Manston House

Manston House is set in the heart of North Dorset within the triangle of Shaftesbury, Sturminster Newton and Blandford Forum. It enjoys splendid views over unspoilt farmland with the River Stour forming part of the western boundary. Manston is a small hamlet close to the neighbouring village of Child Okeford.

House is everyone’s idea of an English country house. Houses from the Georgian era are widely celebrated as the epitome of style and elegance, this Grade II listed house is perfectly proportioned with living accommodation arranged around a magnificent reception hall.

Recently the subject of a complete restoration project by the renowned country house builders R Moulding Co, the house retains its early 19th century qualities including many period fireplaces, window shutters and cornicing but with the 21st-century conveniences and comforts including underfloor heating throughout and is therefore presented in immaculate condition.

The large and welcoming hallway is flooded with light from a galleried landing and sets the perfect model layout of the house, ideal for a family. In addition to the elegant drawing room and large dining room, there is a library and family room along with a home office.

The principal bedrooms on the first floor are all supremely comfortable, each having their own en-suite bathroom and the master bedroom naturally having a separate dressing room. On the second floor there are three further family bedrooms (one of which is used as a music room) and two bathrooms.

This peaceful haven, free from any modern disturbances is nonetheless surprisingly accessible to a number of major West Country towns and cities as well as London by train and road.

As with the house, the grounds have also been transformed under the current owners careful guidance. New park railings have been installed which gives an immaculate appearance to the property. The gravel drive and paths lead to landscaped gardens with mature planting. There is a range of outbuildings suitable to a house of this stature. The fine parish church (for which there is no chancel obligation) and a privately owned mausoleum are located within the grounds. A tennis court is of course part of the fun at Manston.

Manston itself is a small hamlet but amenities including a shop, two pubs, a primary school and a doctor's surgery can be found in the nearby village of Child Okeford. The market town of Sturminster Newton also offers various local facilities.
In addition, Manston House is well located for access to Shaftesbury, Blandford Forum and Sherborne and slightly further afield, the Cathedral City of Salisbury offers a wealth of restaurants, shops and cultural activities. There are mainline stations at Gillingham and Salisbury with a direct rail service to London Waterloo and the A303 offers a fast road link to London and the South East.
The area is particularly well served by a number of well-regarded preparatory and public schools. These include Sandroyd, Port Regis, Hanford, Knighton House, St Mary's Shaftesbury, Bryanston, Clayesmore, Canford and the Sherborne Schools.
Sporting opportunities in the area include horseracing at Salisbury and Wincanton, golf at Rushmore and Sherborne, hunting with the Portman and Blackmore Vale and watersports along the Dorset coast.

The high ceilings, the light and general sense of space at Manston house are so uplifting. On stormy days there is nowhere better to be. It is a happy house with a very positive energy flowing through it. It’s also a wonderful house for entertaining.