Property description

Described in 1842 by F.W.L. Ross, the then resident, as 'Decidedly the best in the town', this fine property is a grade II*, three-storey, five-bayed, red brick house built in 1776, in the beautiful and very highly regarded town of Topsham. Currently used as a 10 bedroom guest house, this beautiful piece of Georgian architecture is multi-functional and would suit anyone searching for a fine and spacious property in the Topsham area.

Topsham is around 4 miles from the cathedral city of Exeter and was once one of the largest ports in the area before Exeter's ship canal was constructed in the mid 1500's. It has been described by the current vendors as "a town with a village atmosphere"; there are many antique shops, pubs and top-quality restaurants, as well as many other regular shops. Topsham is a popular place for evenings out and attracts people from a wide area (The Georgian Tea Rooms, Broadway House itself features in a Chinese tourist guide as a place that must be seen). The harbour was once an important centre of cotton importing and the town maintains strong maritime links with its sailing club and several quays along the river.

Internally, the well-proportioned rooms have high ceilings and benefit from large Georgian windows, creating a bright and spacious ambience. The property itself is abounding in character and period features, including ornate plasterwork cornicing and archways, period fireplaces and a stripped pine dresser in the living room. Part of the ground floor is currently used to accommodate an award-winning tearoom with its own kitchen and this floor also features ample private accommodation. On the first and second floor, there are 10 good-sized bedrooms (the majority of which with a private en-suite). Below ground, there is a basement providing yet more space and featuring an original wine cellar. The property's grounds comprise a rear courtyard suitable for parking and a traditional flower garden to the front, with impressive cast iron railings and gates.

This incredible property presents an opportunity not to be missed, for more information and for your chance to see this property please enquire at our office.

*Please note that the property continues to runs as normal throughout the sale of the property*

Entrance Hall
This beautiful entrance hall creates a grand first impression with an abundance of character. A large Ionic doorway with stained glass panelling opens to the hall itself, where embossed and coloured leather wall hangings line both walls. These beautiful wall hangings are said to be of 16th century Spanish origin, and are rumoured to have been from the Spanish Armada, but were brought from another house in Topsham in the 19th century. A large archway then draws the eye to the wide feature staircase with three balusters to each tread and a mahogany handrail to the first floor landing. There is also a stunning, original timber framed window to the rear aspect of the property, occupying much of the rear wall over the ground and first floors. Doors from the hall provide access to the Georgian Tearooms, a private lounge & living room, the communal kitchen and a WC.

Georgian Tearooms - 17' 9'' x 17' 9'' (5.412m x 5.411m)
Gold winner of Taste of The West's 'Best Tearoom in Devon' on 8 separate occasions, regular winners of a multitude of other awards and featured on the BBC's 'Great British Menu' in 2006, there is no doubting the current success and the excellent business opportunity that this thriving tearoom creates. The tearooms are also licenced for alcohol and for evening use, thus giving scope to use the premises as a restaurant as well. The room features 29 settings, a cast iron fireplace with marble surround, two gas central heating radiators and two timber framed sash windows to the front aspect.

Communal Kitchen - 16' 2'' x 13' 5'' (4.93m x 4.09m)
This spacious kitchen provides all the necessary equipment for the flourishing tearoom, with ample storage and worktop space, various appliances, 3 bowl sinks and a large timber framed sash window to the rear aspect.

Private Lounge & Living Rooms - 17' 3'' x 17' 0'' (5.275m x 5.182m) & 18' 2'' x 16' 6'' (5.560m x 5.049m) respectively
These two attractive rooms provide ample private space. The lounge comprises a large fireplace with marble surround and two timber framed sash windows to the front aspect. The living room features a substantial antique dresser and a Heritage Boiler supplying the property's hot water, the radiators, and also supplying a second oven. There is also a timber framed sash window to the rear aspect with timber shutters. A door from this room opens to a second kitchen and a staircase down to the basement area.

Second Kitchen, Utility Room & Storage - 18' 11'' x 7' 11'' (5.788m x 2.415m) max (kitchen)
A fitted kitchen with a range of matching wall and base units, roll edge worktops and a 2 bowl stainless steel sink with mixer tap over and drainer. There are various spaces for appliances and a door to the utility room. This useful room provides additional space for appliances, as well as giving access to a WC and a good sized storage room.

Guest Bedrooms
There are a total of 10 guest bedrooms, including 6 large double bedrooms with private en-suite, 1 family room with en-suite and 3 single bedrooms. All of these lovely rooms have been furnished with antique furniture (subject to negotiation). (please see the floor plan for more information)

Communal Bathroom
Comprising a white suite with low level WC, pedestal wash hand basin and a bath with shower over. There is also a gas central heating radiator and a timber framed sash window to the side aspect.

Basement
The basement area is currently divided into 3 sections: there is a good-sized, multi-functional space, an en-suite shower room and a further room featuring the original wine store.

Flower Garden
To the front of the property, there is a walled flower garden which the current owners advertise as a place that guests can sit outside in the sun in the summer months. The garden boasts a magnolia grandiflora tree, a silver birch, a laburnum, a bay tree and a wisteria, as well as a lawn area and flower borders.

Rear Courtyard
Providing a very useful space suitable for parking and providing access to the utility room.

Tenure: Freehold