Loxhore, Barnstaple, Devon, EX31

A miniature country estate in an elevated south facing position enjoying panoramic countryside views towards Dartmoor.

Location - Smythapark House occupies a stunning elevated south facing position enjoying far reaching panoramic views over the surrounding countryside towards Dartmoor in the distance. This substantial country house stands in beautiful rural surroundings, about a mile from the village of Loxhore, yet within easy reach of amenities.

The Arlington Court estate is situated just under a mile away and is steeped in history, dating back originally to 1820, having originally been commissioned by Colonel John Palmer Chichester as a replacement for a converted hunting lodge originally dating back to 1790. The estate has changed over subsequent years, having been passed down to succeeding generations of the Chichester family, until it was gifted to the National Trust by Miss Rosalie Chichester in 1949. Today, the estate is a much loved local landmark offering house tours, beautiful formal Victorian gardens and extensive grounds to explore and enjoy, as well as the National Trust Carriage Museum and a popular tea room.

Exmoor National Park is 4.5 miles away and is renowned for its undulating moors with rivers and streams running down through deep wooded combes to the spectacular coastline below.

The beautiful and varied coastline lies just ten miles away, and offers some of the finest beaches in the area, with sandy surfing beaches at Saunton, Croyde, Putsborough and Woolacombe. In 2022 the North Devon coastline was selected as a ‘World Surfing Reserve’ (WSR) – the first in the UK and only cold-water WSR in the world. The South West Coastal Footpath spans the coastline and offers fantastic walking opportunities with breath-taking vistas.

The regional centre of Barnstaple is about 7.5 miles from the property, which offers all the area’s main business, commercial, leisure and shopping venues, as well as access onto the A361. There is also a wide selection of private schools in the area, including West Buckland, Shebbear College, Kingsley College at Bideford and Blundells at Tiverton.

Communications - The area can be accessed from Junction 27 of the M5 Motorway, and along the A361 North Devon Link Road. The nearest train station is located at Barnstaple, which connects to Exeter where there are regular mainline rail services to London (Paddington) in just over 2 hours. Alternatively, Tiverton Parkway Mainline Railway Station is around an hours’ drive, which connects to London and beyond.

Mileages

Exmoor National Park – 4.5 miles
Barnstaple – 7.5 miles
Woolacombe – 15 miles
M5 Motorway – 39.5 miles

The Property - This is a fantastic opportunity to acquire a beautifully situated miniature country estate in a stunning south facing position. The handsome Grade II Listed property is thought to have been built in 1857, but enjoys Georgian proportions and character features and boasts panoramic far reaching countryside views towards Dartmoor in the distance.

The accommodation on offer is beautifully presented with four reception rooms including a spectacular orangery, family orientated kitchen/breakfast room, six bedrooms and three bath/shower rooms. There is also a cellar with a snooker room and games room on the second floor, with potential (STP).

The property further boasts additional dwellings with a two bedroom barn conversion to the rear that is currently let on an assured short hold tenancy, and a delightful recently converted barn conversion, sitting in its own grounds enjoying breath taking countryside views. The latter is currently operating as a holiday let, providing a generous income. Furthermore, there is also the advantage of planning permission for a detached coach house style property with a three bay open fronted garage with a one bedroom apartment above.

Equally as impressive externally, Smythapark House enjoys beautiful mature gardens and grounds offering privacy and seclusion, with a heated swimming pool, tennis court and stabling and in total, the property benefits from around 15.2 acres. The land comprises a mixture of pasture, formal gardens and young native woodland which has been planted by the current vendors. The property would suit an equestrian bias, if desired, with a bridleway offering outriding from the doorstep.

The accommodation, with approximate dimensions more clearly identified on the accompanying floorplans, comprises:

An attractive stone porch with an archway leads to the front door and:

Reception Hall - A chequered tiled floor with attractive staircase rises to the first floor. Coved ceiling with ornate ceiling rose.

Cloakroom - Comprising low level WC with a wash basin, chrome heated towel rail and window to the side elevation.

Drawing Room - A fabulous room with bay window to the front elevation enjoying panoramic countryside views towards Dartmoor. Concealed window shutters. Ornate ceiling mouldings. Picture rail. Wood burning stove with tiled insert and marble surround.

Dining Room - A fine room with bay window to front elevation enjoying panoramic far reaching countryside views towards Dartmoor. Open fireplace with tiled insert and marble surround with shelving to chimney recess. Ceiling coving. Picture rail. Opens to:

Sitting Room - A cosy room with window to the side elevation overlooking the garden with a window seat. Wood panelling. Slate flagstone floor. Inglenook style fireplace with a woodburning stove. Ornate ceiling coving and picture rail. This room can also can be accessed from the reception hall.

Orangery - A stunning room that can be enjoyed all year round, with fantastic views over the gardens and countryside beyond. Three sets of French doors allow access to the garden. Marble tiled floor. Wood burning stove.

Study - French doors open onto the garden. Ornate fireplace with tiled insert and slate mantel over. Extensive built-in storage and shelving. Coved ceiling. Picture rail.

Kitchen/Breakfast Room - A beautiful room with a bespoke kitchen comprising an excellent range of storage with matching wall and base units, with a double Belfast sink set into granite work surfaces with an excellent range of integrated appliances including a range-style cooker with five ring induction hob, microwave oven, fridge and dishwasher. Four oven oil fired Aga set into a chimney recess with a bread oven. Pew style seating. Slate flagstone flooring. Access to the garden.

Breakfast Area - Slate flagstone flooring. Bi-fold doors allowing access to the courtyard. Built-in dresser.

Lobby - Stairs rise to the first floor and gym/studio.

Shower Room - Comprising a double shower cubicle, vanity wash hand basin and a low level WC. Slate floor. Wood panelling. Access to the garden.

Inner Hall - Access to the cellar. Secondary stairs rise to the first floor landing. Storage cupboard.

Utility Room - Window to the rear elevation. Butler sink set into slate work surfaces and a range of built-in storage. Space for washing machine and tumble dryer. Slate flooring.

Dairy/Pantry - A dual aspect room with original slate shelving and flooring. Space for fridge and freezers.

From the inner hall a door gives access to the stairs, which lead down to the cellar.

Boiler Room - Oil fired boiler providing domestic heating and hot water. Range of storage.

Snooker Room - Stone tiled floor. Wood panelling. Access to the garden. Full-sized snooker table.

First Floor Landing - Tall arched window to the side elevation with attractive feature stained glass. Ceiling coving. Walk-in airing cupboard. Stairs rise to the second floor.

Bedroom 1 - Window to the front elevation enjoying panoramic far reaching countryside views towards Dartmoor. Ornate fireplace. Ceiling coving.

Bedroom 6 - Window to the front elevation enjoying panoramic countryside views towards Dartmoor. Ceiling coving.

Bedroom 2 - Window to the front elevation enjoying panoramic far reaching countryside views towards Dartmoor. Ornate fireplace. Ceiling coving. Built-in wardrobes.

Bedroom 4 Window to the side elevation overlooking the surrounding countryside. Ceiling coving. Picture rail. Ornate fireplace.

Bedroom 3 - Window to the side elevation overlooking the garden. Ornate fireplace. Ceiling coving. Extensive built-in wardrobes.

Jack & Jill En Suite/Bathroom - Comprising low level WC, double shower cubicle, roll top claw footed bath and dual matching vanity wash hand basins. Wood panelling. Towel rail. Oak flooring. Window to the side elevation.

Gym/Studio - Two roof windows, exposed A-frames and built-in storage. French doors give access to the walled garden and swimming pool.

Family Bathroom - Comprising dual pedestal wash hand basins, low level WC with concealed cistern, double shower cubicle and Jacuzzi bath. Window to the rear elevation. Oak flooring.

Bedroom 5 - A dual aspect room overlooking the garden and pool to the rear.

The second floor consists of a games room, storage cupboard and a small store room. It has potential for a variety of different uses, subject to any necessary consents.

Swallow Cottage is a delightful attached barn conversion located to the rear of the main house and accessed via a separate driveway. It offers spacious accommodation with a sitting room, kitchen, two bedrooms and two bathrooms. This cottage is currently let on an assured short hold tenancy (AST).

The Retreat is beautiful detached barn conversion that was converted in 2020 by the current vendors, offering light and airy accommodation with spectacular views over the surrounding countryside. The accommodation consists of an open plan sitting room/kitchen and bedroom with en-suite on the first floor, its own private garden and parking. The property is currently used as a successful holiday let providing a generous income. It is accessed via a separate track and sits in its own ground offering a high degree of privacy.

Gardens and Grounds - Smythapark House is approached through a pair of stone pillars and over a gravelled carriage driveway. The wonderful gardens are dominated by the most magnificent Sycamore tree with long spreading branches under which the grass is strewn with hundreds of spring bulbs from cyclamen, crocus, snowdrops, daffodils and bluebells. The gardens are mainly laid to lawn, protected by thick laurel hedging and well planted with mature trees and shrubs including camellias, rhododendrons, hydrangeas, and azaleas providing colour through much of the year. Beyond the beautiful Sycamore tree is a period stone building that has been adapted as a sauna.

To the rear of the house is a stunning private and sheltered walled garden with a heated swimming pool (10.5m x 4.5m) which is fully paved around, with a lower decked area housing a hot tub (available by separate negotiation). From the pool, steps lead a raised terrace which is the perfect place for alfresco dining, which has a double greenhouse. A series of paths run down from the swimming pool area to the front driveway, and a separate path leads to the kitchen garden which has a vegetable area and formal beds.

To the side of the house, there is a flagstone terrace which provides access from the orangery to the kitchen and through to the swimming pool, whilst a set of steps lead to the stables which comprise three loose boxes and tack room. From the formal driveway, a tarmac drive gives vehicular access to the stables. There is also access to Swallow Cottage, as well as an open fronted timber Linhay, which provides garaging for three cars. This building benefits from planning permission to convert into a coach house style property with a one bedroom apartment over for holiday use. The planning number for this is 77030 with the decision date 11/12/2023.

Beyond this area is the tennis court, field shelter and access to a paddock that has been planted as a native woodland with an array of oak, beech, birch and rowan with a mown path meandering through.

On the west side of the house, there is a terraced area with a wonderful magnolia tree, some unusual rhododendrons and some mature camellias.

To the south of the gardens is a delightful paddock. The entire property, gardens and grounds enjoy a high degree of seclusion, peace and privacy, and in total, amount to around 15.2 acres.

Property Information

Services - Mains electricity and water (no water meter). Private water also connected to The Retreat. Private drainage. Oil fired central heating. Solar panels. Super fast broadband.

Local Authority North Devon District Council – .

Contents, Fixtures and Fittings - Only those mentioned within this brochure are included in the sale. All others, such as light fittings, mirrors, garden ornaments etc are specifically excluded, but may be available by separate negotiation.

EPC: D

Viewing By appointment with Jackson-Stops, North Devon .

For sale by private treaty with vacant possession upon completion.

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Directions - From Barnstaple proceed on the Bratton Fleming road passing through the hamlets of Snapper and Chelfham. After passing the old railway viaduct (disused) on your right at Chelfham Mill, proceed for a short distance, taking the next turning on the left hand side signposted towards Loxhore. Stay on this road for approximately 1.7 miles, then turn right signposted towards Riddle & Smythapark House and farmhouse. Proceed along this country lane for about 0.7 of a mile where the entrance to the property will be found on the right hand side.