Yeo Vale, Bideford, Devon, EX39

A superb historic manor house nestled within the picturesque landscape of the Yeo Vale enjoying a private and secluded rural position, benefiting from an excellent range of adaptable outbuildings including a former cottage, traditional pasture and amenity woodland, with frontage to the pretty River Yeo. In all about 30.40 Acres.


Set within lovely large gardens and grounds, Dotheridge Manor provides a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The manor has been in the ownership of the current vendors’ family for over 33 years and this sale thereby affords prospective purchasers a rare opportunity to become the custodian of a superb country residence enjoying an outstanding position in the picturesque Yeo Vale. The property has a fascinating history, believed to have originally been granted as a small manor to a descendant of an old Norman family called Thomas de Dudderigge, during the reign of Henry III in circa 1250. Having formerly operated as a traditional dairy farm, in recent years the holding has been primarily utilised for the grazing of livestock and horses, as well as the production of fodder.
The holding is centered upon a detached Grade II listed manor house, exhibiting a wealth of charm and character, believed to date originally from the 1740’s, with later 19th and 20th century alterations and extensions. The house provides well proportioned four bedroomed accommodation which, despite now requiring updating in some areas, undoubtedly offers the potential to create a superb family home enjoying an outstanding rural setting. An extensive range of adaptable traditional and modern former farm buildings may afford potential, subject to obtaining any necessary planning/listed building consent, for conversion to residential, commercial, holiday or other ancillary uses. This alternative use potential is reflected in the fact that planning consent was formerly obtained (1989 - now lapsed) to create two separate 3 bedroomed cottages. The outbuildings may also appeal to those prospective purchasers with agricultural and equestrian interests, with a former shippon having been adapted into a smart stable block.
The house and buildings are conveniently positioned within the surrounding land, which comprises a wonderful combination of traditional pasture, woodland and river meadows, sloping gently down to the pretty River Yeo. The land may be well suited to a variety of agricultural, equestrian, conservation, sporting or other amenity uses, with the added benefit of fishing rights on the River Yeo.
Dotheridge Manor extends in total to about 30.40 Acres (12.30 Ha) and is offered for sale as a whole.

Accessed from a quiet council maintained road over a smart gated private entrance drive, Dotheridge Manor occupies a readily accessible rural position in rolling unspoilt Devon countryside lying to the south west of Bideford and within easy reach of the stunning North Devon coast. The property enjoys an outstanding setting benefiting from exceptional privacy and seclusion, beautifully nestled within its own large gardens and grounds. Despite its peaceful rural position Dotheridge Manor is well located for access to local amenities and the wider transport network.
Enjoying convenient access to the A39 Atlantic Highway the bustling and historic harbour town of Bideford and the larger administrative and regional centre of Barnstaple provide an extensive range of everyday services including shops, banks, supermarkets, schools, restaurants, public houses, health centres and a hospital, together with numerous sporting and leisure facilities. Local highly regarded public schools include Shebbear College, Kingsley and West Buckland. The North Devon coast provides access to the renowned South West Coast Path and popular tourist destinations including Westward Ho! and the picturesque historic fishing village of Clovelly, with beaches at Peppercombe and Bucks Mills.
From Barnstaple the A361 North Devon link route provides easy access to South Molton, Tiverton and the M5 motorway (Junction 27), with mainline Intercity rail links available at Exeter and Tiverton Parkway. International Airports are available at Exeter and Bristol.

The property is approached from the quiet council maintained road through smart gated stone pillars over a private entrance drive, which divides to provide access to a large parking and turning area situated to the rear of the house. A rear drive provides separate access to the farm buildings and land, although the two drives link to provide a complete circuit. A lawned garden adjoins to the front elevation of the house, which in turn opens into enchanting large gardens and grounds which, despite having become a little overgrown in recent years, contain a wide variety of deciduous and evergreen trees, ornamental shrubs and fruit trees, affording an idyllic and tranquil area to walk and relax, with a pretty timber Pergola provided to contemplate and rest. Further lawned areas, interspersed with mature trees, flank the rear drive, with a pretty open fronted Summer House.
Situated a short distance to the west of the house, adjacent to the front drive, is a stone, part rendered and slate roofed grade II listed building, divided into three principle parts (see attached floorplan). The main section of this building, although formerly a cottage, is currently used as a Studio, with a flagstone floor and glazed sink on the ground floor and stairs rising to a large room over. Adjoining is a former Stable, with a cobbled floor and hay loft over. A further Situated in the land immediately to the west of the upper yard, is a useful Field Shelter, approx. 6.4m x 5.3m overall, incorporating a hay store to the rear.
The Land
This comprises an attractive combination of traditional pasture, mixed mainly deciduous woodland and river meadows, surrounding the house and buildings and affording considerable privacy and seclusion. A gently and moderately sloping block of productive pasture land is situated to the west of the farm buildings, conveniently divided into manageable enclosures, with a separate access available to the north west over the track known as Dotheridge Lane. A parcel of woodland adjoins these fields to the south, containing a small stream and former pond.
Accessed via a track off the main drive and adjoining the meandering River Yeo is a former meadow which has been re-wilded in recent years to now provide a wonderful conservation area. A further wildlife pond is situated in the woodland area adjacent to the river. In recent years the holding has been primarily utilised for livestock grazing and fodder production, with the traditional hedgerows and pasture having been sympathetically managed to provide varied habitats for a wide range of flora and fauna. The property extends in total to about 30.40 Acres, as shown shaded pink on the attached identification plan.