Meadfoot House, Torquay, Devon

This grand, newly renovated five-bedroom Victorian villa lies in a secluded spot on a tree-lined boulevard in Meadfoot, a sought-after part of Torquay. The house was built in 1850 for a naval officer before becoming a popular hotel, and was more recently restored to its impressive original domestic use. Light fills its interiors, which span some 4,333 sq ft and are filled with both period detailing and contemporary flourishes. Torquay rail station is a short drive away and runs services to London Paddington in approximately three hours.



The Tour



A private driveway leads up to a parking area for several cars adjacent to the imposing main entrance porch, flanked by palm trees and with a lantern overhead. There is an impressive and extensive climbing wisteria opposite, believed to be over 100 years old.



On entry, original Victorian floor tiles begin, juxtaposed with a contemporary leaded transom light above - a thematic balance that continues throughout.



The soaring ceilings of the entrance hall are bordered with delightfully intricate cornices. Hidden doors along one side conceal a WC and a coat cupboard.



To the left, the drawing room is centred around a fireplace with a black Devon marble surround, and a cavernous bay with floor-to-ceiling sash windows looks out to the garden. Spectacular cornice detailing is again seen here.



Central to the ground-floor plan is an imposing dining room with plenty of space to host large suppers. It has high ceilings from which a showpiece light fitting hangs. The room is full of light, with views out to the garden through a bay window.



To the rear and partially open plan, the kitchen is fitted with deep teal handleless units and oak tops. A quartz-topped island sits centrally in the room, and double doors lead out to a south-facing courtyard garden.



At the far end is an extremely generous reception room with a flexible layout. Double doors in the bay lead to the front garden, and there is also access to the rear courtyard.



At the rear of the main hallway is a private study, plant room, laundry room, and garden store with external access.



There are two staircases up to the first-floor landing; the principal suite extends across the front of the house. The bedroom in the middle has views over the garden and treetops. On one side, steps lead down to a large dressing room with fitted wardrobes. On the other side, an en suite bathroom has a freestanding bathtub in the bay window, a separate shower, a separate WC, and dual washbasins.



There are four additional double bedrooms, one with an en suite shower room, and a bathroom, with a freestanding bathtub, separate shower, dual sinks, and a WC. An additional WC completes the first-floor accommodation.



Adjacent to the main entrance, steps lead down to a versatile basement room that could be used for a gym, storage, or hobbies.



During its recent restoration, the house was fully rewired and replumbed and was fitted with a new boiler.



Outdoor Space



There are gardens to the front of the house with a flat lawn surrounded by established shrubs and trees, including magnolia, wych elm, and a blue gum eucalyptus. A patio at the front provides plenty of space for seating and outdoor dining. There is also a peaceful south-facing courtyard garden accessed from the kitchen and the rear of the large reception room.



A tarmacked driveway from the main road leads up to a parking area for several cars at the side of the house.



The Area



Situated in the sought-after Meadfoot conservation area of Torquay, the home's location is excellent for sailing opportunities and the wonderful coastal landscapes surrounding the ‘English Riviera’.



The award-winning Blue Flag Meadfoot Beach is just a five-minute walk from the house, as is access to the South West Coastal Path. Preston Sands and Paignton beaches are around 10 minutes away by car; there are a further 19 beaches within a half-hour drive.



Wellswood village is a favourite among locals and is close by, while the centre of Torquay - with its marina and brilliant dining spots - is less than a mile away. Here, The Elephant is a wonderful Michelin-starred spot with views over the harbour.



The bustling harbour fishing town of Brixham is less than half an hour by car, and picturesque Dartmouth, home of the Royal Naval College, is around a 35-minute drive away.



The wonderful Dartmoor National Park can be reached in around half an hour – an area characterised by its majestic uplands and tors, dramatic moors and secret wooded valleys.



The house is close to several highly regarded schools, including Abbey School and Torquay Girls' Grammar School. There are state schools locally, as well as independent options in Newton Abbott and Totnes, around 25 minutes' drive away.



Torquay rail station is less than two miles from the house and provides mainline services between Cornwall and London. A direct service to London Paddington runs regularly from Torquay, with a journey time of around three hours.



Council Tax Band: H