The Old Forge

A charming and flexible detached 6 bedroom period house with income potential, cottage and large workshop offering a number of different lifestyle choices. In gardens and grounds of approximately 2.26 acres.

The Old Forge is a gorgeous detached six bedroom house built in the 1700s of stone elevations under a part thatched and part tiled roof. This spacious and flexible property has been updated and maintained by the current owners and has so much to offer. Brimming with character features having exposed beams, parquet flooring, quarry tiles to name but a few. There is income potential, a fantastic workshop and gardens and grounds of approximately 2.26 acres.

The property has had a varied history and as well as being a Blacksmith’s Forge, it has been used for a Carriage Builder and an Estate Wheelwright for the Glynn Estate. Our clients have successfully adapted the property over the years for their own lifestyle business, running a car restoration business Holiday Cottage, B&B and glamping. An incoming buyer has tremendous scope to adapt it to suit their own needs.

Situated in the village of Compton Abbas an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty there are beautiful far-reaching views over Fontmell Down and only three miles away from the nearest town of Shaftesbury offering an extensive range of amenities.

Double doors open into the hall off which is the utility room having space and plumbing for a washing machine, access to the principal rooms and stairs rising to the first floor. To the left of the hall is the kitchen / breakfast room having space for a dining table, floor standing units, an oil-fired AGA with an electric companion, space and plumbing for a dishwasher, space for a fridge and a door leading outside. Beyond the kitchen is the bright sitting room with a triple aspect as well as lovely features including the old village post box, window shutters and an inglenook fireplace with a woodburner. To the other side of the hall is a fantastic and sizeable dining room bursting with character and light having a dual aspect. Originally a detached barn this was converted and brought into the internal accommodation by our clients. An internal (there is also a separate external door) door leads through to an annexe with kitchen / living room, double bedroom with built in storage, and a bathroom.

On the first-floor landing there is an airing cupboard, four double bedrooms, a single bedroom, two bathrooms and stairs rising to the second floor where there are two attic rooms with full head height. The master bedroom has an ensuite shower room and bedroom three has built in storage as well as connecting door to the neighbouring room which would make an excellent dressing room or an office.

The property is approached via a lane onto a gravel drive with ample parking and there is vehicular access to an extensive range of outbuildings, stabling and a tack room, three paddocks, and an orchard having a range of fruit trees.

There are stunning, far-reaching views over the surrounding countryside. From the parking area, a pedestrian gate leads to the terrace where there is a further set of gates leading back out onto the lane. Of particular note is the fantastic and substantial workshop with B1 light industrial use, light, power, a pit, a personnel door and double doors opening outside. Connected to the workshop is a garage with further double doors, a personnel door, power and light.

The Smithy
Steps lead up to the front door of this charming holiday cottage which has a sitting / dining room with a woodburning stove, shower room, mezzanine bedroom. There is a kitchen and a bathroom on the lower ground floor.

Agent’s Note
There are two shepherd’s huts, a BBQ hut and a hot tub that are excluded but available by separate negotiation.

The property lies within Cranborne Chase, an International Dark Sky Reserve and an Area of Outstanding Natural beauty in the village of Compton Abbas. Located just 3 miles (approx.) south of the Saxon Hilltop town of Shaftesbury, the village has a strong community and a village church. Walks from the village take you to some of the best countryside in the south of England, across National Trust land.

The nearest village for amenities is Fontmell Magna with village post office/store, doctors’ surgery, public house and restaurant, a church and well-regarded primary school. The hilltop town of Shaftesbury offers further amenities including schools, shops, banks, supermarkets etc, as does the Georgian market town of Blandford Forum, approximately 10 miles. There is a mainline station to London Waterloo from Gillingham (9 miles approximately).



Marketed by: Symonds & Sampson, Sturminster Newton