The English dream: thatched circular cottage in ancient Dorset village isn't what you'd expect...

Imagine the quintessential English country cottage and Honeypot Cottage might just be what springs to mind — but appearances can be deceiving. 
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Becky Davies7 February 2018

At first sight, this chocolate box round thatched cottage looks like it could have been around for a few hundred years. However, it is, in fact, a brand-new home.

The delightfully named Honeypot Cottage in the Dorset village of Lytchett Matravers, near Poole, was built as part of a new estate by a local developer, Oota Property, who designed the house as a circular centrepiece.

This means that, unlike most other original thatched cottages, this home comes with a 10-year NHBC guarantee.

The village of Lytchett Matravers is mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086 and was owned by a Danish lord called Tholf before the Norman invasion of 1066.

It was once full of thatched cottages and Honeypot is an homage to that quintessentially English style of architecture.

Nonetheless, the cottage's round shape is an unusual feature, even amongst new-build thatched homes.

"When we designed Honeypot Cottage we aspired to produce a totally iconic home that within fullness of time would become a landmark in Dorset," explains Nick Rubenstein, director of Oota Property Ltd.

"People have asked me about the practicalities of living in a round house with regards to furniture but through our journey we have found a bespoke furniture maker who can build circular furniture to the discerning buyers needs."

The cottage is entered via a stable door leading straight into the curved walled living room. There is also a high-spec fitted kitchen on the ground floor, leading to a sun room overlooking the terrace.

Upstairs is the master en suite bedroom. On the same floor, the two other bedrooms are served by an equally luxurious bathroom.

Outside, a crazy paving path leads to the front door, while a paved driveway has parking for a couple of cars.

There is an enclosed garden mostly laid to lawn and a little courtyard garden to the side of the house.

"In all my years of being an estate agent I have never marketed anything else like it," says Kyle Nichols, of Austin & Wyatt.

"The number of people who stand and gaze at the property in our window is unbelievable. It really is the talk of the town and will make a great home for someone who fancies something a bit different."

The village serves as the gateway to the Purbeck hills and overlooks the waters of Poole harbour.

The affluent delights of Poole are just six miles away, with the seaside resort of Bournemouth next door, while the famous beaches — and breathtakingly expensive houses — of Sandbanks are just 10 miles away.

The house could provide a perfect weekend getaway home, with Holton Heath station just three miles away and direct trains to Waterloo taking two hours and 25 minutes.

Honeypot Cottage is for sale at £495,000 with Austin & Wyatt