Stourton Caundle, Sturminster Newton, Dorset, DT10

Combining traditional style with modern living, Ramillies Farm is an unlisted, spacious family house spread over three floors and formed of honey coloured Hamstone under a tiled roof. As you enter through the oak front door, you are welcomed into a broad, well-lit hallway which gives access to the principal reception rooms, kitchen and stairs to the first floor. Like many contemporary interiors, the kitchen forms the heart of the home and is generously proportioned and well-equipped, with a gas hob, double electric eye level oven, double stainless steel sink, integrated dishwasher and under counter fridge. The numerous painted units lie under granite worktops and stand on a tiled floor which extends into the dual aspect breakfast room, offering space for a large table and chairs and featuring a half-height window wall looking onto the terrace, garden and fields beyond. A big laundry/boot room lies adjacent, delivering further storage, space and connection for a washing machine and a door to the garden. There is a sizeable rear hall with a cloak room, access to the garage, stairs to the annexe and a back door.

The ground floor offers extensive, versatile and interconnected living space, decorated in neutral colours with carpeted, wooden or tiled flooring throughout. There is a generous dining room, a family room enjoying garden views and a snug with French windows onto the terrace. Adjacent to the large dual aspect drawing room, with its brick fireplace, wood burner and further doors onto the terrace, are a library and study, fitted with floor to ceiling bookshelves and cupboards. A useful downstairs wet room and cloakroom lies just off the hall.

Accommodation on the first floor is comprehensive, with all five double bedrooms having ensuite bath or shower rooms. Worth a special mention is the principal, dual aspect bedroom with fitted wardrobes, a custom-built dressing room and ensuite bathroom including walk-in shower, basin, WC, bidet and bath with wonderful views over the hills. The second floor is a converted loft with a double bedroom, ensuite cloakroom, an ample landing area and a bathroom.

The annexe, which lies above the expansive garage with automatic roller doors, offers potential for ancillary accommodation and has planning permission for a bedroom and bathroom on which basic work has been completed.

OUTSIDE
The house is enveloped by gardens on three sides, which extend to approximately 1.2 acres and are largely laid to lawn with mature shrubs and specimen trees. On the south side, set in a small orchard of apples and pears, there is a delightful pond with a charming, curved brick bench allowing for a spot of nature watching. On the west gable end of the house is a lovely pergola swathed in roses and a grape vine. In the eastern corner there is a brick outbuilding comprising two stores plus a woodstore behind the garage. A long terrace sweeps along the garden side of the main reception rooms allowing for relaxed entertaining during the warmer months. At the front, the gravelled driveway sweeps up from electric gates to the house and wooden cladded garage building, creating an impactful first impression.

Ramillies Farm is a fabulous family house offering supremely flexible accommodation, extensive entertaining opportunities and modern facilities in a traditional style. This is a rare opportunity to acquire an unlisted recently built house in a glorious rural setting close to village amenities and to Sherborne beyond.

LOCATION
Set in rolling country just outside the pretty village of Stourton Caundle, Ramillies Farm is well-placed for both country walks and easy access to Sherborne and its many amenities. Stourton Caundle lies in the heart of the Blackmore Vale and is a tucked away from main roads. This wonderful landscape, which has changed little for centuries, is predominantly open pasture criss-crossed with nature rich hedges and small woodland coverts. This gently undulating landscape is well known for its beauty and was immortalised by Thomas Hardy in his Wessex novels. To the south, the Dorset Downs rise up with the majestic heights of Bulbarrow in the distance.

The heart of Stourton Caundle, which is a Conservation Area, embraces mainly period stone houses and cottages and has a public house, The Trooper Inn, village hall and church. The nearest shops are 3 miles away in the small town of Stalbridge (including an award-winning independent supermarket, ‘Dikes’), as well as in Bishops Caundle where one can find a post office/stores, petrol station and a primary school.

The historic town of Sherborne, renowned for its Abbey, schools and two castles, is approximately 6 miles away and offers a range of traditional shops, boutiques and supermarkets. Other accessible towns in the area include Blandford, Sturminster Newton, Shaftesbury, Yeovil and Dorchester.

Communications to this part of the world have improved markedly in recent years with the upgrading of the A303, to the M3 and London. To the north of the village, the A30 gives access to Shaftesbury and Salisbury and there are main line railway stations in Sherborne and Templecombe, serving London Waterloo in a little over two hours and Exeter to the West.

SPORTING AND RECREATION
There are numerous golf courses within easy motoring distance including Sherborne and Yeovil. Racing at Wincanton, Salisbury, Bath and Exeter. Water sports on the Dorset coast (about 30 miles) or on Sutton Bingham Reservoir near Yeovil. Riding and walking on an extensive network of bridleways and footpaths. Theatres at Bath, Taunton, Salisbury and Bournemouth. The Newt country estate and Hauser & Wirth in Bruton provide further cultural opportunities.

EDUCATION
The area is particularly noted for the high quality of its schools including independent schools such as Sherborne School for Girls, Sherborne School for Boys, Sherborne Preparatory School, Hazelgrove, Port Regis, Leweston and Bruton Schools as well as Bryanston School in Blandford Forum, along with highly regarded state schools at Sherborne and Gillingham. The local primary school is also well regarded.