Myrtle Cottage

A detached country house of charm & character with origins in the 17th Century, set in park like grounds of about 3.27 acres in a convenient semi rural position with breath taking views towards the Taw estuary & beyond.
Hall, 2 Sitting Rooms, Dining Room/Kitchen, Conservatory, Pantry, Utility Room, Wet Room. 5 Bedrooms, Bathroom. Double Garage/Workshop, Car Ports, Extensive Parking, Garden/Games Room. Freehold. Council Tax Band F. EPC Band E.

Situation And Amenities - The property is approached by a long private, recently re-tarmaced drive, is well detached from others and surrounded by its own land. From both the house and gardens there are breath taking views towards the Taw Estuary as well as across Barnstaple in the distance. The position is excellent because the property is semi rural yet Barnstaple, Bideford, the Link Road, Tarka Trail, Exmoor, Instow Beach, North Devon surfing beaches and Saunton Golf club are all within easy access. The thriving village of Fremington is about 1 mile and the property is about 3 minutes from Sainsbury's , Aldi & Lidl supermarkets at the Roundswell. Barnstaple Town Centre is about 3 miles away and offers the area's main business, leisure and shopping facilities as well as theatre, cinema, wonderful old Pannier Market and adjoining Butcher's Row. There are excellent recreational facilities including leisure and tennis centres. The North Devon Link Road (A361) provides a fast route to the M5 Motorway at junction 27 (Tiverton) about 34 miles away or 45 minutes by car. There is also access nearby to Tiverton Parkway where London, Paddington can be reached in just over 2 hours. Exeter, the County Town and Cathedral City, with its international airport is about 45 miles. The area benefits from a number of reputable state and private schools including West Buckland.

Description - This well appointed and tastefully updated detached country house presents painted rendered elevations with double glazed windows beneath a slate roof. We understand that the original core dates back to the 17th Century and that the façade was added in the 19th Century. Internally, original period features including period fireplaces, stripped wood doors, picture rails etc, sit well with 21st Century refinements. The property offers well presented family accommodation arranged over two storeys, complimented by delightful, secluded, well tended, parklike grounds of about 3.27 acres, mainly laid to grass which could potentially be adapted to accommodate horses and has been used as a camping field. Given the location of the property, there is potential for a number of business uses, subject to planning permission.

Ground Floor - PORCH and half glazed UPVC front door to ENTRANCE HALL with Italian terracotta tiled flooring which extends throughout much of the ground floor. SITTING ROOM 1 with bay window overlooking the front garden, arched stone fireplace with fitted wood burner, slate hearth. SITTING ROOM 2 also with bay window overlooking the front garden, small arched stone fireplace with fitted electric style wood burner, fitted bookcases flanking either side, both with cupboards beneath. the DINING ROOM/KITCHEN is currently open plan but the two' zones' could easily be separated if required. Within the DINING AREA there is an attractive stone fireplace with bread oven, timber mantle, fitted wood burner. There are a pair of French doors to rear courtyard, shelved recess, meter cupboard above. The KITCHEN is custom made by Furnfix in a country cream theme with polished black granite work surfaces incorporating double Belfast sink, there is an integrated dishwasher, 4 oven cream Aga and hotplate, space for refrigerator, wine chiller, central island also with polished granite worksurfaces, drawers cupboards and wine bottle storage beneath, there is also a pan rack above. Leading directly off is the CONSERVATORY with pair of French doors and views over the garden and beyond, Casablanca style fan, shelved pantry off. INNER HALLWAY with trap to loft. SHOWER ROOM in a contemporary style with tiled walls, Mira shower unit, wash hand basin, cupboards adjoining and beneath, mirror fronted medicine cabinet, heated towel rail/radiator. LAUNDRY ROOM with Belfast sink, wooden drainer and work surfaces, oil fired boiler for central heating and domestic hot water, fitted shelving, plumbing for washing machine, overhead clothes airer. Off the dining area there is a BOOT ROOM with tiled flooring, coat hanging and shoe storage space, half glazed door to courtyard.

First Floor - An attractive original stripped wood staircase leads to GALLERIED LANDING with feature arch and trap to LOFT SPACE with retractable wooden ladder, part boarded with light and window, ideal for storage. There are 5 GOOD BEDROOMS [One of which would alternatively make a good study and is currently used as a music room] and a very well appointed FAMILY BATHROOM. The rear bedrooms take in the far reaching views over open countryside and the Estuary of the River Taw.

Outside - The property is approached through an original Cast Iron gate on attractive stone pillars. the driveway is lined by trees and a bank of mature specimen shrubs including some fine Rhododendrons etc. The driveway passes the front of the house and leads around to the side, moving from tarmac to gravel, providing ample parking and turning, as well as space for Motorhome etc and leads first to a DOUBLE DETACHED POLE BARN/CAR PORT with storage area off and adjacent log store, there is power and light connected. The driveway terminates in front of a further DOUBLE DETACHED GARAGE currently utilised as workshops and storage, once again with power and light connected. To the rear of the house the most attractive ENCLOSED COURTYARD features a central Lily pond with ornamental fountain, there are raised planters and flower borders, a GARDENERS WC with basin and this is all overlooked by a GLASS FRONTED TIMBER GARDEN/GAMES ROOM ideal for covered Al-Fresco dining and to accommodate a hot tub as at present. There is power and light connected, a freezer store off with shelving and a shower room. A gateway then leads on to an EXTENSIVE SIDE GARDEN where there is a PERIOD STYLE GREENHOUSE with well established vine, staging and terracotta rope edge tiled borders and terracotta tiled flooring. The side garden is partly walled, there is a COVERED SWING SEAT, a PATIO adjacent to a FIXED BARBECUE STATION, raised Strawberry bed and return access to the drive. Otherwise the grounds are laid to sweeping lawns interspersed with many specimen trees and shrubs including a WOODED AREA. There is a separate 5 BAR ACCESS GATE on to the rear lane. The gardens are bounded either by hedging, Devon bank or walls. This is a most attractive setting and perfect to accommodate a Marquee for those special occasions.

Services - Mains electricity and water, private drainage, oil fired central heating.

Directions - From Barnstaple Town Centre, cross the long bridge and head towards Bickington via Sticklepath and Bickington Road. At the roundabout adjacent to the Cedars, turn left and at the next roundabout turn right on to the Old Bideford Road. Pass the traffic calmers and at Tews lane, proceed straight ahead at the mini roundabout, continuing on the Bideford road for about half a mile or so and as the road bends to the left, Myrtle Cottage is located in front of you on the corner.



Marketed by: Stags, Barnstaple