Great Deptford House

Great Deptford House, High Bickington 

Nestled in the beautiful landscape of North Devon, Great Deptford House is a unique new build that incorporates exceptional energy efficiency, modern living style and an extensive history whilst minimising its’ impact on the local ecology and environment.

With an internal floor area of 540m2 over 3 floors, the house has an EPC rating of ‘A’ (99) by utilising modern building techniques, highly efficient insulation products and high efficiency triple glazing.  It is heated by an eco-friendly Ground Source Heat Pump, has 13.2kW of Solar panels (with 10.8kW battery storage) all of which combine to make the property carbon neutral.

As part of the Planning Permission, the site had an extensive Archaeological Survey which revealed that part of the new build occupies a site that was a significant medieval house, which itself had been built on top of a Saxon roundhouse, and that in turn had been built on the remains of probable Iron Age building ( possibly Bronze age).  Some of the structural finds have been incorporated into the new house, with others having been donated to North Devon Museum and the 100-page report can be seen on request.

The property benefits from over 7 acres of land which is a haven for wildlife.  Red, Roe and Fallow deer are regular visitors, as are several Barn and Tawny Owls which have been known to utilise the balconies as hunting perches.  There is a resident Kingfisher who can often be seen from the living room, fishing from the pond and there have been sighting of Otters on the property.  In the summer large numbers of Swallows utilise the American Barn stables to nest and raise young.  Within the workshop there is a Bat Refuge to accommodate the 3 species found on the site (Pipistrels, Brown Long Earred & Lesser Horseshoes)

The grounds and land have been carefully managed to encourage wildlife and to enhance the ecological value of the site.

The property is on the edge of ‘Exmoor Dark Skies’ with excellent visibility of the Stars due to no light pollution.  There is a fully automated observatory on site linked to the house to allow for a closer look!

The Exterior

Great Deptford House's design took inspiration from Italian and Alphine chalets, with Great Deptford House truly making the most of the far reaching countryside views and capturing it within vast windows and wide balconies. Yet the property still holds wonderful countryside charm with locally quarried stone and retaining a nod to the grounds history and location. This one of a kind is truly a pieces of art within four walls. Constructed with a steel frame, triple glazed windows whilst making the most of all the space, all the way up into the vaulted ceiling. The property itself offers 5,800 square feet of living space over the three floors and has achieved a superb EPC rating of carbon neutral. 

The Interior 

As soon as you enter Great Deptford House you are instantly drawn into the exquisite atrium with twelve metre high ceilings and locally sourced oak flooring and grand three story oak staircase. Your eye is drawn to the breathtaking skylight which lets the beautiful sunlight in during the day but also views of the 'Exmoor Dark Skies' during the night. Within the Atrium there are also wonderful pieces of the lands history which have been used within the construction of the property including fossils, stonework and inglenook mantlepiece. To the left of the atrium you are welcomed through double doors into the spacious sitting room. 

The sitting room has floor to ceiling windows with sliding patio doors which truly make you feel at one with the wildlife. The views from within the lounge are breathtaking including an outstanding view over one of your ponds within Great Deptford House. The dual aspect windows, high ceiling and spot lights really do give a feeling of modern grandeur. 

Across the atrium is the open plan kitchen/family room. Now this room is a true entertaining space and dream kitchen. From the large dining area to the cosy seating area this room truly does have it all. The room once again benefits from full wall windows with sliding patio doors as well a beautiful smaller picture windows which capture the exterior beautifully. The family kitchen has a large Italian granite work surface/breakfast bar with high and low level matt finished units and a range of high end electrical appliances including the wonderful Lacanche Range Cooker and remote electrical unit which rises effortlessly with a push of a button. Within the kitchen there is also a downstairs bathroom fully fitted with walk in shower unit, pantry and boot room which is perfect for any countryside lover. 

On the first floor there are three double bedrooms all fitted with wonderful ensuite. Two of the three bedrooms have balconies, the bedroom to the front over looks the wonderful rolling countryside views. With the rear bedroom over the looking landscaped gardens, beautiful tall trees and fields. 

The second floor holds a further two bedrooms and a fantastic sixth bedroom/office. The bedrooms within the second floor includes the principle bedrooms and the guest suite. Both of these bedrooms have wonderful spacious ensuites, balconies with panoramic views as well as built in wardrobes. The high vaulted ceilings within the bedrooms give a true feeling of space and have been cleverly deigned with zoned lighting and custom fitted blinds. 

Grounds and Outbuildings 

Great Deptford House is set over 7.84 acres of land which includes two ponds, around 6 acres of natural meadowland which has been significantly improved for equine use. Below the meadow land are tall trees and a natural running stream which is habitat to a wide variety of wildlife and also the boundary to the land. 

To one side of the house is the American Barn which has been mounted on a Farmcrete and holds five loose boxes, tack room and a covered concrete apron. The barn has power, lighting, drainage and water and could easily be converted into a further dwelling (with the correct planning permission), large garage or many other different uses. The all weather sand school is fully illuminated and is the horse lovers dream. However this sand school could quiet easily be converted into tennis courts or even a all weather sports pitch. The sand school itself measures 40mx20m and holds the most breathtaking views. 

Following on from the sand school and opposite the American Barn is the Workshop with bat refuge in the overhead roof space. To finish off these wonderful grounds is the observatory fitted with automated telescopes linked to the house within the office. 

There is ample parking and also planning permission for a triple garage if required. 

The Location 

Great Deptford House is situated down a quiet tranquil lane surrounding by rolling countryside hills, panoramic views and outstanding wildlife. Although the property is extremely private you are only just over one mile from the village of High Bickington. Which includes a variety of local amenities including local primary school, parish church, GP surgery, post office and the ever popular Libbaton Golf Club. 

Umberleigh Train Station is close by with links to Paddington, London via Exeter Station. Or through the more direct route of Tiverton Parkway to London Paddington which also includes a direct service taking under two hours.

High Bickington is a fantastic location being only a short drive some wonderful North Devon towns including the market town of South Molton and Barnstaple.   

Agent Notes- 

EPC- A

Council Tax- G 

Local Authority- Torridge District Council 

Services- The property is provided with mains water and electricity.

There is private drainage for Great Deptford House. 

There are 13.2kW of solar PV panels which are situated on the the American Barn roof with 10.8kW of battery storage. 

The Ground Source Heat array provides the zoned underfloor heating on the ground floor of the property. Heating for the radiators on the first and second floors of the property. The Ground Source Heat also provides all of the hot water for the property. 

The current vendors have been approved planning permission for a triple garage between the house and the outbuildings. 

Measurements can be found on the floor plan. 

Some images have been virtually staged for marketing purposes. 

Viewings Strictly by appointment only. When calling the office team please Quote DL0254.