THE SITUATION

Blashford is a small rural hamlet situated in the New Forest National Park within Hampshire, close to the open forest and the Blashford Lakes Wildlife Reserve, and just a mile north of the market town of Ringwood. Ringwood boasts a comprehensive range of facilities, including a wide range of independent and high street Shops, Restaurants and Cafes, as well as two supermarkets and two leisure centres and excellent Schools. Just a short drive away is access to the open forest, which offers over 10,000 acres of heath and woodland, a haven for all outdoor pursuits including cycling, walking and horse riding. For the commuter there is easy access onto the A338 and A31 providing direct links to the larger coastal towns of Christchurch and Bournemouth (approximately 10 miles), Southampton (approximately 20 miles east) and Salisbury accessible (approximately 20 miles north). There are international airports at Bournemouth and Southampton and the M27 and M3 make it easy to connect to other parts of the country. National Express coaches regularly depart from Ringwood to London Victoria.

THE PROPERTY

A shingled path leads to the oak front door which opens onto the large reception hall with beamed ceiling and original inglenook fireplace housing a multi-fuel woodburner and antique pan handle. This room gives access to the sunny triple aspect sitting room on the left and third reception/bedroom 5, with smart modern shower room, to the right. Ahead is the generous family kitchen, which was built in 2015, offering a range of bespoke painted wood kitchen units, space for a table and chairs, and French doors opening onto the sun terrace and garden beyond. The utility/boot room is off of the kitchen, and has a ground-floor WC with a stable door to the garden. From the reception hall, an oak staircase leads to the attractive first-floor landing with four bedrooms, some with country views, and a family bathroom. We understand the cottage was re-thatched in 2015.

GROUNDS & GARDENS

Outside, the cottage is approached via a tarmac drive and ample off-road parking. A five bar gate gives access to shingle driveway which leads to the large detached timber barn constructed by Holmsley Mill (2013). The barn has a ground-floor shower-room and a large first-floor hobbies room over. The barn has a separate LPG fired heating/water system. This facility also provides a sheltered garage facility for two cars with direct access to mains power within. The secluded garden is an undoubted feature being laid mostly to lawn with established plants overlooking the farmland of the Somerley Estate. There is a pretty timber summer house and good-sized paved sun terrace. The additional area of garden provides a screened play area at a current rental of £250 pa.

SERVICES

Council Tax Band: F

Energy Performance Rating: E Current: 52 Potential: 82

Mains Electric & Water, Private Drainage, Oil Heating & Hot Water