1. Dorset
This charming house stands out for its gable-ended, slated roof with brick chimney stacks, original multi-pane windows, and 19th-century central porch with a thick-set panelled door. It sits on a half-acre plot with sloping, manicured gardens that wind alongside a driveway, leading to rear access through a wooden gate.
The extensive lawn is framed by mature trees and carefully curated shrubbery, including a discreet seating area in the centre that serves as a verdant centrepiece.
History oozes from the principal house. At the front, inviting sitting rooms are perfect for cosy winter evenings, with feature fireplaces, sash window boxes, and decorative cornicing throughout. Upstairs, four double bedrooms offer tranquil views across the front and rear gardens, two of which include charming feature fireplace
The house is located in Piddletrenthide, a village listed in the Domesday Book. It draws its name from the River Piddle and the thirty ‘hides’ of land once attributed to the area. The broader Piddle Valley includes the villages of Piddlehinton, White Lackington, and Plush – a region of classic Thomas Hardy country, full of picturesque villages, scenic walking trails, and welcoming country inns.
2. Holy Grounds
A historic former dressed-stone church, circa 1789, this remarkable property forms part of the renowned Stapleford Estate – truly one of a kind.
As you approach via the gravel driveway, the tower immediately commands attention. Traditional stone dressings and the engraved date ‘1789’ highlight the building’s enduring significance. Through a heavy oak door lies a stone atrium featuring the original font, once used by parishioners for centuries. The atmosphere is one of calm and reverence, with the former vestibule now leading into an extraordinary residential space.
This is a rare and special place. It retains the sacral architecture and period charm expected of a church conversion while having evolved into a beautifully functioning contemporary home. The current owners have achieved something exceptional.
There are distinct areas for living, dining, and entertaining. The centrepiece is a concert grand piano, positioned where the altar once stood. From here, you can appreciate the volume and grandeur of the space, enhanced by four original stained-glass windows that draw the eye upwards to exposed beams and ornate plasterwork.
Back in the atrium, winding stone steps lead up the tower to a landing. To the right is a warm and inviting study with 180° views over the surrounding churchyard and fields – a room that could also be converted back into a bedroom, subject to planning. There is access from here to a second-floor loft space, providing generous storage for bulky items.
3. A Country & Coastal Home
Built in the 1930s, this home has been lovingly maintained and thoughtfully upgraded over the years. The pitched tiled roof remains in excellent condition, and double glazing has been added to the windows for warmth and energy efficiency.
Modest in its first impression, the house opens up to reveal a lifestyle of extraordinary appeal, set within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
A light-filled kitchen, complete with adjacent dining area or study, offers far-reaching views across the Pett Level Preservation Trust lands – home to numerous bird species and grazing sheep. The kitchen includes a generous range of cupboards, space for a dishwasher, a gas hob, oven, and extractor fan. A utility room leads off the dining area and includes a shower, WC, and plumbing for a washing machine.
From the dining space, the house opens into a delightful living room with dual-aspect sea views. An open fireplace adds character and warmth, while double doors open onto the private rear garden, offering uninterrupted views across Pett Level. This garden-facing space continues into a tranquil ground-floor bedroom with en-suite bathroom, including a bath, WC, and hand basin. Thanks to the elevation of the land, you can lie in bed and see the sea.
Upstairs, there are two further bedrooms. One includes an en-suite bathroom with a bath carefully positioned to offer sea views to the bather. Both rooms provide ample storage.
There is also a private garage and an adjacent parking space.
