5 Bedroom Property for Sale in Shaftesbury

5 bedrooms
3 reception rooms
1 bathroom, 3 shower rooms
Separate lodge
Paddock and mature woodland

Freehold

SITUATION:
Situated high on the Dorset/Wiltshire border, Thanes House has wonderful south and west facing views right across the Blackmore Vale and beyond, as far as Glastonbury Tor some 25 miles away! It is understood that during the last war the prominence of the house made it a navigational aid for German bombers on their way to Bristol and as a result the house was camouflaged with khaki paint after it had been mentioned by Lord Haw-Haw in one of his traitorous broadcasts! Thanes House is set within delightful gardens and grounds extending to over 15 acres which includes about 4 acres of mature woodland. The house is just 1.5 miles from the Saxon hill town of Shaftesbury which has excellent amenities including a good variety of shops, hotels, churches, public houses, garages and a cottage hospital. Local attractions include the famous Gold Hill, Park Walk and Abbey ruins. Other towns of note in the area include Sherborne, Salisbury, Blandford Forum, Bournemouth and Wincanton, all of which have a good variety of shopping, educational, recreational and cultural facilities. There are good communications in the area with the A303 available to the north at West Knoyle providing a route to London/Home Counties on the A303/M3/M27. There is a mainline railway service available to London Waterloo from Gillingham or Tisbury or to London Paddington from Castle Cary. There are also many excellent independent schools in the area, including St Mary's Shaftesbury, Port Regis, Sandroyd, Clayesmore, Bryanston, Canford and Sherborne. Sporting facilities include golf at Sherborne, Rushmore, Blandford and Salisbury and horse racing at Wincanton and Salisbury. Water sports are available on the Dorset coastline and in Poole Harbour.

DESCRIPTION:
Thanes House is a fine - Arts & Crafts - style house situated in a breathtaking elevated position. Constructed in 1930 with rendered elevations under a tiled roof, the house offers spacious accommodation of great charm. Within the last 5 years the house has been the subject of a major programme of refurbishment which has been sensitively carried out to the highest standard. There is a lavishly appointed kitchen/breakfast room with under-floor heating and the bathrooms have superb quality fittings. The drawing room and dining room have now been opened up to provide one magnificent reception room, whilst the former integral garage has been converted into a sitting room. A superb decked sun terrace leads from the kitchen/breakfast room whilst on the lower ground floor a gym, games room and wine cellar have been created. There is potential to convert the attic to additional accommodation subject to obtaining the necessary consents. The house has been completely redecorated and carpeted throughout, but retains the charming leaded light windows and original fireplaces. The long tree lined entrance drive has been re-laid and there is a delightful three bedroomed lodge at the entrance to the property which also enjoys the outstanding views

ACCOMMODATION:
Please see floor plans for the accommodation of Thanes House and also Thanes Lodge.OutsideThe house is approached by a lovely tree lined tarmacadamed entrance drive which goes past Thanes Lodge and which continues past some mature woodland and enjoys spectacular views across the Blackmore Vale. There is a large gravelled parking and turning area in front of the house and the gravelled section continues to the substantial double garage. This is constructed with rendered elevations under a tiled roof and has a pair of electric up-and-over doors and a staircase at the side providing access to the useful boarded storage space above.Immediately behind the house is a very extensive south and west facing paved terrace enjoying spectacular views whilst at the side of the house is a magnificent decked sun terrace. The gardens are a delightful feature of the property being laid to lawn with a wide assortment of flower beds, borders, trees and shrubs. There is a lovely pond with fountain feature. Attractive gravelled pathways give access to different parts of the garden and there is a small orchard. There is a an attractive field of permanent pasture extending to about 10 acres with a water supply and this gives access to mature woodland of oak, ash and beech which forms the western boundary to the property. Planning Permission was granted on the 12th April 2005 (Ref 2/2005/0182) to form a new access to Thanes House at a point some 170 metres south of the existing entrance, which does provide better visibility if required. By the orchard is a private gated access to the adjoining Kingsettle Wood which extends to approximately 50 acres and which is within the ownership of the Woodland Trust, providing some wonderful walking. The property extends in total to about 15.5 acres.

DIRECTIONS:
From Shaftesbury take the A350 Warminster road, after a short distance driving past the entrance to Wincombe Business Park and then across the county boundary into Wiltshire. Continue for a short distance along the A350 going past the turning to Donhead St Mary and then after a further 200 yards take the next turning left (just before the road starts to go down the hill). Go over a cattle grid and past the entrance lodge. Go over a second cattle grid then bear left along the entrance drive and Thanes House will be seen straight ahead.Post code: SP7 9HE