Description
An elegant part-Georgian home with four bedrooms, a stunning kitchen, terraced gardens, and
set in an elevated position in the popular Piddle Valley.
The Property - Originally built in the 1850s as The European Inn, The Old European was later converted by the current owners in 2014, creating a striking and characterful home. This handsome building, part Georgian with rendered elevations, is complemented by an adjoining brick-and-flint former stable. Nestled within the picturesque Piddle Valley, the property combines period charm with stylish contemporary living.
Accommodation - The heart of the home is the impressive kitchen/dining room, thoughtfully designed with a bespoke range of solid timber cupboards and drawers, painted in Farrow & Ball to add a distinctive touch of colour. A matching central island with breakfast bar is complemented by quartz worktops and a double Belfast sink. Integrated appliances include a dishwasher and an electric range-style oven with gas hob (Calor) and extractor hood. The space is filled with natural light from a pair of elegant arched oak-framed windows, French doors, and bi-fold doors opening onto the garden.
A travertine tiled floor flows seamlessly into the sitting room, where a double-sided wood burner creates a warm and inviting atmosphere. Large bi-fold doors open onto a decked terrace, offering an attractive outlook across the surrounding hills and countryside. The snug, currently used as a television room, also benefits from the wood burner and features characterful ceiling beams and exposed stonework. A separate study provides an ideal space for home working.
Upstairs, a generous landing incorporates a cosy seating area. The principal bedroom is a well-proportioned double room with built-in wardrobes, a dressing table, and French doors opening to a Juliet balcony with countryside views. The en-suite is fitted with contemporary sanitary ware, including a large shower, freestanding bath, WC, and vanity basin.
Bedroom two also benefits from fitted wardrobes and an en-suite featuring a shower, slipper bath, WC, and pedestal basin. Bedroom three is a further double room, while the family bathroom is fitted with a white suite including a roll-top bath, separate shower, WC, and pedestal basin. Bedroom four completes the accommodation and is arranged as a twin room, with French doors opening to a Juliet balcony enjoying delightful views.
The property further benefits from underfloor heating throughout the ground floor, a practical utility room housing the biomass boiler with space and plumbing for laundry appliances, and a downstairs cloakroom. Outside, there is a detached double garage, carport, and a gravel driveway providing ample parking, including space for a campervan or similar.
Outside - The rear garden enjoys a desirable south-westerly aspect and offers a good degree of privacy, bordered by established hedging. A composite deck adjoins the house, providing a superb sun trap and an ideal space for outdoor dining, with attractive open views across the surrounding countryside.
The garden is thoughtfully terraced, featuring two areas of level lawn along with a designated BBQ area, perfect for entertaining. A gravel pathway with sleeper edging leads to a practical working area, with space for a garden shed.
The plot extends to the side and front of the property, incorporating what was once the pub's beer garden, and offers access around the entire house.
To the front, a large gravel driveway provides ample parking and leads to a detached double garage with an attached carport, both benefiting from power and lighting.
Situation - The Old European enjoys a sought-after setting within the picturesque Piddle Valley, approximately seven miles north of Dorchester. The nearby village of Piddletrenthide offers a welcoming community with a first school, village shop, two public houses, village hall and a range of local activities, while neighbouring Piddlehinton is known for its strong community spirit, parish church, village hall and the popular Thimble Inn.
Dorchester, the county town, lies to the south and offers a wide range of shopping, dining, schooling, and healthcare facilities, along with mainline rail links to London Waterloo and Bristol Temple Meads. The property is within the catchment area for Thomas Hardy School and is also conveniently close to Sherborne schools and Leweston School. Additional services can be found in Sherborne and Yeovil, with excellent road links via the A35 to the A31 and onward to the M27 and M3 towards London.
The surrounding countryside offers an abundance of footpaths and bridleways, while the renowned Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, lies just a few miles to the south, offering dramatic scenery, beaches and a range of water-based activities.
Directions - What3words///senders.nuance.crush
Services - Biomass wood pellet boiler with underfloor heating throughout the ground floor and part of the first floor.
Solar panels installed, providing hot water (no storage).
Mains electricity, water and drainage.
Broadband - Standard speed available
Mobile - There is mobile coverage in the area, please refer to Ofcom's website for more details. (https://www.ofcom.org.uk)
Council Tax Band: F (Dorset Council - 01305 251010)
