A delightful thatched stone cottage with a good garden and river frontage.

Description

Brought to the market for the first time in 34 years, The Mill Cottage is an idyllic country cottage, nestling in a secluded and peaceful valley within the highly sought-after Donheads. Originally part of the Arundell Estate, the cottage is believed to date from c.1650 and has well-proportioned, largely dual-aspect rooms.

The entrance hall, with access to the cloakroom and larder, leads through to a kitchen/breakfast room, with fitted shaker-style cupboards, an oil-fired Aga, an additional double oven and hob, dishwasher and two integrated fridges. The adjacent drawing room has a large inglenook fireplace to one end, currently with a very effective gas fired ‘wood-burning’ stove, but the potential to return to an open fire, if desired, as the chimney is lined. There is a very practical walk-in drinks cupboard with fridge. The adjoining sitting room is triple aspect and overlooking the garden and surrounding countryside. There are French doors, opening on to the stone terrace and gardens beyond and a deep window seat in a large, curved bay window. Completing the ground floor is the utility/laundry room, with plumbing for an additional dishwasher, a washing machine and dryer. It also has fitted cupboards and a sink. A door from here leads through to a large storage barn/workshop, with a door onto the lane and wooden steps to an upper level of storage. Also from here is internal access to the double, open-fronted car barn, with a herringbone brick floor.
Upstairs, the principal bedroom enjoys wonderful views over the garden and countryside and a deep bay window. There are two further double bedrooms, one containing the original ‘salt cupboard’, a family bathroom and a family shower room.

Outside
The delightful riverside gardens, a haven for wildlife, are a particular feature of this property. The river curves around the boundary of the garden, with a charming bridge over to an additional small pocket of land. The gardens have been created over many years by the current owners, with the emphasis being on informal planting, including poppies, roses, primroses, michaelmas daisies, periwinkles and hostas. The riverbank is a mass of wildflowers and bulbs in the Spring and Summer, including snowdrops. The garden boasts a variety of trees and shrubs, including apple, yew and bay, and is largely bounded by mature beech trees, with sweeping views up on to the surrounding fields.

Location

Donhead St Andrew and the neighbouring Donhead St Mary are situated in the Nadder Valley. The parish includes the hamlets of West End, Milkwell and Brook Waters. Donhead means Head of the Downs and refers to the beautiful chalk downs that rise from here up to Win Green and reach as far as Salisbury Plain to the east and Blackmore Vale to the west. The village has a pub and a 13th Century church. The nearby village of Ludwell boasts an award-winning village shop and post office and a butcher. The market town of Shaftesbury lies approximately four miles west of the Donheads and the popular town of Tisbury is approximately four miles north. Tisbury has a range of amenities, including Messums art gallery, a leisure centre and swimming pool, primary school, cafés, independent shops and supermarket. Regular trains from Tisbury to London Waterloo have a journey time of approximately two hours.

The beautiful Cathedral city of Salisbury, approximately 18 miles east of Donhead St Andrew, offers a wide selection of shops, restaurants, arts and recreational facilities. Trains from Salisbury to London Waterloo have a journey time of approximately 90 minutes.

Racing is available at Salisbury Racecourse and Wincanton and golf at Rushmore, South Wilts Golf Club and High Post. This area is renowned for its fishing on the River Avon, Test and outlying chalk streams.

There is a wide selection of both state and private schools in the area, including Port Regis, Sandroyd, Clayesmore, Bryanston, Salisbury Cathedral School, Chafyn Grove and Godolphin, as well as Bishop Wordsworth and South Wilts Grammar Schools.

All distances and travel times are approximate.

Square Footage: 2,007 sq ft



Directions

SP7 9DY: From Salisbury, take the A30 towards Shaftesbury. After (approximately 16 miles) (and before the village of Ludwell) you will take a right-hand turning into West End Lane (opposite the left-hand turning on to the B3081 towards Tollard Royal). Go left at the t-junction (with Overway Lane) and then take the next left, down a hill. You will find The Mill Cottage on your right-hand side.

All distances and travel times are approximate.

Additional Info

Tenure:
Freehold

Local Authority:
Dorset Council –[use Contact Agent Button]

Outgoings:
The property is subject to Council Tax Band F

Fixtures and Fittings: Please note that, unless specifically mentioned, all fixtures and fittings and garden ornaments are excluded from the sale.

Services:
Mains water and electricity. Oil fired central heating. Private drainage (septic tank with auxiliary bio treatment plant)