A ‘CHARMING’ cottage in Dorset with views of surrounding countryside has sold for more than £500,000 at auction.

The five-bedroom property, based on Water Lane in Winterborne Houghton near Blandford Forum, was put up for auction by Symonds and Sampson with a guide price of £395,000.

Symonds and Sampson say the detached property, with 0.33 acres of land, is a ‘charming period cottage which enjoys views over the surrounding countryside and St. Andrews Church.’

The property’s brochure noted that the cottage can be renovated by a new buyer and previously had approved plans to expand the character cottage.

View more photos of the property in the above interactive gallery

Dorset Echo: Cottage in Winterborne Houghton in rural Dorset has sold in auction. Picture: Symonds and SampsonCottage in Winterborne Houghton in rural Dorset has sold in auction. Picture: Symonds and Sampson

The ground floor is comprised of a sitting/dining room, kitchen, a study that could also be a bedroom, downstairs bathroom and access to a rear garden.

Accessed via two staircases, the first floor provides four bedrooms and one contains an en-suite bathroom. There is also a spare room that could be turned into an office or another single bedroom.

Behind the cottage are its gardens and grounds as well as a garage/workshop. There is also off-road parking for several cars.

At auction on Friday, July 23, the lot attracted multiple bids as bidders attempted to win the property.

Following a series of bids, the cottage sold for £555,000.