Location
Sarsen House is located within the attractive village of Portesham, close to Dorset's Jurassic Coast and within an area protected as a designated National Landscape.
The village has a thriving community and is known for its excellent range of local facilities including the Kings Arms public house, Duck's farm shop, deli and café, a village Hall and a doctors surgery with pharmacy.
Abbotsbury (about one mile) has a further range of facilities including a post office and is known for its Swannery and Subtropical gardens, both open to visitors.
More extensive amenities are available at the charming coastal resort of Weymouth including a marina, the National sailing academy at Portland, a popular sandy beach and charming harbour.
The former Roman and now County Town of Dorchester has a multitude of shops restaurants and pubs, as well as national supermarket chains including Waitrose.
The Georgian town of Bridport has a regular street market and is known for its range of independent shops, cafes and restaurants.
From Portesham there is easy access onto the A35 east and west and mainline railway stations are available at both Dorchester and Weymouth with regular services to London Waterloo.
The area is well served for schooling with a Primary School in Portesham, St Osmund's Middle School and the Thomas Hardye senior School in Dorchester. Private schools include Sunninghill, Milton Abbey, Sherborne, Leweston, Bryanston, Clayesmore and Canford.
There are excellent sporting and recreational facilities with golf at Weymouth, Came Down near Dorchester and West Bay and a real tennis club at Walditch, near Bridport.
The nearby Dorset coast has been recognised as a World Heritage Site with superb access to the South West Coastal path.
Description
Sarsen House was probably built in the 1930's and is situated in a fabulous, commanding and elevated location in a spacious plot extending to just under five acres. Given the position of the property there are stunning views south over open country with sea views on the horizon, views to St Catherine's Chapel, above Abbotsbury to the west and towards Portesham Hill in the north.
In the last few years the house has been extended and completely refurbished to an excellent standard, giving significant consideration to the heating (ground source) and insulation (triple glazing) standards at the property to maximise energy efficiency. Inside the layout flows from the spacious reception hall with wide front doors and fireplace to the inner hall where stairs lead to the first floor. From the hall is access to the large family kitchen, appointed to an excellent standard and flooded with light from the glazed roof lantern.
There is access to the garden from the kitchen and a separate utility room. The south western side of the house is given over to a large open plan sitting room with dining area, again with lots of light from the large windows and glazed doors. The southern corner of the house provides a study or additional reception room/bedroom. A shower room with loo completes the ground floor accommodation. On the first floor is a main bedroom suite with bay window flooding the room with light and framing the view over St Catherine's Chapel. A dressing room has built-in wardrobes and the en suite bathroom is well appointed. There are two further bedrooms on this floor and a family shower room. A rear hall provides access to a verandah overlooking the garden and there are stairs to the second (top) floor. On the top floor is another double bedroom with views, a reception area and a separate shower room and loo.
Outside
The property is approached from the lane through hardwood electric gates where a gravelled drive ascends to the house, splitting with the left hand fork terminating by the house and an oak framed and clad triple garage and parking area for several cars. The alternative fork to the drive continues past the house to the rear where there is further ample area for parking and access to a stable block. Beyond this is a splendid oak framed building, currently in use as an art studio, but could easily be a home office. On the boundary are two fine old cedar trees.
On three sides of the house is terracing retained on the larger westerly side by an attractive stone wall and with steps leading down to the lower lawn which slopes gently down to the boundary. Alongside the lawn is a timber workshop. To the east of the house a dry stone wall and steps lead up to a seating area and fire pit, beyond which is the bulk of the land. The paddock extends to about four acres with a pond and former grass tennis court, now croquet lawn taking in the fabulous long range views over the valley below, Portland and the sea.
Agents Note
There is a footpath across the field.
Directions
From Dorchester take the A35 Honiton road and after approximately three miles, upon entering the village of Winterbourne Abbas, turn left signposted towards Portesham and Abbotsbury. At the T junction turn right and immediately left again signposted to Portesham. After approximately three miles at the bottom of the hill you enter Portesham. Follow the road round through the village along Front Street and then turn left signposted to Coryates, Friar Waddon and Upwey into Winters Lane. Proceed past the turning to Winters Close and the entrance to Sarsen House will be seen on the left hand side.