Presented in good decorative order, a substantial Victorian family home with many period and unique features offering flexible and adaptable accommodation in the heart of the sought after village of Shillingstone offering five double bedrooms (two ensuite), further large single bedroom, three receptions, family kitchen / dining room, family bathroom, utility room and cloakroom with a large, well stocked garden, ample off road parking and outbuildings. This well maintained and appointed family home is ideally situated to enjoy country life whilst being close to local amenities.
SITUATION
Durmast House is in a quiet lane close to the village's general store, garage, primary school, nursery, public house and church. Walking, horse riding and fishing are all locally accessible by the River Stour, the Trailway and on Hambledon, Okeford and Shillingstone Hills.
Private schools within the immediate area include Bryanston, Clayesmore, Knighton House, Hanford, Port Regis and Milton Abbey whilst state secondary schools are available in the market towns of Sturminster Newton and Blandford Forum, each approximately six miles away.
DESCRIPTION
Durmast House forms part of substantial Victorian property, originally built in 1861 by the rector of Holy Rood Church for his daughters. From 1941 the house was used as part of Croft House School, until 1995 when the original house was divided into two attached private houses.
The house was sympathetically renovated and updated to create a modern, family home whilst retaining many of its original features including large leaded bay windows, exposed floorboards, the oak panelled sitting room with its unique fireplace and the impressive master bedroom which overlooks the large, well stocked rear garden.
The house offers generous family accommodation with a wealth of features including high ceilings, light spacious rooms, a generous family kitchen / dining room with Aga, all set within a plot of approximately 1/3 acre.
ACCOMMODATION
HALL
A spacious double aspect room with doors off to all of the principal ground floor rooms and an understair cupboard.
SITTING ROOM 5.91m x 5.07m / 19'5 x 16'8
Overlooking the rear garden this room has a unique character and charm thanks to its oak paneling, carved oak fireplace and old school radiators. Large leaded light window with French doors to the rear garden. The fireplace is of particular interest and has a motto carved into it - simplex munditiis, or elegant simplicity - the rule laid down for the uttermost refinement of taste by the Roman poet Horace.
DINING ROOM 4.56m x 3.41m / 14'11 x 11'2
A generously proportioned room which could easily accommodate the largest family Christmas gathering for lunch. Large sash window to the side, two old school radiators and doors to kitchen and hall.
SNUG/PLAYROOM 4.50m x 3.88m / 14'9 x 12'9
A bay window looks out over the front of the house. Quarry tiled floor and cast iron fireplace.
FAMILY KITCHEN / DINING ROOM 7.01m x 3.85m / 23' x 12'8
An L-shaped room with a generous range of quality wall and floor mounted cabinets, marble work surfaces and a double Belfast sink; tiled floor, part limestone tiled walls; integrated dishwasher and microwave; concealed boiler for gas central heating and a gas fired Aga. Leaded light window and glazed double doors to portico. Doors to dining and utility rooms.
UTILITY ROOM
Range of fitted floor and wall mounted cabinets; space and plumbing for washing machine and tumble dryer. Quarry tiled floor, window and glazed door to side garden.
CLOAKROOM
WC, window to rear, heated ladder towel rail.
FIRST FLOOR
LANDING
Generous landing with airing cupboard, shelved, Megaflo hot water tank providing pressurized hot water.
MASTER BEDROOM 8.35m x 4.60m / 27'5 x 15'1
An impressive room with a large leaded light oak bay window with window seat offering views over the garden, surrounding countryside and on to Hambledon Hill. Two further sash windows lookout to the side of the house. The bay window also has a door, which opens onto a flight of steps which lead down into the garden.
A lobby / storage area leads off from the master bedroom into the Ensuite Shower Room.
ENSUITE SHOWER ROOM
WC, sink and walk-in oversize shower cubicle
BEDROOM 2 4.96m x 3.96m / 16'3 x 13'
A large leaded light bay window overlooks the rear garden with views of the surrounding countryside and onto Hambledon Hill.
ENSUITE SHOWER ROOM
WC, sink and shower cubicle
BEDROOM 3 3.77m x 3.48m / 12'4 11'5
A double aspect room set on the other side of the landing with a window overlooking the front of the house.
FAMILY BATHROOM
White Heritage bathroom suite consisting of a double bath, two sinks, bidet and WC. Heated towel rail and leaded light window overlooking the rear of the house.
SECOND FLOOR
BEDROOM 4 6.09m x 3.87m / 20' x 12'8
A beamed room with two velux windows. Loft and eaves storage areas.
BEDROOM 5 4.98 m x 4.96m / 16'4 x16'3
Currently used as an office. The room's elevated position and its large leaded light bay window combine to offer panoramic views onto Hambledon Hill.
BEDROOM 6 3.77m x 3.48m / 12'4 x 11'5
A generously proportioned room, which is described as single only because part of the room has restricted head height.
OUTSIDE
The area in front of the house has walls on two sides and brick stable style outbuildings (externally measuring 7.20m x 2.60m / 23'7 x 8'6) with power and light. A gravelled courtyard offers parking for several cars. External lighting and water are both provided. Roses climb over a pergola.
A gate to the side of the house leads to a small side courtyard with a door to the utility room and a further gate from this to the rear garden.
To the rear of the house, the original Italianate portico outside the family kitchen / dining room leads out onto a paved patio area and dining area (external light and water). A hot tub (available under separate negotiation) is situated on raised decking in a private spot. The garden itself is on two levels, with steps, and is well stocked with mature shrubs and fruit trees. The plants, levels, a rockery, the variety of native trees and the layout results in an interesting garden, all of which can be viewed from no single point.
Each year the lawn is carpeted with a display of snowdrops, followed by crocuses and daffodils as the season progresses.
At the end of the garden, behind a yew hedge, is a wildlife area with garden shed and compost bins.
SERVICES
Mains gas, electricity, water and drainage. 2 telephone lines and Broadband
DIRECTIONS
Travelling between Sturminster Newton and Blandford Forum on the A350 turn opposite the petrol station in Shillingstone into Church Rd. Durmast House will be found after about sixty yards on the right.
These particulars, whilst believed to be accurate are set out as a general outline only for guidance and do not constitute any part of an offer or contract. Intending purchasers should not rely on them as statements of representation of fact, but must satisfy themselves by inspection or otherwise as to their accuracy.
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