Budleigh Salterton

Description

The current owners have improved the property during their ownership with extensive alterations including to a large side extension housing a kitchen/breakfast room and a large balcony terrace with panoramic sea views above, remodelling some of the rooms, new bathrooms and decorative updating throughout. This elevated, detached dwelling offers a wonderful home with an income opportunity or additional space for family members who might prefer their independence.

A gated entrance with limestone steps to the entrance leads to a light spacious welcoming foyer with Aperta video entry system. Off the entrance is a cloak room plus a handy utility/boot room which is well equipped with ample storage and cupboards housing the boiler and mega flow system. Moving through the property the main rooms all enjoy a southerly aspect and have fabulous sea views.

The recently extended kitchen/breakfast room enjoys an impressive, light and open space with bi-fold doors and garden views. The Balthaup kitchen, supplied by Sapphire Spaces, benefits from an extensive range of storage with integrated Siemens appliances, a central island with hob and extractor plus breakfast bar, plus a pantry and roof light.

Adjacent to the kitchen is a formal dining room referencing the Art and Crafts, again with stunning sea views, period pine flooring, and feature fireplace. Moving through to the sitting room with a music area, ideal for a grand piano, there is a minster Arts and Craft open fireplace and wood flooring. A Southern door gives onto an elegant stone porch with Arts and Craft period Somerset stone carved pillars. Completing the ground floor is a TV/library room with beautiful herringbone flooring, bespoke TV unit and period stained-glass internal window.

From the entrance hallway, a door gives access to a large cellar with slate shelves ideal for storing wine and a large separate wooden shelved area, all with the original cobbled floor.

An attractive three floor turning staircase leads to a first-floor spacious landing. The two double bedrooms to the front both enjoy sea views and have a quality interlinking bathroom with Victoria + Albert bath and shower cubicle with Italian Artelinea wall fittings. Both rooms benefit from copious built in storage, with one having access to the 25ft balcony terrace with glass balustrade and stunning sea views ideal for entertaining by day or by starlight.

There is a further double bedroom with modern ensuite facilities, also giving access to the upper terrace. Completing this level is a fourth double bedroom that is currently being used as a study, plus a half landing to the rear with an Edwardian themed bathroom and linen cupboard. On the upper floor there are two further bedrooms again with impressive views with additional original Georgian period storage and a useful Box room.

Outside, the property is gated with a separate pedestrian gate access, the gravelled driveway has space for up to four cars. Across the drive is the Victorian coach house with a bespoke ground floor art studio, with an artists’ sink, directed lighting, and with storage to the side. An external spiral staircase leads to a generous first floor bedroom/sitting room with modern en-suite.

The gardens have been thoughtfully landscaped with much established Mediterranean style planting. They measure around 0.5 acre including the terraces and gravel garden. The main gardens are to the eastern side with two walled garden areas, one for a level lawn, featuring bay pleaching, pines, and many roses and one productive, with a small orchard with various fruit trees including pear, plum, cherry and quince. There is a generous allotment style vegetable garden with beds for berries, an old vinery, and a wide range of herbs. A recently added Gym room with WIFI, and a large charming Victorian style greenhouse, a Zoki sauna, a pond area and potting shed with a meditation area feature here.

The south-facing Palladian-style terraces with bespoke metal balustrades and limestone flooring enjoy an elevated position with wonderful views out to sea. There is also pedestrian access directly to the seafront, an outside gardener’s loo, storage cupboard and steps back to the front. Throughout the gardens there are numerous lit pathways and seating areas and parts enjoy a high degree of privacy.

Situation

Simcoe House is a substantial, period property situated at the heart of the historic conservation area of the Regency town of Budleigh Salterton, one of East Devon’s most renowned seaside gems. It has a highly unusual position in the West Country, boasting exceptional and uninterrupted views over the beach and the whole of Lyme Bay from Weymouth to The English Riviera. It is 150 metres from the famous pebbled beach and a short easy walk away from an eclectic range of shops, great eateries, art and craft galleries, creativity and wellness studios, a library, playhouse and a health centre.

Interestingly, this Georgian property, now with beautiful Arts and Crafts and architect designed modern additions, was the summer residence of General John Simcoe, the First Governor General of Upper Canada and founder of modern-day Toronto, from 1792-6.

The town hosts acclaimed annual music and literature festivals. The quintessential old Devon villages of Otterton and East Budleigh next to the stunning ancient Pebblebed Heaths, are very close by, as are the River Otter walkways. The larger towns of Sidmouth, and Exmouth and the Cathedral City of Exeter around 30 minutes away all provide a wealth of other leisure and food and drink opportunities. Exeter has a world class university. Local schools are highly rated nationally, including Colyton Grammar, Exeter School and The Maynard in Exeter, and the town has its own state primary school.

The area is in the East Devon National Landscape. It has over 20 very active social and games clubs including the world-famous East Devon Golf Club. Others include Croquet, Bridge, Tennis with Pickleball, Cricket and a range of thriving arts and gardening clubs. Sports facilities nearby also include sailing, fishing, cycling, and horse riding. The South West coastal path is a minute’s walk away from the house, along the Jurassic UNESCO Coast. There is easy train access to London only around 2 hours away from Exeter mainline station, and regular flights to British cities and Europe from Exeter International airport. The M5 A303 and the A30 are also easily accessible.

Directions

From Topsham take the A376 following signs for Exmouth. Continue along the A376 for several miles before joining the B3179 towards Budleigh Salterton. Stay on this route through the countryside into Budleigh Salterton, then head towards the seafront. At the end of the high street and just before Budleigh seafront turn left into Fore Street Hill. Going round to the right the property can be found after a short distance on the right hand side.