Property description
SUMMARY A prestigious thatched country residence in the heart of the forest with substantial accommodation including a converted stable block and detached lodge within grounds approaching two acres. The property sits in a small rural hamlet, part of the New Forest National Park within a short drive of the historic market town of Ringwood via a tranquil country lane, offering a perfect opportunity for an extended family home or holiday letting business. The main house is complemented by a large barn style garage and pool complex. The formals gardens are beautifully landscaped and combine fabulous lawns with a wild woodland setting which offer complete uninterrupted privacy and seclusion with a haven of natural wildlife on the doorstep. The original thatched house dates back more than 400 years and retains all the period style features synonymous with the age of the property, including beamed ceilings, Inglenook fireplaces and latch style doors with none of the disadvantages to the height of the ceilings where head room is not compromised throughout the cottage. The internal accommodation offers an abundance of space with a reception hall, rear entrance hall, five first floor bedrooms served by three en-suites and a family bathroom, four reception rooms, farmhouse style kitchen and breakfast room, utility and two staircases serving the first floor. The ancillary accommodation consists of an adjoining converted stable with a pool house/shower room and an independent lodge within the grounds. Externally there is an outdoor heated swimming pool within a purpose built complex adjoining a courtyard area. The barn style garage offers a tremendous amount of covered parking while the outside storage options are generously catered for. Throughout the property and including the ancillary accommodation the property is extremely well equipped and hardwired for Ethernet connections with well equipped data management storage facilities and a comprehensive security alarm.
SITUATION Bagnum is a rural hamlet on the outskirts of the historic market town of Ringwood. It is a beautiful and scenic part of the New Forest and located within the New forest National Park. Offering direct access into the forest it is perfectly located for a country home retreat. There are nearby riding stables and an Equestrian Centre and all types of country endeavours are available within easy reach of the area which include everything from country hikes to watersports at the nearby New Forest Water Park. Ringwood offers a host of culinary choice from country style pubs, cafes and restaurants to Indian and Thai style foods and include some popular night time venues. For the family the area is well supported with fabulous private and state schools from infants through to sixth form. For commuters, it could not be easier as access to the A31 is within easy reach and offers direct routes to London, Southampton, Winchester and further afield. Equally, Bournemouth and Poole, famous for its award winning sandy beaches is within a short drive as is Burley, New Forest and Lymington ideal for the yacht enthusiasts. Bournemouth International Airport is the nearest airport, while by rail Hinton or Christchurch is the closest option. Conveniently, there is a National Coach Service to London from Ringwood.
THE ACCOMMODATION An attractive thatched canopy offers access into the entrance hall which offers some useful storage options under a traditional style staircase and a further upright storage cupboard. The property has oil fired central heating via wall hung radiators and has the benefit of UPVC double glazed windows. Off the entrance hall there are latch style doors to the principal reception rooms and ground floor cloakroom/WC. There is wood block flooring in the entrance hall which continues through to the larger receptions. The main drawing room is a wonderfully imposing room with a large impressive Inglenook fireplace and beamed ceilings being triple aspect with double doors opening onto the rear garden terrace. Off the centre of the entrance hall the sitting room competes admirably with the drawing room offering another large Inglenook fireplace and a wonderful aspect to the rear via double doors. The breakfast room off the kitchen offers twin windows to front aspect and is tiled to the floor with flagstone tiles as is the kitchen and dining room. There is a bespoke fitted kitchen with range of cottage style wood base level cupboards and drawers under granite work top surfaces and in addition offers an island unit to the centre of the room. There is also a good selection of wall mounted units that incorporate some glass display cabinets. The units have a built in stainless steel double oven and matching five ring hob and extractor hood. There are integrated appliances which include a fridge freezer and dishwasher and the units are complemented by a double butler sink and monobloc taps. Within the kitchen and in theme with the property there is a feature open chimney breast with exposed brick surround. Leading off the breakfast room there is a sizeable dining room which is dual aspect and connects with the rear entrance hall as does the kitchen. An independent staircase leads from the rear entrance hall to the first floor accommodation on the northeast elevation. The rear hall gives access to a well equipped utility housing the washing machine and tumble dryer, a secondary cloakroom/ WC and the garden room reception which opens up onto the expansive rear garden terrace.
From the entrance hall the principal staircase gives access to the first floor. There is a substantial sized landing with a seating area which offers latch style doors to the bedrooms, a large loft access and a separate WC. The master bedroom benefits from a range of built in wardrobes with rear aspect windows and a large five piece bathroom en-suite with a Jacuzzi bath. At the centre of the landing there is access to two further double bedrooms which have aspect towards the rear garden served by the family bathroom suite, also with a Jacuzzi bath. To the north-eastern side of the property there are a further two double bedrooms with two modernised en-suite shower rooms both of which can be accessed via the second staircase from the rear entrance hall and as such are well suited for guest accommodation.
The Stable
Within the courtyard adjacent to the cottage is the converted stable which consists of two large rooms adapted to provide guest accommodation with the option of a self contained living quarters or as is now used, guest bed and breakfast. The stable is fully equipped with Ethernet connections, power and light and attractive strip downlights. Stable style doors offers access to the shower/changing room and to the courtyard and pool complex. Access to the accommodation is independent from the main house.
The Lodge
Within the grounds and positioned favourably away from the main house but with the advantage of views over the formal gardens and adjacent woodland is the lodge. The lodge offers a perfect independent living space and is wonderfully well equipped with double glazed windows and doors and underfloor heating system equipped with Ethernet connection and blessed with plenty of natural light. The layout facilitates a sitting room, dining area and bedroom area. A separate shower room/utility provides well for this independent living arrangement with a built in shower cubicle, vanity wash hand basin and plumbing for a washing machine. On the rear of the lodge there is plenty of storage with two enclosed storage rooms, one housing the data management system for the lodge.
THE GROUNDS The frontage lends well to the style of the property with a fabulous carriage driveway and a generous amount of turning through secure entrance and exit electric security gates. A landscaped centre piece and mature, well stocked boundaries offer access to a barn style garage with an electric remotely operated up and over door. An alternative secure gated access allows for refuelling of the LPG cylinder and maintenance of the swimming pool heating system. The garage provides a large area of covered parking which is also accessible from the courtyard. A large thatch canopy entrance offers double gates through to the courtyard and a personal door to the covered wood store. The outside storage options are well organised with a large multi-unit storage construction adjacent to the main house. There are four units of varying size made up of a Boiler Room, Data Management Room, Outside WC and Oil Tank unit all of which are securely locked.
The heated outdoor swimming pool complex is sufficiently sheltered within a purpose built walled enclosure and adorned with raised flower and shrub beds and a garden dome structure with steps down to the lawn. The management of the heated pool is well catered for and offers easy access to the heating and filter systems and includes and outside shower supply with easy and convenient access to the shower/changing room off the courtyard area. The pool is approximately 32' x 16' with a maximum depth of 12' and caters well for 'Al Fresco' dining within the poolside enclosure.
The formal gardens to the rear of the property offer a wonderful variety of well tended flower and shrub beds with dwarf style hedging offering an expansive area of lawn which gives way to a more wild flower garden and woodland setting to the rear. There is a large garden terrace immediately to the rear of the house offering ample opportunity for outside dining. As well as the mature and well stocked boundary line, there is deer fencing on the perimeter to the woodland and alongside the storage facility there is a pathway leading to the lodge.