Brook Cottage

Middle Marwood, Barnstaple, Devon, EX31 4EG

Guide Price

£950,000

  • Status: FOR SALE SOLD UNDER OFFER
  • First Marketed: May 2022
  • Removed: Date Not Available
  • 20.35 acres
  • 3 beds

Residential Tags: Private Water Supply, Thatched Roof

Property Tags: Equestrian, Smallholding, Solar Energy

Land Tags: Paddock, Pasture Land, Permanent Pasture, Woodland

Summary Details

  • First Marketed: May 2022
  • Removed: Date Not Available
  • Residential Tags: Private Water Supply, Thatched Roof
  • Property Tags: Equestrian, Smallholding, Solar Energy
  • Land Tags: Paddock, Pasture Land, Permanent Pasture, Woodland
  • ROSEDENE, , , MIDDLE MARWOOD, BARNSTAPLE, DEVON, 510000, 07/09/2022
A quintessentially English detached 'chocolate box' thatched cottage of period origin, with later additions. The house exudes quality, has a rustic ambience with extensive use of oak and cleverly combines 21st Century refinements with original features. Hall, Cloakroom, Sitting Room, Dining Room, Study, Kitchen/Breakfast Room, Landing, 3 Bedrooms [1 with sun balcony], Bathroom, Shower Room, Detached summer house/utility room.
There is scope to extend the property stpp and already a live consent to replace the existing garage with new double garage/workshop with ancillary/guest accommodation above to include living area, bedroom 4 and en suite. There are enchanting gardens crossed by meandering, babbling brook and up to 20.35 acres available [or less if you prefer] The property is well detached and situated in a timeless and tranquil south facing valley within a short drive of Barnstaple, the Coast and Exmoor. Freehold. Council Tax Band F. EPC BAND E. TENDER DATE 15/7/22

Situation And Amenities - Off a quiet leafy lane, well detached, within a south facing valley, about 1/4 mile from the centre of this picturesque Hamlet. Marwood itself, with its ancient parish church, the noted Marwood Hill Gardens and village primary school, is about 1 mile to the west. About 3 miles across country is the popular village of Braunton with its excellent range of local facilities, restaurants, Inns and shops. A further 6 – 10 miles to the west are the sandy beaches and surfing at Saunton (also with Championship golf course), Croyde, Putsborough and Woolacombe. Exmoor National Park is about 20 minuities by car. There are state and public schools within the general area including the reputable West Buckland School. Barnstaple, the regional centre, is about 4 miles to the south and offers the area's main business, leisure and shopping facilities along with Pannier market, live theatre and District Hospital. At Barnstaple there is access to the North Devon Link Road [A361], which leads on to Junction 27 of the M5 motorway and nearby access to Tiverton Parkway, which offers a fast service to London Paddington, in about 2 hours. From Barnstaple there is also a sprinter train service which runs through to the cathedral city of Exeter. The nearest International airports are at Bristol & Exeter.

Directions - Leave Barnstaple on the A39 as heading towards Lynton. Whilst still within the town turn left at the traffic lights next to the Texaco Garage, and almost immediately right into Pilton. Follow the road through Pilton and out of town. From the edge of the town proceed for just short of 2 miles where you will pass by a single storey thatched stone cottage on the left, shortly afterwards turn left finger posted Whitehall and Middle Marwood. Follow this country lane for a further mile where you will pass through a small cluster of properties at Whitehall. At the end of Whitehall bear right to Middle Marwood and follow this country lane for a further half a mile. You will pass a pair of cottages on the right and their garages and gardens to the left. Continue on for a few hundred yards more and Brook Cottage will be seen on the left identified by our for sale board.

Description - This quintessentially English detached ‘chocolate box’ thatched cottage presents particularly attractive elevations of stone and painted render with oak framed double glazed windows beneath the superb thatched roof, replaced within the last 3 years (as were the chimneys together with many other improvements) as well as some secondary tiled roofs. The property is of period origin possibly built as a corn mill and later a pair of cottages, but largely remodelled and partially extended in 1986. The house exudes quality, has a rustic ambiance with extensive use of oak doors and other exposed wood work and cleverly combines 21st century refinements with original character features. The property offers scope to extend at either end, subject to planning permission. We understand that planning permission already exists to replace the existing garage with a new double garage/workshop with ancillary accommodation above. The planning reference for this is under North Devon District Council 73062 and was granted on 23.3.21. On the ground floor would be a be a double garage, workshop and cloakroom with an internal staircase leading to living room with bedroom 4, en-suite. There are additional car ports and further range of buildings currently utilised as storage and sheep rearing shed as the property is currently registered as a small holding. The house is complemented by simply delightful gardens crossed by a babbling brook (from which the property derives its name) which meanders and flows between a series of most attractive ponds. The house is set within about 9.4 acres on one side of the lane with an additional 10.95 acres on the opposite side of the lane making 20.35 in total. The 9.4 acres breaks down as approximately 2 acres around the house, building, gardens and ponds, 4.81 acres of woodland and 2.6 acres of hillside paddocks and orchard. The 10.95 acres opposite is mainly laid to permanent pasture in 3 separate paddocks as well as a small area of mixed woodland. The property is being offered for sale in its entirety or as two lots. Lot 1 being the property buildings and 9.4 acres and Lot 2 the 10.95 acres across the lane. It may be possible to break down lot 1 in to three smaller lots, subject to a buyers requirements as there is potential interest in the woodland and paddock/orchard from adjoining neighbours. Lot 1 and 2 are currently registered as separate titles should a buyer wish to purchase both as separate entities. All in all this is a magical and special place which offers something for everyone and which could continue as a smallholding, may suit equestrian use, and which has potential to develop further and give a discerning buyer the opportunity to stamp their mark. This is one of those properties which is often sought, but seldom found and really should be viewed to be fully appreciated.

Ground Floor - CANOPY PORCH impressive studded front door to ENTRANCE HALL with stone flooring running through to CLOAKROOM low level WC, wash hand basin, extractor fan. Returning to the Hall: pair of slate topped benches within an attractive archway leading to INNER HALL with oak staircase rising to first floor (described later) Cupboard under stairs, built in cloaks cupboard. The stone floor runs through to the DINING ROOM exposed beam, feature stain glass window, leaded light window to front, return door to kitchen. SMALL STUDY with window to front, fitted bookcase. SITTING ROOM a triple aspect room with beamed ceiling, inglenook fireplace with fitted wood burning stove, pair of leaded glazed French doors to garden. KITCHEN/BREAKFAST ROOM arranged in two separate' zones' the kitchen has a white theme with units topped by polished quartz worksurfaces, there is a Belfast sink, plumbing for dishwasher, light green coloured painted wooden wall mounted cupboards 1 incorporating a plate rack, feature fireplace accommodating solid fuel Rayburn for cooking only, adjacent Rangemaster incorporating two ovens and six ring ceramic hob, tiled surround featuring dragonflies and butterflies, extractor fan above, shelved corner cupboard, free standing work surface separating the kitchen zone from the dining zone, recess for upright fridge/freezer, stone flooring running throughout the room, exposed stone wall, beamed ceiling, shelved storage cupboard, fitted breakfast table, meter cupboard, shelved cupboard beneath, stable door to outside.

First Floor - GALLERIED LANDING stable door leading to upper garden. BEDROOM 1 double doors to SUN BALCONY over looking the garden below, four built in wardrobes with oak doors, fitted shelved cupboard and work surface above, exposed beams. BEDROOM 2 built in wardrobes with oak doors, window to front over looking the garden, exposed beams. BEDROOM 3 built in wardrobe with oak door, double aspect windows to front, exposed beam, range of three shelved storage cupboards. FAMILY BATHROOM with panel bath, telephone style mixer tap/shower attachment, pedestal wash basin, low level WC, corner tiled shower cubicle, strip wood flooring, exposed beam, separate shower room with tiled cubicle, wash hand basin, low level WC, exposed beam, extractor fan.

Outside - There is a DETACHED SUMMER HOUSE presenting painted rendered elevations beneath a tiled roof, which also doubles up as utility room/boot room this has plumbing for washing machine, vent for tumble dryer, stainless steel sink unit, and worksurfaces. Between the house and the summer house is a GALLERIED raised SUN TERRACE which over looks the gardens below and could potentially be developed as more accommodation linking to the main house, subject planning permission.

Outbuildings - These comprise a useful and adaptable range covering around 2000 sq ft in total including DOUBLE GARAGE/WORKSHOP with power and light connected and pair of sliding doors to front (this is the building which has planning consent to be re-developed). GENERAL PURPOSE BUILDING constructed in dwarf block walling with brick piers, box profile roof and clad on 3 sides, divided into 3 separate compartments currently utilised as double car port, wood processing/storage and lambing shed. There is a additional LEAN TO ROOM at the front which accommodates the solid fuel boiler and unit harnessing the energy created to provide the central heating source.

The Gardens And Grounds - There are two gateways onto the lane providing an in and out gravelled access drive as well as additional parking and turning space, the front boundary to the lane is Devon Bank. Between the access gates is an area of lawn interspersed with a number of specimen trees and shrubs as well as a most attractive pond with meandering stream running down through and feeding a pair of lower ponds. Above the drive is a gravelled garden, areas of paddock and orchard including some productive apple trees producing delicious fruit. The lower pond has an adjoining paddock ideal to house a marquee for those special occasions and there is also separate gated access back on to the lane. We understand the gardens and water attract an abundance of bird life and that deer, as well as other wildlife are regular visitors. A pedestrian gate leads from the garden to Spencer’s wood, predominantly Ash and mature Oak linked by a series of tracks and under planted with spring bulbs including bluebells as well as wild garlic etc. Behind the house are hillside paddocks which are currently maintained by sheep grazing them.

Lot 2 Across The Lane - Comprises 10.95 acres mainly pasture with small area of mixed woodland. There is another Brook. The paddocks are well fenced, linked by tracks with the main access gate is directly opposite Brook Cottage but with secondary vehicular or pedestrian access points. For those interested in equestrian pursuits there is also a bridleway close by. The upper part of this land would be an ideal site to construct a small solar farm, subject to planning permission with a view to providing eco friendly energy for the property although, the private managed woodland already provides timber for burning.

Services - Mains electricity and water are connected. There is also a well and private water source. Central heating is by wood burning boiler and harnessed energy from it, there is a back up oil fired system. Drainage is to a private septic tank.

Method Of Sale - The property is for sale by informal tender, the target date is noon on Friday 15th July 2022. The vendors reserve the right not to accept the highest or any offer and also to consider offers prior to the tender date if appropriate. Tender forms are available from the selling agents and offers are invited on the due date and should be submitted in a sealed envelope with the words ‘Brook Cottage’ clearly written on the envelope submitted.



Marketed by: Stags, Barnstaple

Land Registry Data

  • ROSEDENE, , , MIDDLE MARWOOD, BARNSTAPLE, DEVON, 510000, 07/09/2022
Layer Details