2 bed flat for sale

Fore Street, Ilfracombe, Devon EX34

The property:
Ahoy, house hunters! If ye be weary of bland boxes and grey carpets, Smugglers Steps could be the treasure you've been hunting for. Dating from the mid-1700s, with two double bedrooms, bags of character, a private roof terrace and no onward chain, this quirky coastal hideaway deserves to be boarded!

Now then, me hearties, Smugglers Steps is no ordinary home. If straight walls, predictable rooms and sensible little corridors are what ye seek, ye may wish to sail onwards. But if exposed beams, thick historic walls, unexpected spaces and a home with more character than an old sea captain appeal, drop anchor here.

Dating from approximately the mid-1700s, this character property has clearly seen a fair bit of Ilfracombe's history. Fortunately, it has picked up gas central heating and double glazing along the way, so ye can enjoy the old-world charm without having to burn driftwood to keep warm.

Its location is a treasure in itself. Ilfracombe Harbour, the seafront, High Street, pubs, restaurants and independent shops are all close at hand. Ye can head out for dinner, enjoy a pint or wander down towards the harbour without preparing for a voyage across the seven seas.

Once inside, however, the property feels like its own little hideaway.

The accommodation has a wonderfully unconventional layout, and there is a genuine sense of discovery as ye move from one space to another. Smugglers Steps does not reveal all its treasures at once.

Enter the property and the family bathroom is positioned conveniently to the right, away from the main living accommodation. Continue along the naturally bright hallway and ye will soon arrive at the social heart of the home.

The kitchen provides a practical selection of wall and base units and drawers, offering plenty of room for pots, pans, provisions and, should the mood take ye, a carefully guarded bottle of rum.

There is a dishwasher and washing machine, so thankfully nobody will be ordered onto deck with a bucket.

A fixed breakfast bar creates an informal place to sit, whether enjoying breakfast, morning coffee or keeping the ship's cook company while dinner is prepared.

The kitchen flows naturally into the open dining area, creating a sociable space for gathering the crew.

There is room for a proper dining table, making this a welcoming setting for dinner with friends and family. The connection with the kitchen keeps everything relaxed and informal, while the historic surroundings give the space an atmosphere that would be difficult to recreate in a modern home.

Sitting on either side of the dining area are two double bedrooms.

The principal bedroom is particularly individual, with its irregular shape and dual aspect bringing in plenty of natural light. Forget perfectly square modern rooms. This one has character, and plenty of it.

The second bedroom is another double and overlooks the front aspect.

Having two double bedrooms gives buyers useful flexibility. Keep one ready for visiting shipmates, turn it into a home office, or simply enjoy having additional space when friends and family come to stay.

But just when ye think ye have discovered everything, Smugglers Steps has another trick hidden below deck.

From the small utility area, a door leads into a separate sitting space and adjoining snug within the eaves.

Three Velux windows bring natural light flooding into this part of the home and, when open, provide views towards the harbour area.

This is a cracking place to retreat after a long day on the high seas, or perhaps just a particularly demanding Tuesday.

Settle down with a film, enjoy the view towards the Bristol Channel or wait until darkness falls and do a little stargazing from the comfort of home.

The position within the eaves gives this room a completely different personality from the kitchen and dining area. It feels cosy, tucked away and pleasantly separate from the rest of the accommodation.

For couples, that separation could prove especially useful. One member of the crew can entertain around the kitchen and dining table while another disappears into the snug for some peace and quiet.

No mutiny required.

Throughout the property, its historic origins remain wonderfully obvious. Exposed beams, substantial walls and irregular spaces remind ye that Smugglers Steps has been standing here since approximately the mid-18th century.

These are not decorative beams screwed onto the ceiling last Thursday in an attempt to create "character". They belong here.

Despite its age, modern comforts have made it aboard. The property benefits from gas central heating and double glazing throughout, helping combine historic charm with the practicalities of modern life.

And now we come to one of the finest pieces of treasure aboard Smugglers Steps.

The private roof terrace.

Hidden above the surrounding streets and rooftops, this low-maintenance outside space provides somewhere to sit, relax and enjoy a barbecue when the North Devon weather is behaving itself.

From here, views stretch across neighbouring rooftops towards Ilfracombe Harbour, the coastline and Damien Hirst's Verity standing watch at the harbour entrance.

Ye could spend a warm summer evening up here with something cold in your glass, watching the light change across the harbour.

Not bad for a home sitting so close to the centre of town.

The roof terrace is particularly valuable because it gives owners their own private outdoor retreat without the upkeep of a traditional garden. There is room for seating and outdoor dining, and when ye fancy a change of scenery, the harbour and seafront are only moments away.

There is no private allocated parking with the property, so sadly there is nowhere to leave the horse and cart directly outside.

However, there are parking options within the surrounding area. Previous marketing stated that residents' parking permits were available through Devon County Council. Buyers should check the latest eligibility, availability and charges directly with the council before relying upon this arrangement.

Now for the paperwork, because apparently even pirates have conveyancers these days.

The property is offered with a share of freehold together with a 999-year lease dating from 1986. Information supplied by the seller states that the ground rent is £30 per month and includes buildings insurance, with no separate service charge.

Buyers should ask their solicitor to confirm the tenure, lease, buildings insurance and management arrangements during the conveyancing process. Not particularly swashbuckling, admittedly, but rather important.

The property has mains drainage, gas central heating and double glazing throughout. It falls within Council Tax Band A and currently has an EPC rating of D, with the EPC showing potential to reach C.

There is another piece of good news for any buyer keen to get moving.

There is no onward chain.

So there is no seller above waiting to capture another property before they can sail off into the sunset.

Ultimately, Smugglers Steps is not about one single feature. It is about discovering a home with a genuine sense of history and personality.

The exposed beams, thick walls, unconventional rooms, eaves sitting room and private roof terrace all contribute to a home that refuses to be ordinary.

And we think that is exactly the point.

The area:
Location, location, location, me hearties.

Smugglers Steps puts ye close to the heart of Ilfracombe, making it particularly appealing for anyone who likes the idea of leaving the car behind and exploring on foot.

The harbour, seafront, High Street, independent shops, galleries, cafés, restaurants and pubs are all close at hand.

This means an evening out does not require a lengthy expedition. Ye can wander into town, enjoy dinner and a drink and make your way home without needing to organise a voyage worthy of Captain Cook.

Ilfracombe itself has character in abundance.

The working harbour sits at the heart of the town, surrounded by historic buildings, independent businesses and places to eat and drink. At its entrance stands Damien Hirst's Verity, one of the town's best-known landmarks.

Better still, ye can see her in the distance from your own roof terrace.

The harbour area is a natural destination for a wander, whether stopping for food, watching the boats or simply spending time beside the water.

Ilfracombe also provides the practical bits required when ye aren't pretending to be a pirate.

There are larger supermarkets in and around the town, including Tesco, Lidl and Co-op, alongside a range of independent businesses and everyday services.

So whether Smugglers Steps becomes a permanent home or coastal retreat, buyers do not need to survive entirely on rum and ship's biscuits.

And then there are the beaches.

Woolacombe is around six miles away and provides a magnificent stretch of sand, popular with surfers, swimmers, walkers and families.

Nearby Putsborough provides another impressive beach, while Croyde and Saunton are also within reach.

For buyers drawn to North Devon because of the coast, this is where the lifestyle becomes particularly compelling.

Wake up at Smugglers Steps, wander around Ilfracombe Harbour in the morning and spend the afternoon surfing, swimming or walking along one of North Devon's sandy beaches.

The South West Coast Path and wider coastline provide even more opportunities to explore on foot, with cliffs, coves and sea views throughout this dramatic stretch of North Devon.

And if ye tire of the sea, turn inland.

Exmoor National Park is approximately ten miles away and offers a completely different landscape of open moorland, wooded valleys, rivers and dramatic coastline.

For walkers, riders and anyone who enjoys the countryside, having both Exmoor and the North Devon coast within reach provides a superb choice of places to explore.

Smugglers Steps can also work as a permanent home rather than simply somewhere to escape at weekends.

Ilfracombe provides schools, healthcare, supermarkets and everyday services alongside the attractions associated with a coastal town.

Ilfracombe Church of England Junior School is approximately 0.4 miles away according to the information supplied, while The Ilfracombe Academy is approximately 0.7 miles away. Families should make their own enquiries regarding current admissions and catchment arrangements.

Barnstaple is approximately 12 miles away and provides the main regional centre for North Devon.

Here ye will find a wider selection of shopping, employment, healthcare and leisure facilities, together with North Devon District Hospital.

Barnstaple also has a railway station with services towards Exeter on the Tarka Line and onward connections from there.

Road connections from Barnstaple lead onto the A361 North Devon Link Road towards the M5 at Junction 27, while Tiverton Parkway provides mainline rail services towards London and other destinations.

But the real charm of living at Smugglers Steps is how little travelling ye need to do when ye simply want to enjoy Ilfracombe.

Step outside and the harbour, seafront, pubs, restaurants, galleries and shops are waiting.

Return home and ye have a private roof terrace above the rooftops and a cosy sitting room in the eaves looking towards the Bristol Channel.

For couples, coastal relocators and buyers searching for a second home, that combination could be difficult to resist.

Ye have the life and energy of Ilfracombe outside the door, the North Devon coast waiting beyond and your own historic hideaway when it is time to retreat below deck.

Summary:
So, what treasure have we uncovered?

Smugglers Steps is a wonderfully individual home understood to date from approximately the mid-1700s, packed with exposed beams, thick walls, irregular spaces and the sort of genuine character that simply cannot be manufactured.

The kitchen and dining area provide the sociable heart of the home, complete with useful storage, appliances and a fixed breakfast bar.

There are two double bedrooms, while the separate sitting room and snug within the eaves create another characterful living space filled with natural light from three Velux windows.

Then there is the private roof terrace, arguably the jewel in the crown, or should that be the treasure in the chest?

This hidden outdoor space provides views across neighbouring rooftops towards Ilfracombe Harbour, the coastline and Verity, giving owners somewhere private to sit and enjoy a summer evening.

Gas central heating and double glazing provide modern comfort, while the tenure is a share of freehold with a 999-year lease dating from 1986. The information supplied states a ground rent of £30 per month including buildings insurance and no separate service charge, all of which should be confirmed by the buyer's solicitor.

There is no onward chain, making the seller's position another important advantage.

And beyond the front door?

Ilfracombe Harbour, the seafront, shops, galleries, pubs and restaurants are close at hand. Woolacombe, Putsborough, Croyde, Saunton and Exmoor are all within the wider area, giving ye enough beaches, countryside and adventure to keep even the most restless old sea dog entertained.

So if ye seek straight walls, predictable rooms and something that looks exactly like every other property on the portal, sail onwards.

But if ye fancy two double bedrooms, genuine period character, a quirky layout, a cosy hideaway in the eaves and your own roof terrace overlooking one of North Devon's most distinctive harbour towns...

Smugglers Steps might just be the treasure ye have been searching for.