Hartland, Bideford, Devon, EX39

A beautiful period home with two detached cottages, set in 4.7 acres, in an idyllic location close to the coast.

The Location - The property enjoys a stunning and unspoilt setting above Speke’s Mill Mouth, where a dramatic waterfall cascades over the cliffs to the beach and sea below. Speke’s Mill Mouth is accessible on foot via an unmade track just a short distance along a quiet country lane, leading to the beach, which is around a 40-minute walk. This is the very beach where Prince William is reputed to have tried his hand at surfing during his stag weekend in spring 2011, whilst staying locally.

The surrounding countryside offers a wealth of scenic coastal and inland walks, ideal for walking, riding, and cycling. Just two miles away, the charming village of Hartland provides a good range of amenities, including a medical centre, Post Office, shops, public houses, and a village primary school.
The area is frequently chosen as a location for film and television productions. Most recently, it featured in Rebecca (Netflix) and The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. Nearby Hartland Abbey has also served as a backdrop for the BBC’s Malory Towers, Antiques Roadshow, and the adaptation of Sense and Sensibility, which used the coastal cottage within its grounds.

The towns of Bude and Bideford are each approximately 14 miles away and offer a broader selection of amenities, including hospitals, further education institutions, banks, and retail facilities.

Barnstaple, the regional hub of North Devon, is around a 40-minute drive and offers a wide array of commercial, leisure, and shopping venues. For travel further afield, Junction 27 of the M5 motorway is about 90 minutes away by car, providing excellent road links across the country. Adjacent to the junction is Tiverton Parkway Station, with direct rail services to London in around two hours.

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 away, which connects to London and beyond.

Mileages

Speke’s Mill Mouth/The Coast – 40 minute walk
Hartland Village – 2 miles
Bideford/Bude – 14 miles
Barnstaple – 24 miles
M5 Motorway – around 90 minutes’ drive

The Property - This is a rare opportunity to acquire a charming period property in a highly sought-after coastal location. Offering exceptionally versatile accommodation, the property is ideally suited to a range of uses, including multi-generational living or as a primary residence with income potential.

The main residence, known as The Malt House, is a Grade II Listed home believed to date back to the mid-17th century. Rich in character, it features a wealth of period details such as inglenook fireplaces, exposed beams, and traditional slate flooring. The spacious accommodation includes three reception rooms, a family-focused kitchen/breakfast room, six bedrooms, and four bathrooms. With some adaptation, the layout could easily accommodate dual-family living.

In addition to the main house, the property includes two detached barns currently operating as successful holiday lets, each with its own private garden and off-road parking. Vines Cottage is a charming one-bedroom barn conversion, while Edistone Barn offers more generous accommodation with three bedrooms. Both provide a valuable income stream and could be used flexibly as guest accommodation, holiday rentals, or extended family homes.

The grounds are equally impressive, extending to approximately 4.7 acres and offering a delightful mix of formal gardens, wildlife-friendly nature areas, an orchard, vegetable garden, and a level paddock. There are also additional outbuildings with significant potential, subject to the necessary planning consents. From much of the land, stunning sea views enhance the appeal of this exceptional coastal home.

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

A covered porch and front door lead to:

Entrance Hall - Slate flooring. Stairs rise to the first floor landing. Wooden panelling. Window to the rear elevation.

Sitting Room - Window to the front elevation overlooking the courtyard with a window seat. Inglenook fireplace with a woodburning stove and exposed lintel. Exposed beams and floorboards. Wooden panelling.

Cloakroom - Comprising low level WC with concealed cistern and a wash basin. Windows to the rear elevation. Remains of an ancient mullion window. Slate flooring. Cupboard housing space and plumbing for a washing machine and tumble dryer.

Dining Room - Window to the front elevation overlooking the courtyard. Slate flagstone flooring. Inglenook fireplace with a wood burning stove and exposed lintel and beams and a bread oven.

Kitchen/Breakfast Room - A superb family-orientated room with access into the rear garden. Range of matching wall and base units with a double butler sink set into wooden work surfaces, integrated dishwasher, chimney recess housing space for a range-style cooker and space for two fridge/freezers. Beamed ceiling. Exposed floorboards.

Snug - A dual aspect room overlooking the garden. Exposed beams. Former water pump.

Boot Room - Access to the courtyard. Stairs rise to bedroom 1. Beamed ceiling and exposed stonework.

Utility/Store - A range of storage cupboards and space for a chest freezer. Sauna (not currently operational). A door also gives access to a further section that could be extended into on two floors (subject to any necessary planning permissions).

Half Landing - Stairs rise to the first floor landing. Storage cupboard.

Bedroom 2 - Window to the side elevation. Exposed floorboards. Ancient mullion window.

En-Suite - Comprising a low level WC, pedestal wash hand basin, and a corner shower cubicle. Obscure window to the side elevation. Heated towel rail. Exposed floorboards.

First Floor Landing Exposed floorboards.

Shower Room - Comprising low level WC, pedestal wash hand basin and a shower cubicle. Airing cupboard.

Bedroom 3 - Window to the front elevation. Exposed floorboards and stonework.

En-Suite - Comprising low level WC, pedestal wash hand basin and double shower cubicle. Heated towel rail. Wooden panelling.

Bedroom 4 - Window to the front elevation.

Bedroom 5 Window to the front elevation.

Bedroom 6 - Window to the front elevation. Exposed floorboards. Ornate fireplace. This room is currently used as dressing room serving bedroom 1.

Bedroom 1 - Windows overlooking the courtyard. Beamed ceiling. Storage cupboards. This room can also be accessed via a secondary staircase from the boot room.

En-Suite - A dual aspect room comprising low level WC, vanity wash hand basin, panelled bath and a double shower cubicle. Heated towel rail. Exposed beams. Wooden panelling.

Vines Cottage (Full Planning Permission)

Vines Cottage is a delightful detached barn situated to the east of The Malt House, which stands within its own enclosed gardens and boasts a patio and a lawned section, bordered by mature hedgerow. The property comprises a detached two-storey barn with open-plan accommodation on the ground floor including a sitting/dining room and separate kitchen. On the first floor there is a double bedroom and a separate shower room. There is also off-road parking, and the property is currently operated as a successful holiday cottage.

Edistone Barn (Holiday Use)

Edistone Barn is a charming detached two-storey barn situated to the north-east of The Malt House, again, within its own secluded gardens. The property is accessed via a separate five-bar gate and driveway which provides off-road parking. The accommodation on the ground floor offers a sitting room, shower room and a good-sized separate kitchen/dining room, whilst on the first floor there are three bedrooms and a family bathroom. There are generous gardens with good-sized lawned sections and a secluded patio, all bordered by mature hedgerow offering seclusion and privacy. The property is currently operated as a successful holiday let.

The Grounds and Gardens - The Malt House is set within beautifully landscaped gardens and grounds extending to approximately 4.7 acres. Accessed via a quiet country lane, the driveway leads to ample off-road parking for several vehicles, located to the east of the main house. From here, a door opens into a private, walled courtyard at the front of the property—an enchanting and secluded space bordered by mature plants and flowering shrubs.

The majority of the gardens lie to the rear of The Malt House, offering excellent privacy and a sense of tranquillity. A generous patio area adjacent to the house is perfect for outdoor dining and entertaining. The gardens are thoughtfully laid out to create a series of distinct 'rooms', with expanses of lawn, established flower beds, ornamental borders, mature trees, and multiple seating areas positioned to enjoy the surroundings.

As the garden opens out, it reveals a breath-taking panoramic view over the surrounding countryside, stretching towards the sea and coastline in the distance. Within the grounds, you'll also find a wildlife pond, a detached former piggery, and a productive orchard.

Beyond the formal gardens lies a practical yard area, accessible via a five-bar gate and providing additional parking. This area leads to a substantial modern timber building (approximately 60ft x 45ft), which is connected to power, light, and water. This versatile space presents a range of potential uses, including possible conversion (subject to the necessary planning consents).

Also within the grounds is a well-established vegetable garden, complete with raised beds and a polytunnel—ideal for those seeking a degree of self-sufficiency.

The remainder of the land has been sensitively designed to embrace a more natural, wild aesthetic. A small copse with winding pathways, wildlife ponds, and a variety of native planting encourages biodiversity and provides a peaceful retreat. Beyond this, the rewilded paddock features further meandering paths and enjoys some of the most spectacular coastal views the property has to offer.

Property Information

Services - Mains electricity. Private water (borehole) and private drainage (septic tank). Oil fired central heating. Solar panels and two batteries.

EPCs: TBC & D (Vines Cottage)

Local Authority - Torridge 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.

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Directions - From Bideford Quay, proceed to the A39 Heywood roundabout and turn left towards Bude. Proceed along this road for about 14 miles, passing through the villages of Ford & Fairy Cross, Horns Cross, Bucks Cross and Clovelly Cross. At Bursdon Moor, turn right (prior to reaching the West Country Inn) and proceed for about 1.5 miles along this country lane until entering the hamlet of Tosberry. Then turn left and continue until reaching the next T-junction. Turn right here, and proceed for a short distance taking the first left hand turning. Follow this road for a short distance until you see the property on the left hand side.