Detached house for sale in Higher Ashton, Exeter EX6

Set in the idyllic Teign Valley this charming & characterful Grade II listed refurbished 17th century cottage is surrounded by unspoilt countryside with a sunny southerly outlook & a generous garden.

Situation

France Brook Cottage is set on the edge of Higher Ashton, an idyllic and unspoilt hamlet within a conservation area located in the sought after Teign Valley, a short distance from Lower Ashton, which together form the parish of Ashton.

The Teign Valley is a wonderful location to call home not only due to the picturesque surroundings but also being situated between the eastern boundary of Dartmoor National Park and the wooded slopes of Haldon Forest. Here you can enjoy a rural lifestyle, yet local towns and the city of Exeter are within easy reach.

Lower Ashton’s pub, The Manor Inn, is well-regarded and serves locally sourced food and drinks, the local church is in Higher Ashton. The nearby village of Christow has a good range of amenities and facilities including the Village Shop, Artichoke Inn, St James’ Church, gp’s Practice, Primary School, and Community hall with sports field, tennis club and skate park.

There are many scenic footpaths and the walks, pubs and Tors of Dartmoor are only a short drive away. There are several golf courses in the area including Teign Valley Golf Club. The Devon coast and beaches are not far away. The area is also popular with road cyclists and mountain bikers with plenty of quiet roads and cycle routes as well as nearby Haldon Forest Park.

Higher Ashton has the benefit of being rural but is certainly not isolated. The hamlet is well located for commuting to Exeter where you can join the M5 for access to the rest of the country. Exeter also has a mainline railway station linking to London Paddington, as well as an airport flying to national and international destinations.

Description

France Brook Cottage is charming Grade II listed thatch cottage thought to date from the 17th century and constructed of cob and stone with the newer part of the cottage of modern construction. During the current extended ownership the cottage has been sympathetically refurbished to a high standard including an impressive extension over two floors with a wall of glass to the front taking in the sunny southerly aspect across the valley. With a flexible layout, accommodation comprises of two spacious bedrooms, a bathroom, kitchen/dining room, living room plus a useful study or store room. Bedroom two could be utilised as a further reception room if required. Outside there is a surprisingly generous cottage garden with a high degree of privacy leading to a kitchen garden. There is space on the road by the front gate to park a car.

Accommodation

From the front garden the solid oak front door opens to the entrance hallway where a split wooden staircase rises to the first floor rooms. Steps also descend from here into a useful room that is currently in use as store but would also make a great study. Turning right from the hall you enter the newer part of the cottage and the kitchen/dining room. This dual aspect room has a large window that stretches across the whole southern elevation and around the corner bringing in lots of light as well as providing a lovely outlook over the front garden. There are a range of freestanding kitchen storage units with solid wood work surfaces, one with a Belfast sink and drainer, plus an island unit and wall hung storage units. On the outer wall is an oil fired aga providing a heat source but there is also space for a freestanding electric cooker. There is plenty of room for a large dining table between the kitchen and the window. Wooden floor boards have been laid throughout the room.

On the opposite side of the hallway in the older part of the cottage through a traditional solid wood plank and ledge door is a room that has the flexibility to be used as you wish. Currently it is set up as a sitting and music room with a lovely oak beam running the length of the room and a wood burning stove in the fireplace. However, this room could equally be used as a generously proportioned second bedroom. A window looks over the front garden and a door opens to the side of the property.

Ascending the split staircase to the first floor one side leads to the impressive dual aspect living room with a semi-vaulted beamed ceiling, wooden floor boards and a continuation of the wall of glass from the ground floor stretching from floor to ceiling flooding the room with light and providing a lovely view across the valley to the fields on the other side. There are French doors in the eastern elevation open to a wooden deck and the garden beyond. A wood-burning stove is set in the fireplace.

On the other side of the landing and back to the older part of the cottage is the main bedroom which is of a good size with exposed beams, a view to the front from the window and traditional solid wood plank and ledge door. Carpet has been fitted over an oak floor. The bathroom has wooden floorboards and a traditional style suite comprising of bath, wash basin and WC. A Velux window brings in plenty of light.

Outside

From the parking layby a gate opens to stone steps leading to the lawned south facing front garden. Thanks to the hedge there is a high degree of privacy to the front of the property where a paved path leads to the front door and continues to a terrace in front of the newer section of the house. Steps from here rise to the remainder of the garden to the side and rear of the house which is surprisingly generous. The mature cottage garden is a haven for wildlife with lawn broken up with areas left to wild flowers with flowering shrubs, bushes and trees on the borders. The rear boundary has a bank dotted with mature trees with a field beyond. At the far end is a sizeable kitchen garden with raised beds and greenhouse.

Tenure: Freehold

Council Tax: Council Tax band C

Services: Mains water and electricity, private drainage, broadband. Oil-fired aga, two wood-burning stoves and night storage heaters.

Local Authority: Teignbridge District Council, Forde House, Brunel Rd, Newton Abbot TQ12 4XX, .

Who to Contact: James Taylor runs his local business in partnership with The Agency UK (tauk) who are a highly regarded self-employed model estate agency with national coverage. James Taylor is incredibly proud to present this home to market for sale. With 15 years agency experience in Devon, you’re in safe hands working with James whether you’re buying or selling. Contact tauk now to arrange your viewing or to ask any questions and James will be in touch directly. We hope to speak with you soon.

Viewings: Strictly by appointment with the selling agent: James Taylor – The Agency UK Teignbridge