The house

Tucked between the picturesque Dorset villages of Salwayash and Waytown, and perched on the edge of the stunning Marshwood Vale—part of the Dorset National Landscape -Marles Farmhouse offers the perfect mix of rustic charm and modern comfort. This detached, stone-built gem is surrounded by rolling green fields and approached via peaceful, wooded lanes; secluded and tranquil, with no nearby neighbours (the friendly owner lives discreetly on-site in a converted dairy), it's a true countryside retreat.

Lovingly refurbished in 2015 and thoughtfully updated since, the farmhouse blends original 19th-century features - thick stone walls, exposed beams, and a characterful fireplace - with eco-conscious modern upgrades with solid wall insulation, solar panels with battery storage, biomass heating, EV charging, and water heating systems - all designed to tread lightly on the planet.

Inside, the heart of the home is a huge, stylish kitchen with gleaming granite surfaces, a range cooker, and a spacious dining area perfect for gathering everyone together. After dinner, kick back in front of the cosy wood-burning stove in the sitting room, or head to the family/games room, complete with table football, TV/DVD/Blu-ray, and a Bluetooth-connected sound system - if you feel like a singalong, there’s even a piano for musical evenings.

The layout is ideal for all generations, with a twin bedroom and a shower room on the ground floor, perfect for guests with limited mobility. Two staircases lead to five more bedrooms upstairs - all with peaceful views of the garden and fields. There are two king-size rooms with en-suite showers, two flexible twins (which can convert to doubles) and a room with bunk beds - two further bathrooms round out the upper floor.

Step outside to a sunny rear terrace with picnic benches and a BBQ - ideal for lazy lunches or evening drinks. In the front the enclosed cottage garden overlooks sheep-dotted fields and a chicken coop (don’t worry—no cockerel!), offering a serene setting for morning coffee or wildlife watching - you might spot deer, foxes, owls, or bats. Kids will love the climbing frame, swings, and open-fronted garage with a table tennis setup.

Scenic, spacious, and wonderfully private, Marles Farmhouse is a fantastic base for exploring the very best of Dorset; from countryside walks straight from the front door to beach days at West Bay or Charmouth, and fossil-hunting along the Jurassic Coast to watersports in Weymouth.