6 bedroom house

Whetcombe is a substantial Georgian country house, situated in the heart of its own land of approximately 94.5 acres. In need of updating, the property presents an exciting opportunity for restoration to its original magnificence as a superb country residence. Notably for a house of its age the house is unlisted, but it has all the features of a property of its era including high ceilings, deep skirting boards, detailed cornicing and open fireplaces.

There are three large reception rooms on the ground floor, plus a conservatory which is in need of restoration but features original ornate floor tiles. The kitchen/breakfast room at the rear of the house has an oil fired AGA and an original quarry tiled floor, an adjacent utility room, wash room and a separate larder with slate shelves. Upstairs, there are four large double bedrooms, one with an en suite dressing room. Two family bathrooms and a separate WC service the bedrooms. Wonderful views can be appreciated of the gardens and verdant countryside beyond from most of the house.

Accessible from a separate entrance at the rear of the house, there is an integral annexe which comprises a kitchen, reception room and three bedrooms with a family bathroom. Depending on requirements, this could be integrated to be part of the main house or could provide the perfect opportunity for an income via letting on Airbnb for example.

There is also a large loft which may be suitable for conversion into additional accommodation, subject to the purchaser obtaining the relevant planning consents.

Services: Mains electricity. Private and mains water. Septic tank drainage. Fibre internet is available at the front gate.

Local Authority: South Hams.

Council Tax: Band G.

Rights of Way: Whetcombe enjoys a Right of Way over a neighbouring property to access the private water supply. Further information is available from the vendor’s agent.

Whetcombe is located in an idyllic rural location in the South Hams area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The small village of North Huish is approximately a mile away, with its active parish community, and Ugborough village is approximately two miles away. Ugborough has a number of amenities including two pubs, a church and a well-respected primary school. More extensive facilities including supermarkets, banks, boutique shops and restaurants are available in nearby Totnes, Buckfastleigh and Kingsbridge. Totnes provides a comprehensive selection of both independent and larger stores, pubs, restaurants, cafes, galleries and a leisure centre, as well as a mainline train station with excellent connections to London.

Opportunities for outdoor pursuits in the area are endless. There is excellent walking, cycling and riding direct from the property. The surrounding area including Dartmoor National Park, a few miles to the north, provides good opportunities for a vast range of outdoor pursuits. There are numerous opportunities for sailing close by, including Dartmouth, Salcombe and the sandy beaches and boating facilities of Torquay and other coastal resorts are also within easy reach.

Communications links are excellent: the nearby A38 Devon Expressway provides easy access to Exeter, the M5 and Plymouth. Ivybridge station offers regular services to London, with trains running to London Paddington in under three hours. Exeter International Airport offers a number of domestic and European flights.

The area provides a good range of state schooling including Diptford Parochial C of E Primary School and Ivybridge Community College. There are excellent secondary schools in Totnes and Kingsbridge, Torquay’s renowned Grammar schools and a selection of established independent schools including Totnes Progressive, Park, St. Christopher’s Staverton, Sands, Stover, as well as numerous private schools in Plymouth and Exeter.

Whetcombe occupies an unrivalled private position at the end of a long private driveway which passes through its fields of pasture. The drive approaches the house and farm buildings to a large parking area which can accommodate multiple vehicles or a boat. The gardens immediately surrounding the house are immensely beautiful, featuring a wide variety of colourful all-seasons planting and specimen trees. An expansive level lawn is in front of the house with a large wildlife pond; all overlooking fabulous views over the surrounding fields and countryside. A number of paths meander through patches of woodland, creating pleasant woodland walks to enjoy and providing a haven for local wildlife; deer can often be seen roaming the grounds. There is a walled garden area adjacent to the house, as well as additional pathways through the natural woodland gardens behind. Of particular note are the swathes of bluebells which appear in the spring.

There are a number of farm buildings at Whetcombe, each in need of varying degrees of refurbishment, in total providing an additional 10,306 sq. ft. The farm buildings include a large stone barn with calf pens and stables, a log shed, piggery, tractor shed, separate stone barn, the old dairy and a silage barn.

The remaining land is divided into fields of well fenced gently sloping pasture which surrounds the house on all sides, with a small patch of woodland at the southern boundary. Although there is no official certification, the land is understood to have been farmed organically. In total, the land measures approximately 94.5 acres.

Marketed by: Strutt & Parker, Exeter