For Sale5 Bedroom House in Shirwell, Barnstaple, Devon, EX31£850,000

An elegant Georgian former rectory in a highly convenient position, enjoying incredible panoramic countryside views, set in 1.87 acres, available for the first time in four decades. Location - The Old Rectory is located on the edge of the highly sought after village of Shirwell, at the end of a long driveway serving just four properties, enjoying a tranquil, rural feel with glorious views over the surrounding rolling countryside. The pretty village of Shirwell is ideally situated in an idyllic rural environment without being isolated, and offers a parish church, village hall and primary school. The historic National Trust owned Arlington Court Estate is close by, around 4 miles away, which offers a beautiful Regency manor house, carriage museum, Victorian flower garden and walled kitchen garden, as well as a tea room and wonderful grounds and miles of footpaths to explore. Exmoor National Park is about 7 miles away, and is renowned for its undulating moors and pastureland, with streams and rivers running down through deep wooded combes to the spectacular North Devon coastline. Exmoor offers an excellent range of country pursuits, including shooting, fishing and fantastic walking opportunities with outstanding scenery. The outstanding North Devon coastline was recognised in 2022 as a World Surfing Reserve (WSR), the only current cold-water WSR in the world, and is located around 12 miles from the property, with some of the best surfing and sandy beaches in the region including Saunton, Croyde and Woolacombe (within 12-14 miles away). Saunton also boasts a popular championship golf course. The regional centre of Barnstaple is approximately 4.5 miles away, and offers all of the area's main business, commercial, leisure and shopping venues, with the North Devon District Hospital easily accessible on the edge of town closest to the property. Live theatres and cinemas are accessible in both Barnstaple and Ilfracombe, and there are an excellent range of state and private schools in the area including West Buckland, Kingsley & Blundells. Communications - The area can be accessed from Junction 27 of the M5 Motorway, and along the A361 North Devon Link Road which leads onto the A39. The nearest train station is located at the regional centre of Barnstaple, which connects to Exeter, and from there, there are regular mainline rail services to London (Paddington) in just over 2 hours. Alternatively, Tiverton Parkway Railway Station is around an hours' drive from the property which offers frequent trains to London and beyond. Mileages Barnstaple - 4.5 miles Saunton Beach - 12.5 miles Exmoor National Park - 7 miles M5 Motorway/Tiverton Parkway - 39 miles Property History - The Old Rectory is steeped in history, having been the birthplace of Sir Francis Charles Chichester in 1901. Sir Francis, son of Church of England clergyman Charles Chichester, was a British businessman, pioneering aviator and accomplished solo sailor, who was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1967 for being the first person to sail single handed around the world by the clipper route, and the fastest circumnavigator (9 months and 1 day overall) in 1966-67. The Property - Jackson-Stops are thrilled to welcome this beautiful, unlisted former Georgian Rectory to the market for the first time in 40 years, boasting far reaching panoramic countryside views, as well as elegant and spacious accommodation. The property offers wonderful proportions and a wealth of character features typical of the era including high ceilings, ceiling coving, picture rails, fireplaces and window shutters. It is attached at the rear to one other property, but enjoys a high degree of privacy, having been separated mindfully to allow privacy for both properties. The accommodation is light and airy, arranged over three floors and offers three receptions rooms, five bedrooms and two bath/shower rooms. There is also a fantastic and useful three room large cellar. The property is equally impressive externally, benefiting from private and sunny gardens that also enjoy the fantastic views on offer. There is ample off-road parking and a detached single garage. Delightful level gardens surround the property and are separated from the paddock via a ha-ha, and in total, the property benefits from about 1.87 acres. There is also an outbuilding adjoining the paddock. Properties located in this edge of village location, enjoying tranquil rural surroundings rarely become available to the open market, and the agents have no hesitation in recommending an internal inspection to fully appreciate everything the property has to offer. The accommodation, with approximate dimensions more clearly identified on the accompanying floorplans, comprises: Double doors lead to: Entrance Lobby - Slate flagstone flooring. Reception Hall - A stunning light and airy reception hall spanning the length of the property, with double doors leading to the garden. Stairs rise to the first floor landing. Exposed floorboards. Picture rail and ceiling coving. Under stairs storage cupboard. Cloakroom - Window to the front elevation with window shutters. Comprising low level WC and pedestal wash hand basin. Exposed floorboards. Drawing Room - A dual aspect room enjoying stunning panoramic countryside views, with French doors leading to the gardens. Open fireplace with marble surround and slate hearth. Exposed floorboards. Ceiling coving. Picture rail. Window shutters. Sitting Room/Study - French doors allow access to the gardens and enjoy the spectacular far reaching countryside views. Open fireplace with marble surround and slate hearth. Exposed floorboards. Ceiling coving. Picture rail. Window shutters. Utility/Boot Room - A functional room with space for boots and coats. Original pantry style cupboard. Slate flagstone flooring. Range of built-in storage cupboards with a sink and space for washing machine, tumble dryer and fridge freezer. Door gives access to the garden and windows enjoying countryside views. Kitchen/Dining Room - A superb and spacious room enjoying a dual aspect with a bay window to the rear elevation enjoying panoramic countryside views to Exmoor with inset French doors providing access onto the garden. Exposed floorboards. Ceiling coving. Picture rail. Wood burning stove set within a chimney recess with a slate fireplace. Kitchen - Comprising an excellent range of base units with double sink set into slate work surfaces, two ovens, five ring gas hob, integrated fridge and space for a dishwasher. Separate full height storage cupboards. Exposed floorboards. Window to the rear elevation. First Floor Landing - A stunning landing with an interesting feature vaulted ceiling and laylight. Airing cupboard. Bedroom 5 - Window to the front elevation. Exposed floorboards. Picture rail. Pedestal wash hand basin. Bedroom 1 - Windows to the side elevation enjoying panoramic countryside views. Vanity wash hand basin. Exposed floorboards. Picture rail. Bedroom 2 - Windows to the side elevation enjoying panoramic countryside views. Pedestal wash hand basin. Exposed floorboards. Picture rail. Airing cupboard. Family Bathroom - Comprising vanity wash hand basin, bath and low level WC. Window to the rear elevation enjoying far reaching countryside views. Exposed floorboards. Bedroom 3 - Window to the rear elevation enjoying far reaching countryside views. Built-in storage cupboard. Pedestal wash hand basin. Exposed floorboards. Bedroom 4 - Window to the rear elevation enjoying far reaching countryside views. Exposed floorboards. Built-in storage cupboards. Second Floor Landing - Velux window. Access to the loft space. Built-in storage cupboard. Bathroom - Comprising a bath, shower cubicle, low level WC, and a pedestal wash hand basin. Exposed floorboards. Velux window enjoying far reaching countryside views. Heated towel rail. Returning to the reception hall, a door gives access to a large walk-in storage cupboard with a sink. A door and stairs lead down to the cellar, which consists of a corridor with three rooms off, one of which houses the oil fired boiler. Outside - The property is approached over a driveway which allows access to The Old Rectory and three other properties. A metal gateway leads to a gravelled drive providing parking for several vehicles, as well as access to the garage. Detached Garage - Up and over door. Power and water connected. The Grounds - Beautiful level lawned gardens surround the property on the south and eastern elevations, enjoying panoramic countryside views. There are various flowerbeds and borders housing mature plants and shrubs and a patio area. A ha-ha separates the gardens from the paddock, which houses some beautiful ancient oak trees on the boundary. There is an outbuilding which offers potential for stabling or a field shelter, subject to any necessary consents. The whole enjoys a good degree of privacy and tranquillity, and amounts to approximately 1.87 acres (the paddock has a restrictive covenant prohibiting building). Property Information Services - Mains water and electricity. Private drainage shared with one other property (Septic tank). Oil fired central heating on ground floor. EPC: F Local Authority - North Devon District Council - 01271 327711. Contents, Fixtures and Fittings - Only those mentioned within this brochure are included in the sale. All others, such as light fittings, mirrors, garden ornaments etc. are specifically excluded, but may be available by separate negotiation. Viewing - By appointment with Jackson-Stops, North Devon 01271 325 153. For sale by private treaty with vacant possession upon completion. What3words:/// myths.housework.silly Directions - From Barnstaple, proceed out of town on the A39 signposted towards Lynton, passing the hospital on your right hand side. Proceed straight across at the roundabout and continue along this road until you enter the village of Shirwell. Proceed through the village until the road drops downhill and bears around to the left. Turn right here signposted towards Shirwell Town and Loxhore. Proceed along this road for about 0.6 of a mile until you see the last driveway on the left hand side. Proceed onto the driveway until you see the entrance to the property with the front door straight ahead.