Fairy Cross, Bideford, EX39

An exceptional country residence with separate annexe, set in 2.9 acres of private, park-like grounds.

Location - Properties in this highly regarded location rarely come to the open market. The setting offers a genuine sense of peace and privacy, without feeling remote, and benefits from convenient access to both amenities and the coast.

Situated on the edge of the small hamlet of Alwington, the property enjoys a quiet rural position surrounded by open countryside. At the same time, it is within easy reach of the A39 North Devon Link Road, providing straightforward access to the wider area, the North Devon coastline and the port and market town of Bideford.

The dramatic coastline is close at hand, with excellent walking along the South West Coastal Footpath, accessible at nearby Abbotsham and Horns Cross. The sandy surfing beach at Westward Ho!, approximately 5.5 miles away, is renowned for its two-mile Blue Flag shoreline, bordered by a distinctive pebble ridge and adjoining Northam Burrows Country Park and the Royal North Devon Golf Club. The highly sought after coastal villages of Appledore and Instow sit on the banks of the River Torridge, and are within easy reach offering excellent pubs and restaurants, variety of walking opportunities as well as a sailing club at Instow.
Bideford, set on the banks of the River Torridge around five miles away, offers a wide range of amenities including banks, independent shops, supermarkets and schooling for all ages, including private schooling at Kingsley School. The regional centre of Barnstaple, approximately 14 miles distant, provides a broader selection of commercial, leisure and retail facilities.

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 around an hour and twenty minutes’ drive away, which connects to London and beyond.

Mileages

Bideford – 5 miles
Westward Ho! – 5.5 miles
Barnstaple – 14 miles
M5 Motorway – 52 miles

The Property - Jackson-Stops are delighted to present this beautiful former Rectory, occupying a highly sought-after rural yet accessible setting.

Grade II Listed, the property offers substantial and versatile accommodation, with wonderful period character features and a wealth of natural light throughout. The ground floor provides five reception rooms, including a superb family-focused kitchen featuring bi-folding doors opening onto a delightful walled courtyard garden. A study, discreetly concealed behind a hidden bookshelf, adds a unique and charming feature to the home.

A striking split-level landing leads to five well-proportioned bedrooms on the first floor, creating an impressive sense of space and architectural interest.

To the north of the main house is a separate one-bedroom annexe, ideal for multi-generational living, guest accommodation, or potential income as a holiday or long-term rental.

The park-like grounds are a particular highlight, extending to beautifully maintained lawns and providing a high degree of privacy. A pond with a Monet-style bridge and stream enhance the setting, while generous areas for outdoor entertaining and al fresco dining make full use of the surroundings. The property further benefits from a productive kitchen garden and a useful timber outbuilding.

Viewing is highly recommended to appreciate all that this outstanding home offers.

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

Front door leads to:

Entrance Porch - Doors leads to:

Reception Hall - Stairs rise to the first floor landing. Exposed floorboards. Picture rail. Under stairs storage cupboard.

Cloakroom - Comprising low level WC and a wash hand basin. Exposed floorboards. Heated towel rail.

Dining Room - Window to the front elevation enjoying views over the gardens with window shutters. Open fireplace with cast iron and tiled insert and slate mantel over. Exposed floorboards.

Snug - A dual aspect room with delightful views over the gardens and French doors leading onto the adjacent patio and gardens. Wood burning stove in chimney recess on a slate hearth with timber mantel over. Picture rail.

Library - A door gives access to the side elevation. Secondary stairs rise to the first floor landing. Wooden flooring. Extensive shelving for books with a hidden door giving access to:

“Secret” Study - Window to the side elevation overlooking the garden. Wooden flooring.

Drawing Room - Window to the side elevation overlooking the gardens with window shutters. Wood burning stove on a slate hearth with timber mantel over. Picture rail and coving.

Breakfast Room - Window to the side elevation with window shutters. Good-sized pantry style cupboard. Oil fired Aga provides cooking, central heating and hot water set into chimney recess. Wooden flooring.

Kitchen - A superb room with bi-folding doors giving access to the courtyard garden – perfect for alfresco dining. Part vaulted ceiling with Velux windows. Wooden flooring. Access to the garden and parking area. Comprising a range of matching wall and base units with sink set into quartz work surfaces. Quooker tap providing instant boiling and filtered water. Range of integrated Miele appliances including dishwasher, washing machine and tumble dryer. Bosch double oven with plate warming drawer, microwave oven and ceramic hob set into a chimney recess. Built-in fridge/freezer. Central island unit with further quartz work surfaces with storage below.

Utility/Boot Room - Stable door giving access to courtyard. Space for coat storage. Butler sink set into roll-top work surfaces with storage below.

Split-Level First Floor Landing - Roof lights. Exposed floorboards.

Bedroom 4 - Window to the front elevation overlooking the gardens and grounds. Exposed floorboards. Ornate fireplace with slate surround.

Bedroom 5 - Window to the front elevation overlooking the gardens. Picture rail.

Bedroom 3 - Window to the front elevation overlooking the gardens. Exposed floorboards. Extensive range of built-in wardrobes.

Shower Room - Window to the side elevation. Tongue and groove panelling to dado height. Pedestal wash hand basin, low level WC and a double shower cubicle. Heated towel rail.

Family Bathroom - Window to the side elevation. Exposed floorboards. Comprising low level WC, roll-top claw footed bath and a pedestal wash hand basin. Chrome heated towel rail.

Bedroom 1 - Windows to the side elevation overlooking the gardens. Ornate fireplace with slate surround. Walk-in wardrobe. Door gives access to a storage room.

En-Suite Cloakroom - Comprising low level WC and pedestal wash hand basin. Exposed floorboards. Window to the side elevation.

En-Suite Bathroom - Comprising roll-top claw footed bath, pedestal wash hand basin and a shower cubicle. Velux windows. Wooden flooring. Heated towel rail.

Bedroom 2 - A dual aspect room. Ornate fireplace with marble surround. Large linen cupboard. Access to the storage room.

The Old Rectory Barn (Annexe) - Situated to the north of The Old Rectory, The Barn has been expertly converted to offer luxurious accommodation with vaulted ceilings and exposed A-Frames with a wealth of ample natural light throughout. It has potential to be used for a variety of uses including housing a dependent family member, holiday accommodation or long term let.

Accessed via separate courtyard, a glazed front door leads to:

Open plan Sitting Room/Kitchen - A dual aspect room with vaulted ceiling and exposed A-Frames and a woodburning stove.

Kitchen - Comprising a range of matching wall and base units with sink set into wood work surfaces with integrated cooker, hob and extractor over. Space for washing machine, dishwasher and fridge/freezer.

Bedroom - A dual aspect room with vaulted ceiling and exposed A-Frame. Wardrobe.

En Suite - Comprising low level WC, vanity wash hand basin and a shower cubicle. Chrome heated towel rail. Velux window.

Outside - The gardens and grounds of The Old Rectory are a particular highlight, offering privacy, shelter and a wonderfully sunny aspect. The property is approached via a part tarmac, part gravelled driveway, leading to an extensive gravelled parking area and a substantial timber garage and stable block (31’ x 20’). To the rear, an open-sided machine store (31’ x 13’) provides excellent storage for garden and grounds equipment.

To the south of the house, a generous paved terrace creates an ideal setting for outdoor entertaining and alfresco dining, overlooking a level lawn enclosed by mature stone walls.

Expansive lawns are interspersed with well-stocked flower beds and borders, planted with established shrubs and specimen plants.
Immediately adjoining the kitchen, a charming walled courtyard garden offers a sheltered and private retreat – perfect for morning coffee or relaxed evening drinks.

The majority of the grounds lie to the east of the house, where the current owners have thoughtfully landscaped the former paddock to create an enchanting park-like setting. A stream-fed wildlife pond, complete with a Monet-style footbridge, forms a focal point, while gently sloping lawns provide both visual interest and usable space. The land could, if desired, be returned to paddock.

To the north of the barn is a productive kitchen garden with raised beds, a polytunnel and fruit cages. The original rear drive, which once linked the Rectory to the church, remains partially in situ, now serves as a woodland walk leading down to a stream.

In total, the gardens and grounds extend to approximately 2.9 acres.
Property Information

Services - Mains electricity and water. Private drainage. Oil fired central heating.

EPC: Exempt /Barn C

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Local Authority - Torridge District Council – .

Viewing - By appointment with Jackson-Stops, North Devon .

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.

Directions - From Barnstaple, proceed towards Bideford on the A39 North Devon Link Road. After crossing the River Torridge, continue straight across at Heywood Road roundabout, following the signs for Bude and remaining on the A39. Continue through the next roundabout, again staying on the A39, and proceed until reaching the village of Fairy Cross. As you proceed through the village you will see two feature bus stops (either side of the A39), turn left here, signposted towards Alwington. Proceed until reaching the first junction and proceed straight across, then after a short distance, as the road then curves to the left, take the right-hand turning and continue briefly; the entrance to the property will be found on the right-hand side, clearly identified by its nameplate.