Location

South Barn occupies an incredible location set along a private unmade lane adjacent to the Durlston Country Park, National Nature Reserve, and the South West Coastal Path.

The centre of the popular Victorian seaside town of Swanage is about a mile away and can be reached on foot by road or along part of the coastal path.

The town is famous for its sandy beaches and seafront, and offers a wide variety of shops, restaurants, cafés and bars.

The Saxon market town of Wareham, approx. ten miles away, has a train station to London Waterloo.

The Isle of Purbeck, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty includes the UNESCO World Heritage Jurassic Coast with its unique geological formations such as Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door and stunning beach at Studland.

Poole Harbour, the second largest natural harbour in the world, is renowned for its sailing, water sports, marinas and yacht clubs, and the chain ferry across the harbour mouth links the Isle of Purbeck to the famous Sandbanks peninsular.

Description

Understood to date from the 17th century, South Barn is a unique stone house which was remodelled in 1927 by the renowned architect Percy Morley Horder. Having handsome elevations of the local Purbeck stone enhanced by stone mullioned leaded windows, the house offers well proportioned accommodation with a wealth of character features. Within the grounds is an excellent one bedroom guest cottage with studio beneath, perfect for family use or to provide a valuable income. Most rooms in the house enjoy delightful open aspects across the garden towards the Country Park beyond.

A half glazed oak front door opens into an entrance vestibule and then into the welcoming sitting room/ reception hall with limestone floor, stone fire surround and log burner. The fine drawing room has triple aspect windows with stone mullions and elm window seats, flagstone floor, and an elegant fluted stone fireplace with open grate. The dining room has a limestone floor, and can accommodate a large table. It opens into the generous kitchen/ breakfast room which has a vaulted ceiling, bi-fold doors to the garden, and a range of hand painted units with butchers block surfaces, and a gas fired Aga with electric module. The utility/ boot room has plumbing for washer and dishwasher, a stable door to outside and doors to a walk in larder or small office, and a cloakroom also housing the gas fired boiler.

The staircase leads up to the first floor landing with mirror fronted store cupboards. The main bedroom enjoys a lovely open view, and has a large en suite bathroom/ dressing room with deep walk in wardrobe, freestanding bath, basin and WC. There are three further characterful double bedrooms and a spacious family bathroom with travertine limestone tiling. Accessed from a half landing is an extensive loft storage area, with potential for further conversion subject to any necessary permissions being obtained.

Outside
The property is approached along a quiet and private unmade lane. Twin pairs of timber entrance gates open into a driveway providing parking for a good number of cars. South Barn is set in beautiful gardens that wrap around the house. An impressive wisteria surrounds the front door with a profusion of flowers when in season. Extensive use has been made of the local Purbeck stone for the terraces, garden walls, dry stone walls and a charming folly/ summerhouse. There is a sunny and totally secluded walled garden with a large terrace perfect for outdoor dining and entertaining. The gardens are mainly lawned, with mature shrubs, trees and established hedges. There are several further terraces and areas from which to enjoy the garden at different times of the day. The adjacent grounds of the nature reserve and Country Park are a haven for wildlife.

Within the grounds is a stunning detached Guest Cottage having an open plan living room with fitted kitchen area, a shower room and built in storage cupboards, a bright first floor bedroom with Velux and arched windows, and a useful separate lower floor studio room

Directions

On entering Swanage, follow the signs for the Durlston Country Park, driving through the town and along Station Road. With the seafront cafés and restaurants on your left, turn right into Park Road follow the hill up then turn into Durlston Road. Follow this road up and over the brow of the hill, then turn right into Sunnydale Road. Follow this lane turning left at the bottom and then right. South Barn can be found on the right hand side.