Harefield Farmhouse, Church Lane, East Orchard

Harefield Farmhouse extends to 4,777 sq ft and balances classical Georgian rhythm with modern light and space. The house is built from locally quarried Marnhull stone with timber cladding and an elegant iron and lead roofed porch marking the entrance. A thoughtful mix of natural materials and different window styles — traditional timber sash and Crittall alongside contemporary frameless glass — gives the architecture both depth and variety. The result is a timeless country house, at once rooted in tradition and refreshingly modern.

Architecture & Design - Harefield Farmhouse extends to 4,777 sq ft and balances classical Georgian rhythm with modern light and space. The house is built from locally quarried Marnhull stone with timber cladding and an elegant iron and lead roofed porch marking the entrance. A thoughtful mix of natural materials and different window styles — traditional timber sash and Crittall alongside contemporary frameless glass — gives the architecture both depth and variety. The result is a timeless country house, at once rooted in tradition and refreshingly modern.

Inside, a wide flagstone hall forms the heart of the house, from which all the high-ceilinged rooms flow effortlessly. The 38ft kitchen, dining and sitting room is the natural hub of family life, with flagstone floors and frameless corner glazing that dissolves the boundary between house and garden. Both this space and the large drawing room — with its triple aspect, elegant stone chimneypiece, and more formal atmosphere — open directly onto the south-west facing terrace via crittall French windows. A further family sitting room, currently used as a games room, adds flexibility to the ground floor.

Designed for the realities of country and family life, a large open-plan boot and utility room with its own secondary entrance provides essential space for dogs, coats and muddy boots. Upstairs, five well-proportioned bedrooms and three bathrooms (two adjoining) include a principal bedroom with dressing room and adjoining bathroom. The roof has been engineered for future conversion, with services in place, offering scope for an additional 1,500 sq ft with dormer windows under permitted development.

Gardens and Grounds

Harefield Farmhouse sits within 7.68 acres of its own land, surrounded by Dorset’s celebrated undulating countryside. The grounds are predominantly laid to parkland, with mown grass paths that meander through the landscape, while formal lawns and clipped box borders frame the house itself. On the southwest side, a flagstone terrace extends directly from the kitchen and drawing room via French windows — the perfect setting for summer entertaining, with views stretching across the valley to Hambledon Hill.

The current owners have been passionately renaturing the land, introducing meadow grasses and new hedgerows to encourage biodiversity and deepen the connection between home and landscape.

The plot also offers scope for further landscaping. Additional terracing, more intricate planting schemes, or even the creation of a swimming pool are all possible under permitted development, allowing the next custodian to shape the grounds to their vision.

Owner and architect’s vision

“When we set out to build Harefield Farmhouse, our aim was to create a home for our family that sits naturally in its landscape, is kind to the environment, and exists in harmony with the wildlife that has always lived here – from barn owls and kestrels to deer and hares.

The design intends to reflect a balance of tradition and modernity. Stone gables and natural materials reference the Dorset vernacular, while timber cladding and large windows open the home to the views and light. Every aspect of the house, from its placement to its materials, has been chosen to feel connected to the surrounding land.

For us, Harefield Farmhouse represents a commitment to sustainability, self-sufficiency, and a deep respect for the place we call home.”

Sustainability And Technology - Harefield Farmhouse is off-grid, powered by solar panels, batteries, and an air-source heat pump, combining minimal running costs with a low environmental impact. A 25 KW land-mounted solar array supplies electricity to the property, stored in a battery system that also powers the heating. During periods of low winter sunlight, a back-up generator ensures the batteries remain charged, giving the house complete resilience and energy security.

The system has been designed with both efficiency and aesthetics in mind: the solar array is discreetly positioned out of view from the house, ensuring it has minimal visual impact on the landscape. Combined with smart heating, Lutron lighting, and a full security system, Harefield Farmhouse achieves an impressive A-rated EPC while offering the convenience of modern technology.

Although the house could be connected to the mains grid if desired, the current off-grid system provides such reliable independence and low running costs that there seems little reason one would wish to do so.

In keeping with this ethos, the owners have been actively renaturing the land. Meadow grasses, hedgerows, and wildlife-friendly planting are being established around the house, creating a biodiverse environment where flora and fauna can thrive.

Living In North Dorset - Harefield Farmhouse enjoys a glorious rural setting in the heart of Dorset’s undulating countryside, with sweeping views across rolling chalk countryside. The pretty Saxon hilltop town of Shaftesbury is just 5 miles away, offering boutique shops, independent cafés, restaurants, and supermarkets. To the south lies the Georgian market town of Blandford Forum, while Gillingham to the north provides a Waitrose and a mainline station with direct services to London Waterloo in around two hours.

This corner of Dorset is famed for its walking, riding, and rich natural landscape. Footpaths and bridleways lead directly from the house into some of the county’s most spectacular scenery, including Fontmell and Melbury Downs within the Cranborne Chase National Landscape. The renowned pub The Fontmell is also within easy reach - a perfect spot for relaxed country dining. An increasing pull for any visitors to the area is The Newt in Somerset, which is only 19 miles a way, as is the thriving arts and cultural centre at Bruton.

Transport

Road connections are excellent, with the A350 running north–south nearby, linking to the south coast and the A303 for London and the West Country. Gillingham station is just over 8 miles away, with direct trains to London Waterloo from approximately 2 hours.

Schools

The area is particularly well served by excellent schools. Local options include Shaftesbury School, while independent and preparatory choices abound: Port Regis, Sandroyd, Clayesmore, Hanford, Bryanston, Hazelgrove, Sherborne, Canford, and Marlborough. In Salisbury, Bishops Wordsworth’s and South Wilts Grammar Schools provide further highly regarded options.

Shaftesbury 5 miles; Blandford Forum 11 miles;
Gillingham Railway Station 8.5 miles (direct trains to London Waterloo from 2 hours);
Salisbury 25 miles; Bath 38 miles; Southampton Airport 46 miles
(All distances and times are approximate)