Chagford, Devon, TQ13

A discreetly magnificent historic Dartmoor farmstead—anchored by a beautifully restored and interior-designed Grade II listed house, and framed by 30 acres of gardens, pasture and woodland.
With cottages, a party barn and equestrian facilities, Shilstone is deeply rooted in a truly rural landscape, yet London remains entirely within reach.

Why We Love Shilstone - A discreetly magnificent historic Dartmoor farmstead—anchored by a beautifully restored and interior-designed Grade II listed house, and framed by 30 acres of gardens, pasture and woodland.
With cottages, a party barn and equestrian facilities, Shilstone is deeply rooted in a truly rural landscape, yet London remains entirely within reach.

Commanding a quietly majestic position on the fringe of Dartmoor National Park, Shilstone is a former farmstead of 16th century origin, reimagined with extraordinary vision as a private rural estate of rare quality. Tucked into a sheltered fold of the hills and enjoying wide, cinematic views across the landscape, the house sits at the heart of some 30 acres of gardens, paddocks, woodland and heritage, with Spinster’s Rock—a prehistoric cromlech—resting among the trees.

This is a home of contrasts and harmony. Thatched and stone-built, the main house is timeless in its architecture yet thoroughly modern in its execution. A recent and exacting refurbishment has brought a sense of calm precision to every room, balancing the organic warmth of local granite with refined interior design. Bespoke finishes, curated materials and an artist’s eye for proportion elevate the property beyond the typical country house conversion.

The House

Approached via a long private drive, Shilstone first reveals itself through a courtyard of handsome granite buildings, framing the house with a sense of arrival. Once inside, the interiors unfold in a series of light-filled reception rooms. The drawing and dining rooms are generously proportioned yet intimately welcoming. The dining room is equipped with a brilliantly appointed service pantry lined with smart storage cupboards. The drawing room with French doors opening to landscaped gardens and sun-trap terraces. Across the ground floor, every detail—from paint tone to ironmongery—has been chosen with quiet confidence.

The kitchen, both practical and beautiful, is designed for conviviality and serious cooking alike. With bespoke cabinetry, high-spec appliances and direct access to the gardens, it anchors the house as a space for daily life and seasonal entertaining. At the far end, a media/cinema room with exposed granite walls adds a dramatic and informal contrast.

Upstairs, the vaulted principal suite is an architectural moment in its own right. the room in far-reaching views, while the bathroom—complete with walk-in shower and freestanding bath—is finished to an exceptional standard. There are five further bedrooms, three en suite, each with their own style and rhythm, and all sharing a sense of deep comfort and craft.

Gardens & Grounds

The gardens flow outward from the house in a series of thoughtfully composed spaces: a walled garden with a stone store, paved terraces for dining and lounging, and lawns that give way to pastures and woodland beyond. The setting feels both grand and grounded—just the right amount of wild.

Beyond the formal gardens, the grounds extend to include a large pasture paddock with spectacular views towards Castle Drogo and Chagford, as well as approximately 12 acres of unspoilt woodland. The iconic Spinster’s Rock, a prehistoric cromlech, is located within the grounds, adding a unique historical feature to the estate. The grounds extend to around 30 acres in total.

The Cottages

Tucked along the approach drive are two recently renovated cottages, finished to the same high standards as the main house and both have their own gardens. Currently used as guest accommodation and holiday lets, they offer both flexibility and income potential.

Equestrian & Outbuildings

For equestrian buyers, Shilstone is impressively equipped. The yard includes six loose boxes (two housed within an attractive thatched barn), a competition-sized riding arena, and gently sloping post-and-railed paddocks. Additional stone barns—one by the cottages and one adjacent to the main house—offer further potential, subject to the usual consents.

The Party Barn

Designed for gatherings on a grand scale, the party barn reimagines the traditional great hall. Its 34-foot ceiling, catering kitchen and mezzanine gallery suit both celebrations and concerts, while doors open onto a grass terrace for seamless indoor-outdoor flow.

Life On Dartmoor - Shilstone occupies a privileged position on the edge of Dartmoor National Park, surrounded by vast, unspoilt countryside—yet remains unusually well connected. Exeter lies just 17 miles away, offering excellent amenities, acclaimed independent schools such as The Maynard and Exeter School, and a direct rail service to London Paddington in as little as two hours. With the A30 only 2.5 miles from the house, access to the M5 and wider national network is also straightforward.

This rare blend of accessibility and natural beauty has drawn buyers who may have initially looked further east, but have instead been drawn to this part of Devon—for its dramatic scenery and deeper connection to rural life. For those dividing their week between the countryside and London, Shilstone offers a highly workable base—deep in nature, yet within easy reach of the capital.

Closer to home, the historic market town of Chagford is just three miles away and provides day-to-day essentials with independent shops, a health centre, a library and well-regarded schools. The surrounding moorland offers endless scope for walking, riding and wild swimming, while nearby destinations such as Gidleigh Park and Bovey Castle offer dining and leisure of the highest standard.

Chapters Past - Over the years, this corner of Dartmoor has quietly drawn its share of artists and writers, attracted by the seclusion and beauty of the moor.

Tucked into the folds of the Dartmoor landscape, Shilstone is a particularly handsome example of a Dartmoor Longhouse — a traditional form of farmstead with roots in the medieval period. These buildings, with their characteristic stone profiles, are an integral part of Dartmoor’s architectural heritage, and Shilstone is among the finest of its kind. Thought to date back to the Tudor period, the house originally followed the classic three-room-and-through-passage layout, typical of its time. In the later 17th and early 18th centuries, it underwent a period of confident remodelling and aggrandisement, including the addition of chimney stacks and an upper floor.

The grounds of Shilstone hold an even older treasure: Spinster’s Rock, or the Shilstone Cromlech — a Neolithic dolmen thought to date from between 3500 and 2500 BC. This ancient site caught the attention of Rev. John Swete, the noted 18th-century Devon antiquarian, who visited and recorded the monument, including a charming watercolour depiction of it in his journal.

Over the years, this corner of Dartmoor has quietly drawn its share of artists and writers, attracted by the seclusion and beauty of the moor. In the 1930s, ’40s and ’50s, the nearby Easton Court Hotel became something of a writers’ retreat. Evelyn Waugh, was introduced to the area by his brother Alec and later returned here to work on Brideshead Revisited. John Steinbeck also passed through, seeking inspiration for his retelling of the Arthurian legends. Patrick Leigh Fermor, C.P. Snow, and John Betjeman were among others recorded in the hotel’s visitor book who found themselves taken by the landscape’s tranquillity and dramatic romance.