Witheridge, Tiverton, Devon, EX16

Traditional country home
Enchanting rural location
Fine views over own gardens, ponds, pasture and woodland. In all about 12.85 Acres, approximately of which 7.5 Acres pasture


Lower Park is a quintessential Devon Cottage with magical and ever-changing views over own gardens and grounds. The house was substantially built in the 17th century with later sympathetic additions of rendered stone and cob elevations under a thatched roof, providing traditional gable ends. Despite its age and unique character, the house is unlisted. Original features include exposed beams and timbers, stonework and inglenook fireplaces.
Close to the house is the former barn, now with adjoining garage/workshop. The barn was thoughtfully converted in 2000 giving toilet and shower facilities and a delightful private office/workspace on a mezzanine floor. Here, views to the west over a pond, stables and pasture allow home working from office fittings built by local craftsmen. The barn has planning consent, recently lapsed, for a further renovation and extension into a south-facing gable-ended unit of holiday accommodation including additional living area, bedroom and toilet facility. Beyond the barn is a range of wooden stables and a tack-room, and beyond these, a polytunnel and a field shelter.
There is ample hardstand parking around the buildings.
The house overlooks its south-facing gardens which slope gently down to water features. A footbridge leads to an elevated walkway and on into mixed woodland. Wildlife is attracted by the water and the variety of plants. Deer, ducks, moorhens, a heron and other bird species are regular seasonal visitors. An island provides secure nesting every year for a new family of geese. Visiting flocks resolve resident rights in February and March and the dominant couple display from May to September their lessons in good parenting for the annual batch of young goslings and moor chicks.
In total, Lower Park extends to about 12.85 Acres.

Set behind high hedged Devon banks, the property is readily accessible from South Molton and Tiverton and just a mile and a half from the village of Witheridge. Despite its rural setting, Lower Park enjoys easy access to the surrounding districts and further afield. Witheridge itself offers a useful range of local services including two general stores, post office, hairdresser’s, doctors surgery, primary school, public house, parish church and village hall. The bustling market town of South Molton provides an excellent range of everyday services including shops, schools, restaurants and a high street bank, a Sainsbury’s supermarket, health centres, recreational facilities and a cottage hospital. The A361 North Devon link road is within easy driving distance providing access to the larger regional centre of Barnstaple as well as Tiverton and the M5 motorway (Junction 27).
Lower Park lies in the beautiful band of countryside between Exmoor and Dartmoor, a predominantly agricultural landscape primarily comprising pasture and arable land interspersed with an abundance of woodland and pretty river valleys. Exmoor to the north offers beautiful moorland scenery with many foot and bridle paths, whilst the North Devon coast is easily accessible with lovely sandy beaches at Instow, Saunton Sands, Croyde Bay, Putsborough and Woolacombe. Mainline intercity rail links are available at Tiverton Parkway (London Paddington approx. 2 hours) with international airports at Exeter and Bristol.

The House
Cloakroom and utility room with downstairs wc and shower fittings, broom cupboard, washing machine and tumble dryerKitchen south facing with light oak floor and wall units, under cupboard lighting, 1.5 bowl sink,Built-in oven and inset 4 ring gas hob (bottled gas), Integral fridge, two freezers, dishwasher, Hot water and central heating boiler.Space for concealed microwaveDining room with inglenook fireplace and bread oven, Woodwarm Clearview wood burner, shelved and lit recesses to either side, store-room under stairs.Sitting room with windows looking out in four directions, inglenook fireplace, Woodwarm Clearview wood burner, independent central heating circuit, lobby to door overlooking terrace and pond.Conservatory with double doors to terrace, automatic temperature and rain-sensing ventilation system, wood blinds and again, its own independent central heating circuit.First floor landings leading to large cupboard and airing cupboard, Main bedroom, south- and ponds-facing bedroom, extensive built-in wardrobes, chests and bedside units.Ensuite bathroomDividing door from one landing to the next provides privacy between occupants and guests and leads to Second bedroom, south-facing, exposed beams,Bathroom with bath, washbasin and wc.Third bedroom, bright with large north and west facing windows, fully fitted Neville Johnson office with storage and desk/computer surfaces.Windows throughout are twin or mostly secondary glazed, water and central heating oil-fired, thermostats in three locations controlling independent heating circuits and allowing room temperatures as per needs. Abundant wood to fuel burners available from own woodlands.For approximate room dimensions and layout please refer to the floor plan contained with these sale particulars


Outside
The gardens have been extensively landscaped to contain lawned areas, well stocked flower and shrub beds and borders, and a variety of mature trees and shrubs. Adjoining the house is a paved patio and sitting out area overlooking the gardens and lake, an ideal space for al fresco dining and outdoor entertaining enjoying magnificent views. The gardens open directly into the adjoining pasture and woodland. Here, pathways have been created between the trees.


The Converted Barn
Glazed double doors leading into living area, a vaulted ceiling and substantially glazed gable endOil-fired central heatingMultiple power pointsFireplace recess with Woodwarm Clearview wood burner on raised hearthShower, toilet and washbasinVelux windows to mezzanine office floor creating space abundant with light.Planning consent 2017 recently lapsed for “conversion of and extension to ancillary accommodation to form one unit of holiday accommodation” (North Devon Council Planning Portal, Ref 62951.)Adjoining the barn, the lean-to garage houses the barn’s Grant oil-fired boiler. For the approximate dimensions and layout of the converted barn please refer to the floor contained within these sale particulars.


The Stables
The entrance drive continues past the house and barn with a gravelled track leading to a range of timber and profile steel roofed stables comprising two boxes, each 3.46m x 3.46m, a tack room, 3.49m x 2.43m and an open fronted feed/hay barn, 4.67m x 3.51m. Power and water are connected to the stables. An overhang to the front provides a covered walkway, with a gated concrete running out yard. A composting area is situated at the far end of the stables, with a poly tunnel, approx. 6m x 3.1m. Beyond to the west is a timber open fronted field shelter, 3.5m x 3.5m, currently used as a log store. Planning permission for a manege, now lapsed, was granted in 1998 under Ref. 26186.


Tenure and Possession
Freehold with vacant possession available upon completion.


Services
Mains electricity and water supplies. Drainage of the house and converted barn to a private system.


Outgoings
These are believed to comprise local Council Tax Band F on the house, together with the usual service and environmental charges.


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


Important Notice
All persons wishing to view the property do so entirely at their own risk. Neither the Vendors or their Agents will be held liable for any damage or injury that may occur when interested parties are visiting the property.


Measurements and other information
All measurements are approximate. Any field numbers and areas shown on the attached plan are based on the Ordnance Survey and are for identification purposes only. They do not necessarily correspond either with the National Grid plan numbers or with those produced on the Rural Land Register.Whilst we endeavour to make our sales particulars as accurate and reliable as possible, if there are any point which is of particular importance to you please contact the office, especially if you are contemplating travelling some distance to view the property. We have not tested any of the equipment, appliances, central heating or services. Photographs taken in 2017 and 2022.