An elegant and substantial detached period house together with 3 self contained apartments set in 1.3 acres on edge of town . Suitable for a variety of uses.
SITUATION AND AMENITIES
On an elevated site set above and screened from the road, enjoying fine views from the front over Portmore Golf Park and Westacott towards Shirwell. The property is on the old road from Landkey to Barnstaple, about 1.75 miles from the centre of the town. Barnstaple is located on the banks of the Rivers Taw and Yeo, and as North Devons regional centre, houses the areas main business, commercial, leisure and shopping venues. The town is also well known for its exclusive range of outlets, including all of the high street favourites, as well as a diverse selection of local stores. The Pannier Market dates back to the Saxon Period, and was voted in more recent times by the Independent Newspaper as One of The Top 10 Food Markets in Britain, it also trades in general goods, local crafts and collectables. The North Devon Leisure Centre provides many indoor pursuits, along with the Tarka Tennis Centre, both in Barnstaple. Live theatres are accessible at Barnstaple and Ilfracombe, whilst other sporting and leisure pursuits are close at hand, including golf literally across the road at Landkey, Ilfracombe, Saunton and Westward Ho! North Devons rugged coastline, including the popular resorts of Appledore, Croyde, Instow and Woolacombe are all within half an hours drive, as is Exmoor. Less than a mile away is the North Devon Link Road, leading through to Junction 27 of the M5, whilst Barnstaple Railhead provides a link to the National Railway System.
DESCRIPTION
On the market for the first time in over 44 years, this fine period property is understood to date in the main from the Georgian period, circa 1741, although, modifications have subsequently been made in the Regency and Victorian eras as well as more recently. Listed Grade II of architectural and historical importance, the property presents elevations of whitened render or whitened stone beneath a slate roof, the majority of which was replaced in 1993. Many original features are still intact, the most notable being the two elegant main reception rooms with their lofty ceilings displaying ornate plaster cornices and bay windows, each incorporating glazed doors to the loggia and garden. These rooms are mirrored above by the two principal bedrooms, each having access to a wrought iron balcony. The West Wing was originally designed to take advantage of the distant views of the Taw Estuary and coast beyond, in more recent years this view has been obscured by trees. The original dairy reminds one of a bygone age, and is just waiting to be restored to its former glory. Although some modernisation has been sympathetically undertaken, the property would benefit from general updating. From a business perspective, the property has been run over the years as a successful guest house, and is considered to offer potential for a variety of uses, subject to planning. There are three self contained flats, which form an integral part of the main structure. These include one two bedroom, a one bedroom and a studio, and have existed in their current form since 1951. They are currently let on an Assured Shorthold Tenancies, producing over £12,000 gross income, per annum. In addition, there is an attached garage / workshop block, and a further detached garage block, both character buildings and case offering potential for conversion to further accommodation, possibly for holiday lets etc, subject to any necessary planning permission being obtained, alternatively, they are excellent outbuildings as existing.
The gardens have been a labour of love for the current owners over the last four decades, and in the past have won awards in successive Barnstaple in Bloom Competitions. They are arranged as a series of external rooms and enjoy complete seclusion and privacy.
Mount Sandford House represents a rare opportunity to acquire and restore one of the finest houses in the area, as well as to continue to maintain the renting of the flats to produce a useful annual income.
The accommodation with approximate dimensions is more clearly shown on the accompanying floorplan, and comprises:
GROUND FLOOR
Front door with fan light above to
PORCH
Half glazed inner door with etched glass panels to
ENTRANCE HALL
Elegant staircase rising to first floor described later.
DRAWING ROOM
An elegant and spacious double aspect room, where one is drawn to the bay window, which incorporates glazed door opening into loggia and garden. Original shutters to windows on the north elevation. Deep arched recess. Ornate plaster coving. Open fireplace with painted wooden surround, tiled inset and hearth. Built in storage cupboard. Two wall light points.
DINING ROOM
Another spacious room with triple windows to front, all with original shutters, and allowing fine views over Whiddon Valley. Open fireplace with painted wooden surround, tiled inset and hearth with wood burner. Built in shelved drinks cupboard to one side. Painted half wood panelled walls. Exposed timber flooring.
Returning to the entrance hall, there is a half glazed doorway leading to
INNER HALL
Housing Redfyre oil fired boiler for central heating and domestic hot water. Cupboard under stairs. Security alarm.
SITTING ROOM
Another elegant, spacious double aspect room, once again, with matching bay to drawing room, incorporating two glazed doors to loggia and garden. Raised open fireplace with brick surround and tiled hearth with wood burner. Wooden mantle. Pair of arched glazed fronted built in display cabinets. Four wall light points. Ornate plaster cornice. Glazed door to
ORANGERY
With raised gravel potting beds and plant shelving. Door to covered passageway.
KITCHEN / BREAKFAST ROOM
Double drainer stainless steel sink with adjoining works surfaces, drawers, cupboards and appliance space under. Matching wall mounted cupboards. Space for electric cooker. Plumbing for dish washer. Aga for cooking only. Fitted dresser incorporating work surface with cupboards beneath. Built in storage cupboard, glazed fronted cupboard above.
LAUNDRY ROOM
Single drainer stainless steel sink, adjoining cupboard and appliance space. Plumbing for washing machine. Built in shelved larder cupboards, further storage cupboards and shelved recess.
REAR HALL
Connecting door to dining room.
CLOAKROOM
Low level WC. Wash hand basin.
BOOT ROOM / FREEZER ROOM
Range of built in cupboards and drawers to one wall. Coat / hat pegs. Half glazed door to lobby with doors to driveway and flats.
OFFICE
With fitted shelving.
FUEL STORE
Direct access to
FORMER DAIRY
With slate shelving on brick piers, meat hooks and central slate topped island.
Returning to the main entrance hall, the wide staircase has a balustrade, topped by a polished mahogany hand rail, and leads to a spacious landing, where there is a double built in airing cupboard, and steps up to
BEDROOM 1
Bay window incorporating door onto balcony and fine views. A range of recently fitted wardrobes to one wall.
EN-SUITE BATHROOM
With pine panelled bath, Mira shower unit, shower screen and tiled surround, pedestal wash hand basin, low level WC. Wall mounted toiletries cupboard.
DRESSING ROOM
Recessed clothes hanging rail and storage above.
BEDROOM 2
Similar bay and door to balcony as bedroom 1, also with pedestal wash hand basin and ornate plaster cornice.
DRESSING ROOM
(Currently arranged as a bedroom)
ADJACENT FAMILY BATHROOM
With panelled bath, Mira shower unit above, shower screen, tiled surround, pedestal wash hand basin, strip light / shaver point above, low level WC, double fitted storage cupboard, cupboards above, fine view.
BEDROOM 3
Views to front. Pedestal wash hand basin. Strip light / shaver point above. Built in storage cupboard and further built in double wardrobe. Sealed fireplace. Wall light point.
EN-SUITE BATHROOM
Panelled bath and low level WC.
BEDROOM 4
Pedestal wash hand basin, arched window overlooking rear garden, built in wardrobe cupboard which also has a connecting door into flat 1 for internal access, if required.
EN-SUITE BATHROOM
With wood panelled bath, Mira shower unit, shower screen, tiled surround, low level WC, heated towel rail, pedestal wash hand basin, arched window. Return door to landing.
SECOND FLOOR LANDING
Storage cupboard over stairs.
BEDROOM 5
(Currently utilised as a store) with roof light. Ladder access to roof. Exposed beam.
BEDROOM 6
Window to front with fine views. Built in wardrobe cupboard.
BEDROOM 7
Window to front with fine views. Further roof light and exposed beams. Access to loft space with window and water tank.
OUTSIDE
As previously intimated, the flats form an integral part of the main structure, and can be accessed internally from the main house, at first floor level, easily adapted to provide access at ground floor level also. As they are, they have independent self contained access via a ground floor lobby, with quarry tiled floor and half glazed door to outside and door to garage. There is a cloakroom off this lobby, which is the WC used by
FLAT 3
At ground floor level incorporating
BED / LIVING ROOM
With third wood panelled walls. Former fireplace. Built in wardrobe cupboards.
KITCHEN
With single drainer stainless steel sink. SadiA water heater. Two wall cupboards. Space for electric cooker.
BATHROOM
Off kitchen with panelled bath and wash hand basin.
This flat also has use of the storage cupboard on the opposite side of the entrance hall, and there is no heating in this unit.
Communal staircase to
FIRST FLOOR LANDING
Access to
ENTRANCE HALL
With walk in airing cupboard.
LIVING ROOM
With sealed fireplace (wood burner possibly available by separate negotiation) TV point, shelved recess and radiator.
KITCHEN
1.5 bowl moulded sink unit with cupboards under, shelved recess, plumbing for washing machine, further work surfaces, drawers and appliance space under. Space for free standing cooker. Wall cupboard. Views over golf course and beyond.
BEDROOM 1
(Currently utilised as another reception room) With radiator.
BEDROOM 2
Sealed fireplace. Built in double wardrobe. Fine views.
BATHROOM
With panelled bath, wash hand basin and low level WC.
The heating for this flat is supplied as back up only from the main house boiler.
FLAT 2
Also at first floor level.
SITTING ROOM
With sealed fireplace and radiator.
KITCHEN
Single drainer stainless steel sink unit, adjoining work surfaces, cupboards and appliance space under. Tiled splash backs. Space for electric cooker. Further work surfaces, drawers and cupboards beneath. Double wall cupboards. Meter cupboards. Built in storage cupboard. Radiator.
BATHROOM
With panelled bath, tiled surround, pedestal wash hand basin, WC, airing cupboard housing lagged cylinder.
BEDROOM
With sealed fireplace, fitted storage cupboard and shelving, radiator.
Once again, the heating in this flat is back up only, supplied from the main house boiler.
OUTBUILDINGS
As shown on the accompanying floorplan, the Garage Block incorporates Several Garages, Workshop and store within a period building. Adjacent is an additional detached outbuilding measuring approximately 180 x 120 currently utilised as Garaging with 3 phase electricity and inspection pit.
The in and out driveway allows separate access to the main house, and to the flats / outbuildings. The drive to the house is through a pair of stone pillars, where the drive is then flanked by banks of mature shrubbery, and overhung by a Canadian Oak, which we understand gives colour across all four seasons. The driveway provides ample parking and turning space, and leads onto the buildings, where there is yet further parking, and beyond, an open hardcore storage / extensive car parking area where there are a number of dilapidated outbuildings possibly with potential for replacement.
GARDENS AND GROUNDS
The formal gardens are principally arranged to the south and west of the house. The west garden enjoys complete seclusion and privacy, there is a large area of lawn, possibly a former croquet lawn, where the main herbaceous border has been gravelled for ease of maintenance. There is a timber Gazebo with power and light connected, rustic arch and trellis, and steps below two further rustic archways lead up an upper lawn, which is interspersed with specimen trees and shrubs. An open arch leads into the south garden, which is bounded by two high Victorian walls, the house itself and on the fourth side by fencing and hedging. There are many well stocked herbaceous beds and borders, fig trees, a long rustic pergola clad with wisteria, roses and clematis. Below this is a terraced garden, partially glazed above, leading down to the rear of the house, where there is an under croft, ideal for storing timber and drying clothes. A gateway leads from the south garden to the east of the house and back to the outbuildings, where the oil tanks are located. In addition, a woodland walk leads from the west garden, above the south garden to the east of the property. All in all, the gardens and grounds amount to about 1.3 acres. The vendor will be pleased to show any keen gardener photographs of the garden in its heyday when they inspect the property.
SPECIAL NOTE
Certain fixtures, fittings, furnishings, ride on lawn mower and garden masonry are all available by separate negotiation if required.
LOCAL AUTHORITY
North Devon District Council, Civic Centre, North Walk, Barnstaple. 01271 327711.
VIEWING
Strictly and only by appointment with Stags on 01271 322833.
DIRECTIONS
Approaching Barnstaple on the link road (A361) at the Landkey Junction, take the road signposted Landkey / Swimbridge (left). Proceed up the hill for about 500 yards, over the brow, and take the road (right) signposted Newport / Portmore Golf Park. Mount Sandford House is within a half a mile, on the left.
SERVICES
Mains water, electricity and drainage. Oil fired central heating (principally to main house).
REFERENCE
36672
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property reference: STBAA10037092
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