Clovelly, Bideford, Devon, EX39

A substantial period home in a unique location, offering versatile accommodation, within half a mile of Clovelly beach and harbour.

The property will be offered by Informal Tender/Sealed Bid process, with a date to be confirmed for the closing bids to be recieved.

Location - The property stands in a unique position amidst the 4,600 acre private Clovelly Estate, in a glorious rural location. Located within part of the UK’s Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), the property is just over half a mile away from the pretty village of Clovelly and harbour. Clovelly is a popular pedestrianised coastal village, boasting a charming cobbled street leading down to the harbour, where the popular Red Lion Hotel and Restaurant is located. There is a thriving community with visitor centre shops, a parish church, RLNI lifeboat station and a museum where visitors can learn about Clovelly’s fascinating history.

The Hartland peninsular is renowned for its dramatic scenery and spectacular coastline, offering spectacular coastal walks with breath-taking scenery. The South West Coastal Footpath can be accessed at Clovelly, which affords excellent walking with beautiful scenic coastal vistas. Hartland is around 5 miles away, and benefits from a thriving community and a superb range of amenities including a medical centre, Post Office, public houses, shops and a village primary school, as well as the nearby Hartland Quay and Hartland Abbey. The area frequently lends itself to film locations, most recently, ‘Rebecca’ (Netflix), The Guernsey Potato Peel Society film and Mallory Towers (CBBC).

There are a range of popular villages nearby including Bucks Mills and Welcombe, as well as Woolsery. Woolsery benefits from the renowned Farmer’s Arms public house and restaurant, as well as a boutique village shop/Post Office and fish & chip shop, which have all been refurbished to exacting standards in recent years.

A wider range of amenities are available at the towns of Bideford and Bude, around 11 and 16.5 miles away respectively, including banks, shops and schooling for all ages, whilst private schooling is available at Shebbear College and Kingsley (Bideford).

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 the regional centre of 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 about a 90-minute drive, which connects to London and beyond.

Mileages

Clovelly Village & Beach – 0.6 mile
Hartland – 5 miles
Bideford – 11 miles
Bude – 16.5 miles
Barnstaple – 20 miles
M5 Motorway – 54 miles

History - The Old Rectory was once the childhood home of the renowned Victorian novelist Charles Kingsley, when his father was employed as the local rector. Charles Kingsley became known for his concern for social reform, most notably via his illustrated story, The Water Babies, published in 1863. The property is located on the gorgeous 4,600 acre Clovelly Estate which was originally owned by William the Conqueror, King of England. The Estate has been owned by only three successive families, including William the Conqueror, since the middle of the 13th Century.

The Property - This is an opportunity to acquire a exceptionally positioned 19th Century period residence close to the coast, offering privacy, seclusion and highly versatile accommodation. The property requires refurbishment, but this non-listed period home offers tremendous potential, with spacious and versatile accommodation arranged over four floors which could suit multigenerational occupation or a home with an income, with some alterations. At present, there are two reception rooms (originally three), eight bedrooms, and a basement with fabulous potential to create an annexe or holiday cottage, subject to any necessary consents.

The property stands beautifully within a wooded setting, within 1.73 acres of its own delightful gardens and grounds which offer a great deal of privacy and seclusion. There is a horseshoe driveway typical of the era, as well as ample off-road parking and a garage.

Properties in this location offering such potential very rarely become available to the open market, and the agents have no hesitation in recommending a full internal inspection to appreciate this substantial period home, available to the open market with no ongoing chain.

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

A covered porch with decorative tiled floor leads to the front door and:

Entrance Hall - Stairs rise to the first floor landing. Door giving access to stairs which lead down to the cellar. Exposed brickwork.

Drawing Room - A triple aspect room with views over the gardens. Exposed floorboards. Window shutters. Two fireplaces.

Dining Room - Window with window shutters to the rear elevation enjoying views over the gardens. Open fireplace with cast iron insert and marble surround.

Kitchen - Window to the front elevation. Range of matching wall and base units with a stainless steel double sink set into roll top work surfaces. Space for a fridge/freezer, washing machine and dishwasher. Triple oil fired Aga. Just off the kitchen, there is a lobby and a lift (not operational).

Lobby - Door giving access to the front elevation and driveway, as well as the garage.

Cloakroom - Comprising low level WC, pedestal wash hand basin and a window to the side elevation.

Pantry

First Floor Landing - Stairs rise to the second floor. Exposed brickwork. Lift (not operational).

Cloakroom - Comprising low level WC and wash hand basin. Window to the rear elevation.

Bedroom 1 - Window to the rear elevation overlooking the garden. Open fireplace with a timber mantel over. Wash hand basin.

Bedroom 2 - A dual aspect room overlooking the gardens. Exposed brickwork. Open fireplace with timber mantel over.

Bedroom 3 - Window to the front elevation. Extensive range of built-in wardrobes.

Bathroom - Window to the front elevation. Comprising pedestal wash hand basin, bidet, bath and a double shower cubicle. Airing cupboard housing hot water cylinder.

Second Floor Landing - Window to the front elevation. Exposed brickwork.

Bedroom 8 - Window to the front elevation.

Bathroom - Comprising low level WC, pedestal wash hand basin and a panelled bath. Exposed brickwork.

Bedroom 4 - Window to the rear elevation overlooking the garden. Ornate fireplace.

Bedroom 7 - Window to the rear elevation overlooking the garden.

Bedroom 5 - Window to the rear elevation overlooking the garden. Ornate fireplace.

Bedroom 6 - Window to the front elevation. Ornate fireplace.

From the entrance hall, stairs lead to the basement which consists of a games room, utility room, cloakroom, three store rooms and a boiler room. There is also access to the garden, which offers future potential for dual family occupation or a home with an income, with some alterations and subject to any necessary consents.

Outside - The property is approached via a 70-yard long private driveway that sweeps around to the front of the house, before returning around a teardrop shaped turning circle. There is ample off-road parking to the front of the property, which is supplemented by a further parking spur located just off the driveway.

Attached to the property, there is a:

Garage - Metal up and over door and power and light connected.

The Grounds - The house sits centrally within its own gardens and grounds, which amount to just under 1.75 acres (1.73), and consist of level lawns surrounding the house, which blend into mature wooded areas. The wooded areas are a mixture of broadleaf and evergreen trees, with further additional fruit trees and a timber summer house. The grounds provide wonderful seclusion and privacy, and are bounded by the Clovelly Estate.

Property Information

Services - Mains electricity, water and drainage. Oil fired central heating.

Local Authority - Torridge District Council – .

EPC Rating: F

Council Tax: Band G

What 3 Words: ///nuptials.inspector.point

Directions - From Bideford, head on the A39 towards Bude, passing through the villages of Ford and Fairy Cross, Horns Cross and Bucks Cross. At the Clovelly Cross roundabout, turn right, signposted towards Clovelly. Continue along this road for about a mile until reaching a sweeping right hand bend, you will then pass the entrance to Clovelly Court Gardens on your left. Proceed for a short distance (about 100 yards) along the road until you see the entrance to the property, on the right hand side.