Bere Regis, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 7LS

Tranquil mill house with prime chalk stream fishing set in 182 acres of nature rich land

Description

Situation
Chamberlayne’s Farm occupies a tranquil position on the banks of the River Piddle, between Bere Regis (1.5 miles) and Wool (4.2 miles) and with easy access to Dorset’s infamous Jurassic coastline, a UNESCO world heritage site. The surrounding villages of the Lower Piddle Valley including the popular Puddles, as well as Bere Regis to the north, offer basic local facilities, with more extensive amenities including super markets, medical facilities and schools available in Dorchester, Wareham or Wimborne. The property is well connected to the rail network with direct trains from Wool to London Waterloo in 2 hours 35 minutes. The Mill House and Mill Pond Cottage at Chamberlayne’s Farm are set back from Rye Hill Road and accessed from a private driveway.

Description
Chamberlayne’s Farm is exceptionally private, lying in a ring fence with charming views across the River Piddle and its own land, which in itself is a haven for a stunning array of flora and fauna. The property offers highly sought after double bank, chalk stream fishing, almost unique to the south of England with wild brown trout and the occasional late season salmon caught.

At the heart of the property lies The Mill House, a Grade II listed former mill and farmhouse, boasting well-proportioned rooms, extensive living space and ample period features. The property is in need of some modernisation but has all the characteristics needed to become an exceptional family home. Mill Pond Cottage, a converted coach house, lies adjacent to the property and is currently a holiday let generating useful additional income.

Extending to approximately 182.94 acres (74.04 hectares) in total, the land at Chamberlayne’s Farm is exceptionally pretty and has strong amenity and sporting appeal. Much of the land bordering the river is set to pasture with pockets of mature woodland. The arable land has most recently been farmed by a contractor on an annual license agreement. Chamberlayne’s Farm is offered to market as a whole or in two Lots as shown on the sale plan.

Lot 1 – The Mill House, Mill Pond Cottage, fishing on the River Piddle, arable, pasture and woodland extending to approximatively 142.96 acres (57.86 hectares) in total.

Lot 2 – Arable land and woodland extending to approximately 39.98 acres (16.18 hectares) in total.

The Mill House
The Mill House at Chamberlayne’s Farm is formed of the farmhouse and adjoining original mill building. The house is believed to date back to the mid-19th Century, with the mill house of earlier origin. The property is fascinating from a historical perspective, with the inner workings of the original mill mechanisms visible in the entrance hall and mill stones on the first floor landing. The house has brick walls in Flemish bond with burnt headers, under a hipped slate roof and is Grade II listed. The property lies in an L shape, with the former mill house adjoining the farmhouse on the southern aspect and boasting light and spacious living accommodation. The property is in need of some modernisation but has all the characteristics of a fantastic family home.

The Mill House entrance gives access to a substantial hall with large stone fireplace and galleried staircase, showcasing the inner workings of the original mill mechanisms. The entrance hall gives way to a light and spacious reception room, currently a living room, occupying the main body of the mill house, with French windows onto a south facing patio overlooking the water meadows and river. Moving into the main body of the farmhouse, the ground floor has an open plan kitchen and dining area with an integrated conservatory. Two further receptions rooms, currently a dining room and sitting room, a utility room (with WC) and farm office, complete the ground floor. Upstairs in the mill house, a sizeable principle bedroom enjoys a double aspect with views across the property. The bedroom has plentiful inbuilt storage, an adjoining dressing room and en suite bathroom, as well as a small staircase and landing giving access to the attic roof. A further three large double bedrooms, one with an en suite bathroom, and a separate family bathroom, are found in the main body of the farmhouse and complete the first floor. The property extends to approximately 4,833 sq ft in total.

With access from the kitchen, an attractive patio and lawned garden adjoin the western aspect with expansive views across the river and farmland beyond. At the front of the property and adjoining Mill Pond Cottage is a double garage and storage area.

Mill Pond Cottage
Converted from a coach house by the current owners, Mill Pond Cottage is currently let as holiday accommodation. The cottage is well equipped for families with a kitchen, two moderately sized bedrooms and a bathroom on the ground floor, and a large living room on the first floor. The cottage is south facing, and benefits from extensive views of the farms own land. Mill Pond Cottage extends to approximately 1,463 sq ft in total.

Land and fishing
The River Piddle meanders through Chamberlayne’s Farm on its journey from its source in the Piddle Valley to Wareham, where it flows in to Poole Harbour. The river is renowned for its chalk stream fishing, a rare ecosystem almost unique to the south of England and famed for its crystal waters. The river carries brown trout with the occasional late season salmon and is fast flowing in places, with good gravel bottoms and some pools.

An attractive, spring fed flight pond lies to the north of the river and is understood to have been stocked in the past but now requires some restoration.

Water meadows flank the river on either side, stretching up to the house and garden and hosting an abundance of wildlife. The remainder of the land is a mixture of arable and pasture, with pockets of mature woodland. The farmland historically formed part of a dairy enterprise but has most recently been let to a contractor on an annual cropping license.

Lot 2
Lot 2 lies at the north of Chamberlayne’s Farm and consists of two arable fields and a block of woodland. The land is farmed by a contractor on an annual cropping license and most recently been planted with maize. If sold separately to Lot 1 a right of way for agricultural purposes will be granted in order to access the property. Lot 2 extends to 39.98 acres (16.18 hectares) in total.

Acreage: 182.94 Acres