Hatherly Farmhouse

As you walk around the beautiful, lush garden and meadowland that surrounds Hatherly Farmhouse, it is difficult to believe that back in 1988 there was almost nothing there save a run down farmhouse and outbuildings plus some rather uninspiring farmland. Its only redeeming feature was its setting in the lee of Bulbarrow Hill, Dorset's highest feature. The current owner recognised the potential
and undertook a pure labour of love to create the lush grounds that surround the house today. This vision included recognising the dual nature of the property's outlook, where in autumn the leaves fall revealing the full majesty of Bulbarrow Hill. The farmhouse is thought to date from the late 19th century and is built of mellow red brick under a Welsh slate roof. It was completely renovated back in 1988, refurbished again in 2008 and today is very well presented. It is a classic four square design with the entrance hall and conservatory added later and has good-sized, tall windows that combine with the pale décor to give the inside a lovely light and airy feel. It is not
listed but has been sympathetically renovated with some nice touches including elm floorboards and an attractive marble fireplace in the dining room and oak flooring and beautifully made bookcases in the sitting room plus Italian tiles used to floor the entrance hall, conservatory and in the en suite shower room. In addition to the two reception rooms the house also has a charming and cosy kitchen/breakfast room, which is fully fitted with painted timber units, a range of electric appliances and a gas/electric range cooker, with lovely views out over the garden. This latter feature is one that is shared throughout the house, particularly from the first floor where all five bedrooms look out across the garden to the countryside beyond. The principal bedroom has a particularly fine view of the western side of Bulbarrow Hill.

Hatherly Farmhouse is approached off a peaceful country lane and has a gravelled parking area in front of the house. Beside it is a former dairy that has been converted into a double garage with a large office and integral WC on the first floor. With all necessary services already laid to it, the double garage/office would make in ideal, self-contained annexe. At the northern extent of the garden are three conjoined period barns, with the one adjacent to the kitchen garden serving as a potting and garden store. Adjacent to the orchard is a timber-built greenhouse and in one of the meadows is a tractor store.

The outstanding feature of the garden and grounds is the extraordinary rich variety of mature trees planted throughout the entire property including many rare species. The planting also extends to the two interconnected meadows. The formal garden extends
around three sides of the house. It is bounded by tall hedging and walling where necessary with a tributary of the River Divelish flowing along one edge and it consists of level lawns, richly planted borders and a fish pond. Immediately adjacent is a mixed orchard and
between the parking area and barns are the kitchen garden and a lawn surmounted by an avenue of hornbeams.

Ansty (The Fox Inn) 1.8 miles, Hazelbury Bryan 2.7 miles, Sturminster Newton 7 miles, Blandford Forum 10.7 miles, Sherborne 13 miles (Waterloo 2.25 hours), Dorchester 14.9 miles, Bournemouth Airport 30 miles. (Distances and time approximate).

Hatherly Farmhouse sits in a lovely position on the edge of the Blackmore Vale with the western side of Bulbarrow Hill as a backdrop. It is within the widespread hamlet of Stoke Wake and about a seven minute drive to the thriving village of Hazelbury Bryan, which has a primary school, village shop, pub, hall and cricket club. More extensive local amenities are available in the nearby small town of Sturminster Newton with the larger towns of Sherborne, Blandford Forum and Dorchester also within easy driving distance. For transport links, the property is within easy reach of the A357 t

Marketed by: Knight Frank, Sherborne