Milton Abbot, Tavistock, Devon

Willesley Farm is an utterly charming and surprisingly unlisted farmhouse, dating from the mid-19th century and originally forming part of the Duke of Bedford’s Tavistock Estate. While not formally Georgian, its symmetry, proportions and architectural detail are unmistakably of that tradition, with handsome chimneypieces, attractive cornicing and elegant sash windows throughout. The result is a house that carries the character of a larger Georgian manor.

Willesley Farm is presented in good condition, having been lovingly maintained, and enjoys a magical position at the heart of its land. The house has lovely views across its immediate gardens and grounds, down to the lake below, and over the surrounding open countryside beyond.

A most attractive cobbled courtyard, formed by a range of traditional stone barns and centred around a delightful circular walled garden, creates a wonderfully evocative approach to the house, immediately recalling its origins as a Devon farmstead. Adjoining the main house, the buildings are currently arranged as a shoot lunchroom, party barn and estate office, and offer considerable flexibility.

The hall immediately sets the tone, with its elegant proportions and pretty granite flagstones, and establishes the easy flow that runs throughout the house. From here, the principal rooms unfold naturally, including a fine sitting room with double doors to the drawing room, and an open-plan kitchen with a double-height ceiling, large granite fireplace with log burner, and French windows opening onto the gardens.

Together with the vaulted dining room, these rooms work exceptionally well for both entertaining and family life. Equally important for country living, there is a substantial boot room/inner hall, laundry room, larder, drying room and cloakroom.

A graceful central staircase rises to a wide landing, leading to four bedrooms, all enjoying wonderful rural views, and three bathrooms, in addition to a separate loo. The principal bedroom has two adjoining bathrooms.

There is also a fifth bedroom with an adjoining shower room on the ground floor, which has its own separate side entrance.

Beautiful gardens and grounds, true to the charm of its farming heritage

The picturesque cobbled courtyard leading to the main house provides generous parking and is centred around a walled garden, once likely used for livestock and now softened by climbing roses that bring colour and contrast to the granite stone.

On the south side of the house lie the magnificent gardens and grounds, beautifully complementing the house and creating an idyllic and deeply rural setting. A series of formal and informal areas unfold into sweeping lawns that lead down to a particularly charming swimming lake, fed by a natural spring. This is bordered by well-planted beds of shrubs and ornamental grasses, with a small arched bridge leading across to the far side of the lake.

Immediately adjoining the house is a lovely terrace, together with a covered dining area, ideal for outdoor entertaining. The house and gardens enjoy delightful views over the surrounding countryside and the land belonging to the property. To the rear, there is an attractive kitchen garden with raised beds and a Victorian-style greenhouse.

Set slightly away from the house is a hard tennis court, well positioned to take in far-reaching views across the rolling Dartmoor country.


Idyllic Farmland

The majority of the land comprises good-quality level and gently sloping pasture, with some steeper ground along the north-east and southern boundaries. The pasture is interspersed with a mix of mature and more recently established woodland, which not only enhances the landscape but also supports a charming family shoot, currently let for a small number of days each season.

The farmland and modern farm buildings are presently let to two local farmers on annual grazing licences.

In all, the farm — including the buildings and cottage — generates a healthy annual income.


Traditional and modern outbuildings

The traditional buildings adjoining Willesley Farm are exceptional, rich in character and wonderfully versatile. They lend themselves to a variety of uses, including the potential for further bedrooms or additional accommodation subject to the necessary consents. Some could also be adapted as stabling, allowing glimpses of horses’ heads from the house and as you come and go — an undeniably magical part of daily life for those who keep horses.

The principal barn is already well arranged as a party or shoot lunch barn, while the two nearest barns have been thoughtfully adapted to provide an office and a wine store.

Beyond this lies a range of modern cattle buildings and yards, well suited to their current use, but equally offering clear potential for alternative purposes. In particular, they could readily be adapted to form American barn-style stabling for the equestrian enthusiast.

Several barns may qualify for residential conversion under Class Q permitted development.

The modern farm buildings comprise two general-purpose storage barns, measuring approximately 52 ft x 42 ft and 19 ft x 73 ft, together with a larger cattle shed of about 105 ft x 75 ft. Adjoining these is a practical yard area with a silage clamp serving the larger building.

The workshop below the cattle building has industrial planning consent and is occupied for car restoration & storage under a commercial tenancy to 10th May 2027. The lease is subject to time, day and other restrictions that help maintain privacy at Willesley Farm.

Willesley Cottage
There is a separate, single storey three-bedroom cottage, set in its own grounds including a drive and gardens. The cottage is currently let out on an Assured Tenancy (formerly known as an Assured Shorthold Tenancy) to long term tenants.

Willesley Cottage was built subject to an Agricultural Occupancy Condition however it is understood the current occupancy does not comply with the AOC. In 2024 West Borough District Council granted a certificate (CLEUD) regularising the position. Your legal adviser can advise you further as required.

Willesley Farm occupies a delightful and tranquil position amidst unspoilt countryside, approximately 6 miles north of the market town of Tavistock and about 7 miles south of the A30. Plymouth lies some 21 miles to the south, with Exeter around 40 miles to the east via the A30.

The nearby town of Tavistock provides an excellent range of day-to-day amenities, while the more extensive cultural, educational, recreational and shopping facilities of Exeter and Plymouth are both within easy reach. There is also a particularly good farm shop in Lifton, just 6 miles away.

Communications are notably convenient, with the A30 dual carriageway offering swift access to the M5 at Exeter. Mainline rail services are available from both Plymouth and Exeter, with regular connections to London Paddington, while Tiverton Parkway provides a particularly efficient service to London in under two hours.

The surrounding area is well regarded for its sporting and leisure opportunities, including fishing on the Rivers Tamar and Lyd, as well as golf courses at Tavistock, Yelverton and St Mellion. Dartmoor National Park lies close by, offering extensive walking and riding across some of the region’s most scenic landscapes.

The area is also well served by a range of well-regarded schools, including Mount Kelly Prep School and Kelly College in Tavistock.