5 bedroom house

INTRODUCTION Cliff House is a wonderful example of a late period 'Arts and Crafts' house situated in one of the finest waterfront locations on the South Devon coast.

The property has remained in the same family since it was built in 1923 and is located on Cliff Road in the desirable Livermead area of Torquay. There is an excellent flow to the accommodation with light and spacious rooms gracing this lovely residence. Many of the rooms afford fabulous sea views and there is easy access to the outside areas. There is a great deal of flexibility to the accommodation to suit a variety of needs. Currently, there are five bedrooms and three spacious receptions all facing towards the seaward side and linking easily to the beautifully landscaped garden.

Cliff House occupies a generous plot of 0.77 acre, with a good degree of seclusion and panoramic sea views across Torbay. There is private driveway parking for numerous cars, a large integral garage and separate detached single garage to the side of the house. There is also the bonus of access via private steps to the beach and secluded rock platforms below. This truly is a unique home that must be seen to be fully appreciated.
 

SELLERS INSIGHT Cliff House was built in 1923 for my grandfather who was a Victorian entrepreneur and brick manufacturer and no expense was spared in the construction of the home with the finest materials available. It has been home to four generations of my family.

I was born here in 1954 and have fond memories of my childhood playing in the garden and swimming off the rocks and the beach. After many years of living away I came back to live at Cliff House with my own family in 1990 and have again had the privilege of enjoying living in this spectacular Arts & Crafts period home and garden.

As a keen gardener over the last 30 years I have put in place planting schemes to enhance its Mediterranean ambiance and also planted the statuesque Monterey pines which are an impressive feature of the gardens.
 

STEP INSIDE Cliff House offers stylish accommodation set over three levels with many of the original features still in place. The property has however been sympathetically updated where and when it has been required.

The main accommodation is set out over the ground and first floor levels with a large, useful basement area and garage below. The layout of the living space is extremely flexible and adaptable to suit one's requirements. The main two reception rooms make the very most of the lovely views across the garden and out to the bay. The drawing room has a peaceful and ambient feel featuring an ornate fireplace where log fires are in regular use. Original curved windows and a curved door lead on to a fabulous dual aspect veranda opening on via patio doors to an attractive flagstone terrace with mature wisteria and hydrangeas on either side. The Dining Room also accesses the veranda and has a wealth of features including an original oak fireplace surround with intricate oak carvings. The kitchen and breakfast room provide a fabulous 'open plan' room from the original formation of two rooms. This is a wonderful entertaining room with further scope should one require and easy access to the garden. Additional accommodation to this level includes two well proportioned rooms, currently being utilised as bedrooms and a shower room. There is also a useful utility room and wc.

From the attractive mahogany hallway, stairs lead up the first floor level with a separate wc to half landing. The main two bedrooms mirror the main receptions below and afford fabulous views across Torbay which are hard to rival. The second bedroom was originally two rooms and there is potential to change this room to suit needs if one wishes. The master bedroom has a wonderful 'wrap around' balcony with panoramic views that must be seen to be fully appreciated. A single bedroom, bathroom and large shower room conclude the accommodation to the first floor of this characterful home.

The lower ground floor comprises an integral electrically operated garage with an ample log storage area under the stairs which lead down from the hallway. Another door leads into the extensive dry basement area comprising two rooms which could be converted into a variety of other uses such as home spa billiard room or gym. There is also an additional storage area underneath the veranda adjacent to the boiler room with a convenient door leading into the garden. 

STEP OUTSIDE The gardens that surround the property have been carefully designed to complement the Lutyens style of this impressive house. The south easterly seaward aspects of the gardens comprise a large lawned area and a multitude of mature shrubs and palm trees have been planted over the years to produce a truly Mediterranean ambiance. There is a large and sunny patio suitable for al fresco dining and providing wonderful vistas to Torquay harbour and out to sea. Other features of this spectacular home include a WW2 Anderson Shelter, greenhouse, summerhouse and a former WW2 gun emplacement at the top of the garden, now a seating area providing panoramic views of the Bay.

Cliff House is one of the few properties in the Bay to offer direct private access to a beach and the sea via an ornamental gatehouse. There is ample private driveway parking to the front of the house and in addition to the integral garage there is a separate detached garage. 

LOCATION From Cliff Road, Torbay Road offers easy access to Torquay town centre, the harbour and the Royal Torbay Yacht Club. There are wonderful, level walks along the coast with a variety of sandy beaches, attractive headlands and Torre Abbey Meadows surrounding the historic Abbey. Cockington Village & Country Park is also within a short drive or walk from the house. Torquay town centre is around a mile away and offers an excellent variety of established shops, amenities and restaurants. Torquay Railway station is just 0.3 miles from the property and is a short level walk. Trains connect the main Penzance to Paddington line at Newton Abbot with train time to London taking around 2 hours 45 minutes from there. For internal or internal flights, Exeter Airport is 28 miles away taking around 45 minutes via the South Devon Expressway to Exeter.  

DIRECTIONS TQ2 6RE. From Torquay Harbourside, proceed on Torbay Road heading in the direction of Livermead. Continue past the Marina, Abbey Sands Beach and Torre Abbey Meadows. Continue straight on at the traffic lights, passing The Grand Hotel on your right and Corbyn Head on the left. Continue along past Livermead Sands and take the left hand turning after the Livermead Cliff Hotel on to Cliff Road. Continue along this road for a short distance and Cliff House can be found on the left hand side. 

USEFUL INFORMATION Council Tax Band: G
Local Authority: Torbay District Council - /[use Contact Agent Button]
Services: Mains gas, water & electricity. Mains drainage.
Important Locations: Torquay Railway Station: 0.3miles, Dartmouth (via Higher Ferry) 10 miles, Exeter 24 miles, Exeter Airport 27 miles, Plymouth 31 miles.

Agent Details: Via Fine & Country South Devon -[use Contact Agent Button] / [use Contact Agent Button]

Marketed by: Fine & Country, South Devon