Dorchester Road, Sturminster Marshall, Wimborne, BH21

A BEAUTIFULLY APPOINTED COUNTRY HOUSE AND COTTAGE WITH IMPRESSIVE ACCOMMODATION SET IN GARDENS AND GROUNDS OF ABOUT 11.7 ACRES (4.74 HA)

Vines Close is a striking house with an interesting history and although it may be older in parts, records show it was remodelled around 1886 to be the Dower House for the Henbury Estate. In the mid 80’s the house found itself being used as a nursing home and in 2001 it was restored and returned to something like its original layout by the previous owner. At 7,500 sq ft it is a large house with impressive accommodation supplemented by an equally impressive, detached cottage, various other outbuildings and a marvellous treehouse. Our clients acquired the property in 2017 and they set about a further refurbishment, installing a new kitchen, replacing all the bathrooms and introducing the latest technology including Smart home automation for heating, lighting and access, as well as an extensive array of solar panels (circa 15kWh), an air source heat pump and Tesla battery for the pool and new boilers for the heating system.

Having introduced all this technology, the owners have been careful with their presentation, and a clever choice of colours along with stone and hardwood floors has helped retain the character of the original Victorian house. Entering the reception hall, you are greeted by a flagstone floor and a winding Oak staircase with the drawing room and sitting room/study on either side, both with fine carved fireplaces. Going through to the back hall the dining room opens directly into the garden and beyond that the generous family kitchen/breakfast room with central island and electric aga also has French doors out to the garden and another set of French doors open into a conservatory/garden room overlooking the pool. Off the back hall there are additional domestic offices (cloakroom, laundry and small office) and beyond that a large boot room connects through to the family/entertainment room which also has a magnificent temperature-controlled wine room with oak bins (contents optional). Upstairs the house is just as impressive with four double bedrooms, four bathrooms and cinema on the first floor and a further three bedrooms and a large bathroom on the top floor.

The principal bedroom suite is fabulous with a view over the garden and a walkthrough dressing room connecting to a luxurious bathroom. And the accommodation does not stop there; the newly refurbished Coach House is also noteworthy and comprises two reception rooms including a good kitchen/dining room, a ground floor bedroom with French style bath and ensuite shower room and two further ensuite bedrooms upstairs. The accommodation is extensive, beautifully presented and adaptable, making it perfect for a family with staff or multi generational living. Vines Close House might even be the basis of a small boutique hotel or exclusive holiday business. All the options are there but either way it is a fabulous house in a very convenient location.

Extending to a about 11.70 acres (4.74 ha) in all, the landscaped garden and grounds are mainly on the south side of the house with a lovely outlook across garden and paddock towards Henbury Hall woods. Sweeping in from the road through secure gates, the formal garden extends to about 1.5 acres with a gravel drive and forecourt providing plenty of parking and connecting to the Coach House and an area where it would be possible to construct more extensive garaging (subject to consent). The formal gardens have been attractively designed and planted but are now in need of a little TLC. There are large level lawns and well stocked borders running down to a post and rail fence against the paddock, and a beautiful Blue Cedar in the corner of the garden is a perfect location for a wonderful tree house (double glazed with mains electricity and Wi-Fi). Beyond the garden room the heated swimming pool is surrounded by a large terrace and BBQ area. The modern pool room includes additional garden storage and next to the pool there is an En-tout-Cas tennis court with sand filled synthetic surface. The pony paddock beyond the garden extends to about 10 acres and includes a small Birch copse and solar panels down the east side, and in the opposite corner a stable block with three boxes and a feed store/tack room.

Vine Close House is situated on the edge of Sturminster Marshall, about a mile from the centre of the village which has a couple of pubs (The Golden Fox and The Red Lion), a post office, a couple of shops (including a pharmacy) and a primary school. For a wider range of amenities, it is only a short drive into Blandford with its attractive Georgian market square, M&S food hall, Tesco and Lidl superstores or Wimborne where there is a Waitrose, plenty of pubs and restaurants and the popular Tivoli theatre. The popularity of the village is enhanced by its excellent location in the Stour Valley, surrounded by lovely countryside but only a short drive from many of the region’s vital business centres. It is an ideal base for commuting to Dorchester, Ferndown, Poole and Bournemouth, direct access onto the A31 provides a quick link to the M27 for Southampton and Portsmouth, and the M3 up to London. Poole is the nearest station (London Waterloo about 2 hours).

The area owes a lot of its popularity to the wide selection of schools at all levels. In addition to good local primary and secondary schools, Poole retains boys’ and girls’ grammar schools (Parkstone) and independent schools in the area include Canford, Bryanston, Milton Abbey and Clayesmore, as well as Dumpton and Castle Court prep schools. Badbury Rings and Kingston Lacy (National Trust) are on the doorstep and there are plenty of opportunities for sport and recreation. There are numerous golf courses and sports clubs nearby, and great opportunities for walking, water sports and sailing in Poole Harbour, Studland Bay and along the famous Jurassic Coast.

Property information
Tenure: Freehold.
Services: Mains gas, electricity and water. Private drainage (treatment plant) and extensive Solar (circa 15kWh).
Broadband and Mobile: Good broadband (Starlink connection and FFTC nearby) and reasonable mobile coverage.
Covenants and Easements: The Land Registry Official copy of the title suggests covenants and easements affect this property. Please seek specific advice from a solicitor.
EPC: Vines Close House band E (potentially C). Vines Close Cottage band E (potentially D)
Local Authorities: Dorset Council /
Council Tax: House Band G. Cottage Band D.