Dorset Barn Conversion for sale

Eighteenth Century Dorset
Barn Conversion

Barton Barn
Barton Barn is a unique period property found at the centre of the pretty and much sought-after village of West Stafford (Thomas Hardy’s ‘Talbothayes’). The Barn originally belonged to Stafford House, a tudor manor house, currently home of renowned man of letters, Julian Fellowes. It is one of the largest thatched buildings in Dorset, with views of the 17th century church, whose bells rang for Tess’s wedding in 'Tess of the D'Urbervilles'.The Barn features in two paintings by the famous 19th century Dorset artist, Henry Moule. These are presently in Dorchester's County Museum.

The Barn is now a spacious and prestigious family home. It has a vast beamed hall (38'5" by 20'5"), which has recently played host to concerts, operas, workshops and barn dances! Barton Barn, with its two large reception areas, is an ideal home for people interested in the Performing Arts, especially Music, Opera and Fine Arts, or those who wish to entertain on a grand scale. Barton Barn is an ideal venue for those wishing to establish a Bed & Breakfast business. The house now has five bedrooms - a master bedroom on the first floor with library, sitting area and bathroom, and a bedroom wing comprising two double bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, two small singles and a separate shower-room with WC. There is a further guest WC. It has ample parking and pretty, easily-maintained gardens.

Barton Barn is an ideal base for exploring Hardy country, both by car and on foot. Kingston Maurward College and Gardens, and Lower Bockhampton with its beautiful riverside walk into Dorchester, are within walking distance, with Thomas Hardy’s birthplace just a little farther up the road. The varied walks in the countryside around Barton Barn take in the rolling hills to the south and lush water-meadows to the north.

Barton Barn

The old barn doors have been entirely replaced by a large hardwood, glazed window, through which a glazed front door leads into the front porch (12’ x 6’4).

An internal glazed door leads to the reception hall (16'5 x 16'11) at the end of which is a large window looking through to the kitchen. To the right, is a guest WC. Turn right to the bedroom wing or left below a large hardwood beam into the Great Hall.

The Great Hall includes original oak semi-cruck beams to a height of 17'9, exposed Portland stone walls with timber panelling above and a part-carpeted, tiled floor. There are windows to three elevations and a glazed door into the rear garden.

Great Hall

Great Hall, looking towards gallery

Main hall at Christmas, viewed from galleried library

Another unique feature of the barn is a wonderful galleried master suite with polished wood floor and a breathtaking view along the exposed oak beams of the full 80' length of the Barn. Stairs rise from the Hall to the galleried library (23' x 20'), from which double pine doors open into the 20' x 20' master bedroom. To one side of the library, there is a cosy sitting area overlooking the village church, and to the other, a new bathroom.

Gallery

Galleried library viewed from the top of the stairs

Master Bedroom

Cosy sitting area, with west-facing windows towards church

New bathroom to master bedroom

From the Great Hall, a part-glazed door leads to the kitchen which has been recently extended to provide a generous farmhouse-style kitchen/breakfast room. This bright room (19' x 11') features flagstones discovered below ground in 2002, at the site of the original west porch. The kitchen unites have solid wooden doors and worktops. The ceiling is over 10' high. The west-facing wall comprises a huge glazed window with glazed double doors into the garden, mirroring the front porch. Small additional windows face to the south and north.

Kitchen from back doors

Returning to the reception hall, three steps rise to the corridor of the bedroom wing, which lies beneath the first floor master suite. All the bedrooms and bathrooms have very generous fitted cupboards and wardrobes. Two double bedrooms with west-facing windows (12'10 x 9'4' and 9'10 x 8'9) each have their own ensuite bathroom. There are also two single bedrooms (7'7 x 6'11 and 10'10 x 5') and a shower room.

To the front of the barn, there is parking for up to 6 cars and a well-stocked secluded courtyard garden (32' x 19'6) including a variety of soft fruit bushes, a fig tree and two espaliered apple trees. To the rear, there is an established cottage garden (80' x 26' narrrowing to 10') with pond, wooden pergola and brick-paved patio . The gardens are private and enclosed by either brick wall or recently constructed paling fencing.

(NB all measurements are approximate)

Back view with new porch extension.