Great Deptford House

Alpine chalets in the Tyrol region in Austria and Italy are designed to take full advantage of views in their locality, with wide balconies on two of three floors sheltering under deep eaves. The design of Great Deptford House was inspired by this traditional style of architecture, whilst simultaneously seeking to minimise the property's impact on the natural environment. Great Deptford House has achieved this superbly with an EPC certified carbon-neutral rating and eagle-eyed views over the surrounding countryside.

The house is also positioned on the edge of Exmoor Dark Sky Reserve and even has its own observatory in the grounds to explore the unblemished night sky more closely. It provides over 5,800 ft² of living space over three floors, is constructed around a steel frame with triple glazed windows and is faced in a locally quarried stone. Internally the rooms radiate out from a superb, central reception hall that reaches up past galleried landings to a 12m high vaulted ceiling with a beautiful and locally made oak staircase. This is complemented by engineered oak flooring throughout most of the ground floor with a neutral, pale décor and zoned lighting throughout. The sitting room looks out at the fantastic view and has windows on three sides, whilst the L-shaped kitchen/family room off the other side of the hall has windows on two sides with ample room for separate seating and dining areas off the kitchen. The kitchen area is fitted with wonderfully designed, contemporary units, Italian granite work surfaces, a range of electric appliances and a Lacanche range cooker. Immediately adjacent to it is a fully fitted pantry. The bedroom accommodation is spread over two upper floors and comprises five en-suite bedroom suites, which all have fantastic views. The principal and guest bedrooms enjoy the best views with wide, sheltered balconies plus a visiting tawny owl, nicknamed Wally.

Outbuildings, Garden & Grounds

Great Deptford House is approached off a narrow country lane. The approach drive leads to a parking area beside and in front of the house, with a spur carrying to the property's outbuildings. Beyond the landscaped garden around the house, the land drops away to about 6 acres of natural meadowland, which has been improved for equine use. Below the meadows are an area of native broadleaf woodland, a natural, clay-lined lake and an area of wetland (0.6 acre). Unsurprisingly the grounds attract a wide diversity of wildlife that includes red, fallow and roe deer and a visiting otter as well as numerous bird species including resident woodpeckers, tawny and barn owls,Kingfishers ducks and moorhens.
A short distance off to one side of the house is an American barn mounted on a Farmcrete floor and incorporating five looseboxes, tack room and covered concrete apron. This barn has potential to be converted into a dwelling/garage or many other different uses. it benefits from being connected to water, drainage and electricity. Beside it is an illuminated all-weather sand school (40m x 20m). Opposite is a timber-built workshop with a bat refuge in the roof space housing the resident colony of three
species of bat. Near the top of the hill behind the house is observatory fitted with an automated telescope linked to the home office.
In all about 7.84 acres (3.16 hectares).
The vendors have planning permission for a triple garage in between the house and outbuildings if someone desired.

From Crediton head north-west on the A377. After 16.2 miles turn left just before a white-painted cottage, signed to High Bickington. Continue for just over a mile to a crossroads. Cross over the B3217 and the property will be found on the right after about 350 yards.

Marketed by: Knight Frank, Exeter