Rockford, Lynton

A charming, tastefully presented detached Grade II Listed riverside home in a timeless Exmoor hamlet set in delightful secluded gardens & with extensive river frontage. 4 Bedrooms, 4 Reception Rooms, 2 Bathrooms, Kitchen & Utility Room. Council Tax Band F. Freehold. EPC Band F.

Description - This particularly charming, detached, character residence presents whitened painted stone elevations, beneath a slate roof. We understand that the core dates back to 1688, although extensions have been added over subsequent years and these have been sympathetically undertaken in-keeping with the original cottage. The property is Grade ll listed, as being of architectural and historical interest, and in recent years has been restored and is now fundamentally a period shell with modern interior, combining quality and stylish 21st Century refinements with period features. Notable improvements include new roof, completely re-plumbed, re-wired, re-plastered, ground floor tanked to a height of 1.5 meters, wooden windows, recently installed external oil fired boiler, underfloor heating throughout the ground floor with individual thermostats for each room, oil tank, bespoke kitchen, bathroom, decoration both inside and out. Externally the property is complemented by the delightful landscaped and secluded gardens. There is a good sized gravel car park and the foot print of 2 former buildings within the grounds. The gardens lead through to private woodland, there is extensive frontage to the East Lyn River with private riverside walks and fishing rights adjacent to the garden, as well as further upstream. We understand that there are regular sightings of otters, kingfishers, woodpeckers, dippers, tree creepers, bullfinches, long-tailed tits and owls. The property is part of 'Brendon Commoners Association' and has a small number of grazing rights on Brendon Common. The views of the river are simply beautiful and the fact that the property is within Exmoor National Park, but has a pub within a few strides, has to be unique. All in all Doone Cottage is a magical and special place.

Directions - Leave Lynmouth on the A389 up Countisbury Hill, pass the Blue Ball Inn on your right hand side and take the next turning right signed Brendon 1 mile. Continue into the village, cross over the stone bridge and at the T junction bear right. Continue for another mile, pass the Rockford Inn on your left and the property will be found just beyond, below the lane, on the right with its car park just beyond the pedestrian gate entrance. What3Words ///melons.florists.bids

Services - Mains electricity and water. Private drainage. Oil fired central heating. Good internet access.

Situation And Amenities - Rockford and its near neighbour Brendon, are tiny villages set in a beautiful 'hidden' valley near the northern coast of Exmoor National Park. The village of Brendon, and the valley which shares its name, are well known to readers of Lorna Doone, as the picturesque setting for R.D. Blackmore's Classic Adventure. Also nearby are Oare Church, Malmsmead and Robbers Bridge which feature primarily throughout the book. Doone Cottage enjoys a timeless and tranquil setting, within its own grounds, but has neighbouring properties nearby. Entertainment and sustenance are close at hand at the Rockford Inn less than 100 yards from the garden gate and the Stag Hunters Inn, Brendon, about a mile away. The twin villages of Lynton and Lynmouth are about 4 miles and as well as their scenic cliffs and historic harbour, offer a good range of shops, pubs, restaurants, churches, a primary school, library and even a cinema. Exmoor National Park offers over 260 sq miles of dramatic scenery including some of Britain's highest cliffs, steep wooded valleys, rolling pasture and mile after mile of open moorland and is a haven for a wide range of wildlife including deer, Exmoor ponies, buzzards and other birds of prey. Exmoor's reputation as one of the finest areas of England for those walking and riding is richly deserved. We understand that Waitrose, Tesco, Sainsburys and Asda all deliver, Barbrook services is about 5 miles away. It is a 50 minute drive to Taunton where trains to London take 1 hour 50 minutes. The regional centre of Barnstaple is about 30 minutes by car. Combe Martin and the world renowned surfing beaches at Woolacombe, Saunton and Croyde are all within about 40 minutes drive.

Ground Floor - PORCH. Impressive oak front door to ENTRANCE HALL. At the heart of the property with slate flooring, walk in larder and doors leading off to other reception rooms including 2 separate oak doors to SITTING ROOM. A lovely period double aspect room featuring arched aperture to 1 window, inglenook fireplace with bressummer beam, fitted wood burner, copper canopy above, slate flooring, exposed beams, display niche. STUDY/FAMILY ROOM. Another lovely triple aspect room with fitted wood burner, ornate cornice and ceiling rose. An open archway leads from the dining room to KITCHEN once again double aspect with bespoke range of units, with oak work surfaces, Belfast sink, integrated dish washer and fridge, recessed Rangemaster, incorporating electric ovens and ceramic hob, extractor fan above, matching wall mounted cupboards incorporating plate rack, recessed shelving, breakfast island with polished granite work top. GARDEN ROOM. This fabulous double aspect room has a definite 'wow' factor with bi-fold doors leading out to a slate terrace ideal for Al Fresco dining and directly overlooking the river, slate flooring. UTILITY ROOM. With Belfast sink, drawers, cupboards and appliance space under, plumbing for washing machine, space for upright fridge/ freezer, wall cupboards, tiled floor, door to garden. WET ROOM. With low level w/c and circular wash hand basin on oak surround, extractor fan.

First Floor - LANDING access to two separate loft spaces boarded out and with lighting. Original stripped wood doors to bedrooms. BEDROOM 1. A bright triple aspect room enjoying lovely views over the river. BEDROOM 2. Another double aspect room with river views. BEDROOM 3. Built in double wardrobe, views of the garden. BEDROOM 4. Views of the garden. Spacious BATH/SHOWER ROOM. With acrylic ball and claw footed tub bath, telephone style mixer tap/shower attachment, double shower cubicle, low level w/c, his and hers wash hand basins with oak surround and cupboards under, tiled splash back, 2 heated towel rails/radiators, shaver point, oak flooring.

Outside - Nearest to the lane is a 5 bar gate allowing access to a gravelled car park with large TIMBER SHED, possibly a suitable location to erect garaging subject to planning permission. A pedestrian gate and steps meander through a well stocked herbaceous bed and rockery, bounded by low stone retaining walls which lead on down to sweeping lawns interspersed with mature specimen trees and shrubs, bounded by well stocked flower beds and borders. Further along the lane there is a secondary access through a pair of wrought iron antique gates down steps overlooked by a Victorian style street lamp. Near to this is a concealed oil tank. To the rear there is an extensive slate terrace overlooking the river and beyond, a recently installed stone wall and KITCHEN GARDEN. Adjacent to the back door is a water tap and double electric socket. At the far end of the garden a pedestrian gate leads into a delightful riverside and woodland walk. The river is understood to be stocked with a plentiful supply of salmon and trout. The remainder of the grounds are laid to mature woodland, follow the hillside and provide further private walking as well as fuel for the log burners. Adjoining the house near the back door is a recently installed oil fired boiler, for central heating and domestic hot water.