Langleigh Road, Ilfracombe, North Devon

TO BOOK YOUR VIEWING, WHEN CALLING QUOTE REFERENCE: RY0585

Introduction

Langleigh Country House is a property of significant importance down through the ages, making this a genuinely exciting opportunity to acquire a slice of Ilfracombe and North Devon's authentic heritage. First earning its Grade II Listed status in 1973, preserving its stance in history and English heritage, Langleigh Country House is believed to date back to around the 1570's and displays a wealth of character and an abundance of period aspects. The Elizabethan Manor House was reported to have then been home to two of Lord Nelson's admirals, which is when the property is reported to have been remodelled around 200 years ago. It is understood that it is at this very house that Lord Nelson, often regarded as England's greatest naval commander, plotted the infamous Battle of Trafalgar in 1805, securing victory against Napoleon. In more modern history, the property was used as a hotel, serving Ilfracombe and the community as a destination for tourism to the coastal town. 

The period home is of traditional construction, with painted render underneath a slate tiled roof. There are numerous original features throughout including tall ceilings, large bay windows and traditional fireplaces. A statement property that exudes class, wealth and prestige, making it one of the town's most coveted residences.

Accommodation

Before entering in through the central front door to the property, there is a veranda allowing for a covered seating space and dry entrance to the home. On either side, there also two attached conservatories/sun rooms accessed from the exterior. Stepping inside, there is an immediate sense of grandeur from the wide entrance hall with rooms sprouting off from either side. While each room is very adaptable and all of which have had numerous different functionalities over the years, we have labelled each room on these particulars to suggest common possible uses. To the left, there is a dining room which has in recent times, been used as a ground floor bedroom, especially useful being served by a ground floor cloakroom with WC and wash basin. Furthermore, the room could be knocked through to open with the adjacent kitchen which would in turn, create a modern and more open plan twist to the period home. The main sitting room to the right of the hallway features a bay window to the front aspect and a traditional fireplace, while further doors open into another adjoining reception room. This we have labelled as a more informal lounge area with another bay window and a door into a library/office at the back of the property. It also connects the utility room which can be accessed from the hallway. Just off from the utility is a ground floor bathroom and a lobby area with an elevator allowing for easy access to and from the first floor. The kitchen/breakfast room is positioned at the back of the property, fitted with an array of cupboards and drawers, worksurface areas and space for appliances. Access to the outside can also be found from the rear via a small lobby area. 

Heading upstairs to the first floor from the hallway, a wide split level landing presents a large airing cupboard as well as access into one of the bedrooms belonging to the annex. Three bedrooms are positioned to the front aspect, each with an en-suite and two of which featuring bright bay windows. The master bedroom is also served by an en-suite and this attractive square room spans to nearly 16ft by 15ft. Each bedroom at the front overlook the wonderful gardens from an elevated position, a stunning outlook onto natural, private scenery within your own borders. Furthermore, a door from the principal bedroom also steps out to a decked balcony to the side easterly aspect of the home, the perfect area to enjoy your morning coffee as the sun rises. Completing the middle floor accommodation is a further bedroom with en-suite, along with a dressing/internal lobby area, also housing the elevator from downstairs. 

The top floor could be utilised further. It is divided into a separate loft room and a further open loft area with a rear aspect window and another door which accesses the attic space. Each room has doors opening into an abundance of eaves storage. The second floor has been primarily used for storage but also has various other uses for books/hobbies etc. 

The 'West Wing'

Attached to the main house and with access from within it, the annex, named the West Wing, is still occupied by one of the owners who plans to vacate prior to completion. The accommodation is entered from the outside into a sitting room with a triple aspect on the ground floor, along with a kitchen with space for appliances and stairs that lead to the first floor. Here there are two bedrooms - one of which a large single and the other hosting stairs that lead up to a further bedroom on the second floor. There is a bathroom that serves both first floor bedrooms. Completing the top floor of the West Wing is the main bedroom is this section, served by an en-suite bathroom. 

The grounds

A gated driveway accesses the property from the bottom of Langleigh Road and it sweeps round to the front of the home as it opens up to face the gardens which are primarily to the front of the house. The tarmac driveway presents space to park many cars, as well as space to hold several other large vehicles including motorhomes, vans and boats. The gardens are mostly lawned, with dozens of established trees, creating complete privacy from neighbouring properties and an attractive, natural outlook from the property itself. A stream runs alongside the south-west border of the plot, creating a sense of tranquility that is seldom found with a property within the town. The grounds continue to wrap around the property, bordered with mature shrubbery and the gardens are decorated with an array of colourful plants among the undulating sections of garden. There is a brick built storage/workshop area which is perfect for various tools and garden maintenance equipment. Around the far side of the property, more private space of the plot can be enjoyed, in addition to a decked balcony accessed from the master bedroom. 

The Stables

The first of two detached holiday measures up at 721 square feet, presented in good order and with a tenant currently in situ and achieving £550 per month. Downstairs there is a modern kitchen with space for a washing machine and fridge/freezer, while there is an electric oven with hob and extractor canopy above. The sitting and dining area features a pleasant double aspect, while rising upstairs, the first floor contains a double bedroom and another dual aspect along with a three piece bathroom. It also includes a private courtyard area exclusive to The Stables.

The Gatekeeper's House

The original 'Gatekeeper's House' is a second, detached stone cottage, situated at the very front of the plot immediately on the right of the entrance to the driveway. Also with a kitchen and sitting room downstairs, along with a bedroom and bathroom on the first floor. The cottage has a tenant in situ, currently paying £450 per month. Work is required to bring the cottage to a more modern standard. Photos of the Gatekeeper's House have not been supplied, as it was unavailable to be photographed at the initial time of marketing. The space totals at 496 square feet and more information is available via direct contact through the selling agent. 

Location

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Set within what is widely regarded as the most desirable part of Ilfracombe, Langleigh Country House is conveniently situated for all the town has to offer. Whether that be for shops and amenities, socialising and eateries or coast paths and walks - The Torrs, visible from most of Ilfracombe, are sometimes known as The Seven Hills. The Torrs Park with its zig-zagging coastal paths, spectacular cliff views, abundant coastal plants, flowers and open spaces was laid out in the 1880s for Victorian recreation. Recently this National Trust owned area has enjoyed the installation of a toposcope, a marker indicating local landmarks, commissioned by the South West Coast Path and designed by students from Ilfracombe Arts College. Ilfracombe town offers a variety leisure pursuits such as Ilfracombe Golf Club less than a mile away, as well as a range of independent shops along with larger supermarkets both in and out of town including Lidl, Tesco and Co-Op with further shops, art galleries, restaurants and bars within the area. The picturesque seafront and harbour area is where the renowned artist Damien Hirst influence can be found along with his ‘Verity’ statue at the harbour entrance. In addition is the exciting new water hub and café making the harbour area a hive of activity. Exmoor National Park is just around 10 miles away and is renowned for its undulating moors and pasture land with rivers running down through deep wooded combes and valleys to spectacular cliffs along the North Devon coast. Exmoor also offers a wealth of country pursuits including hunting, shooting, fishing and is also popular with horse riders and walkers. North Devon's superb sandy surfing beaches are also within a short car drive including Croyde, Saunton (also with championship golf course), Putsborough and Woolacombe about 6 miles away. Barnstaple, the Regional centre, is about 12 miles and offers the area's main business, commercial, leisure and shopping venues as well as the renowned Pannier Market and North Devon District Hospital. At Barnstaple there is access to the North Devon link road, which in turn leads, in about 45 minutes, to Junction 27 of the M5 motorway and where Tiverton Parkway also offers a fast service of trains to London (Paddington in just over 2 hours). 

Useful information

• Tenure - Freehold
• Age - circa 1570, although remodelled in the early 19th century 
• Listing - Grade II Listed
• Heating - Gas central heating
• Drainage - Mains
• Windows - Mostly single glazed
• Council Tax - Tax band G
• EPC Rating - Current - D/56 / potential - C/78
• Acreage - Approx. 2.7 acres in total
• Nearest Primary School - Ilfracombe Church of England Junior School (approx. 0.7 miles/15 minute walk)
• Nearest Secondary School - The Ilfracombe Academy (approx. 1.3 miles/5 minute drive)
• Seller's position - No onward chain

Viewings

If you would like to view this wonderful home, please contact local North Devon estate agent, Ryan Young. Viewings are strictly by appointment with the sole selling agent and 24hrs notice will usually be required, please confirm your appointment before travelling. 

Agent's note

These property particulars are issued in good faith but do not form part of any offer or contract. All descriptions, floorplans, photographs and other information are provided as a guide only and may not be exact. Buyers are advised to verify key facts such as tenure, planning permissions, fixtures and fittings, lease length, ground rent, service charges, council tax bands and energy performance ratings through their legal representative. 

In line with UK anti-money laundering regulations, all named purchasers must complete an AML (Anti-Money Laundering) check. A small charge of £30.00 per person applies for this service. Please ensure all relevant parties are submitted for verification to avoid delays.

TO BOOK YOUR VIEWING, WHEN CALLING QUOTE REFERENCE: RY0585