Property description

A privately positioned country house suitable for dual occupation, overlooking its own lake and sheltered by the surrounding woodland. 73.86 acres. 5,580 sq ft house with 8 bedrooms, currently arranged in 4 separate units. Income from lettings, shooting, fishing and timber harvesting. Pasture and woodland with streams. Excellent access.

Situation - Beaples Barton lies in a hidden location at the end of its entrance drive, yet has excellent access to the A361 (North Devon Link Road) and the nearby towns of South Molton and Tiverton and also the M5 at Junction 27.

The small village of Knowstone lies 1.5 miles to the north-east by road, although a lot closer using the nearby tracks and bridleways and in addition to the parish church, it has The Masons Arms pub and restaurant which boasts one Michelin Star.

The villages of Rackenford (3 miles) and Bishops Nympton (5.5 miles) both have a primary school whilst a larger range of services is found in South Molton (8 miles) including shops, banks, a supermarket and a weekly farmers market. West Buckland School and Blundells School (Tiverton) are easily accessible via the North Devon Link Road.

Exmoor National Park lies nearby with plenty of walking and riding opportunity over the moor and the spectacular North Devon coastline is only a short drive away with sandy beaches at Putsborough, Saunton and Croyde.

The A361 provides excellent access to Tiverton and the M5 motorway (J27) nearby to which is Tiverton Parkway Railway Station with services to London Paddington.

The city of Exeter is located about 25 miles to the south east, near to which is Exeter International Airport.

Beaples Barton was noted in the Domesday Book and was originally part of the Beaple Estate, the home of the de Beaupel family who were also of Landkey, and as a result had its own Coat of Arms.

Approached via a road which only has one other user, the final 1/4 mile of the entrance lane is completely private and there are no rights of way passing across the farm. This access lane sweeps around to a wide turning circle in front of the house.

The house is presently arranged in four separate units with eight bedrooms in total, but could be re-modelled to create a spacious family home.

The mature woodland provides both shelter for the house and also a potential source of income through shooting and timber harvesting, whilst also adding diversity to the holding with tracks providing good access to the different sections and streams flowing through.

Beaples Barton is an established holiday business since 1992, with income derived from the holiday lettings, residential letting, fishing, shooting and timber harvesting all set within 73.86 acres (29.89 hectares).

The House - Beaples Barton house is believed to date from the late 12th / early 13th century, although it is not Listed. It is an L-shape, with a feature clock tower and is constructed of rendered stone and cob with double-glazed timber windows and a slate roof.

The house is south-facing and has a lovely outlook over the lake and paddock to the woodland beyond.

As detailed on the floor-plan, the accommodation is presently arranged within four separate units with interconnecting doors which could be incorporated or re-modelled to form a wonderful and spacious family home, subject to any necessary consent.

Beaples Barton is presently used as the owners accommodation and is approached through a slate-roofed porch, opening into the entrance hall. The large sitting room has exposed beams, deep windows and an inglenook fireplace with wood-burner.

The dining room has a solid timber floor, a Victorian style fire-place and a door through to the kitchen, which overlooks the front of the house and has an Aga (hot water and cooking), exposed beams, a walk-in larder and a door through to the utility room and cloakroom.

An oak staircase leads up to the first floor with a landing running along the rear of the house. The master bedroom has a dual-aspect overlooking the lakes, fields and woodland and access to the bathroom and Sauna / Jacuzzi room with a mural by renowned artist Tom Hoare.

The second bedroom is south-facing and has an en-suite bathroom. In addition there is a walk-in wardrobe / store room off the landing.

Coombe Cottage And Dairy Cottage - Coombe Cottage and Dairy Cottage are both presently used for holiday lettings and each have an open-plan living / dining room and kitchen with exposed cedar and oak beams. On the first floor both cottages have a spacious landing, two double bedrooms and a bathroom with w.c, wash basin and bath.

Oak Cottage - Oak Cottage is presently used for longer term residential lettings and lies at the southern end of the house. On the ground floor is a large open-plan kitchen, living / dining room with exposed beams and views over the gardens towards the lake. On the first floor are two double bedrooms and a shared bathroom with a bath (shower over), wash basin and w.c.

Outside - Immediately to the front of the house, on the southern elevation is a patio, bordered by colourful and mature shrub beds including some ornamental conifer trees.

The wide turning circle is flanked by lawn and a bank, also full of colourful shrubs and overlooks the lake and paddock.

To the rear of the house is a wide patio enclosed with a low level wall with steps leading up to the high level lawn, with stocked shrub and flower beds either side.

To the southern side of the house is a small vineyard which the present owners use to produce 120 to 150 bottles of their own wine each year.

Modern Farm Building - 25m x 18m approx (82'0\" x 59'1\" appro x) - Concrete stanchions, concrete floor with fibre cement roof. Presently used for machinery and timber storage with Lean-to to the rear. To the front is an open concrete yard.

The Land - Positioned to the south, west and north of the house, the land at Beaples Barton provides protection, amenity and income for the holding.

There are approximately ten acres of pasture land immediately in front of the house, suitable for mowing and grazing. The stocked lake adds to the outlook of the house and is an attraction for the holiday letting business, which could be expanded with some lakeside lodges, subject to the required consents.

The mature woodland includes areas known as Beaples Wood and Beaples Combe and has many tracks through it to allow access for management and timber harvesting, also providing sporting appeal and with the streams flowing through, is very pretty.

The woodland extends to about 62 acres, and comprises a mixture of Douglas Fir, Sitka Spruce, Japanese Larch, Old Oak and some naturally regenerated areas. Much of the conifer trees are ready for harvesting plus some thinning of the oaks and coppicing of the hazel trees to provide a source of timber.

There is an abundance of wildlife throughout the wood, which is used for rough shooting and stalking but in the past was used as a small pheasant shoot.

Services - Mains water connection. Borehole water (with UV filter and storage tank). Mains electricity (single phase). Private drainage (septic tank with consent to discharge). Telephone line. Broadband via satellite.

Oil fired central heating (one boiler supplies Beaples Barton, Coombe & Dairy Cottages. Oak Cottage has a separate boiler).

Access - The initial access from the A361 is council maintained. Beaples Barton has access over the lane to Beaples Hill Farm (maintained 50 / 50).

Felling Licence - There is a felling licence presently in place for the Sitka Spruce. There are no woodland management schemes affecting the woodland.

Tenure & Possession - Beaples Barton is owned freehold and is available with vacant possession upon completion. At present Oak Cottage is let on an Assured Shorthold Tenancy.

Local Authority - North Devon District Council, Civic Centre, North Walk, Barnstaple, Devon, EX31 1EA. Tel: 01271 327711 (www.northdevon.gov.uk).

Beaples Barton is Council Tax Band E. Oak Cottage is Band A. Dairy and Coombe Cottages are subject to Business Rates but benefit from 100% small business relief.

Basic Payment Scheme (Bps) - The entitlements can be included in the sale, but are presently let out by agreement with the neighbour.

If required, the entitlements will be transferred to the purchaser, subject to them meeting the Active Farmer requirements under the BPS.

Sporting & Mineral Rights - The sporting and mineral rights insofar as they are owned are included with the freehold.

Fixtures & Fittings - All fixtures and fittings, unless specifically referred to within these particulars, are expressly excluded from the sale of the freehold.

The fixtures and fittings in Dairy and Coombe Cottages are included (except for two televisions and four beds).

Wayleaves & Rights Of Way - The property is sold subject to and with the benefit of any wayleave agreements and any public or private rights of way or bridleways etc.

There are no public or private rights of way passing across the property.

Plans & Boundary Fences - A plan, which is not to scale and is not to be relied upon, is attached to these particulars. Purchasers must satisfy themselves by inspection or otherwise as to its accuracy.

Directions - From Tiverton, proceed west on the A361 (North Devon Link Road) towards Barnstaple. Continue for 11 miles, pass the Moortown Cross junction, and after about 900 yards (after the dual lane section ends) turn right signposted towards Beaples Barton.

Beaples Barton is found at the end of this lane, after approximately 0.75 miles.

Disclaimer - These particulars are a guide only and should not be relied upon for any purpose.

These particulars are a guide only and should not be relied upon for any purpose.

Property Features :

• Garage
• Driveway
• Parking
• Fitted Kitchen
• Ground Floor Cloakroom