HIGH LEA stands at a country crossroads, the B3078 running from Cranborne to Wimborne, and Witchampton Lane running to Gaunts. Originally built of brick and slate as an extensive E-shaped, early Victorian Farmstead with huge farmhouse, nearly 200 years later, after modern farm adaptation and an incarnation as a particularly special school, it comes to the market exclusively or in parts, with a semi-detached cottage, paddock, a c.5 acre playing field, and permission for 5 new homes in obsolete farm buildings.
High Lea House
Ground Floor - An open-fronted Porch with a gabled slate roof opens to the long Hall with decorated quarry tiled floor, leading to two large Reception Rooms, a Study, ladies and gents WC suites, and the Farmhouse Kitchen, which leads onto the Dining Room. A concealed staircase leads down to the cellars. The Reception Rooms feature fireplaces, detailed cornicing, picture rails, a bay window and an A-frame window looking onto gardens. The Study has a brick and stone fireplace and box bay window. The Kitchen features oak countertops, a butler’s sink, breakfast bar, and Karndean flooring, with views of the garden and surrounding countryside. The Dining Room with floor-to-ceiling brick fireplace and inset range has views on two sides and an exit door to a mini-courtyard.
First Floor - Up the stairs, past the half landing with display window, to three large bedrooms with WHB, and a fourth, all of which are found with feature fireplaces, box bay windows and detailed cornices. The Bathrooms need attention, (after school adaptations). .
A concealed staircase leads up to the Second Floor large L-shaped landing with exposed A-frame timbers and rooflight, giving to four good-sized and one small bedrooms, an elegant Sitting Room with breakfast bar opening to the Kitchen, all with far-reaching views over the countryside, and a bathroom.
The Farmhouse is surrounded on three sides by gardens, ample parking, mature oak and beech trees. The organic fruit & veg Kitchen Garden is surrounded by a Victorian wall, and overlooked by the Hayward Building.
High Lea House has a private road access from Witchampton Lane.
The property has been unused for a while, needs renovation, some new windows, and decoration.
Asking Price: £1,300,000
The Hayward Building, Courtyard and Surrounding Buildings
The old brick and slate Farm Buildings were converted from 1984 to School Classrooms, a Farm Shop and Café selling fresh foods, books, school materials, gifts; shop and farm storage; a Farm Butchery; Offices; Workshops, Accommodation, etc. The House and Hayward building have also been used as a School for Plumbers, and as a Retreat Centre.
The Hayward Building, the western length of the Courtyard Buildings, with a new first floor, provided four double-size classroom and one regular, all with sinks and oil-fired central heating, two staircases, a small store, sheds, and attached Ladies & Gents Shower & WC block.
The central length of the Courtyard Buildings was used a classroom and storage.
The eastern length of the Courtyard Buildings was demolished in order to be rebuilt.
The three story corner building, formerly a grain drying and processing mill, remains as it was.
The Hayward Building, Courtyard and Surrounding Buildings have their own road access from Witchampton Lane, with off-road parking for dozens of vehicles, and a small paddock.
The Hayward Range of Buildings offer great potential and, subject to planning permission, could be converted into stunning holiday cottages or residential dwellings.
Asking price: £975,000
The Obsolete Farm Buildings
The chalets would have, on the ground floor, 3 double bedrooms, an en-suite shower room, a family bathroom, a utility room, a pantry and a large kitchen/dining/family room overlooking the garden. Upstairs would be a main bedroom with dressing area and en-suite shower room. This terrace has been designed to be in keeping with the height and depth of the current building. The pair of semi-detached houses would have, on the ground floor, a snug, a shower room, and an open plan L-shaped kitchen/dining/family room leading out to the garden. Upstairs there would be 3 double bedrooms, all with en-suite facilities, a dressing room, an en-suite bathroom, and a terrace giving views across open farmland.
The estimated gross development value of this is believed to be c.£3,500,000.
Asking Price: £850,000
The Grain Stores are a series of two large barns currently occupied on an informal lease by Autovan Services Ltd who are paying £45,000 per year for a 9-year lease with a break clause at year 3 (Nov 2026).
The properties have no current application for conversion but have been discussed previously as having potential for demolition and replacement with four, large, detached residential dwellings with gardens, or several semi-detached.
The plot is just under half an acre, with its own access from B3078, plus a small paddock immediately south of The Grain Stores, currently used as parking for the tenants and their customers.
Asking Price: £500,000
Cottage & Playing Field
Field: £200,000
Cottage: £365,000
**ENQUIRIES**
For all enquiries, viewing requests or to create your own listing please visit the Emoov website.
If calling, please quote reference: S5202
