Exeter, Devon

Description

Peamore House is an impressive Grade II Listed former manor House sitting proudly on the outskirts of Exeter. This striking building has been divided into 4 unique country homes, Number 1 being of larger proportion offering over 6,000 sq ft of versatile, adaptable accommodation and meticulously restored.

This elegant seven bedroom home has exquisite period features including a substantial reception hallway incorporating a large dining area, sweeping staircase and galleried landing, and a stunning oak panelled 'Great Hall' with a grand Mullion window. The unique layout of formal accommodation expands across 2 floors with a further selection of attic rooms with roof access for extended living quarters or guest suites.

A shared sweeping driveway leads to Peamore House, Number 1 having the benefit of parking in front of the double garage. The formal East-facing garden provides well tended lawns, established planted borders and patio, perfect for outdoor dining and entertaining along with a further enclosed courtyard garden with a Southern orientation.

The reception hallway, via its embattled parapet and Tudor arch, features a stone fireplace and atrium roof light. An inner hallway, with its grand sweeping staircase to a galleried landing, opens to a dining area, with two large front aspect windows, decorative mouldings, an ornate carved open fireplace and finished in hard wood flooring. The drawing room/library is a cosier room and features a dual aspect with fitted shutters, a range of crafted library shelving and store cupboards, finished with hard wood flooring.

The rear vestibule connects the three principal rooms. To the left is the stylish modern kitchen providing a comprehensive range of matching units with a timber worktop, an enamel sink unit, an integrated dishwasher and electric Everhot Aga. A predominantly glazed door leads out to the garden. To the right of the vestibule is the impressive Great Hall, believed to be the original ball room, featuring extensive ornate oak panelling, a decorative fireplace and stone mullion windows overlooking the private courtyard. Off the Great Hall is a small garden room leading out to the courtyard. A second inner hall provides access to a guest cloakroom, utility, and a door to the double garage.

From the first floor galleried landing the principal bedroom has a dual aspect with decorative mouldings and a stylish ensuite arranged with a roll top bath with shower mixer-taps, wc, basin with vanity unit and a heated towel rail. Bedrooms two and three have front aspect windows with views over the neighbouring fields and built-in cupboards.

The luxurious family bathroom comprises a roll top bath with mixer taps, large walk-in shower, wc, basin with vanity unit and a heated towel rail. An inner landing and stairs to the second floor and a further bedroom. Bedroom four has a side aspect window and ensuite arranged with a shower enclosure, wc and basin.

The second floor is arranged into four attic rooms, offering much potential to create a self-contained apartment, home offices or guest suite.

A long private drive, shared with the neighbouring properties, leads to the entrance of 1 Peamore house and the double garage, which is currently set up as a gymnasium, with parking in front. The front garden is a delight with an area of well-tended lawn with a paved patio to the centre, bordered by established shrubs and hedging. To the south of the building, with access from the garden room, is an enclosed courtyard garden.

The Tothill family lived at Peamore House in Exminster, Devon from the mid-sixteenth century, having acquired the estate from the crown on the death of its previous owner Henry Grey, 1st Duke of Suffolk, father of Lady Jane Grey.

The first Tothill owner, Jeffrey Tothill, was Recorder of Exeter and son of William, Alderman of the City of Exeter. Its Neo-Tudor appearance is due to G.S.Repton’s modernisation of c. 1825-30 for S.T.Kekewich. In 1789 Rev John Swete wrote that it was ‘a spot of no common beauty’: he noted that ‘the chief beauty of Peamore lies in the undulating form of its grounds, rising and falling in the regular alteration of hills and dales - in its woods, groves and trees’. Polwhele wrote in 1793 that it was ‘one of the most pleasant seats in the neighbourhood of Exeter.

The house was later "Gothicised" in the 1800s. In the early 19th century the property was remodelled and extended and in 1952 it was run as a country house hotel. In the 1920s it is reported that a picture was taken of a momentous gathering at Peamore House with distinguished guests including the King of Sweden, accompanied by the esteemed hosts Sir Trehawke and Lady Kekewich. The Earl of Kintore, Viscount and Countess Sidmouth, the Hon Mrs Peters, Captain Jocelyn Lucas, Count Lewenhaupa, Mr Sandgiem, and Mr Tragarth. Taken during a time between wars when Europe was undergoing significant changes. Today Peamore House is divided up into four substantial properties, retaining a number of original period features

Situation

Peamore House is situated around four miles from the city centre on the Western fringes of Exeter and offers easy access to the M5 motorway and Exeter International Airport. Exeter has a mainline railway service to both London Paddington and Waterloo. Exeter provides a number of excellent private and state schools at all levels together with a renowned university. The city affords excellent sports and leisure facilities being situated on the river and offers a selection of theatre, museum, cathedral, rugby, football and leisure centres.

Directions

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