Bridgend, Noss Mayo

Bridgend House is a fine, elegant, Georgian home, understood to date from around 1750, but with a substantial, sympathetically designed, extension added in 1988, including the two storey semi-octagonal wing which incorporates the kitchen/breakfast room, dining room and principal suite above.

The river/estuary, slipway and quay are a short walk from the house, just beyond the gardens, and there are lovely views of the Newton Creek from the first floor.

The house, which is southwest-facing, is approached via the walled entrance drive to the parking and turning area and there is spacious family accommodation with well-proportioned, high-ceilinged rooms typical of the architectural period. The parking area provides plenty of off road parking in addition to the garage.

The front door leads into an impressive entrance hall and off the inner hallway is the south west facing 27 foot drawing room with pair of French doors opening to the veranda covered terrace and with fireplace with ornate surround, fitted bookcases and cupboards and decorative cornicing. Also off this hallway are the sitting room/snug, study and boot room with back door, as well as stairs down to the utility room and cellar with wine bins.

The entrance hall links the original house with the later extension which includes the semi-octagonal fully fitted kitchen/breakfast room with island and the dining room. From the kitchen a glazed door opens to a broad stone paved terrace area providing a gorgeous sitting/dining area overlooking the gardens, as well as an additional area covered by pergola with climbing plants.

On the first floor is the large semi-octagonal principal bedroom/dressing room with range of fitted wardrobe cupboards and en suite bathroom. The galleried landing connects the extension to the original house and there is a guest bedroom/shower room suite and three further bedrooms and bathroom.

The house overlooks extensive and beautifully maintained gardens which include sweeping lawns, well stocked plant and shrub borders, a pretty stream, a variety of mature ornamental trees and also a greenhouse and barn with loft. Flights of steps descend from the house and terrace and there are pathways, with footbridge across the stream, and leading to the swimming pool with paved surrounds and circular gazebo and plant room/ changing space.

Beyond the gardens are gently sloping paddocks, bisected by the stream, and a woodland area. To the rear of the house is a driveway into a parking and turning area and the garage building. There are also garden/log stores and stable, which is used for storage.

The twin villages of Noss Mayo and Newton Ferrers are situated either side of the Newton Creek, as it flows into the estuary of the River Yealm, within a beautiful valley in the South Hams area of South Devon which provides an idyllically peaceful setting, where the river meets the sea, in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The sheltered harbour is a haven for yachtsmen, with its deep-water moorings, and there is travel between the two villages by ferry. The tiny, pretty village of Noss Mayo, surrounded by rolling green hills and turquoise waters, has quay and slipway and two pubs; The Ship and The Swan.

The larger village of Newton Ferrers has a good range of local amenities, including supermarket, primary school, church, pub, post office, café, butcher's shop, pharmacy and yacht club, including children's sailing club. The nearby village of Yealmpton has a health centre and garage.

There is an active community and, in the summer, the Yealm Regatta. As well as the excellent sailing, fishing and other water sports, there are wonderful walks locally with the South West Coast Path, and the estuary is home to flocks of migratory birds. There are beaches nearby including Cellar Beach, or Mothecombe further afield.

The South Hams area is renowned for its delightful rolling countryside scattered with pretty villages and towns. as well as its spectacular coastline with estuaries, beaches, coves and rocky cliffs. Along the coast are such well known centres for sailing as the towns of Kingsbridge and Salcombe on the Kingsbridge Estuary and Dartmouth on the River Dart Estuary. Within easy reach is Dartmoor National Park with its stunning scenery and excellent walking.

There are bus services to Plymouth, about ten miles away, and where there is a station with mainline connections to London (Paddington) and from where there are ferries to France and Spain. To the north, via Yealmpton, is the A38 dual carriageway leading east to Exeter and the M5 motorway.