This Grade II* listed manor house in Wool provided the inspiration for Wellbridge House in Tess of the d’Urbervilles
Situated outside the village of Wool, Woolbridge Manor inspired Wellbridge House in Thomas Hardy's novel Tess of the d'Urbervilles (1891). It is where Tess and her new husband Angel spent their ill-fated honeymoon.
Previously owned by the Turberville family, the house dates back to the early 17th century. It is situated on the north side of the historic Elizabethan Wool Bridge and in Hardy's novel it mentions a local story about a ghostly coach that crosses the bridge at night, but it can only be seen by members of the Turberville family.
This handsome Grade II* listed manor house is in need of complete modernisation and refurbishment, yet offers huge potential for the buyer. The impressive principal rooms are well proportioned and retain many period features including fireplaces and exposed beams.
The accommodation includes a reception hall with flagstone and tiled floor, drawing room and dining room (both double aspect), sitting room/study with decorative plaster ceiling, galley style kitchen, cloakroom and a utility room. Upstairs, there is a master bedroom with views towards the river, a dressing room/nursery, two further bedrooms and a family bathroom. On the second floor are two large attic bedrooms and a bathroom.
The gardens are on three sides of the house and extend to just over half an acre, including a walled front garden. Behind the house is a thatched shed, log store and two storage rooms. There is also a brick and flint building known as Chapel Barn, believed to have previously been used as a chapel and currently utilised as a garage/store.
Woolbridge Manor offers an incredible opportunity to purchase a real slice of Dorset history and for the buyer to improve and personalise this handsome property to their specifications.
Guide price: £850,000
Agent: Savills Wimborne, 01202 856800
