Grey Gables

INTRODUCTION Nestled within the heart of Bovey Tracey, stands this incredibly charismatic, grade II listed period property. Originally dating back to the 16th century, Grey Gables provides fascinating British history including its involvements with the Royal family during Queen Victoria's reign.  

HISTORY In the 1600's towards the end of Queen Elizabeth I reign, Grey Gables was no more than a shell, most of the house had been taken away. There wasn't any glass in the windows and had no furniture or fittings. It was around the early 1700's, that the original building was situated in the grounds of the kitchen garden, which has evidence of the old foundations and artefacts. Since then, records show that there has been a large house on the present site since 1765. It comprised of a kitchen, hall, buttery, and milk house on the ground floor. Upstairs were three lodging chambers including a dining room and study. Outside had a barn, linhay, brewhouse, stables and shed.

In the mid 1800's Bovey Tracey had a population of about two thousand. The Town was made up of Fore Street, Mary Street, the Church and College. The only buildings beyond the Church were the Vicarage (Grey Gables) and its cottages. The house has been altered many times over the centuries and at one point it was a Georgian house with a granite wraparound. In 1836, a stone was laid to signify when the house was altered.

On July 27th,1849 the Hon Charles Leslie Courtenay, who resided there, became the Vicar and with him began what is known as the Golden Age of Bovey Tracey. Queen Victoria had appointed him Chaplain in Ordinary as well as appointing him as her own personal Chaplain. It has been said that Queen Victoria had visited the Chapple at Grey Gables on occasion. A month earlier on the 20th June, Canon Courtenay married Lady Caroline Margaret Somers Cox who was the daughter of the 2nd Earl Somers in the Private Chapel at Buckingham Palace and the Queen and Prince Albert attended the nuptials. Lady Caroline was a personal maid to Queen Victoria and was also one of the Maids of Honour at the Coronation on June 28th1838. The 'Vicarage', now known as Grey Gables, was completely restored in 1854 by Richard Lock builders at a cost of £1550 which was paid for by the Nominee William Hole on behalf of Canon Courtenay.

The conservatory once contained a vine from Hampton Court Palace which was a gift from Queen Victoria to Lady Caroline. The vine flourished until the conservatory was destroyed by a landmine during the second world war. The Vicarage was sold at auction on April 28th by the Church and on 24th June 1946 was conveyed to William Pedrick a retired farmer and his wife Charlotte at a cost of £5,000. The estate had 8.517 acres at the time and was used as a boarding house.

In 1948 the Pedrick family sold the three Vicarage cottages to the tenants. A tree preservation order was put on the trees to the left of the driveway and also on the woodland to the rear of the house. The Vicarage was then sold to Reginald Charles and Joan Cooper on the 2nd December 1968, at a sum of £9,500. At this time, the lands amounted to 1.74 acres plus the 0.39 acre orchard. Mr Cooper built the double garage in 1978.

 

STEP INSIDE As you enter the property, the imposing oak front door leads into a large foyer. A door to the left reveals a sizeable Chapel with leaded light windows and vaulted rib ceiling. These are key features which encapsulate the Chapels history. An arched mahogany door leads to the Morning Room. There are also double doors from the front foyer into the Barreled Hallway with doors leading to the office on the right and the Morning Room on the left.
This spacious Morning Room boasts an Ashburton Marble fireplace, sitting proudly in the center of the wall and a trapdoor leads to the cellars beneath the floorboards. A large picture window overlooks the raised grassy bank to the east of the house bringing in the morning sunrise. A light but calm room to relax or entertain. The Drawing Room, Dining Room and main Portland stone staircase are also accessed from the Barreled Hallway.

The Drawing Room sits adjacent to the Dining Room which has an open plan arrangement, the two rooms may be separated at any time using the wide mahogany folding doors. With the doors open, it provides the perfect space for entertaining guests or having the family over for Christmas. The drawing room is complimented by a large Adams style fireplace and has a sizeable bay window. Both rooms share views to the terrace, gardens, and countryside. Aligned with the Dining Room, the Garden Room is also south facing and enjoys the sun throughout the day. It is also equipped with a wood burner during the colder evenings.

There are more character rooms on the ground floor. These rooms have been recorded as being the oldest areas of the house, all of which have beautiful stone mullioned windows with leaded lights. These include a snug, downstairs W/C, and butler's pantry, which has an inch thick iron cupboard safe that has been said to store the church silver at one point. Below the property there is an extensive cellar space with brick archways leading you into each of the cellar vaults. The vaults include coal and wine storage rooms, and four additional storage rooms including the center room, all of which offers tremendous potential for a variety of uses.

The kitchen is a large space with high ceilings that feature the original meat hooks. On the right side of the room sits a four-oven gas aga. The back of the kitchen flows into a very useful utility room, which is large enough for all the necessary essentials. As you leave the kitchen a second staircase takes you up to the first floor where there are two bedrooms and a bathroom. This area was once the servant living quarters, so it feels separate from the other bedrooms, where the family resided. Both areas have separate landing areas and stairways but are connected. This provides substantial space for you and your guests, allowing them to relax and feel comfortable with an adequate amount of privacy. The entire first floor includes sizeable landing areas, six spacious double bedrooms, one of them ensuite and two communal bathrooms all of which have both a bath and shower. Four of the bedrooms have stunning views that overlook the surrounding area, which are enhanced even more through the traditional windows.
 

STEP OUTSIDE Surrounding its gothic architecture boasts a 1.73 acre plot. As you enter the grounds, you are greeted by two handsome granite gateposts. A long private drive meanders its way towards the property and onto the paved parking area. On your left you have a reasonably large garage which is excellent for storage and capable of storing two vehicles.

Whilst you are in the garden it is very easy to forget that you are so near to town as the trees and shrubbery on the perimeter protect you from noise and any street views of Bovey Tracey. At the back of the property, there is a south facing terrace area that overlooks the lawn. Views of the Dartmoor ridgeline can be seen on the horizon as well as the nearby rural land, all this space is the perfect area for hosting events and summer parties.

The garden is beautifully laid out and has a variety of different terrains that make it unique and exciting for any gardener. Apart from the large lawn area that curls around the house, to the left of the terrace, you are spoilt with a small woodland. The winding paths into it are a really special feature that give you sense that you are not in the same location, ideal for a quick stroll or to walk the dog. Spring flowering, daffodils and primroses carpet the grassy banks.

To the right of the terrace a large walled garden divides the two areas, you will find a large vegetable patch, greenhouse and many valuable fruit trees including pear, fig, plum and cherry. Within the garden you will stumble upon many hidden treasures such as an attractive red brick potting shed that hugs the stone wall, a couple of other useful wooden storage sheds and a summer house that is carefully tucked away in the hedgerow.
 

LOCATION Grey Gables is around a 10-minute walk to the shops and amenities of Bovey Tracey. These include three food/convenience stores, a health centre, restaurants, public houses, a primary school, post office. The market town of Newton Abbot is approximately 15 minutes' drive away where there is a comprehensive range of shops, a mainline railway station (London Paddington approximately 2.5 hrs). The A38 dual carriageway provides access to Plymouth to the South and Exeter to the North and the M5 motorway is approximately 10 minutes away. Exeter international Airport is approximately 35 minutes away. The coastal resorts of Teignmouth and Shaldon can be reached in about 20 minutes and Torquay with its International Marina is approximately 30 minutes away. The property occupies a delightful location just outside Dartmoor National Park which covers an area of around 368 miles and is just a few minutes' drive from Haytor Rock, a landmark granite outcrop. 

USEFUL INFORMATION Useful Information

Council Tax Band G

Local Authority: Teignbridge District Council

Heating: Gas central heating

Services: Mains gas, electric, water, drainage.

Broadband: Fibre Optic

Historic England entry number: 1334079

Tenure: Freehold

Availability: No Chain.
 

VIEWING ARRANGEMENTS Strictly via sole agents, Fine & Country[use Contact Agent Button]

Marketed by: Fine & Country, South Devon