About this property

A handsome Grade II listed country house with exceptional gardens and grounds occupying a private elevated position within the rolling Blackmore Vale Countryside, with planning approval to develop the property further if required.

An extremely attractive Grade II listed early Victorian farm complex occupying a commanding position within its 13 acres of gardens and grounds, offering over 5,000 sq ft of prime living accommodation and over 9,500 sq ft in total. Cann Farm boasts a spacious traditional stone farmhouse in a private setting overlooking the Blackmore Vale, with an attractive fully refurbished detached cottage, long barn and outbuildings/garaging of the same age, all formed around a welcoming central courtyard. The land extends to almost 13 acres of landscaped gardens, orchard, fenced paddocks and lakes.

This lovely home has proven to be the perfect setting for family and business gatherings over the years, with occasions including special events hosting well over 100 attendees, all under cover.

The property offers a wealth of opportunity in how it can be used, subject to relevant planning permissions. The southwest facing paddocks are ideally suited for growing vines, and of sufficient size for a small productive vineyard. As well as forming part of a wonderful family home, the barn and outbuildings also offer tremendous commercial potential for a wide variety of uses. The scope is endless.

The Particulars

The Farmhouse

The main farmhouse enjoys a southerly aspect, overlooking the courtyard. It boasts a timeless double fronted façade that exudes history and character befitting of the early Victorian date of construction. From the moment you enter the property and into the expansive courtyard, the quality and charm of the house is immediately apparent. Throughout, the accommodation is flooded with natural light from the traditional sash windows. Great care has been taken to preserve the intrinsic character and heritage features, including moulded cornicing, original sandstone fireplaces (some dating back to the 1840s) and original blue lias stone floors.

The home perfectly balances modern convenience and versatility within a traditional period farmhouse. To the ground floor, a central entrance hall links to a double aspect drawing room to one side and a dining room to the other. Both of these lovely rooms enjoy elevated views across the front courtyard to the countryside beyond. At the end of the hallway is the superb ‘heart of the home’ kitchen/breakfast room, fitted with a stylish range of country style units and built-in appliances including a Rayburn cooker, gas hobs and an additional electric oven. Doors from here lead to a small inner hall providing convenient access to a pantry, utility, wet room and boot room with external access. To the other side of the kitchen is a generous garden room with feature lantern roof, underfloor heating and two sets of double doors opening onto the rear terrace and the magnificent view beyond. The garden room also links to a cosy double aspect family room with log burner, offering options for a number of different uses.

To the first floor, there are four bedrooms, including an impressive principal bedroom suite with fitted wardrobes and an en-suite bathroom and dressing area. The second bedroom also has an en-suite shower room. The remaining two bedrooms are serviced by a modern family bathroom. Each of the bedrooms enjoys stunning elevated views across the gardens, grounds and undulating Blackmore Vale countryside beyond. Completing the accommodation is a convenient dry cellar, accessed from the entrance hall, providing suitable conditions for wine storage. The home also benefits from superfast fibre broadband. This lovely home has undergone considerable sympathetic renovation in recent decades and is presented tastefully and impeccably throughout.

Cottage

The delightful, detached farm cottage forms another side of the central courtyard. Much thought and attention has also been paid to maintain the character of this spacious accommodation. Features to note include a log burner, flag stone flooring and exposed beams. To the ground floor there is a large, open plan sitting room/ dining room, currently used as an office and board room, with a separate country style kitchen, whilst the first floor features a light and airy vaulted bedroom with a modern, en-suite bathroom. The cottage has its own enclosed garden with water feature. It was successfully used as a holiday cottage for many years before becoming private ancillary accommodation for the main farmhouse.

Long Barn

The magnificent barn has been skilfully adapted by the current owners, now offering a versatile space set across two floors. The barn provides options for a variety of recreational or business uses with whitewashed walls, stage and a drinks bar set to the far end. The barn also enjoys stunning views across to Melbury Beacon and beyond. It benefits from extant listed building consent and planning approval to be converted into additional accommodation for ancillary accommodation and holiday lets. See Dorset County Council Planning Ref No: 2/2008/0298 (08).

Additional Outbuildings and Grounds

The outbuildings were formerly the farm’s milking parlour and dairy, occupying the fourth side of the courtyard. They now provide a double garage, workshop, potting shed, storeroom and a large corner barn used as a wood store. The farmhouse, cottage and barns are all constructed of traditional Shaftesbury green sandstone elevations under pitched slate roofs, arranged conveniently around the four sides of the central courtyard, offering uninterrupted views across to Melbury Beacon, the Blackmore Vale and Bulbarrow beyond.

In summary, Cann Farm presents a wonderful, lifestyle opportunity to purchase a rare listed residential farm, including a handsome stone farmhouse along with its picturesque cottage and traditional barns, all carefully renovated to preserve the unique character of the property, which overlooks 12.98 acres of its own grounds and yet is conveniently located on the outskirts of the highly sought after Saxon hilltop town of Shaftesbury.

Outside
Gardens and Grounds
Over the years considerable thought has gone into the arrangement of the formal gardens. ‘Garden rooms’ have been created with abundant colourful floral beds and borders. There is a productive kitchen garden with raised beds and fruit cages as well as a well-stocked orchard. The hedged borders are lined with numerous spring bulbs and wild flowers ensuring there is colour and texture all year around. The grounds are interspersed by mature trees.

There is a choice of seating areas extending from the formal terrace adjoining the home, to more intimate, quiet seating areas that are ideal for reading or capturing evening sunshine. The main terrace enjoys far-reaching views to the south west across the garden and rural vista beyond, an ideal area to entertain and dine al fresco. The gardens are linked by flowing pathways, leading down to the newly created Scandinavian BBQ cabin, a fun and cosy entertaining area sitting within a natural wetland and accessed over a small bridge walkway.

The land extends to approximately 12.98 acres of well-maintained, established pastureland arranged into four south facing paddocks. The lower paddocks lie adjacent to two private spring fed lakes, which have been allowed to rewild to encourage diversity.

Situation
The property benefits from its uniquely rural yet convenient situation. Despite its outlook, it is a mere three minutes from the Saxon hilltop town of Shaftesbury, providing a range of everyday services and shops including three supermarkets, various public houses, cafés and restaurants, an Arts centre, Library, Post Office, independent and high street shops, a doctor’s surgery, dental practice and a cottage hospital. There are also two swimming pools that are open to the public. The local schools are excellent and within easy reach; these include Clayesmore, Port Regis, Sandroyd, Bryanston, King’s Bruton, Milton Abbey, Canford, Sherborne (Boys and Girls) and St Anthony’s Leweston, as well as many highly regarded local state schools. The communication links in the area are very good with the A303 just eight miles to the north providing road access to London & the West. There are mainline railway stations at either Gillingham (5 miles) or Tisbury (9.3 miles) serving London Waterloo (approximately two hours).

Additional Information
Agents note: There is a footpath that runs across the lower paddocks.
Local Authority: Dorset Council.
Council Tax: Band G

4 Bedrooms

4 Bathrooms (3 En-suite)

4 Reception Rooms

Cellar

Detached 1-Bed Cottage

2 Storey Barn

Additional Outbuildings

2 Lakes

Double Garage

Additional information

• 4 Bedrooms
• 4 Bathrooms (3 En-suite)
• 4 Reception Rooms
• Cellar
• Detached 1-Bed Cottage
• 2 Storey Barn
• Additional Outbuildings
• 2 Lakes
• Double Garage

Key information

Council Tax Band: 6

Tenure: Freehold