Welcome to Woodlands House, a truly exceptional country estate, set within the Dorset hamlet of Hyde, which is a place of profound rural tranquillity on the edge of the Isle of Purbeck, one of the most coveted landscapes in all of southern England.
Encompassing a magnificent seven-bedroom principal residence, three separate cottages, garaging, a large barn ready for conversion, and noteworthy grounds, including formal gardens, relaxed entertaining lawns, a millstream frontage, a kitchen garden, and a productive orchard. This is a rare opportunity to acquire an estate of real possibilities, of versatility, and enduring, authentic character and history.
Woodlands House holds great presence, generosity of scale, and quiet architectural refinement. The original part of the house is thought to date to Georgian times, and there is evidence of how the house and land were used then. It also holds some whimsical historical value, with local stories describing the refuge of the Ethiopian Emperor Haile Salassie, who was thought to have retreated here during the war years. His links with Sylvia Pankhurst mean that they may or may not have met at Woodlands House.
Across its spacious footprint, it offers seven well-proportioned bedrooms and five bathrooms, providing accommodation of a standard befitting the finest country house tradition.
The principal reception rooms are arranged with a clarity and elegance that speaks of considered design. The drawing room is a room of considerable charm and light, it has magnificent views out to the gardens, and doors that allow you to spill out onto the terrace. A statement fireplace will not only keep the room warm in cooler months but adds a focal point for gatherings.
The dining room provides a handsome setting for formal dinners and family celebrations and has a wonderful view out to the garden. The snug is a more intimate retreat, with a log burner and deep crimson walls which envelope you into the cosy room.
The games room provides a dedicated space for recreation and family life. With doors that open to a sheltered covered porch and access to the lawns, this room can act as a great space to entertain, when the British weather is not at its best!
The kitchen is bright and light and forms the beating heart of the household. It is generous in size, with plenty of space for a table and chairs ready for informal kitchen suppers and hearty breakfasts. There are some glorious views out to the garden and river beyond.
The extensive domestic offices that complete the practical service wing include: a Tool Room, Laundry Room, Boot Room, Bathroom, Game Larder, and Plant Room. This is a comprehensive suite of functional spaces that underpin effortless country house living.
Rarely does an estate of this nature present such a remarkable range of secondary accommodation. Woodlands is offered with no fewer than three separate cottages, providing outstanding flexibility whether for extended family, estate staff, visiting guests, or a diverse portfolio of rental income.
There is a separate driveway that allows access to the secondary accommodation, keeping it completely distinct from the principal house. There is plenty of parking in this area too.
There are a set of converted barns, which currently provide self-contained living to a high standard.
Grooms Cottage is a single storey barn conversion, with one bedroom, a wet room, a kitchen/dining room and a sitting room. The accommodation has been thoughtfully set out to allow accessibility. Appleloft Cottage, has three bedrooms, and two bathrooms, a cosy sitting room and kitchen/dining room. There are currently large wide doors, between the sitting rooms, that could allow the integration of the two properties.
There is access to seating areas and gardens from both Grooms Cottage and Appleloft Cottage.
The third cottage, Dormer Cottage, is a charming and characterful three-bedroom cottage, with a bathroom and groundfloor WC. It has a generous sitting room, and kitchen/dining room. From the kitchen, there is access to a simple courtyard for seating, and there is a pond and grounds to the front of the cottage too.
Together, these properties represent a compelling asset in their own right and further establish Woodlands as an estate of truly extraordinary breadth.
A double garage provides ample covered parking for vehicles, with additional scope for storage and there is a workshop too. The estate is further complemented by a large barn of notable character and proportions, which presents an outstanding potential conversion opportunity (subject to the necessary consents). Whether reimagined as additional residential accommodation, a prestigious creative studio, or a superb entertaining or events space, the barn represents another aspect and prospect that Woodlands House has to offer.
Broadband is a real positive for the property. There is fibre to the premises (FTTP) with 3 separate supplies. One to Woodlands House, one to Dormer Cottage and one to Appleloft & Grooms Cottages.
The grounds of Woodlands are as remarkable as the buildings they embrace. Mature gardens of considerable size, surround the principal house, providing formal and informal settings for outdoor living through the seasons. Specimen trees, established hedgerows, and carefully tended planting create an atmosphere of timeless peace and seclusion.
A productive orchard offers a delight through blossom and harvest alike, whilst the kitchen garden provides the estate with a working connection to the land
a tradition as old as the country house itself. The mill stream frontage is a relaxing and pretty aspect of the property, lending a rare and romantic quality to the grounds and offering the prospect of fishing, or simply the pleasure of the water’s edge.
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