7 bedroom house

An exceptionally attractive and productive traditional livestock holding occupying a superb position on the edge of the Exe Valley. In all, about 290 acres.

Available as whole or in up to 3 Lots.

Wonham Barton is believed to date from the early Victorian period and the scale of the house and adjoining courtyard of traditional buildings is indicative that this was a holding of considerable scale and significance. The property is offered for sale for the first time in over 60 years and affords prospective purchasers with the rare opportunity of acquiring a substantial and exceptionally productive agricultural holding in an outstanding location. The farmhouse has great residential appeal and the adjoining courtyard of traditional buildings offer enormous potential for a variety of residential or commercial uses to compliment the versatility of the property. With an extensive range of modern buildings, productive pasture lands and amenity woodland the holding also possesses considerable sporting and conservation appeal. The setting is exceptional and the property has featured in a number of films and television productions including the Land Girls and Tess of the D’urbervilles. In total, it extends to about 290 acres, and is offered either as a whole or in a combination of up to 3 Lots, by private treaty.

LOT 1 – THE HOUSE, COURTYARD BUILDINGS AND ADJOINING PASTURE LAND OF 9.54 ACRES
Situated at the southern end of the holding and enjoying a secluded position is the principal farmhouse, adjoining flat and extensive courtyard of traditional buildings. Adjoining is a single enclosure of gently undulating pasture land together with the former walled garden and an area to the north comprising of mature broadleaf woodland and the former mill pond.

THE FARM HOUSE
Constructed of local stone faced elevations beneath a part tiled and part slate roof, the house which is Grade II listed affords extensive and well-proportioned accommodation which would now benefit from some modernisation and improvement. It does however, provide the basis for an exceptionally attractive and individual family home in this fabulous setting. The accommodation is arranged on two floors, as follows:-

The Ground Floor
Entrance Porch to Entrance Hall with stairs rising in two flights to the first floor. Under stairs cupboard. Wood parquet floor.
Drawing Room - A spacious dual aspect room with minster stone open fireplace. Original window shutters.
Dining Room – With original window shutters and wood parquet floor. Stone open fireplace and walk in china cupboard with fitted shelves.
Inner Hall – With secondary stairs to first floor. Door to side garden.
Cloakroom – With high level suite.
Study – With brick open fireplace with cupboards to either side.
Sitting Room – With lead glazed window. Part panelled walls and original ceiling hooks. Inglenook fireplace with exposed beam and stone work with inset smaller grate.
Rear Hall – With door to side courtyard.
Kitchen – With exposed beam and range of base cupboard and drawer units. Stainless steel double drainer sink unit with mixer tap. Solid fuel Aga. Enclosed wall cupboards.
Pantry – With wall shelves.

Situated at the rear of the main accommodation and with access from both the inner hall and rear hall is a range of further rooms comprising:-
Boiler Room – With solid fuel boiler for partial central heating domestic hot water. Enclosed back stairs.
Harness Room – With original ceiling hooks.
Utility Room – With deep Belfast sink, plumbing for washing machine and access to an adjoining cobbled courtyard with open fronted log store and outside WC. Access to the adjoining range of traditional buildings.

The First Floor
Landing
Bedroom 1 – With dual aspect and deep enclosed wall cupboard. Door to rear landing with en-suite facilities comprising of a separate bathroom with panel bath and pedestal wash basin. Separate WC with low level suite and access to a hobbies room situated over the covered entranceway.
Bedroom 2 – A through room with sealed fireplace and access to the adjoining:
Inner Landing - With secondary stairs to ground floor.
Cloakroom – With high level suite and part tiled walls.
Bedroom 3 – With vanity wash basin and enclosed wall cupboards.
Bathroom – With panel bath, wash basin and access to roof void.
Bedroom 4 – With vanity wash basin and cupboard under.
Bedroom 5 – With vanity wash basin and former fireplace.
Bathroom – With CI panelled bath, vanity wash basin and range of fitted cupboards containing the hot water cylinder. Door to:
Landing Area – With back stairs to ground floor. Former Servants Bedroom off.
The house is set partially against the lane which runs to the rear of the property. A hardened spur leads to the front of the house and to the attached range of out buildings. Situated off this area is a single garage with adjoining store room in which is situated the oil fired central heating boiler for the flat situated at first floor level. Adjoining to the front of the house is an enclosed walled garden with level lawned areas flanked by attractive flower and shrub borders.

THE FLAT
Previously used as holiday accommodation, the flat is approached from the lane to the rear and provides light, spacious and adaptable accommodation. It comprises:

Entrance Porch – With front door leading to Entrance Hall with fitted cupboards.
Sitting Room – With dual aspect. Brick fireplace with original grate.
Kitchen/Dining Room – With range of modern base cupboard and drawer units with stainless steel single drainer sink unit. Cooker point. Part tiled walls and integral fridge. Enclosed cupboard containing the hot water cylinder with immersion heater. Original fireplace recess.
Inner Hall – With roof light.
Bathroom – With panel bath with mixer tap and shower attachment. Pedestal wash basin.
Two Bedrooms – Each with fitted wardrobes and dressing areas.
Cloakroom – With low level suite.

THE TRADITIONAL COURTYARD
Adjoining the farmhouse and accessed either via a covered entranceway from the entrance drive which serves the farmhouse or alternatively from a separate access to the west, the scale of the buildings clearly indicate this was a holding of considerable significance. Grade II listed, they are substantially constructed of local stone faced elevations beneath a series of slate roofs and have been well maintained by the vendors. Forming three sides of a courtyard, the buildings comprise of a series of former workshops, stores and servants quarters, as well as shippens, granary and a substantial former threshing barn and stables. The original wheel pit remains, although the wheel has long since gone but the former mill pond and adjoining area of land to the north is included within the lotting of this part.

This is a superb range of traditional buildings with undoubted potential subject to planning for a variety of alternative residential, recreational or commercial uses.
To the west is a further range of more modern buildings, comprising of a Tyler 6 bay precast concrete and corrugated fibre cement roofed sheep house 27.35m x 13.25m with part block elevations with sheeted metal doors to either end. Adjoining fodder barn 27.35m x 7.12m of similar construction.

5 bay timber and GI roofed open fronted machinery store 19.33m x 4.80m with 2 bay open fronted store situated on the opposite side of the yard.

THE LAND
This is principally situated to the south of the farmstead, comprising of the original walled garden, adjoining wooded area and former pond together with an attractive enclosure of gently undulating and productive permanent pasture. Situated on the opposite side of the bisecting lane is an area of attractive broad leafed woodland and in which is situated the former mill pond.

In total, Lot 1 extends to about 9.54 acres, as shaded pink on the identification plan.

LOT 2 – 9.26 ACRES PRODUCTIVE PASTURE LAND
This is a single enclosure of adjoining pasture land, gently undulating with a southerly aspect and enjoying separate road frontage and access. In total, Lot 2 extends to about 9.26 acres, as shaded yellow on the identification plan.

LOT 3 – THE MODERN FARM BUILDINGS AND 271.15 ACRES
This is a significant block of productive farm land lying to the north of the main farmstead and separately accessed from the council lane or from a good hardened track which bisects this part of the holding. It has a predominantly southerly aspect and consists of productive pasture land, in part suitable for arable cropping with the enclosures of a convenient size and shape to allow for modern and efficient working. All of the enclosures are contained within well maintained traditional hedgerows, with the amenity and conservation appeal of this part, enhanced by a number of hedgerow trees, areas of amenity broad leafed woodland as well as some judicious more modern coniferous plantings. From the highest point of the farm, outstanding views may be enjoyed across the Exe Valley or northwards to Exmoor. The land to the north western most boundary is slightly more undulating but it has significant amenity and conservation appeal. Situated within this part of the holding is an outstanding range of modern farm buildings, which provide the main hub for agricultural operations today. They comprise:

8 bay steel framed and corrugated fibre cement roofed fodder barn 36.36m x 17.50m with hardened floor. Part precast concrete and space boarded elevations.

Adjoining covered passage way 36.36m x 5.03m with sheeted metal doors to either end. Concrete floor.

8 bay covered yard 36.36m x 37.27m overall comprising of a central feed passage with sheeted metal doors to either end and loose housed areas to either side. Part block and space boarded elevations.

To the front of the building is a concreted yard area with cattle handling facilities. To the rear and side are good sized hardened areas.

In total, Lot 3 extends to about 271.15 acres, as shaded blue on the site plan.

GENERAL REMARKS

Tenure and Possession
Freehold with vacant possession available upon completion.

Services
Mains electricity. Communal private water supply and drainage of dwellings to private systems.

Outgoings
These are believed to comprise of local council tax in respect of the Farmhouse Band (E) together with the usual service and environmental charges where applicable.

Fixtures and Fittings
All fixture and fittings, unless specifically referred to within these sale particulars are otherwise expressly excluded in the sale of the freehold.

Basic Payment Scheme
Basic payment scheme entitlements for the relevant area of land will be included in the sale and the vendor agrees to use his best endeavours to transfer the entitlements to the purchaser(s) subject to receiving written instructions.

The vendors will retain the 2021 payment.

Rights of Way, Easements, Wayleaves, Etc.
The property is offered for sale subject to and with the benefit of all matters contained in or referred to in the property charges register of the registered title together with all public and private rights of way, wayleaves, easements and other rights of way whether these are specifically referred to or not.

The Vendor or Successors will retain a full and unrestricted right of access to the retained bungalow known as Auchangree between the points marked A and B on the plan.
If sold separately, the Purchaser(s) of Lot 1 will have a right of access for maintenance purposes only over the southern part of OS 6921 to gain access to the woodland and former mill pond.

Agri-Environment Schemes
The holding is subject in part to a Stewardship Scheme, further details are available form the Agents.

Ingoing Valuation
The purchaser(s) of Lot 1 and Lot 3 will (if applicable) be subject to an in going valuation in respect of any unconsumed fodder, silage, hay or straw, together with any other unconsumed oils or stores. The basis of valuation will be in accordance with the CAAV guidelines. Further details are available upon requests for the Agents.

Sporting and Mineral Rights
The sporting and mineral rights across the holding, insofar as they are owned, will be included in the freehold sale.

Live & Deadstock Sale
The Vendors reserve the right to hold a sale by auction on the premises of the live and dead farming stock prior to the date of completion.

Local Authority
Mid Devon District Council – Phoenix House, Phoenix Lane, Tiverton, Devon EX16 6PP

Measurements and Other Information
All measurements are approximate. Any field numbers and areas shown on the attached plan are based on the Ordnance Survey and are for identification purposes only. They do not necessarily correspond either with the National Grid plan numbers or with those produced on the Rural Land Register.

Whilst we endeavour to make our sales particulars as accurate and reliable as possible, if there are any point which is of particular importance to you please contact the office, especially if you are contemplating travelling some distance to view the property. We have not tested any of the equipment, appliances, central heating or services.

The property occupies a glorious position within the Exe Valley with the farmhouse and adjoining courtyard occupying a sheltered position with a south easterly facing aspect. The farm land to the north gently rises and from its highest point, outstanding views may be enjoyed across unspoilt countryside which characterises this part of Mid Devon and northwards, towards Exmoor. Bampton is the closest settlement with this popular small town providing excellent day to day facilities as well as primary education and healthcare. To the north and approached through the Exe Valley is the renowned Exmoor town of Dulverton and the National Park itself. Tiverton lies to the south and affords a wider range of commercial, recreational and educational facilities including the noted public school of Blundell’s as well as secondary healthcare. From here and approached via the dual carriageway section of the A361 lies the M5 (J27) and with mainline rail connections available adjacent to this junction at Tiverton Parkway. Both Taunton and Exeter are within convenient reach and provide the diversity of facilities befitting those of County and Regional Centres.

Marketed by: Greenslade Taylor Hunt, Tiverton