The Higher Melcombe Estate

Dorchester, Dorset An enchanting rural estate set in outstanding Dorset countryside

The Higher Melcombe Estate, Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 7PB

Antsy 2 miles, Blandford Forum 12 miles, Dorchester 10 miles

Features: Grade I Listed Elizabethan Manor with reception hall, drawing room, dining room, library, study, kitchen, chapel, wine cellar

8 bedrooms (3 with en suite facilities), 3 bathrooms and a dressing room

Mature gardens

Detached farmhouse and two detached cottages

Two semi-detached cottages

Range of traditional Dorset stone barns

Range of livestock buildings

Approximately

322 acres of arable

133 acres of grazing and pasture land

71 acres of woodland

All sporting rights in hand

About 538.07 acres (217.77 ha) Situation The Higher Melcombe Estate is approximately 10 miles south, is situated in an exceptionally both offering educational, shopping attractive part of Dorset. The estate and recreational facilities. forms a bowl with the manor and The larger centres of Poole and buildings located centrally. Bournemouth are approximately 24 and 29 miles respectively on the The estate is home to the ‘Dorset south coast. The estate is also some Gap’ which is a well-known 14 miles from the Jurassic Coast beauty spot. This former historic World Heritage Site. crossroads lies on the boundary and offers splendid views towards the Sailing and other water sports Downs and the Wessex Ridgeway. are available along the South Coast. There are numerous golf The estate is well located, courses in the area including approximately six miles from Remedy Oak and Came Down the A354 between Dorchester (near Dorchester). Racing is at and Blandford. The Ibberton Wincanton, Taunton, Exeter, (in Ibberton) and the Brace of Salisbury and Bath. Hunting is Pheasants (in Plush) are very with the Portman hunt. good pubs within approximately 10 minutes drive of the estate. The Mainline rail services operate from market town of Blandford Forum is Salisbury to London Waterloo approximately 12 miles to the east (1 hour 28 minutes) or from and the county town of Dorchester Sherborne (2 hours 10 minutes). Southampton, Bournemouth and was part of the Pitt Rivers and Farnborough International Estate from 1705 to 1919 and was Airports fly to a number of home to tenant farmers. During continental destinations. this time much of the house was Private jets may also operate not required and in the 1770s a out of these airports. large part of it appears to have been pulled down with some of the The area is well known for its materials being used to build Mr excellent independent schooling Hall’s Ansty Brewery in 1777. The including Sherborne school, last recorded religious use of the Bryanston, Canford, Milton Abbey, Chapel was for a wedding in 1774. Leweston and Clayesmore. Prep schools are located at Knighton In 1919 Captain Pitt Rivers House, Hanford, Claysmore sold the estate and it was and Port Regis. broken up with part, including the house, being bought by Historical Note Charles Woodhouse in 1938. Higher Melcombe is recorded The Woodhouse family became in the Doomsday Book of 1086 involved in Hall’s Ansty Brewery as ‘Upmelcombe’. A chapel was when G E I Woodhouse married erected in about 1302 by John de into the Hall family, later becoming Cernelis. In 1408 Robert Turgis sole owner of what is still called brought Upmelcombe and it was ‘Hall & Woodhouse’ Brewery renamed ‘Melcombe Turgis’. At with its famous Badger beers. the beginning of the 16th century Since 1938 the present owner has Elizabeth Turgis married Sir John continued what his grandfather Horsey whose family had extensive and father started with the lands in Wessex and who owned preservation and restoration of the the estate for some 100 years. now Higher Melcombe Estate.

The Elizabethan house was Higher Melcombe Manor probably built about 1570. This Dorset Manor House is Through financial mismanagement full of charm and character ‘Melcombe Horsey’ (as it was then whilst providing excellent family known) was lost by mortgage to accommodation and perfect Sir Thomas Freke in 1605 who facilities for entertaining. The walls rebuilt the existing Chapel in about are banded with flint interspersed 1610. Melcombe Horsey was the with Ham and Portland stone favourite residence of the Freke under a slate and tile roof. family and in 1662 was assessed as The Manor features thick medieval being one of the largest mansions walls and Jacobean chimney in Dorset. However in 1698 the pieces. Throughout the house are house began to decline when it numerous stone mullion windows, passed from the grandson of linen fold panelling, exposed Sir Thomas Freke to George Pitt beams and plaster work.

On the floor the house is approached via double doors leading to a reception hall which leads to the drawing room and dining room. The west hall leads to the dual aspect library with French double doors leading to the south lawn, and the study, boot room and laundry room. The kitchen is well lit with a range of modern bespoke kitchen units and a four oven Aga. From the kitchen a door leads to the Great Hall (formerly known as the chapel). This splendid room has a wagon roof of eight bays with moulded ribs and painted emblems; thirteenth century windows and modern stain glass which includes the family crest. The hall is much used for entertaining.

The principal stairs lead to an open landing and the master bedroom (formerly the Old Great Chamber) with a plaster ceiling depicting the union of the Crowns of England and Scotland, and an immaculately presented en suite bathroom and dressing room. Further accommodation includes two double bedrooms, a single bedroom and two bathrooms.

On the second floor there are three bedrooms, two of which benefit from en suite bathrooms. A small kitchenette lies off the landing.

Located off the main landing, secondary stairs to a private east facing bedroom with far reaching views across the gardens and farm. Floorplans for The Higher Melcombe Estate, Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 7PB

Approx gross internal area* Higher Melcombe Manor: 8,125ft2 = 755m2

Illustration for identifi cation purposes only. Not to scale.

*As defi ned by RICS – Code of Measuring Practice.

Attic

Basement First Floor Second Floor Ground Floor Gardens A gravelled drive which branches off from the main estate drive leads to the front of Higher Melcombe Manor with a turning circle filled with Lavender. The gardens sit to the front and sides of the Manor and comprise colourful flower borders and shaped hedges with expansive lawns and a paved patio which overlooks the gardens and land beyond.

Higher Melcombe Farmhouse Higher Melcombe Farmhouse - 2,805ft2 = 261m2 approx

First Floor

Ground Floor

Higher Melcombe Farmhouse The Doll’s House The Doll’s House - 995ft2 = 92m2 approx A detached period house with rendered elevations under a slate roof. The ground fl oor comprises kitchen/breakfast room, dining room, sitting room, drawing room, study, boot room and utility room. The fi rst fl oor comprises master bedroom with an en suite and three further double bedrooms with a family bathroom.

The Doll’s House The Doll’s House is a detached brick house with a kitchen, dining room, sitting room, cloakroom and larder on the ground fl oor and two First Floor bedrooms with a bathroom on the Ground Floor fi rst fl oor. 1 & 2 Higher Melcombe Cottages - 985ft2 = 91m2 approx 1 & 2 Higher Melcombe Cottages 1 & 2 Higher Melcombe Cottages The two cottages comprise a pair of semi-detached cottages of brick elevations under a slate roof. Both cottages have recently been refurbished to a good standard and each comprises two reception rooms, utility and kitchen on the ground fl oor and two bedrooms and a bathroom on the fi rst fl oor.

3 Higher Melcombe Cottage First Floor 3 Higher Melcombe Cottage is a detached stone house. On the ground fl oor is a kitchen/breakfast room, boot room and sitting room. On the fi rst fl oor there are three bedrooms and a family bathroom.

No 1 Ground Floor No 2

3 Higher Melcombe Cottage 3 Higher Melcombe Cottage - 1,480ft2 = 137m2 approx

First Floor

Ground Floor Farm Buildings There are two ranges of farm buildings with a well balanced mix between traditional and modern.

Immediately to the north of the Manor is an excellent range of traditional stone and flint barns with a small range of modern farm buildings. They are ideal for a range of alternative uses, subject to planning.

The main farmstead is predominantly modern buildings and situated further along the drive away from the Manor. Building Description Measurement No.

1 Pair of wooden stables. N/A

Mono pitch loose boxes of steel frame 2 and block wall construction under a fibre 96’ x 15’ cement roof.

2 loose boxes off building 14 of steel 3 25’ x 12’ frame and block under a fibre cement roof.

Parlour and dairy building with adjoining 60’ x 15’ 4 collecting yard. & 20’ x 18’

Concrete framed Dutch barn with block 5 galvanised cladding under a fibre 45’ x 22’ cement roof.

6 Former slurry lagoon. N/A

Steel framed covered yard with block walls 7 6’ x 60’ under a fibre cement roof.

Steel framed covered silage clamp with 8 sleeper walls, fibre cement cladding 90’ x 60’ and roof.

Reproduced from the Ordnance Survey Mapping with the Steel framed cubicle housing for 86 with permission of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery 9 block wall and Yorkshire board cladding 90’ x 45’ Office. Crown Copyright (ES763454). NOT TO SCALE under a fibre cement roof.

Steel framed cubicle housing for 86 with 10 block wall and Yorkshire board cladding 90’ x 45’ under a fibre cement roof.

Steel framed covered silage clamp with 11 sleeper walls, fibre cement cladding 90’ x 60’ and roof.

Open fronted steel framed machinery shed 12 with galvanised cladding and a fibre 45’ x 30’ cement roof.

Steel framed fodder store under a fibre 13 60’ x 40’ cement roof.

Concrete framed former covered silage 14 clamp with block walls under a fibre 45’ x 45’ cement roof.

Steel framed workshop with box profile 15 75’ x 30’ steel cladding under a fibre cement roof. The Land The estate lies within a ring fence and includes approximately 322.09 acres of arable land which is farmed in hand and 133.25 acres of grassland with the land rolling down to the centre of the estate. The land immediately surrounding the farmstead is well serviced by tracks. The central fields are generally level or gently sloping pastures with adjoining land gently climbing to meet the estate’s elevated land.

There are several parcels of woodland totalling approximately 70.82 acres located within and on the estate boundaries.

The combination of the topography of the land with the parcels of woodland all add to the sporting potential and amenity of the estate.

Services The estate is connected to mains electricity and has a spring fed private water supply. A mains water supply is also connected to the estate. All the dwellings are serviced by a private drainage system. There is Wessex internet with a broadband download speed of 30mb or greater.

Water supply There is an obligation to supply water to a neighbouring property, although the neighbour also has a mains supply.

Sporting, timber and mineral rights All sporting timber and mineral rights are included in the freehold sale, in so far as they are owned.

Designations Residential Property Reproduced from the Ordnance Survey Mapping with the The Manor House and Chapel are EPC Council tax Rent permission of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Property Description Tenure Offi ce. Crown Copyright (ES763454). NOT TO SCALE Grade I Listed. rating band (2016/17) (PCM) Higher Melcombe There are two Ancient Monuments Vacant - H - £3,464 - within the estate – The Melcombe Manor Horsey Deserted Village and Higher Melcombe AST until F F - £2,501 £1,750 linear earthworks around Farmhouse Sept 2017 Liscombe Bottom. Periodic The Dolls House E D - £1,732 £593 AST The estate lies within the Dorset AST until AONB. No 1 Higher March E C - £1,540 £825 Melcombe Cottage 2018 NVZs (Nitrate Vulnerable Zones) No 2 Higher Periodic – The land is within ground water E B - £1,345 £830 and eutrophic zones. Melcombe Cottage AST No 3 Higher Periodic F E - £2,117 £840 Basic Payment Scheme Melcombe Cottage AST The basic payment entitlements are included in the sale. Abstraction licence Local Authorities There is an abstraction licence for Dorset County Council, Rights of Way 13,274 m3 per annum for domestic County Hall, Colliton Park, There are public rights of way and agricultural spraying use. Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1XJ. crossing the property. There are Tel: 01305 221 000 rights of way to access the offl ying Ingoing valuation woodland shown yellow on the In addition to the purchase price West Dorset District Council, plan. A plan of these is available the purchaser will be required to Stratton House, 58-60 High West from the selling agent. pay for: Street, Dorchester DT1 1UZ. Tel: 01305 251 010 CROW - Some of the downland is Growing crops and all benefi cial registered under the CROW Act. cultivations, sub soiling, moling Viewings Further information is available and acts of husbandry since the Strictly by appointment through from the selling agent. last harvest at current CAAV rates the sole agents. or contract rates where applicable; Fixtures and Fittings Seed, fertilisers, manures and Directions (DT2 7PB) Items regarded as fi xtures and sprays applied to the growing crops Travelling along the A35 between fi ttings including carpets and since the last harvest at invoice Dorchester and Bere Regis take curtains are initially excluded cost; All seeds, sprays, fertilisers, the Piddlehinton exit (B3142). from the sale. fuel, oil and other consumables in Then take the fi rst left to store at invoice cost. Enhancement Cheselbourne and then the fi rst Tenure of £30/ acre/ month from the date right into Long Lane. Continue The property is available with of establishment to completion. along this quiet country road vacant possession on completion for fi ve miles until you reach the except the Assured Shorthold Overage crossroads at Melcombe Bingham. Tenancies shown in the table Part of the estate is subject to an Turn left signed ‘Private road to above. The grassland is occupied overage clause against residential Higher Melcombe’. Follow the under a herbage agreement. development (as hatched on the lane until the end of the avenue sale plan). Further details are of limes. The entrance to Higher available from the vendor’s agent. Melcombe is left over a cattle grid. Strutt & Parker Salisbury 41 Milford Street, Salisbury SP1 2BP

+44 (0)1722 344010 [email protected] struttandparker.com

Strutt & Parker London 35 Cadogan Street, London SW3 2PR

+44 (0)20 7629 7282 [email protected] struttandparker.com

60 offices across England and Scotland, including Prime Central London

IMPORTANT NOTICE Strutt & Parker LLP gives notice that: 1. These particulars do not constitute an offer or contract or part thereof. 2. All descriptions, photographs and plans are for guidance only and should not be relied upon as statements or representations of fact. All measurements are approximate and not necessarily to scale. Any prospective purchaser must satisfy themselves of the correctness of the information within the particulars by inspection or otherwise. 3. Strutt & Parker LLP does not have any authority to give any representations or warranties whatsoever in relation to this property (including but not limited to planning/building regulations), nor can it enter into any contract on behalf of the Vendor. 4. Strutt & Parker LLP does not accept responsibility for any expenses incurred by prospective purchasers in inspecting properties which have been sold, let or withdrawn. 5. If there is anything of particular importance to you, please contact this office and Strutt & Parker will try to have the information checked for you. Photographs taken 2011 and Summer 2016. Particulars prepared May 2017.