Frithelstockstone, Torrington, Devon, EX38

Converted in 1996 to exacting standards this stone and cob character home sits on the edge of this rural village with its ancient priory mentioned in the Doomsday book and with the shopping and education centres of both the market town of Great Torrington and the sea port of Bideford being 3 miles and 6 miles distant respectively. Passing the wrought iron gates into the drive you get a real sense of what this home is all about with the parking for about a dozen or so vehicles in front and the view stretching off into the distance beyond. Being of an L shape design at firstsight it is hard to imagine the amount of space that lies within but entering into the reception hall the journey begins, with a vaulted galleried landing on the firstfloorabove. Throughout there is extensive use of pine that gives real sense of warmth and homeliness to this character home.

The westerly facing 23’ sitting room is a lovely room with a feature brick fireplce as its focal point, and having a long window seat from which you can enjoy the light from the setting of the sun or the views through the double doors that open up into the 22’ garden room on the eastern side. The garden room gives panoramic views over the rolling Devon countryside to Exmoor in the far distance and being on the eastern side is a great way to enjoy the rising of the sun of a morning. Both this room and the sitting room link with the kitchen/breakfast room thus creating a wonderful flowfor entertaining friends and family. The kitchen/breakfast room has a floorto ceiling set of windows making the most of the distant view and has an extensive range of wall, floorand drawer units with associated work tops and there is ample space for a farmhouse style kitchen table and chairs. For someone who enjoys cooking and entertaining there is an electric hob with extractor above and oven below, and set off to one side is a traditional double oven electric Rayburn which gives a lovely warmth to the room and is great to snuggle up to having come in from the cold outside during the chillier months! Leading off is a utility room and cloakroom. Returning to the reception hall the 15’ dining room with ample seating for 8-10 people is on the left.

Once back in the reception hall there are two options to take - to go upstairs or continue the ground flooraccommodation as at the end of the hall is a boot room and separate ground floorbathroom adjacent to which is a ground floordouble bedroom/family room. This room links with yet another double room which has an en suite shower room and this part of the home lends itself to being an annexe as there are doors from not only here, but also from the 22’ music and hobbies room beyond, to the parking and driveway out front. This room has a run of work surface cupboards and sink on one wall.

A straight run of stairs leads to the firstfloorwhere a double aspect 22’ bedroom suite is found immediately on the left, having a run of built in cupboards and wardrobes facing, and uninterrupted views from the windows and window seats, over the rolling countryside. At the other end of the landing is 17’ double aspect room that would work very well as a bedroom with ample space for a desk and chairs, or space for teenagers to have a gaming area. Rounding off the accommodation are two further bedrooms (one with cupboards and eaves storage), and a shower room with WC.

Indoor Swimming pool and games room.
This is found just across from the main building. As well as having the main pool hall with doors that open onto a small full width terrace overlooking the fields,there is a 25’ games room with double doors to the outside, a storage room and plant room. Up on the roof on the southern side are both PV and refrigerant panels from the solar energy heat pump to keep the running costs of the building and pool to a minimum.

Outside
The tarmac and brick paved driveway is large enough to accommodate a motorhome, boat, and/ or caravan and the large agricultural building would allow for over winter storage if required. The large agricultural barn is substantially constructed with a small officeand electricity supply. Its 1,700 sq. ft. footprint, makes it an ideal development project for additional accommodation (stpp).

Gardens
These are laid out to make the most of the stunning countryside back drop with a secluded lawned area behind the Agri building having fruit trees, space for a child’s swing and a very useful gate into the car park of the village hall – very useful for the Friday evening get togethers or Pilates classes! Outside the garden room and kitchen is a large run of raised timber decking from which to soak up the surrounds and a pergola at the top provides welcome shelter from the heat of the midday sun during the summer months whilst also providing yet another further position to sit and enjoy the surrounds. Lawn gently slopes down edged by evergreen hedging that blends seamlessly with the fields beyond. Planting includes hydrangea, fuchsia, Japanese anemone hebe, to mention but a few.For someone looking to have amenities close by yet be away from the madding crowds in a secluded setting this home takes a lot of beating.
From Great Torrington take the A386 towards Bideford and having passing the Puffing Billy on the right hand side take the next left by the toll house into Rakeham Hill. Continue through the hamlet of Frithelstock passing the church and Priory on the right into the village of Frithlestockstone via Church Lane. At the T junction with the A388 turn right lane market and after about 50 yards turn right into Back Lane where the entrance toe h property will be found on the left after about 75 yards.