3 bedroom house

Set in 6.2 acres of mature gardens and grounds, a fascinating converted railway station making a peaceful and rural retreat. Edge of popular Exe Valley village. Easy reach of well-renowned pub. Nearby network of local footpaths across the Exe Valley. Superb views over surrounding countryside. Idyllic permanent residence, second home or holiday let. Detached 3 bedroom house with original station features. Access on foot only apart from 4-wheel drive vehicle access during summer months through ford. EPC G.

Situation - Brampford Speke is a highly favoured Exe Valley village, surrounded by unspoilt countryside, yet just 5 miles from central Exeter. Maintaining an active community, the village includes a church, a primary school (rated ‘good’ by Ofsted) and an excellent pub, The Agricultural Inn. The combination of the surrounding open countryside and the River Exe running adjacent to the village provides a network of local footpaths with a range of fantastic walks nearby.
Exeter, to the south, has all the amenities associated with a major regional centre, providing a good range of leisure and cultural amenities, including substantial shopping facilities. Communication links are good, with the M5 accessible at Exeter providing links to the A38 to Plymouth, or the A30 to Cornwall, and Bristol and London to the north and east. There are regular rail services to central London from Exeter St David’s in just over 2 hours. Exeter International Airport provides a number of domestic and international flights.

Description - The Exe Valley Railway was a branch line built by the Great Western Railway (GWR) and opened on the 1st May 1885. This property is the former railway station at Brampford Speke. In 1923 staff were withdrawn and it became an unmanned halt. Due to “Beeching Cuts” the line stations were closed in 1963 with the station itself becoming a house soon after. The Station Master’s house is the other property nearby. Set in 6.2 acres of mature gardens and grounds, the property comprises the detached converted railway station, an old railway carriage, wooden chalet and pond, enjoying a great deal of privacy and unspoilt rural views.

The detached house offers adaptable accommodation with many of the original features still in place, including two reception rooms, a beautiful garden room to the west, and the former waiting room, now the sitting room, opens to the station platform, with windows overlooking the easterly aspect and multi-fuel burner. The inner hall also provides access to the kitchen comprising a range of units, bathroom and the former ladies waiting room, now the second bedroom, enjoying a double aspect and central fireplace with marble surround. The former ticket office, now the principal bedroom, adjoins the sitting room with the ticket hatch still in situ; the dual aspect bedroom enjoys the views and benefits from a built-in wardrobe. Bedroom three also includes a built-in wardrobe.

In addition to the house there is a wooden chalet and a fascinating railway carriage, both providing further potential, subject to the necessary planning consents.

The grounds are a superb feature of the property; accessed either by foot along a public footpath crossing the iron footbridge over the River Exe and across the meadow, or through a private ford, which is passable by a four-wheel drive vehicle during the summer months. Surrounding the house are beautiful seating areas, including the original station platform with the wooden covered seating which makes a beautiful spot for outside living, along with areas of garden. The original railway track has been removed and is now laid to lawn, which continues along the far side of the property over a stone-built bridge to a large pond with flora and fauna present, making this a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). The remainder of the grounds comprise various meadow areas and rewilded woodland; whilst to one side, the land borders the river with a public footpath running alongside (fishing rights are not owned).

Flood History - Predominantly the grounds are part of a natural flood plain, classified as Flood Zone 3, whilst the house and surrounding area is Flood Zone 2. During the current vendors’ ownership (over 10 years), we understand the farmland floods on average once or twice a year, although the house has been unaffected. We recommend looking on the Environment Agency’s website to obtain a better understanding prior to viewing if this is of concern.

Services - Mains electricity. Private water and private drainage.

Directions - From Exeter proceed north to Cowley Bridge roundabout taking the A377 towards Crediton. After half a mile, turn right signposted Upton Pyne and Brampford Speke and after a further mile, turn right signposted Brampford Speke. Continue into the village and turn right immediately after the primary school into Chapel Road following the road to right. From here proceed by foot, with the white wall to your left, and a public footpath will be found after a short distance on the left. Follow the footpath across the bridge and around to the left and the gate to Station Halt will be found after a short distance, identified by a Stags for sale board.



Marketed by: Stags, Exeter