Do you dream of a cosy country cottage but with a large lounge for entertaining, ample parking for several cars, double garage/workshop with leisure room above, landscaped gardens enjoying countryside views with patio, terrace and shady copse? Just a pipe dream? Read on.

A detached cottage of charm and character standing in landscaped gardens of approx.¼ of an acre, enjoying a southerly aspect with extensive views of the surrounding Dorset countryside.

It is believed to date back to approximately 1800, with many original features remaining untouched. The construction of the main cottage is a mix of stone and flint which is partially colour washed, with a tiled roof. The lounge is believed to have been built in the 1940s and is of brick cavity wall construction with tiled roof.

Summary of Accommodation

Entrance Hall, Utility/Pantry, Cloakroom, Lounge/Dining Room, Rear Porch,
Kitchen/Breakfast room, Sitting Room, Rear Entrance Lobby, Bedroom,
Two further Bedrooms, Bathroom,
Large Parking area for several vehicles, Double Garage with Leisure Room above,
110’ x 86’ Garden

Features

• LPG fired central heating to radiators
• Kitchen with built-in appliances
• Rear garden 110’ x 86’ (33.5m x 26m)
• Double garage with Leisure Room above (built in 2007)
• Wooden double glazed units fitted in 2007 throughout south elevation of main cottage
• UPVC double glazed French doors fitted to lounge 2007
• Cavity wall insulation to the lounge
• Cottage and lounge 11” (275 mm) loft insulation
• Part rewiring carried out in 2007 
• LPG fired central heating to radiators (New condensing boiler installed 2011)
• Underground water storage reservoir.

Entrance Hall

Door leading through to rear entrance porch, quarry tiled floor; door to Kitchen, door to Utility/Pantry, built-in storage cupboard, door to cloakroom, door to Lounge/Dining Room, access to roof space, single radiator. 

Utility Room/Pantry    approx 14’ 6”max 7`6” (4.45m x 2.30m)

Vertical tanking covered by a ten year guarantee was installed in this room in 2007. Steps down to quarry tiled floor. Single glazed wooden window to the road, with one small window to the side, exposed beams, exposed partial vaulted ceiling with boarded roof space across half ceiling area with pull down ladder; plumbing for washing machine, dryer outlet to side of entrance porch.

Cloakroom

Wash hand basin with tiled splash back, immersion hot water heater, glass sliding door cabinet, low level WC, quarry tiled floor, single glazed window, air vent.

Storage Cupboard

Shelving, hanging rail, overhead light, side single glazed window, air vent.

Lounge/Dining Room    approx 24’x 12’ 9” (7.33m x 3.92m)

Jǿtal wood burner set in tiled hearth, with featured beam in chimney breast; double radiator, telephone point. fitted carpet; partially vaulted ceiling; three single glazed metal windows to the western elevation; double UPVC French doors and side panels to the southern elevation leading to raised terrace, with views of the church and countryside beyond.

Kitchen/Breakfast Room    approx 12’ 8” x 9’ 3” (3.85m x 2.83m)

Range of base units with 1½ sink with mixer taps, laminated worktops with two glass fronted storage cupboards above, with shelving to the side; fitted AEG electric double oven; NEFF four ring plus wok burner gas range set within tiled recess, overhead cooking light with beam to the front; storage cupboards below. Metal window to the front with wooden double glazed window to the rear. Extractor fan fitted into side single glazed wooden window. Double radiator; telephone point. 

Sitting Room     approx 12’ x 9’ 5” (3.66m x 2.87)

Exposed beam, brick fireplace with mantel shelf above (the upper chimney is sealed off); opening to under stairs cupboard with gas boiler serving domestic hot water and the central heating system, with shelving and overhead light; thermostat; double radiator, TV point, wooden double glazed window to the rear, fitted carpet.

Bedroom Three    approx 11’11” x 11’5” (3.63m x 3.48m)

Wooden double glazed window facing rear garden, open working fireplace set in brick surrounds, double radiator, timber panelling to the inner wall, fitted carpet.

Rear Entrance Lobby

Stairs to first floor, doors to bedroom and sitting room.

Landing

Exposed beam

Bedroom One     approx 12’ x 11’4” (3.65m x 3.44m)

Wooden doubled glazed window facing rear garden; two built-in double wardrobes with louvred doors, contain hanging rail and shelving; blocked off fireplace with shelving to the chimney side; double radiator, phone point. timber panelled wall, fitted carpet.

Bathroom     approx 9’4” x 9’3” ( 2.83m x 2.81m)

White suite comprising timber panelled bath with shower attachment, low level WC, pedestal wash hand basin with tiled splash back, glass fronted cupboard above, shaver point with overhead light. Cupboard housing hot water cylinder, with shelving. double radiator, wooden floor. Access to loft space which houses the cold water tank and central heating tank.  Tiled walls surrounding bath area; doubled glazed wooden window facing rear garden.

Bedroom Two     approx 12’7” x 9’3” (3.83m x 2.81m)

Shelving and hanging area to one wall, shelving to one further wall, with plumbing from removed sink unit still in place underneath; open fireplace; access to loft space; double radiator, double glazed wooden window to rear of garden, fitted carpet.

Outside

To the front of Beech Cottage is a raised rockery with shingle and shrubs. The splayed drive with brick pillars on either side and wrought iron gates leads on to a large parking area sufficient for several cars surfaced with self-binding gravel.

Double Garage/Workshop (approx 6.4m x 5.0m)

Brick and block cavity walls with half hip clay tiled roof, constructed 2007. Double up and over wooden door, with security light above; side glazed wooden door from the garden; within the ground floor, double aspect double glazed windows, pine staircase leading to a fully boarded room above with double glazed windows to north and south; power points with TV connection. To the west side of the garage is a lean-to 4-bay wood/general store of timber construction with boarded felt roof and concrete base.

Rear garden    approx 110’ x 86’ (33.52m x 26.20)

South facing, with beautiful views of Hambledon Hill, Preston Hill and St Mary’s Church; partially fenced with hedges on both sides, small wattle type fence along southern border; small copse to the rear with vegetable plots in front; Cotswold stone paths laid on weed supressing membrane, separating large lawn and vegetable area; two vines to the rear of the garage; two wooden sheds, one with a lean-to store; double wooden compost bin. Patio, terrace and other seating areas from which to enjoy views of the garden and surrounding countryside.

Summer House    approx 10’ x 7’ (3.05m x 2.13m)

Double skinned wooden summer house, with electric points; double opening doors and windows to the front and glass louvered windows to each side; wooden venetian blinds to all windows.

Brick and timber greenhouse  approx 12’ x 7’ (3.66 x 2.14m)

Tanalised timber and glass all replaced in 2008

Outside double power point, water tap; two PIR security lights, six foot bamboo fence separating the driveway and parking area from the garden. An underground water storage reservoir (approx. 800 cu.ft./22 cu.metres) collects and stores rain water.

Services Electricity, LPG Gas Tank, mains Drainage, mains water

Outgoing Council Tax Band E
 

Receipts and guarantees for work carried out are all available, including planning permission for the garage.

The village has many amenities including its own Post Office/general stores/tea house, butcher, the 12th century Parish Church of St Mary, Abingdon Memorial Hall and the Village Hall with its own recreation field, a Garage, Trout Farm, and the Leopard Dairy. The Talbot Public House has five en-suite rooms and a restaurant which won the Dorset Dining Pub award for 2008. The River Iwerne flows from a spring and runs through the heart of the village.

Community activities include a village club, horticultural society, film club, cricket club, W.I; a mobile library and a bus service. Iwerne Minster has also gained two awards for `Best Kept Village’.

Most of Iwerne Minster is within a Conservation area and AONB and there are approximately 47 listed buildings.

Clayesmore School with its extensive grounds is a most prominent place of learning for boarders and day pupils, ages range from 2½ to 18years; its sports hall, gym, swimming pool, and daily activity classes are available to the public either pay as-you-go or an annual membership scheme.

Iwerne Minster rests midway between Blandford Forum and Shaftesbury, with the Blackmore Vale, Cranborne Chase and the West Wiltshire Downs all on the doorstep. The stunning countryside borders this beautiful village and frames its historic past. Within a short drive lies the outstanding natural beauty of the Dorset coastline.

Directions

From Blandford Forum follow the Higher Shaftesbury Road for approx. 5 miles, turn left at signpost to Iwerne Minster (1¼ miles) continue down Tower Hill, passing two left turns, 100 yards further on, Beech Cottage is to be found on the left.
From Shaftesbury follow the A350 towards Blandford Forum for approx. 5 miles, in Iwerne Minster take the first left into Higher Street passing two right turns, continuing to Tower Hill, Beech Cottage is the second house on the right.

From Tower Hill, Beech Cottage is reached by two stone steps leading to an arched hardwood door with lantern light to the side or from the parking area by three steps up to rear path leading to rear entrance door.