Minstead is a perfect village in miniature. Tucked down a maze of country lanes and surrounded by woodland, it is tranquil and unspoiled, yet surprisingly and accessibly close to junction one of the M27 at Cadnam. For a small village it punches well above its size in terms of community and history. Overlooking its delightful green is a popular country inn, The Trusty Servant Inn, and a village shop and cafe tea room that serves as a community hub. There’s also a quirky parish church which is the resting place of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, creator of Sherlock Holmes.

Nearby are what are thought to be two of the oldest oak trees in the Forest as well as the Rufus Stone, marking the spot where King William II was shot by an arrow. There’s a busy village hall (the largest in the Forest) which hosts regular antiques and collectors’ markets and the Minstead Players. However, what makes Minstead particularly special are its community minded organisations including Minstead Study Centre with its sustainability focus and Minstead Training Trust which also runs Furzey Gardens – first planted in 1922 they are ablaze with colour in spring and feature an award-wining garden and ‘fairy doors’ among the trees.

The Property

Dating back to 1884, Castle Malwood Lodge was originally a hunting lodge for the Chancellor of the Exchequer Sir William Harcourt. The property still retains many of these period features but now offers light and airy accommodation ideal for modern day living.

Upon entering a solid wood front door with glass panels to the side, a spacious hallway with solid wood flooring provides access to principle reception areas as well as housing a downstairs W.C. Set away from the main living area is a snug / home office ideal for a quiet and secluded working area.

The hallway leads through to an impressive kitchen diner including shaker style units with granite work tops, electric aga, American style fridge/freezer, a double butler sink with Quooker hot tap and integrated dishwasher. The kitchen is extremely well configured and offers ample space for cooking alongside day to day living. To the rear of the room is space for a large dining room table with double doors leading onto a south facing rear terrace ideal for alfresco dining in the summer months.

From the kitchen, a solid wood door with glass panels leads to a beautiful lounge with feature inglenook fireplace with large working wood burner and solid wood mantle above. This double aspect room is flooded with light and has a lovely cottage feel to it.

From the hallway, stairs lead to the landing with multiple windows flooding the property with natural light as well as access to the loft spanning the length of the property and an airing cupboard currently housing the hot water tank.

A master bedroom is comprehensively fitted out with fitted wardrobes, an en-suite shower room and wonderful views over the property’s private garden as well as the communal grounds. The two further bedrooms are both double rooms and are serviced by a family bathroom with free standing bath, sink, W.C and beautiful tiled flooring.

Grounds and Gardens

The property is approached via a wooden gate set between two impressive brick pillars amongst high hedging providing screening and privacy from other local residents. A cobbled courtyard provides access to the front door as well as the eaves of the roof providing a dry area for wood storage.

The private garden is mainly laid to lawn and a hot tub and private raised decking area are perfectly situated to enjoy the westerly aspect of the garden. A continuation of high hedging provides all round privacy. To the side of the property is an area ideal for outside dining / entertaining with access gained from the doors from the kitchen/dining area.

The property has further use of a single garage (4th in from the left) and a further allocated parking space. Guest parking is a plenty.

In total the communal grounds extend to circa 3.8 acres and enjoy a mixture of lawn and wooded areas as well a direct forest access at the rear of the communal land.