Property description

A completely unique period house forming part of splendid Jacobean style mansion, set in 12 acres of shared grounds & woodland yet only 0.5 miles from Crediton, with character filled accommodation including 4 double bedrooms, en-suite bath/shower room, 3 reception rooms, plus a south facing garden, kitchen garden and double garage with workshop.

The Bell Tower is set in the heart of a large country park known as Creedy Park, which provides a marvellous setting in typical Devon rolling countryside, with rolling fields and woodland surrounding. Creedy Park couldn’t be better placed, found between beautiful Sandford with its ‘foody pubs’ (a nice walk along the Millennium footpath) and Crediton with its market town amenities, supermarkets, leisure centre with swimming and links to Exeter via the new link road.

The Bell Tower itself forms part of Creedy House, a grand old stone built property built between 1916 and 1921.  The Bell Tower from which the house takes its name is still in place.

The wonderful 4 double bedroom accommodation includes an en-suite bath/shower room and walk in wardrobe to the master bedroom, a family bathroom, a large galleried landing looking over the turning chestnut staircase and giving access to a huge loft space currently used as a hobby room – Perfect for a model railway enthusiast! The ground floor enjoys high ceilings throughout and includes a stunning drawing room complete with woodburner and 2 prominent ceiling beams with lovely views through the large arched opening to the sitting room which gives access to the south facing garden and fields beyond. The dining room takes in the same view with 2 large windows, plus an internal window for the study area. The kitchen is well presented and includes an integrated fridge and dishwasher plus there’s a utility room and downstairs cloakroom too.

The gardens include a south facing level lawn of around 25m (80ft), leading down to a pretty area with exceptionally well pruned curved privet hedges and triangular firs –with fields as far as the eye can see. There’s also a separate kitchen garden of 25m with an array of vegetables growing in raised beds, plus a substantial Elite greenhouse and shed. The double garage parks 2 cars and is linked to a good sized workshop, both with light and power.

CREEDY HOUSE

The current Creedy house was built on the site of an older Georgian mansion (although the site is believed to have much earlier origins). Building work started in 1916 by the well-known local firm Dart & Francis Limited, and the house was completed in 1921.  Only the best available materials and the best local craftsmen were used for the construction, and much of the internal timberwork (oak, chestnut and elm in the main) was sourced from trees in Creedy Park itself, which at this time extended to about 6,000 acres.

The house was built in a most attractive Jacobean style of stone elevations under a slate roof, with windows magnificently made in Dartmoor granite with leaded light window panes. It was designed by the well known Edwardian architect Walter Sarel of London who was famous for his “arts and craft” style, and for his close association with Gertrude Jekyll (designer of over 400 gardens in the UK including the nearby Castle Drogo at Moretonhampstead).

The splendid Creedy Park country estate was the family seat of the Ferguson-Davie family until the house was sold and divided into several exclusive luxury residences in 1975. Other properties in the estate include The Great Hall, West and East Wings, The Limes, Rafters, and various others including 2 lovely arched lodge houses to the west and east entrances to Creedy Park.  Creedy Park itself is registered with English Heritage as a Historic Park. In 1960 HRH the Princess Margaret stayed at Creedy House during her unveiling of the St. Boniface Statue in Crediton, whilst it was still owned and occupied by Sir Patrick Ferguson-Davie.

To the north of the house are approximately 12-acres of woodland known as “The Rookery”, which provides the ideal habitat for abundant wildlife including Buzzards, Woodpeckers, Jays, Tawny Owls and much besides. There are many meandering pathways through the woodland, with several clearings full of colourful wild flowers, and lovely rural views from the fringes across open farmland. The Rookery has shared use by the residents of Creedy Park. The house is also surrounded by professionally maintained gardens and grounds, with many of the open plan areas maintained on a weekly basis by an experienced gardener. The residents of Creedy House run a management company which organises much of this maintenance.

SANDFORD   is one of Mid Devon's most picturesque villages, being conveniently located approximately 1½ miles north of the busy town of Crediton (8 miles from Exeter).  The village retains a real community feel with the focal point being the village square and Lamb Inn.  There is a post office / store, an Offsted registered playgroup, a highly sought after primary school (senior children are taken to Queen Elizabeths School, Crediton), village hall, a further Inn and historic parish church.  Sandford is well served by sporting clubs with a top quality cricket club, football, tennis and nearby rugby club. From the outskirts of the village, runs the Sandford to Crediton footpath which passes through the Millennium Green, crossing several times over a pretty stream, winding its way up through woodlands and into the outskirts of Crediton.

CREDITON is an old Mid Devon market town with a wealth of history, being situated just 7.5 miles north-west of the Cathedral City of Exeter with the M5 motorway some 3 miles further on.  The town is surrounded by unspoilt farmland in an area of great natural beauty.  There is a regular daily bus service to Exeter plus trains every hour to Exeter and Barnstaple and a local town bus which covers most urban areas.  The town is most famous for its ancient parish church and for being the birthplace of St Boniface in 680 AD.  It has excellent schooling facilities at both senior and junior levels and a sports and leisure centre incorporating a superb swimming pool.  The town has an excellent selection of shops with a Morrisons and a large Tesco superstore/petrol filling station. 

DIRECTIONS:

• From Forches Cross (Jockey Hill) head North
• Leave Crediton heading towards Sandford
• After half a mile, turn right as signed Creedy Park
• Follow the lane around to the left, passing Cricket ground on right
• Turn left, drive through the archway & then immediately right
• The Bell Tower will be found along on your right
• Park opposite the front door (unofficial parking for short periods)

Property Features :

• Completely unique period property
• Set in 12 acres of shared grounds & woodland
• Lovely rural setting between Sandford & Crediton
• Character features, oak doors & high ceilings
• South facing garden and a separate kitchen garden