Symonds & Sampson’s recent property auction, offering properties in Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire, attracted regional buyers, as well as a telephone bidder from Spain, but it was London buyers who pushed prices up.

Glenfield is in Kington Magna near Gillingham and comprised a farmhouse for possible extension and improvement in a secluded position at the end of a no through road. Interest throughout the six week campaign was strong and the bidding was frenetic and the guide of £400,000 was easily breached with the hammer falling to a London buyer at £485,000.

A Grade II listed cottage for improvement at Holtwood near Wimborne attracted great interest and was an ideal renovation project with the potential to extend. This sold after spirited bidding for £402,000 to a local family and they took the option to buy the one acre paddock adjoining for £50,000.

The most excitement was for a Grade II listed former lodge to the Horsington Estate (below) which requires updating. Over 70 people had viewed the house and 18 people had registered for the legal packs. Bidding started at £200,000 with the bids rising in £5,000 increments and then £2,000 before the hammer fell at £300,000, 50 per cent over the guide to a couple from Wincanton.