Washing Pool Cottage

Originally a pair of Victorian semi-detached farm workers cottages, Washing Pool Cottage takes its name from the natural pool in the stream flowing to one side of the cottage, when it was used to wash sheep. It was built in 1869 of a local stone under a clay tile roof, is unlisted and is set in a truly enviable position at the foot of the hill surmounted by Cadbury Castle hillfort. The hill is a SSSI and the property is surrounded by unspoilt countryside with lovely rural views towards a range of hills in the middle distance. The cottage has been the much-loved home of its current owners since 2003 and has been updated and improved since then. The two, original ground floor rooms have been combined to create a charming sitting room filled with natural light. It has windows on two sides looking out across the garden with a window seat and a fireplace fitted with a wood-burning stove. At the rear of the cottage is a further reception room that doubles as a snug/TV room and an occasional bedroom, with French windows opening to a paved path with the stream beyond. Also at the rear of the cottage are the kitchen and adjacent breakfast room, which are connected via a wide archway. Both rooms have tiled floors and the breakfast room has a window seat and windows on two sides with views over the surrounding countryside. The kitchen is fully fitted with a range of units under timber work surfaces, Belfast sink and 2-oven AGA and large utility room. On the first floor is a centrally positioned, galleried landing that is well-lit by natural light and has a window seat affording a gorgeous westerly view across the garden. The principal bedroom, like nearly every room in the house, also has a far-reaching view and would be of sufficient size to accommodate an en-suite bathroom if desired. Also on the first floor are two further double bedrooms and the family bathroom, which is supplemented by a shower room on the ground floor.

The cottage is set in about 1.4 acres (0.57 hectares) with the garden occupying just over half of the area. It is approached via a tarmacked entrance leading to a gravelled parking area immediately in front of the cottage. Beside it is a double garage that incorporates a good-sized home office in the roof space. A paved path encompasses the cottage with a paved dining area at the rear overlooking the stream. The garden extends out on the western side of the parking area and is bound on the roadside by a mature field hedge, with stock-proof fencing alongside the stream. It consists of a lawn that slopes very gently down to the stream, a deep border stocked with flowering shrubs and herbaceous perennials and a selection of mature native trees and several old apple trees. At the far end of the garden is a sizeable parking area with a vehicle entrance off the lane. Beside it is a modern barn and a timber/feed store. Beyond is a paddock enclosed by stock-proofed, post and rail fencing.

Sutton Montis 0.4 mile, South Cadbury 0.6 mile, A303 1 mile, Corton Denham (The Queen's Arms) 1.7 miles, Queen Camel 2.7 miles, Sherborne 6 miles (Waterloo 2.25 hours), Castle Cary station 6.4 miles (Paddington 90 minutes),
Yeovil 9.1 miles, Taunton/M5 (J25) 31 miles, Bristol Airport 33.7 miles. (Distances and times approximate).

Washing Pool Cottage is situated below Cadbury Castle hillfort and is surrounded by unspoilt countryside between the small village of Sutton Montis and South Cadbury. Local amenities are available in nearby Queen Camel, which has a pre-school, primary school, health centre and shop/post office (see with Yeovil and Sherborne both easily accessible. The property has good transport links close by. There are direct rail services from Sherborne to Waterloo (2.25 hours) and from Castle Cary to Paddington (90 minutes) and Bristol & Exeter Airports are both within an
hour's drive. The surrounding area also boasts a wide choice of schools from both the state and independent sectors.

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