Location

Old Came Rectory is situated in a splendid, large mature landscaped garden, in open countryside yet within easy driving distance of the centre of Dorchester, Dorset's County town.

Dorchester or Casterbridge as it was fictionally named by its most famous inhabitant Thomas Hardy, who allegedly spent time at the house, now has a tremendously wide range of shops, business facilities and recreational amenities including those at Brewery Square and the Kings Poundbury Development.

The town also has a regular rail service to Waterloo taking about 2.5 hours. Bournemouth, Exeter and Southampton airports are all relatively close by, offering connections within the UK and to many international destinations

Other towns within easy reach include the coastal resort of Weymouth, the Georgian market towns of Bridport and Blandford Forum, Sherborne with its fine Abbey and the larger conurbations of Bournemouth and Poole.

There are good sporting and recreational facilities locally with golf at Dorchester (Came Down), Yeovil and Sherborne.

Weymouth has a marina and is nationally renowned for its sailing facilities, together with its lovely sandy beach and safe swimming and the charming old harbour.

There are a number of primary schools within a few miles and a wide choice of state secondary schools locally, including the well-regarded Thomas Hardye School in Dorchester. Nearby independent schools include Sunninghill Prep School, Bryanston Prep and Senior, Milton Abbey, Canford and the Sherborne schools.

Description

Built in the 1830s to a design by John Nash and once the home of the well-known Dorset scholar and poet William Barnes, Rector for Came from 1862 to 1886, Old Came Rectory is an historic listed Grade II thatched property, of the late Georgian period. With the arrival of William Barnes the house is understood to have become the favourite retreat of many, notable British literary figures such Alfred Lord Tennyson, Thomas Hardy, Siegfried Sassoon and TE Lawrence. In the last two years the house has undergone a meticulous refurbishment, now providing a fully functioning modern home within a wonderful old building. The house has rendered cob and stone walls and spacious characterful accommodation over two floors retaining many of its original features such as flagstone floors, decorative windows, working shutters, cornicing and bioethanol fireplaces.

On the ground floor there are four reception rooms off the stone flagged entrance hall, which extends through the house and from which an elegant staircase rises to the first floor. The reception rooms each look out over the gardens and grounds, with the music room and study having lovely views across the beautiful walled garden. The hall extends through to the rear where there is a cloakroom and panelled wine tasting room. In 2009 the house was linked to the coach house and the ground floor accommodation now extends through to a recently updated kitchen beyond which is a utility room, pantry and store. Beneath the house is a useful suite of cellars. On the first floor are the master bedroom with en-suite bathroom, three further double bedrooms, a single bedroom, family bathroom and separate WC.

The Coach House
Splendid ancillary accommodation is provided in the coach house, accessed independently to the rear within the walled garden, via steps to the first floor where there is a cosy sitting room overlooking the garden, a double bedroom with countryside views and bathroom.

Outside
The property is situated on the eastern edge of grounds of 1.67 acres (0.68 hectare) with no near neighbours and fields and woodland on three sides. The house is approached along a sweeping gravelled drive to a spacious parking area and planted turning circle. A timber workshop with Cedar shingle roof provides a charming garden room. To the south and west of the house is the main lawn set against a backdrop of mature, broadleaf trees under planted with copious spring bulbs. Extending out from the terrace on the north-facing side of the house is a beautiful walled knot garden with a pretty Pavilion, rose tunnel, central water lily pond and herbaceous borders, framed within herbaceous borders, gravel paths and lawns. To one side is an architectural folly, a pretty honeysuckle and clematis arbour and a fern garden.

Adjacent to the walled garden is a productive kitchen garden and mixed orchard with an additional pretty Pavilion from which to enjoy it.

Directions

From the east follow the A35 Dorchester Bypass taking the turning to Wareham A352. After about 150 yards at the mini roundabout, turn right towards Wareham. Proceed over the roundabout onto the A352. The entrance to the property will be found on the left after about 350 yards.