Peep Out, Hawkcombe, Porlock

Reference Number: RS0802 Tucked away along a peaceful bridleway in the picturesque Hawkcombe Valley, Peep Out is a truly remarkable period home, occupying one of Exmoor's most idyllic and unspoilt settings. Believed to have origins dating back over 400 years, the property evolved from a traditional cottage into the substantial four-bedroom residence seen today through later additions and alterations. Cherished by the same family for more than twenty-five years, this exceptional home presents a rare opportunity to acquire a property of immense character, history and timeless appeal.

Occupying approximately 1.81 acres of mature gardens, woodland and riverside grounds, Peep Out enjoys an enviable south-facing position. Sheltered by the surrounding valley slopes, the property benefits from long hours of sunshine and is widely regarded as one of the sunniest locations in Hawkcombe. Even when strong winds sweep across the open moor above, the valley remains remarkably calm and peaceful, with the soothing sound of the stream providing a constant backdrop throughout the seasons.

Stepping inside, the warmth and history of the home are immediately apparent. Original features have been carefully preserved, creating a house rich in character and atmosphere. The accommodation offers three welcoming reception rooms, including a charming sitting room and study, both with wood-burning stoves, while the farmhouse-style kitchen and breakfast room, complete with its traditional oil-fired Aga, forms the heart of the home. The kitchen and breakfast room overlook the gardens. The original servants bells remain as a fascinating reminder of the property's history. 

The first floor offers four generous double bedrooms, all enjoying attractive views across the gardens and woodland. The accommodation is complemented by both a family bathroom and separate shower room, providing practical living for families and guests alike.

Outside, the grounds are simply magical.

Originally landscaped more than 120 years ago, the gardens retain much of their original elegance and design. Sweeping lawns, mature trees, colourful borders and secluded seating areas create an ever-changing landscape throughout the year. The level side lawn was once a tennis court, while the thirteen terraces rising behind the house were designed to resemble a grand staircase ascending the sunny side of the valley.

Water plays a defining role in life at Peep Out. A crystal-clear stream forms one boundary of the property, creating a peaceful soundtrack that accompanies everyday life. Even during the driest summers, both the stream and the property's private natural spring have never been known to run dry during the current owners' twenty-five years of ownership. Following heavy rainfall on Exmoor, the impressive stone-built weir becomes a spectacular feature as water cascades dramatically through the valley.

The property benefits from its own private gravity-fed spring water supply, delivering beautifully soft water at excellent pressure without water rates. Historically, the stream powered a small hydro-electric system supplying electricity to the house, offering an intriguing opportunity for future owners to explore its reinstatement.

Next to the stream is an additional area of land, ideal for keeping chickens. An area of a side lawn is marked out for a vegetable garden. Beyond the formal gardens is a concrete hardstanding where a former timber double garage once stood, offering potential for replacement, subject to any necessary consents.

Nature lovers will be captivated by the abundance of wildlife that surrounds the property. Spring mornings are alive with an unforgettable dawn chorus, while woodpeckers, cuckoos, owls and a visiting heron are regular sights throughout the year. Buzzards soar overhead, dragonflies and butterflies fill the gardens during the summer months, bats skim across the lawns at dusk, and slow worms thrive in this part of the valley. During the winter, wild red deer frequently emerge from the woodland, a truly special sight in one of the few places in England where they still roam freely. At this time of year Exmoor ponies are also regularly seen sheltering in the Woods.

From the front gate, the bridleway leads directly into Hawkcombe Woods, opening onto an extensive network of walks across Exmoor National Park. Unlike some of Exmoor's more popular valleys, Hawkcombe offers an exceptional sense of peace and seclusion, often feeling like your own private woodland.

As evening falls, another remarkable feature reveals itself. Protected by the surrounding valley sides, there is virtually no light pollution, allowing spectacular views of the night sky where countless stars and the planets can be enjoyed in exceptional clarity.

The valley is recognised as an Area of Special Scientific Interest due to the presence of a very rare lichen that grows only on ancient coppiced oak trees in dappled sunlight. The abundance of other lichens growing on the branchesof many trees is widely regarded as an indicator of the exceptionally clean air that characterises this remarkable location.

Practicality has not been forgotten. The property offers extensive off-road parking for numerous vehicles, a garage, a rebuilt slate-roofed utility building with electricity, water and plumbing, a useful log store supplied by an abundance of naturally fallen timber from the surrounding woodland, and the original outside WC, now sympathetically refurbished and still in working order more than a century later.

Within the spacious attic, the original timber A-frame beams from the earliest part of the cottage remain beautifully preserved, providing another fascinating reminder of the property's rich heritage. The original deeds and a collection of historic photographs will also pass to the new owners, preserving the story of this remarkable home. Peep Out even enjoys a literary connection with Henry Williamson's celebrated Tarka the Otter, adding yet another layer to its fascinating history.

Despite its idyllic setting, Peep Out is far from isolated. The thriving village of Porlock lies just one mile away, offering independent shops, traditional inns, cafés, a butcher, village school, church, doctors surgery and an active community with literary, historical and horticultural societies, together with its popular annual summer fête and carnival.

Peep Out is far more than simply a beautiful period home. It is a place shaped by history, nature, water and light-a home where every season brings something new to enjoy. Whether listening to the stream from the garden, watching the red deer in the woodland, exploring miles of footpaths from the front gate or simply sitting beneath one of Exmoor's spectacular dark skies, this is an opportunity to embrace a truly exceptional way of life in one of Somerset's most treasured landscapes.