Holton, Wincanton, Somerset, BA9

A beautifully presented and wonderfully practical house, notable for its light, with well-balanced and proportioned rooms set over two floors. Originally built from local stone in the mid 1980’s and benefitting from the excellent building techniques of the time, such as cavity wall insulation, the property was the subject of major renovation in 2010. This included the installation of double-glazed windows throughout and a fabulous two storey extension to the rear, taking advantage of the open views that this house enjoys from the edge of the village.

The front door opens into the large welcoming entrance hall with a galleried landing ensuring first impressions are of space and light. Off this impressive hall is the bright sitting room with its triple aspect, comforting gas wood burner with oak surround, for those cooler evenings and French doors that lead directly into the garden, ideal for summer. Also, off the central hall is a large cloakroom, a study and a dining room which can equally be used as a second reception room, with its floor to ceiling bookshelves.

The feeling of space continues as one moves through to the rear of the house where a utility with plenty of storage sits alongside a boot room, with access outside and a further cloakroom. Worth a special mention is the kitchen/breakfast room, with its stone floor with underfloor heating, modern wall and base units under a granite worktop and an excellent array of first-class appliances, including a steam oven, Neff double oven with warming drawer, integrated dishwasher, Insinkerator, boiling and filtered water tap, making it the perfect cook’s kitchen. Whilst the kitchen has space for a good-sized island with breakfast bar in the centre, the dining area, which is partially sectioned off, provides the perfect place for larger gatherings. Large French doors at the end of the room can be thrown open on warmer days to take in the full joy of the garden and views of rolling hills beyond. Equally, the French doors to the south open out to a veranda with outside lights, ideal for a spot of al fresco dining which also has great appeal.

There are four double bedrooms off the galleried landing, all with built in cupboards. The indulgent principal bedroom, with its semi vaulted ceiling, dressing room and ensuite bathroom with shower, sit in the rear extension. A further ensuite bathroom to one of the bedrooms and a family shower room can also be found in the original part of the house. Some very useful storage cupboards and access to a boarded loft complete the picture inside this very desirable property.

GARDENS AND GROUNDS
The house sits back from the lane behind a stone wall and laurel hedge. The recently reconfigured tarmac driveway sweeps through some gates towards a double garage with parking for several cars. A lawned area with newly planted bulbs, lies to the front and side of the house, providing easy access to the more extensive gardens and a paddock to the rear. The garage itself is stone built and provides some excellent storage with a smaller workshop adjacent. A second entrance from the road provides additional access to the grounds at the rear. The garden is a delight, bordered by hedging and various fruit trees, including fig, plum, apple and pear. There is a secure paddock with a stable and tack room, that stretches downhill with views out to open farmland and is bordered to the north by a small stream. Closer to the house is a paved terrace that wraps around the east and south sides, providing a lovely, sheltered spot from which to enjoy this charming and relatively low maintenance garden. The grounds in total extend to approximately 1.43 acres.

LOCATION
Holton is a small village set along a quiet lane on the Somerset/Dorset border. This particular location is well known for the excellent communications close at hand, the proximity to the lovely Abbey town of Sherborne and accessibility to a number of extremely good schools. The village has a church and public house and nearby Charlton Horethorne has a shop, post office and primary school. Wincanton has a full range of facilities including supermarkets, banks and a sports centre. Sherborne is well known as one of the south’s prettiest market towns with its excellent variety of traditional shops and boutiques.
Communications to the area are good with the A303 a dual carriageway most of the way to the M3 and London. There are train services at Templecombe to London Waterloo (2 hours) or Castle Cary to London Paddington (95 minutes). Bournemouth, Salisbury and Bath are all within an hour’s drive.

EDUCATION
The area is extremely well known for the quality of its schools, both state and independent. Preparatory schools include Sherborne, Hazelgrove and Port Regis and secondary schools include Sherborne Boys and Girls, Leweston, St Mary’s Shaftesbury, Millfield and Milton Abbey.

SPORTING AND RECREATION
Racing at Wincanton. Golf at Sherborne and Yeovil. Sherborne Abbey holds regular concerts and recitals. The Newt Country Estate and Hotel is nearby. Hauser and Wirth in Bruton and The Sherborne in Sherborne for the arts. Theatres at Salisbury, Yeovil and Bath (within an hour). Numerous footpaths, bridleways and quiet lanes make the area ideal for walking, cycling and riding.