Appledore, Bideford

Docton Court is a highly unique and exciting addition to the property market. The property being offered for sale is a Grade II* building comprising a particularly spacious and beautifully presented First Floor apartment accommodating 6 people, with a commercial retail unit below

Constructed in 1604 by Thomas Docton, it was a private Customs House under the ‘Customs Farm’ scheme set up under James I. No other purpose-built Customs building is believed to exist in Britain from this period, further establishing its ‘unique’ listing. The building was fully and sympathetically restored from a shell by the present owners in 2004. It still offers many original features including exposed roof beams, plaster mouldings and oak or slate floors throughout.

This will make a fine and comfortable home with the benefit of generating an ongoing income from the commercial part of the property. Given its prime Appledore location and once in a lifetime offering, an early viewing comes highly recommended.


Ground Floor
The Ground Floor contains a retail lock-up shop, with its own WC, Kitchen, and Storeroom / Workshop.
The Courtyard in front of the building is under the same Freehold, which also contains a hidden drying area, log-store and space for recycling boxes.
The present owners will be vacating the shop (trading as Docton Court Gallery) at the end of Sept 2024. A new tenancy agreement is being arranged for the shop, so the building is likely to be offered for sale with a ‘sitting retail tenant’ who will have with a 5-year lease, containing a 2-year break clause, at an agreed rate of £500 pcm. The Courtyard has also been offered to the use of the new tenant.

First Floor
The First Floor apartment is accessed via a covered staircase to the right of the building. This floor used to house the administrative offices for the Custom House, and contained granite fireplaces and moulded plaster friezes, all of which have been restored, and are part of the current configuration of the apartment. This truly is a grand space that needs to be seen to be fully appreciated. There is potential to develop it further as per detail in the agents note.

The internal layout contains:
A large Living / Dining area with partly screened off Kitchen.
Mezzanine levels which overlook the living area, accessed by fixed ladders.
Large Master Bedroom with storage areas and built-in wardrobes.
Separate Shower Room, containing cupboard for washing machine ands tumble dryer.
The mezzanine levels can be used for guest sleeping areas potentially accommodating an additional 4 people.
Oak boarded floors throughout except for the Kitchen and Bathroom, which are slate.
All with south-facing windows and a side view to the river.
The roof was insulated to 2004 to building regulation standards.
The windows are mostly single glazed but have internal thermal shutters.
The granite fireplaces are usable and can be used for open fires in the winter months.

Appledore is a sought after area to live. A famous port and shipbuilding village, Appledore is now a delightful example of picturesque North Devon at its best. There are many country walks around the village and the outlying areas, including the popular Northam Burrows and the nearby Westward Ho! Beach.

Local amenities include cafés, a delicatessen, a grocers and gift shops. There's also a primary school, a library and a number of churches around the village. You'll never be short of places to eat and drink in Appledore as well, as the choice of restaurants and pubs is extensive for a village of its size.

In nearby Northam there is a public swimming pool and gym too. Golf enthusiasts will also have cause to celebrate because there's a great championship course on the outskirts of Westward Ho! Westward Ho! is also very popular with surfers and body boarders, with many places to get lessons and hire kit for the beginner.

Appledore is a friendly village and the locals host many community events, so if you're the kind of person that loves to join in, there's something to occupy just about everybody all year around.

Directions
From Bideford Quay proceed towards Northam passing the Durrant House Hotel on your right hand side. Take the right hand turning signposted Appledore onto Churchill Way. Continue on this road travelling down Richmond Road and onto Marine Parade to where Docton Court will be situated on your left hand side clearly advertised.