Fonthill Gifford, Tisbury, Salisbury

Some 36 years ago the current vendor sought a peaceful retreat in the country for family and friends and stumbled upon the perfect place. Back then Beckford Lodge was forlorn and dilapidated and the garden a wilderness of nettles and brambles, but even then, it had undeniable charm and appeal. Listed Grade II in view of its architectural and historic merit, this wonderful old property, circa 1680, is built of Chilmark stone under a thatched roof and set within a glorious mature plot with woodland and farmland beyond.

Over a number of years the house has been painstakingly refurbished to an outstanding level, with enormous attention to detail and professional interior design and has featured in numerous articles ranging from House & Garden to Conde Nast. A stone pathway leads to the front door, where a decorative canopy provides shelter from the elements. The front door opens to an elegant reception hall with limestone floor, fireplace and window seat. The walls are of Kahadi paper depicting a Woodland landscape to reflect Beckford Wood. From here a door leads to the sitting room or Chintz Room, of Swedish Chinese style with painted Pomegranate and Carnation walls and Gilt rope cornicing. Next is the drawing room, a relaxing space with fireplace and marble surround and a part glazed door to outside that draws the eye to the garden beyond. A compact library provides a dedicated space to work or read. The kitchen is a cosy space, ideal for entertaining, with a decorative inglenook fireplace with AGA and walls of Ssrawberry leaves and floating bulls eye roundels. A window overlooks the garden and in one corner is a useful china pantry. Stairs lead down to a cellar. A cloakroom and boot room complete the downstairs accommodation.

Stairs lead to the first floor landing, papered walls with Birds, Peonies & Foliage. Each of the bedrooms have individual character, the principal having a Scrapbook theme with Bird designs in Japanese tissue, the en suite with walls of undulating Seaweed. The Chinese bedroom walls depict the Silk Trade; a window seat floods the room with light and provides views over the garden and fields beyond. The four poster room has a Butterfly and Tree design and the final bedroom, a Tabacco brown colour wash with dragged wood work. The guest bathroom has a stencilled Greek design.

Historical Note
The property has a particularly interesting heritage and a detailed historical note assembled by the vendor is available on request.

Outside
The property is largely concealed from passers-by, by a fine Yew hedge which runs between two vehicular access points to the property. A gravel drive to the south east provides parking and access to a garage and potting shed. A flagstone terrace facing south runs across the front of the house, wrapping round to the west where a fine Magnolia stands proudly. A cobbled passageway through the pretty old stable block leads past the original stalls, to a lovely, sheltered courtyard with stone terrace, a morning sun trap. From here the outbuildings ‘Museum’ and woodshed provide useful storage. Steps lead up to a level lawn enclosed by a fine old stone wall and backing onto a field belonging to Beckford Lodge. A stone pathway along the back of the house leads to a charming studio, of stone and timber under a tiled roof with internal walls clad in Larch and a vaulted ceiling with exposed timbers. Beyond, is the Atelier, built of brick with painted ceiling of clouds. A gardeners loo shares the building. The gardens fan out to the south and west of the property, with a level lawn to the front of the house and a path through mature hedging draws the eye towards the western boundary. Beyond this is the woodland garden, with a natural and rustic feel, with some fine mature trees, snowdrops and bluebells providing the carpet.

Services : Mains electricity water and drainage. Oil fired central heating.

Agents note : The working condition of any of the services or kitchen appliances have not been checked by the agents but at the time of taking particulars we were informed they were all in working order.