Down in deepest Devon, Knight Frank are selling the beautifully renovated Brimptsmead estate in the heart of the Dartmoor National Park, four miles from Widecombe-in-the-Moor and 29 miles from Exeter.
Agents quote a guide price of £4.95m for the exquisite Arts-and-Crafts house set in more than nine acres of terraced gardens, ancient woodland and wildflower meadows at the confluence of the East and West Rivers Dart, surrounded by lands owned by the Duchy of Cornwall.
The construction of Brimptsmead started in 1893, when permission was granted to build a hunting lodge and summer home on the magical riverside site. The building was completed in 1906 and the house, which is unlisted, was leased from the then Prince of Wales.
Some 27 years ago, the present owners were given the opportunity to buy the freehold from the current Prince of Wales, which they did with alacrity — hardly surprising, given that freeholds are rarely available in this part of the world.
In fact, there is one quirk remaining from the previous ownership: The Prince of Wales retains the right to fish on Brimptsmead’s river bank — though His Royal Highness does need to give 24 hours’ notice to the owners!
During their tenure, the owners have carried out a massive programme of works, including the installation of a new 26,000-tile roof, 120 leaded-light windows handmade by Lamplite of Ashburton, polished pink-granite floors with underfloor heating, 100 new cast-iron radiators and bespoke oak panelling in the principal rooms.
In all, Brimptsmead offers 5,984sq ft of stylish, uncluttered accommodation including a reception hall/library, a delightful turret room, two formal reception rooms, a study, gun-room, kitchen/breakfast room, sitting room, six bedrooms, five bathrooms, hydro-pool and a shower room.
Estate cottages once used to house the family gardener and chauffeur have been restored and upgraded.
A novel addition is ‘the shed’, a cleverly designed building built into the side of the hill with space for six vehicles on the lower level and a splendid party barn on the upper level. A gate from the paddock on the northern boundary gives direct access to the moor, over which there is right to roam.
Brimptsmead Estate is currently on the market via Knight Frank at a guide price of £4.95 million — see more pictures, or enquire with the agent for further details.
Yelverton: What you need to know
Location: In Devon on the South-Western edge of the Dartmoor National Park. Plymouth is approximately 9.5 miles away, whilst Tavistock is approximately 5.7 miles away. The closest train station is in Plymouth, which runs a Great Western service to Penzance and London Paddington.
Atmosphere: This large village is a popular starting point for people wanting to explore the Dartmoor National Park. There is a cricket club, several small shops in the village — including a bakery, a pub, and a larger supermarket situated close by.
Things to do: Yelverton is a great place from which to base yourself to explore the 386 square miles of Dartmoor National Park. Explore either on foot, bike or horseback. Visit Burrator Reservoir or the Garden House at Buckland Monachorum, or head towards Plymouth for more leisure and shopping facilities.
Schools: Horrabridge Community Primary School and Whitchurch Community Primary School are within the area, whilst Plymouth College, Plymouth High School for Girls, Devonport High School for Boys and Mount Kelly College are all good independent secondary options.
See more property for sale in the area.
Credit: Strutt and Parker
Best country houses for sale this week
An irresistible West Country cottage and a magnificent Cumbrian country house make our pick of the finest country houses for
-
'It’s not ironic that I really like wasps and that they nearly killed me. It’s simply a coincidence': What to do if you're stung by a waspAfter a close encounter with some wasps put him in hospital, William Kendall sought an unlikely remedy...
-
'No Yorkshire dale, no Scottish moor, no view from Westminster Bridge can match it': Charles Quest-Ritson on The Itchen Valley, his personal piece of heavenCharles Quest-Ritson lavishes praise on the Itchen Valley, a part of Britain that's so charming and unspoilt as to restore your faith in the world.
-
Save me: A castle on the Isle of Wight designed by James Wyatt is up for saleNorris Castle Estate also comes with 225 acres of gardens and grounds, and needs a little TLC
-
Farms, fishing and a former owner who once bought Stonehenge. You could have it all at Bapton Manor1,796 acres of the Cranborne Chase National Landscape. What's not to love
-
A meticulously restored Scottish estate for sale, dripping with history, character and wildlifeThe Craigengillan Estate in Ayrshire sits in 2,850 acres above the valley of the River Doon.
-
Sir Michael Caine's former home on the Thames is a testament to idyllic living and good tasteAt Rectory Farm House, luxury and modern convenience blend seamlessly with rural England. Is this the house that Jaws 4 built?
-
White sand beaches, smuggler's coves, teeming wildlife and a ruined castle in a Scottish island that's on the market for the first time in almost a centuryJust off the west coast of Scotland lies Shuna Island, a true playground of open spaces, natural beauty, wildlife, beaches and — yes — a castle. And it's looking for a new owner.
-
'One of the 10 most perfect houses in Britain' has come to the market at £9.5 millionPenny Churchill looks at the magical Maperton House.
-
17 outstanding homes for sale across Britain, from under £250k to £6.5 million, as seen in Country LifeSomething for every budget in this week's round up of homes across the country that have come to market via Country Life.
-
An utterly charming island home in Scotland with gardens so beautiful they made the cover of Country LifeAn Cala on the Isle of Seil has a fascinating history that is only enhanced by its amazing setting.
