High Bickington, Umberleigh, Devon, EX37

A superb historic manor house enjoying an outstanding rural position with panoramic views towards Exmoor, benefiting from an excellent range of adaptable outbuildings, beautifully set within its own traditional pasture and amenity woodland. In all about 84.75 Acres.

Enjoying a superb setting, the property provides a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and the sale affords prospective purchasers a rare opportunity to become the custodian of a superb country residence enjoying an outstanding position in picturesque countryside. The property is centered upon a detached Grade II listed manor house, exhibiting a wealth of charm and character, believed to date originally from the 1500’s, with later 17th and 20th century extensions and restorations.
Whilst first and foremost providing a beautiful family home, in recent years the house has also been used to run a successful bed and breakfast business, with the first floor currently temporarily divided into two parts, providing well proportioned five bedroomed accommodation. With its historical allure and expansive layout, the manor may also afford an exciting opportunity for those seeking to establish a boutique hotel, retreat centre, or exclusive wedding venue, subject to obtaining any necessary planning/listed building consent. A shepherds hut has recently been installed on the land to provide an additional holiday letting income source, and this may be available to purchase by negotiation, although no planning consent currently exists for its siting.
An extensive range of adaptable traditional farm buildings, including a substantial former threshing barn, may afford potential, subject to any necessary planning/listed building consent, for conversion to residential, commercial, holiday or other ancillary uses. The house and buildings are conveniently positioned within the surrounding land, which comprises a wonderful combination of traditional pasture and mixed deciduous woodland. Currently utilised for the grazing of livestock and horses, as well as the production of fodder, the land may be well suited to a variety of agricultural, equestrian, conservation, sporting or other amenity uses. Charming countryside walks have been created across the land for the benefit of the owners and guests alike. The property extends in total to about 84.75 Acres (34.30 Ha) and is offered for sale as a whole.

Accessed over a long private entrance drive, the manor occupies a superb rural position in picturesque North Devon countryside, within easy reach of Exmoor and the stunning North Devon coast. The property enjoys a peaceful setting, beautifully nestled within its own land and benefiting from panoramic views whilst also experiencing exceptional privacy and seclusion. Despite its tranquil rural position the manor is well located for access to local amenities and the wider transport network. The nearby sought after village of High Bickington provides a thriving local community which has managed to retain a good range of local amenities, including a village shop, post office, primary school, and local pub. High Bickington is well-connected to nearby towns, with the regional centre of Barnstaple within a 30-minute drive providing 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 West Buckland, Kingsley and Shebbear College. The A377 road provides convenient access to major routes and the surrounding districts, including Crediton and the City of Exeter.

From Barnstaple and South Molton the A361 North Devon link road provides easy access to the M5 motorway (Junction 27). There is a nearby rail station on the Barnstaple to Exeter (Tarka) line at Umberleigh, with mainline intercity rail links available at Exeter and Tiverton Parkway, and international airports at Exeter and Bristol.

The property lies in the beautiful band of countryside between Exmoor and Dartmoor, a predominantly agricultural landscape primarily comprising pasture and arable land interspersed with an abundance of woodland and pretty river valleys. Exmoor to the north offers beautiful moorland scenery with many foot and bridle paths, whilst the stunning North Devon coast is easily accessible with lovely sandy beaches at Instow, Saunton Sands, Croyde Bay, Putsborough and Woolacombe, all visited by the renowned South West Coast Path.

The property is approached over a long private entrance drive, through smart stone pillars, which leads to a large parking and turning area, flanked by lawned gardens and grounds. From this initial parking area, stone pillars and wrought iron gates lead into further parking situated to the front of the house, with a gravelled sitting out area overlooking the land. External steps lead up to a loft space over the utility room, with a dog kennel/run adjoining. Steps and a gate lead up to further dog kennels and a poultry run lying to the west of the house. A pretty enclosed garden adjoins the house to the east, providing a lovely private and sheltered space. Beyond this garden is a further raised area containing the timber frame for a summer house and a rabbit enclosure. A path leads up to a charming and well appointed children’s playhouse, situated in a sloping orchard which forms a backdrop to the house.