Fore Street, Ilfracombe, Devon, EX34 9DJ

The property:
For buyers searching for something far removed from an ordinary modern home, Smugglers Steps offers a fascinating combination of history, character and coastal living. Dating from approximately the mid-1700s, the property has an individual layout filled with features that reflect its age, including exposed beams, substantial walls and rooms that unfold in an unexpected way.

Its position is a major part of the appeal. The harbour, seafront, High Street, pubs, restaurants and independent businesses are all close at hand, yet once inside, the property feels like its own private retreat.

The accommodation is surprisingly spacious and has a real sense of discovery as you move through it. Rather than following a standard modern layout, each part of the home has its own personality, something that should particularly appeal to buyers who value character over uniformity.

Entering the property, the family bathroom is positioned to the right, away from the main living accommodation. From here, a small hallway filled with natural light leads further into the home.

The kitchen and adjoining dining space form the social heart of the property.

The kitchen provides a practical range of wall and base units and drawers, giving plenty of storage and preparation space. Appliances include a dishwasher and washing machine, while a fixed breakfast bar creates an informal place to sit.

This breakfast bar helps make the kitchen a sociable space rather than simply somewhere to prepare food. It works for morning coffee, casual meals or sitting with friends while dinner is being prepared.

The kitchen flows naturally into the open dining area, creating a relaxed arrangement for entertaining. There is space to sit down properly for meals while retaining a sense of connection with the kitchen.

For anyone who enjoys having friends and family over, this part of the home works particularly well. The layout feels informal and welcoming, with the age and character of the building giving the space an atmosphere that would be difficult to recreate in a newer property.

Positioned on either side of the dining area are the two double bedrooms.

The principal bedroom is particularly individual in shape and benefits from a dual aspect. Natural light enters from more than one direction, while the unusual proportions add to the sense of character running throughout the home.

The second bedroom is also a double and overlooks the front aspect.

Having two genuine bedroom spaces makes the property suitable for couples who want a guest room, buyers who work from home or anyone expecting regular visits from friends and family.

The layout then reveals another side of the property.

From a small utility area, a door leads into an attractive sitting space and adjoining snug. This creates a living area separated from the kitchen and dining accommodation, giving the home distinct places for socialising and relaxing.

Three Velux windows bring plenty of natural light into this part of the property. When open, they also provide views towards the harbour area, reinforcing the home's connection with its coastal setting.

This is the sort of room that can change character with the time of day and season. During daylight hours it is bright and interesting, while in the evening it becomes a cosy place to settle down with a film or simply relax away from the main living areas.

Its position within the eaves adds further personality. Looking out towards the Bristol Channel or up towards the night sky gives the room a very different feel from a conventional lounge.

For couples, the separation between the living spaces is particularly useful. One person can relax in the sitting room while another uses the kitchen and dining area, without everything taking place in a single open-plan room.

The property's historic origins are evident throughout. Exposed beams and thick walls sit alongside an unconventional layout that has evolved with the building over time.

These are not features added to make a modern property appear old. They are part of a home dating back approximately to the mid-18th century and give Smugglers Steps an identity of its own.

Modern comforts have not been forgotten. The property benefits from gas central heating and double glazing throughout, helping balance the character of the building with the requirements of everyday life.

One of the most memorable parts of the property is found outside.

The private roof terrace creates a hidden outdoor retreat above the surrounding streets and rooftops. It provides a low-maintenance place for seating, relaxing and enjoying a barbecue during warmer weather.

From here, views extend across neighbouring rooftops towards the harbour, coastline and Damien Hirst's Verity sculpture.

For a property positioned so close to the heart of the town, having a private outside space is a particularly appealing feature. Rather than needing a large garden, buyers have somewhere they can sit with a morning coffee, enjoy a summer evening or simply watch the changing light around the harbour.

The roof terrace also strengthens the property's potential as a coastal retreat. It gives owners a private place to enjoy being outside while shops, restaurants, pubs, the harbour and seafront remain close at hand.

There is no private allocated parking with the property, but there are parking options within the surrounding area. The previous marketing stated that residents' parking permits were available through Devon County Council. Buyers should check the latest permit availability, eligibility and charges directly with the council before relying on this arrangement.

The tenure is a share of freehold, with a 999-year lease dating from 1986. The information supplied by the seller states a ground rent of £30 per month, which includes buildings insurance, and no separate service charge. Buyers should ask their solicitor to confirm all tenure, lease, insurance and management arrangements during the conveyancing process.

The property has mains drainage, gas central heating and double glazing throughout. It is currently within Council Tax Band A and has an EPC rating of D, with the EPC showing potential to reach C.

Another important advantage is the seller's position. Smugglers Steps is being offered with no onward chain, which could be particularly attractive to buyers looking for a coastal home without an onward purchase connected to the sale.

What really sets this property apart, however, is not a single practical feature. It is the combination of age, character, surprising internal space and the relationship with Ilfracombe's harbour and coastline.

From exposed beams and substantial historic walls to the eaves sitting room and private roof terrace, there is a sense that each part of the property has its own story.

The area:
Smugglers Steps is particularly well placed for buyers who want to enjoy Ilfracombe on foot. The harbour, seafront, High Street and a broad choice of independent businesses are all close at hand, creating a lifestyle where going out for a coffee, meal or evening drink does not automatically mean getting into the car.

Ilfracombe has a strong identity of its own. Its working harbour, Victorian architecture, independent shops, galleries, pubs and restaurants create a town with considerably more personality than a purpose-built coastal resort.

The harbour is one of the main focal points and is closely associated with Damien Hirst's Verity sculpture, which stands at the harbour entrance. The sculpture can also be seen in the distance from the property's own roof terrace, creating a direct visual connection between the home and one of Ilfracombe's best-known landmarks.

The harbour area is a natural destination for eating, drinking and spending time beside the water, while the wider town provides independent shops alongside everyday services.

Larger supermarkets are also available in and around Ilfracombe, including Tesco, Lidl and Co-op, meaning the location works for permanent living as well as weekends and holidays.

For buyers who enjoy the coast, Ilfracombe provides an excellent base from which to explore North Devon.

Woolacombe is around six miles away and is well known for its long sandy beach, surfing and dramatic coastal setting. Nearby Putsborough provides another impressive stretch of sand, while Croyde and Saunton are also within reach.

This gives owners an exceptional choice. A morning could begin beside Ilfracombe Harbour before the afternoon is spent surfing, swimming or walking at one of North Devon's sandy beaches.

The South West Coast Path and wider coastline provide plenty of opportunities for walking, while the dramatic cliffs, coves and sea views around this part of North Devon make the area particularly attractive to buyers who enjoy spending time outdoors.

Exmoor National Park is approximately ten miles away, providing a completely different landscape of moorland, wooded valleys and dramatic coastline.

For walkers, riders and anyone who enjoys the countryside, having both Exmoor and the North Devon coast accessible from the same home is a significant lifestyle benefit.

The property should also work well for buyers who want to live within a community rather than somewhere that feels purely seasonal. Ilfracombe has schools, healthcare, supermarkets and everyday services alongside its tourism and leisure facilities.

Ilfracombe Church of England Junior School is approximately 0.4 miles away according to the information supplied, while The Ilfracombe Academy is approximately 0.7 miles away. Buyers with children should make their own enquiries regarding current admissions arrangements and catchment areas.

Barnstaple is approximately 12 miles away and acts as North Devon's main regional centre. It provides a wider range of shopping, employment, healthcare and leisure facilities, together with North Devon District Hospital.

Barnstaple also provides rail services towards Exeter on the Tarka Line, with onward connections available from there.

Road connections from Barnstaple lead onto the A361 North Devon Link Road towards the M5 at Junction 27, while Tiverton Parkway provides mainline rail services towards London and other destinations.

For many buyers considering Smugglers Steps, however, the biggest appeal will be how much is available without travelling far at all.

Being able to leave home and walk towards the harbour, seafront, shops, cafés, galleries, pubs and restaurants is a genuine lifestyle advantage. There is always somewhere to wander, something to see or somewhere to stop for food and drink.

At the same time, the property provides somewhere private to retreat to afterwards. The roof terrace gives owners their own outdoor space above the surrounding rooftops, while the sitting room in the eaves provides somewhere to relax and look towards the Bristol Channel.

That balance makes the location particularly suitable for couples, coastal relocators and buyers searching for a second home. It provides the energy and convenience of being close to the heart of Ilfracombe while keeping the beaches, coastline and countryside that define North Devon within easy reach.

Summary:
Smugglers Steps is a home for buyers who value individuality. Dating from approximately the mid-1700s, it combines genuine period character with a surprisingly generous and unconventional layout.

The kitchen and dining area create a sociable heart to the property, with useful storage, appliances and a fixed breakfast bar. Two double bedrooms provide comfortable sleeping accommodation, while the separate sitting room and snug within the eaves give the home an additional living space filled with natural light from three Velux windows.

Exposed beams, substantial walls and irregular room shapes all contribute to the property's character rather than trying to disguise its age.

The private roof terrace is one of the standout features, providing a low-maintenance outdoor space with views across the rooftops towards Ilfracombe Harbour, the coastline and Verity.

The location makes the lifestyle even more appealing. Ilfracombe's harbour, seafront, shops, galleries, pubs and restaurants are close at hand, while Woolacombe, Croyde, Saunton, Putsborough and Exmoor put some of North Devon's finest scenery within easy reach.

Gas central heating and double glazing provide practical everyday comforts, while the share of freehold tenure and long lease should be confirmed alongside the wider management arrangements by the buyer's solicitor.

With no onward chain, two double bedrooms, separate living areas, a private roof terrace and a wealth of period character, Smugglers Steps offers something genuinely different for buyers looking to make the North Devon coast part of everyday life.