8 Bedroom Property for Sale in Templecombe

8 bedrooms
4 reception rooms
5 bathrooms
Gardens, swimming pool, tennis
In all about 17 acres

Freehold

SITUATION:
Horsington is set in beautiful open countryside in southeast Somerset, close to the Wiltshire and Dorset borders. Horsington has a pub with a local village shop in nearby Charleton Hawthorne. The towns of Sherborne, Wincanton and Shaftesbury are all within a few miles and offer a good range of shops and everyday facilities. Transport communications at Horsington are excellent with a main line station at Templecombe, approximately 3 miles, offering a regular service to London, Waterloo, whilst trains run to Paddington in about 1 hour 40 minutes from Castle Cary which is approximately 9 miles to the north. The area is also readily accessible by road with the A303 about 4 miles away which provides fast access to the M3 to London (about 114 miles). The cities of Salisbury and Bath are both within one hours drive.The area offers much to the sporting enthusiast with good walking and riding country all around. There are racecourses at Wincanton, Salisbury and Taunton along with a number of established shoots and several golf courses in the vicinity.

DESCRIPTION:
Believed to have 1686 origins with mid 18th and 19th century extensions, The Grange is a beautiful example of the archetypical country house. The house is light and airy with large sash windows and high ceilings. Steeped in history, the property was occupied by the Wickham family until 1901 with a plaque on the north gable wall referring to two members of the family who were the rectors of Horsington from 1686 to 1897. The current vendors have been in occupation since the end of 1999 and have carried out many improvements in that time including the replacement of the kitchen, restoration and supply of electricity in the barn and stables, installation of an all weather manege and a hard tennis court.Ground FloorThe main reception rooms emanate from the reception hall which has a beautiful stone floor. To the left is a double aspect drawing room with an open fireplace. Three tall sash windows overlooking the gardens allow the room to be flooded with light. A door leads through to the sitting room which also has an open fire and a large sash that overlooks the south east facing terrace and gardens outside. To the right is a dining room with stripped wooden floors and a further open fire. This in turn leads through to the large study (currently used as a billiards room) which has a wood burning stove and French windows to the drive and front gardens. The kitchen/breakfast room is located to the rear of the house. It features a four oven oil fired Aga set into a beautiful stone former fireplace that provides a striking focal point for the room. A range of wall and floor units are complemented by a large granite topped central island. There is also a good sized walk in larder and a separate utility and boot room offering rear access to the property. A door in the hall leads to the cellars which are arranged in three rooms. They are currently used as a games room, a workshop and a wine store.First FloorAn elegant staircase leads up to the first floor accommodation which comprises of four bedrooms and three bathrooms. The master suite is a bright and airy double aspect room which has beautiful views of the surrounding grounds and countryside along with its own en suite bath and shower room with ample storage in built in cupboards and wardrobes. There are three further double bedrooms, two of which enjoy en suite facilities and built in wardrobes. Each of these en suite bathrooms can be used as family bathrooms.Second FloorOn the second floor are another four double bedrooms, and two bathrooms. The bedrooms have a charming feel with lower ceilings than the rest of the house, and several exposed beams. There are two large cupboards on this floor providing ample storage. It would be simple to convert part or all of this floor to provide self contained accommodation, subject to the necessary planning consents.The Dovecote and CottageThe Dovecote and Cottage are Grade II listed and provide garaging, storage and separate two bedroom self contained accommodation. The Gardens, Outbuildings and LandThe gardens are beautifully presented in a parkland like setting with sweeping lawns interspersed by many mature trees including a wonderful Blue Cedar, Monkey Puzzle and Holly along with shrubs and well stocked borders and beds. The front of the house has two magnificent Magnolias climbing over it. To the rear of the house is a parterre style garden with a central pond. Leading from this is the part walled heated swimming pool terrace with changing room. There is also a hard tennis court, a large greenhouse and a vegetable garden. The land is divided into paddocks, one of which has a field shelter along with an all weather manege. There are five stables (one of which is a small listed barn), a large barn for storage and a separate lockable tack room. A pond is surrounded by a stream, set within a small orchard. The property is approached via two drives - one from the main A357 and one from the village with ample parking available.The property is being offered for sale freehold with vacant possession

ACCOMMODATION:
Please refer to the floor plans for room dimensions and layout.

DIRECTIONS:
From London, leave the M3 at the turning for the A303 just after Basingstoke and follow the A303 until Wincanton. Leave the A303 at Wincanton and follow the A357 south signed to Blandford and Sherborne. Take the second turning into the village of Horsington (also signed to the Half Moon public house). The drive to The Grange can be found on the right hand side opposite the pub.