Swete Sigford

Swete Sigford is a unique Grade II* listed medieval hall house. With its thatched roof and exposed stone walls, it is a near perfect example of a typical Dartmoor farmstead. Its origins are medieval, although it was remodelled in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, with the introduction of a large fireplace and an oak beamed first floor that covered the open hall. It was abandoned in the nineteenth century and used as a barn, before being carefully restored by the current owners.

The house is full of fascinating features, it retains an original medieval oak screen and cobbled cross passage, and hidden in the basement is even a window that dates from before the use of glass. There are little burn marks on the fireplace beam - thought to have been made to keep evil spirits from coming down the flue, and a stone bread oven incorporated into the fireplace. At some time around 1850 a substantial stone barn (shippon) was attached to the side of the house and the current owners have managed to secure permission to bring this into full residential use. It now contains a separate kitchenette, bathroom and a large first-floor living room. There are two other buildings around the courtyard, one, a small open fronted cart-shed, and a nineteenth century threshing barn that provides a large flexible space, currently used as storage and a workshop.

N.B the above information has been provided by the sellers, who are conservation architects, from their research of the property during their tenure.

The restoration has been nearly completed: the main fabric of the building and all rooms are now habitable, although final finishes are yet to be applied, so this represents an opportunity for the new owner to finish it in the style that they want. The current owners are happy to provide any technical advice. . The work has been carried out sensitively, using local, hand-crafted natural materials where possible. The owners are aware that some repair works are needed to the thatch and can arrange this with a local thatcher to the purchaser's desired specification.

The house is set in a very traditional landscape where the boundaries between domestic and agriculture are blurred. Mostly now grass, this area would be just as happy grazed as mown! There is a large separate vegetable garden and orchard, which was very productive but has been allowed to rest for a year, and a polytunnel that provides bounteous quantities of soft fruit and grapes. The paddock slopes gently away with a small stream on one boundary within an area of mixed woodland has gated access to the lane and is ideal for grazing horses or animals.

Whilst the property now has main services, it may be possible to go off-grid by utilising the natural spring and the woods for fuel.

Swete Sigford occupies a lovely position on the south-eastern edge of Dartmoor. Ilsington village with its pub, primary school, community village shop and church is within walking distance via the minor Devon lanes. The open moor at nearby Pinchford ball and Haytor Down provide scenic walking and riding country and there are good local walks at Ramshorn Down and the River Lemon in Sigford. Whilst enjoying all the benefits of country living Swete Sigford is within reach of the towns of Ashburton (four miles) and Bovey Tracey (five miles) as well as being less than ten minutes drive of the A38 for Exeter and Plymouth. The market town of Newton Abbot is a twenty minute drive.

Council Tax Band: F
Tenure: Freehold














Marketed by: Howard Douglas, Ashburton