East Down, Barnstaple, Devon, EX31

A beautiful Georgian former rectory in an outstanding location, enjoying peace and privacy, idyllically situated within its own river fronted grounds of 10.5 acres

Location - The Old Rectory enjoys a private, south facing position in glorious rural surroundings on the outskirts of the village of East Down, which is situated at the foothills of Exmoor National Park. East Down benefits from the hugely popular Pyne Arms, a fantastic traditional country pub recognised in 2022 by Estrella’s “Top 50 Gastro Pubs” list as one of the best in the country. The Pyne Arms is within walking distance, just 0.3 of a mile from the property.

Exmoor National Park is around three miles away, and is famous for its undulating moorland with pretty rivers and streams running down through deep wooded combes to the spectacular coastline, with the area offering wonderful walking and leisure pursuits and incredible scenery.

The beautiful and varied coastline lies just six miles away, and offers some of the finest beaches in the area, with sandy surfing beaches at Saunton, Croyde, Putsborough and Woolacombe. In 2022 the North Devon coastline was selected as a ‘World Surfing Reserve’ (WSR), the first in the UK and only current cold-water WSR in the world. The South West Coastal Footpath which spans the coastline also offers fantastic walking opportunities with breath-taking vistas.

The regional centre of Barnstaple is located around 7 miles away, and offers a good range of amenities and leisure pursuits. There is also a wide selection of schooling in the area, including private schooling at the well-regarded West Buckland School, as well as Blundells a little further afield in Tiverton.

Communications - The area can be accessed from Junction 27 of the M5 Motorway, and along the A361 North Devon Link Road, which leads onto the A39 Atlantic Highway. The nearest train station is located at Barnstaple, which connects to Exeter where there are regular mainline rail services to London (Paddington) in just over 2 hours. Alternatively, Tiverton Parkway Mainline Railway Station is around an hours’ drive, which connects to London and beyond.

Mileages

East Down – 0.3 miles
Exmoor National Park – 3 miles
Barnstaple – 7 miles
Lynton – 11 miles
Woolacombe – 14.5 miles
M5/Tiverton parkway – 42 miles

The Property - The Old Rectory offers an exceptional opportunity to acquire a beautifully presented non-listed Georgian former rectory, that has been the subject of extensive and sympathetic renovations in recent years to exacting standards by the current owners. The property offers elegant and well-proportioned accommodation typical of the Georgian era, and retains a wealth of character features one would expect including high ceilings, ceiling mouldings, marble fireplaces and large windows providing a wealth of ample natural light. These charming features have been expertly blended with modern day conveniences.

The spacious accommodation includes three reception rooms, four bedrooms and three bath/shower rooms, as well as a useful cellar. A particular feature is the stunning ‘live-in’ kitchen/dining/family room, which features a beautiful bespoke kitchen by Ashgrove Kitchens. There is also the added advantage of a separate detached two-bedroom cottage, known as The Old Rectory Cottage, which benefits from full residential use and could suit a variety of uses including as an annexe or as a holiday cottage.

The grounds of the property are equally as impressive, boasting a delightful mixture of formal gardens, pasture, nature walks and woodland with streams, a river and a pond, making the property a natural haven for wildlife. Contained within the grounds, there is a spacious detached barn that has fantastic potential for conversion, subject to any necessary consents. In total, the property stands in grounds of around 10.5 acres, offering a great deal of privacy and seclusion.

Properties of this calibre very rarely become available to the open market, and the agents have no hesitation in recommending a viewing at the earliest convenience in order to appreciate this special country home in a wonderful setting, offered for sale with no ongoing chain.

The accommodation, with approximate dimensions more clearly identified on the accompanying floorplans, comprises:

Double doors lead to:

Entrance Vestibule - Slate flagstone flooring.

Reception Hall - Stairs rise to the first floor landing. Exposed floorboards. Access to the inner hallway.

Cloakroom - Comprising low level WC and vanity wash hand basin. Window to the side elevation. Panelling to dado height.

Dining Room - Bay window to the front elevation enjoying views over the grounds towards the river. Open fireplace with marble surround and cast iron insert.

Drawing Room - Windows with window shutters to the front elevation enjoying views over the garden and land towards the river. Wood burning stove set in a recessed fireplace with marble surround.

Kitchen/Breakfast Room - A stunning triple aspect room with wonderful views over the gardens and woodland. Limestone flooring throughout. Feature central wood burning stove. Access to the inner hallway.

Kitchen - A bespoke luxury kitchen by Ashgrove, with an extensive range of matching base units with oversized Belfast sink set into quartz work surfaces. A range of integrated appliances include two dishwashers, an oven, induction hob and a fridge and freezer. Electric Aga set into a chimney style recess with extractor over. Central island unit with a breakfast bar and additional sink.

Inner Hall - Secondary stairs rise to the first floor landing. Windows to the rear elevation and door giving access to the garden. A former church pew ideal for removing boots. Access to the cellar.

Study/Snug - Window to the side elevation overlooking the garden. Open fireplace with marble surround.

First Floor Landing - Exposed floorboards. Arched window to the side elevation. Airing cupboard and further storage cupboard.

Bedroom 1 - Window to the front elevation overlooking the land towards the river. Exposed floorboards. Ornate fireplace. Hatch access to loft space.

Dressing Room - A superb range of bespoke cabinetry by Ashgrove, providing an excellent range of storage. Exposed floorboards. Window to the front elevation.

En-Suite - Comprising dual vanity wash hand basins, roll top claw footed bath, low level WC, bidet, walk-in shower with a rainwater style shower. Exposed floorboards, heated towel rail. Window to the front elevation overlooking the river. Ornate fireplace with marble surround. Access to landing.

Bedroom 2 - Window to the side elevation overlooking the garden and woods. Ornate fireplace with marble surround. Exposed floorboards. Hatch access to loft.

En-Suite - Comprising roll top claw footed bath, low level WC and a wash hand basin. Window to the side elevation.

Bedroom 3 - Window to the side elevation overlooking the gardens and pond. Ornate fireplace.

Bedroom 4 - Windows to the side elevation overlooking the gardens and woodland. Built-in wardrobes.

En-Suite - Comprising low level WC, wash hand basin and a shower cubicle with rainwater style shower. Windows to the side and rear elevations.

Cellar - From the inner hallway, stairs lead down to the cellar, which consists of four good-sized rooms providing excellent storage. The boiler is also housed in the cellar, and there is space and plumbing for washing machines/tumble dryers.

The Old Rectory Cottage

A stable door gives access to:

Entrance Lobby - Window to the front elevation. Panelling to dado height.

Sitting/Dining Room/ Kitchen - A triple aspect room with a bow bay window to the rear elevation overlooking the gardens and valley beyond. Vaulted ceiling with exposed A-frames. Wood burning stove.

Kitchen - Comprising an excellent range of matching base units with Belfast sink set into quartz work surfaces. A range of integrated appliances include a fridge/freezer, dishwasher, washing machine cooker and an induction hob. Space for a microwave oven.

Shower Room - Comprising low level WC, pedestal wash hand basin and a shower cubicle with rainwater style shower. Heated towel rail. Window to the front elevation.

Bedroom 1 - Window to the side elevation enjoying views over the surrounding valley.

Bedroom 2 - A dual aspect room with built-in wardrobes.

Outside - The Old Rectory is set beautifully within its own gardens and grounds which enjoy a wonderful park-like feel, with an enchanting mixture of formal garden areas, pasture and woodland with small streams, a river and a pond, with the whole enjoying a high degree of seclusion and privacy. The grounds are also a real haven for nature and wildlife, and we understand that there is an abundance of wildlife visitors.

The property is approached through a pair of remote-controlled electric gates and over a driveway, which passes over a small stream, and sweeps around to either side of the main residence. To the right of the house is a good-sized area of parking for several vehicles which is laid to stone chippings and surrounded by a delightful garden area with woodland beyond. To the left hand side of the house there is further parking and turning space, as well as a garage/workshop, a further small single garage, former piggeries and a stable/wood store.

The pasture is situated to the south side of the house, accessed from the driveway, with a separate vehicular access via a five bar gate off the country lane. The paddock is level and bordered by the River Yeo, and is divided into two natural sections by a stream.

The Old Rectory Cottage sits in an elevated position to the rear of The Old Rectory, and beyond the cottage is a detached stone barn which offers tremendous potential, subject to any necessary consents. The barn measures 41’7 x 16’5, with a 17th Century single storey shippon attached on one side.

There are wooded areas throughout the grounds providing a great deal of privacy, with a more densely wooded section to the eastern side of the property. To the north of The Old Rectory Cottage, there is a tiered garden area with vegetable beds, an orchard and two greenhouses. Various intertwining pathways cross the property’s land, and have been designed to take full advantage of the setting, crossing a range of meandering streams and a stream fed pond. In total, the property stands in magical gardens and grounds amounting to around 10.5 acres.

Property Information

Services - Mains electricity and water. Oil fired central heating. Private drainage (treatment plant). It is understood that there is a well and borehole within the grounds.

EPC: E

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Agent’s Note: There is a seldom used public footpath which runs across the driveway and along the boundary field to the front elevation of the Rectory, and leads up through the woods before exiting the property past the stone barn. It does not affect the privacy of the Rectory or the garden areas.

Local Authority - North Devon District Council – .

Contents, Fixtures and Fittings - Only those mentioned within this brochure are included in the sale. All others, such as curtains, light fittings, mirrors, garden ornaments etc are specifically excluded, but may be available by separate negotiation.

Viewing By appointment with Jackson-Stops, North Devon .

For sale by private treaty with vacant possession upon completion.

Directions - From Barnstaple, take the A39 signposted towards Lynton, passing the North Devon District Hospital on your right hand side. Stay on this road until you reach the village of Shirwell, passing through the village, and upon leaving, continue for just over three miles until you reach a 90 degree right hand bend. Turn left here, signposted towards East Down and the Pyne Arms. Proceed for a short distance and the entrance to the property will be situated on the right hand side through the gated entrance.