours), Blandford Forum 13 miles, Dorchester 15 miles, Castle Cary station 19 miles (Paddington 90 minutes), Jurassic Coast 22 miles, Bournemouth Airport 31 miles
(All distances and times are approximate)