Corton Denham, Sherborne, Somerset, DT9

Situated on the edge of the desirable village of Corton Denham, Highfield House is an attractive and spacious property built of Hamstone elevations under a clay tile roof, set in a beautiful garden and enjoying views of Corton Beacon and the surrounding rolling country. The oldest part of the house dates back to 1750 and exposed beams, inglenook fireplaces and deep windows chronicle its past. The interior has been very tastefully renovated and decorated to reflect its history and this is carried seamlessly through the newer parts of the house. The ground floor offers a variety of generous reception rooms, of which the light and elegant sitting room forms the focal point, flowing out of the kitchen and enjoying panoramic views of the garden, with doors onto the terrace to extend entertaining space in summer, while being warmed in winter by a log burner. The commodious kitchen diner has ample room for a large dining table and chairs and comprises painted units under a wood worktop, with a two-oven oil aga (blue), electric hob, integrated oven, along with a fitted dishwasher and porcelain Belfast sink. A particularly spacious larder offers considerable storage and space for a large fridge freezer. Just off the kitchen, a small dining room with a delightful fireplace and recessed cupboards leads into the entrance hall and on into the beautifully comfortable, dual aspect snug, an enticing chamber in which to unwind in front of the log burner in the vast inglenook or sit on a window seat admiring the garden. A well-lit study, complete with fitted units and shelving, in addition to a well-equipped utility room, boot room and WC complete the ground floor accommodation.

Stairs rising up to a galleried landing lead to five large double bedrooms all looking out over the garden or surrounding country and the majority with fitted wardrobes. The delightful principal bedroom enjoys dual aspect views, fitted wardrobes and an ensuite bathroom. In addition, there is a shower room, family bathroom, separate WC and airing cupboard.


GARDENS AND OUTBUILDINGS

The current owners had the garden professionally landscaped and designed to be low maintenance, with terraced lawns, attractive block planting of lavender, rugosa rose and evergreen shrubs, along with specimen trees, including a splendid magnolia, Indian bean tree, ornamental cherries and lime, all contributing year-round colour and interest. The clever, terraced layout draws the eye up onto the hill, while low fencing on the north and eastern boundaries allow uninterrupted connection with the surrounding hillside vistas. Laurel and conifer hedges, along with mature trees, ensure peace and privacy in other parts of the garden. Closer to the house, an elegant terrace is bordered with roses, peonies and lavender while wisteria and hydrangeas decorate the walls of the house. For sundowners, one may head up to the summer house, complete with insulation and power for a drinks fridge, and enjoy the last of the day’s rays. The garden, facing predominantly southwest, is well equipped with a mower shed, electric sockets and water points. A sweeping gravel drive guides you through the garden up to a car port and garage with plenty of mezzanine storage. There is also a former garage with lapsed planning permission to create a studio, offering potential for further accommodation.

Highfield House really is set in the most bucolic of vistas and with its superb reception rooms, large, comfortable bedrooms and landscaped gardens this property offers a wonderful opportunity to live in a tranquil corner of a popular village close to everything that Sherborne has to offer.

LOCATION
It is easy to understand why Corton Denham is one of the most popular of the many pretty villages around Sherborne. Nestled in the lee of Corton Beacon in a dramatic and historic Somerset landscape, much of which has been in the careful stewardship of large estates for many centuries, the village is nevertheless superbly positioned approximately midway between the A303 and the delightful Abbey town of Sherborne. The centre of the village is designated a Conservation Area, and thus stringent planning controls are in place to preserve its special character. Corton Denham has an extremely good public house, The Queens Arms, an active church, village hall and weekly email updates on village activities. The full range of facilities are available in Sherborne, including Waitrose and Sainsbury’s along with a wide selection of high street and independent shops and arts venues, with further facilities in the larger commercial centre of Yeovil.
Communications have improved markedly in recent years with the upgrading of the A303 to dual carriageway almost the whole way to London. In addition, there are mainline stations at Sherborne on the Waterloo to Exeter line, or at Castle Cary on the Paddington to Penzance line. Thus, despite the rural nature of the area, London is a little over two hours away by both road and rail.

SPORTING AND RECREATION
The area is well provided for with bridleways, quiet lanes and footpaths suitable for cycling, riding and walking. Within half an hour lies the town of Bruton, which plays host to a plethora of attractions, cafes and restaurants, including recently opened Briar at No1 Bruton and the Michelin-starred Osip. The Hauser & Wirth gallery, garden, Da Costa restaurant and farm shop, are within a short drive. The Newt, now well renowned for its many first-class attractions, is also nearby. There are sailing and water sports on the Bristol Channel, Dorset coast or Sutton Bingham and Chew reservoirs. Nearby racing is at Wincanton, Salisbury and Taunton. The are also numerous golf courses in the area and theatres are at Bath, Yeovil, Bristol and Salisbury.

EDUCATION
The area is noted for its independent schools with the Sherborne Schools Group, Leweston, Bryanston, Clayesmore, Millfield and Bruton schools within reasonable driving distance. There are preparatory schools at Sherborne, Blandford and Sparkford, along with primary schools at nearby Charlton Horethorne and North Cadbury and state schools in Sherborne, Wincanton, Castle Cary and Bruton.