When it comes to Country Life bingo, properties such as Muston Manor, a Grade II-listed 17th century manor house, ticks quite a lot of boxes.
It is, as just mentioned, listed — tick, we like that.
It has plenty of room; about 5,748sq ft, to be precise (tick) and ‘well-tended grounds’ of about 3 acres, including a walled kitchen garden (tick), hard tennis court (tick) and a swimming pool (dug into the ground, tick).
On the market with DOMVS for £2.5 million, the property comes with seven bedrooms, seven bathrooms and lashings of history. The land on which Muston Manor sits was originally held by the monastery of Cerne up until the dissolution, when the manor was sold to John Bartlett, and then onto John Churchill of Stinsford in 1609. It’s believed that the current Muston Manor was built in 1650; however, the main door arch is thought to be Saxon in origin, perhaps an existing structure incorporated into the new house.
That sense of history still permeates throughout the home. There are plenty of exposed beams throughout, stone mullioned windows seem to be standard, and plenty of the reception rooms (and indeed some of the bedrooms) feature fireplaces. A particular highlight is the central staircase, which is made of wood and extends the full height of the house.
The majority of the bedrooms are on the first floor, including the master bedroom, which boasts a bathroom that is almost bigger than the bedroom itself. On the second storey is something known as a ‘flatlet’, which provides two further bedrooms and a second kitchen, which would be handy if you are sulking/hiding from your parents.
Outside, the gardens and grounds are ‘carefully curated’ and extend to approximately 3.17 acres in all. Mostly laid to lawn (including a croquet lawn), there are also wildflower areas, a walled kitchen garden, a sheltered walled terrace (where you would find the swimming pool) and another enclosed wall area. There is also a paved walkway down to a terrace, from which you can sit and watch the River Piddle flow past.
The Piddle Valley ‘captures the essence of rural England’, per agents, and Piddlehinton itself is just five miles from the county town of Dorchester. It offers a beautiful church and a local pub, while the many attractions of the Jurrasic Coast and Dorset AONB are on the doorstep.
Credit: Strutt and Parker
Best country houses for sale this week
An irresistible West Country cottage and a magnificent Cumbrian country house make our pick of the finest country houses for
Credit: Savills
14,000sq ft of space and 100,000 snowdrops — the manor house where bigger really is better
From the former Premier of Queensland to the chairman of British Land, Caldrees Manor has some history in its halls
A hall house in Suffolk that comes with plenty of space and a most-interesting name
Mockbeggars Hall can trace its name back to the 16th century, and has been substantially renovated by recent owners.
Clive Nichols: Secrets from the king of garden photography
Britain's top garden photographer Clive Nichols joins the Country Life podcast.
-
Rogue sellers and puppy farmers are exploiting Government licensing loopholes at the expense of responsible dog breeders, says The Kennel ClubThe Kennel Club launched a report in the House of Commons last week calling for an urgent review of current licensing regulations.
-
The real Bear Grylls: Country Life Quiz of the Day, July 2, 2025Britain's longest pier is among the highlights of Wednesday's Quiz of the Day.
-
Where Venice once ruled: The roving Venetians left handsome imprints across the Greek world, from its religion to its rambling villasMatthew Dennison explores the lingering traces of Venice's vanished empire — and the best places to buy where it once stood.
-
A delightful 16th century home with some of Kent's most beautiful gardens has come on to the marketThe Grange puts the 'garden' into the Garden of England.
-
A pristine Scottish island for sale at the price of a garage in FulhamA dot on the map of the west coast of Scotland has come on to the market, where you'll be surrounded by sea, living off grid and be neighbours with the local seal colony.
-
18 beautiful homes, from charming cottages to a Highland mansion with unbeatable views, as seen in Country LifeOur look at some of the best homes to come to the market via Country Life in the past week includes Georgian manor houses, charming commutable homes and the grandest home in Newcastle.
-
The gorgeous Somerset home of the designer behind one of Glastonbury's chicest spotsThe Manor in Hinton Blewitt is a glorious Georgian home that ticks every box.
-
A 600-year-old National Trust property that you can call homeThis blooming property in Kent showcases the original garden of England. Penny Churchill takes a look.
-
A wisteria-clad delight with lawns running down to the Thames at the prettiest riverside home for sale in London todayDeodar Road, near Putney High Street, offers unrivalled views of the Thames and is characterful in excess.
-
Five of the most majestic properties for sale in Britain today, from a 1,700-acre estate to a private island, as seen in Country LifeOur look at the best homes to come to the market via Country Life this week includes some genuinely breathtaking places.
