A delightful Devonshire house and 17th century cottages with magnificent outdoor entertaining space
Rachael Turner explores the period property by Dartmoor National Park.

Built by the architect Henry Lloyd in 1870, Culverhayes in Sampford Courtenay, Okehampton, is an impressive home of grand proportions.
Original 17th century courtyard barns converted into two pretty holiday cottages sit within its beautiful grounds, providing an excellent business opportunity or place for guests to stay. It is listed by Knight Frank via OnTheMarket at £2,000,000.
The striking façade of the six-bedroom house is complemented by its period features, which have been retained after careful renovations.
The internal layout flows well and is spacious and comfortable, lending itself perfectly as a family home.
The cottages sit to the western side of the property, ensuring good privacy from the main house while being close enough to be convenient and practical.
Beautifully presented, they are set on two sides of a gravelled courtyard, which provides ample space for parking and turning.
The gardens have been well-maintained with a variety of areas to relax and enjoy the surroundings.
Sign up for the Country Life Newsletter
Exquisite houses, the beauty of Nature, and how to get the most from your life, straight to your inbox.
Immediately behind the house is a parterre terrace which opens onto a sweeping lawn. A gentle slope leads to spring-fed ponds with established Gunnera surrounded by beds.
Rose beds and box hedgerows enclose an ornamental pond with a central fountain, leading to a column pavilion providing an excellent space for outdoor entertaining. The pavilion faces west to take full advantage of the evening sun.
There is also a charming pier, where residents can enjoy views of the house and grounds.
The property sits on the edge of Sampford Courtenay, a pretty village to the north of Dartmoor National Park. The village has a well-regarded pub, a church and many popular village shows and events.
There are a number of footpaths and cycle trails from Sampford Courtenay, with more opportunities for walking and cycling on offer within the National Park, which is about four miles to the south.
Okehampton is just over five miles to the south and has a range of independent shops, including greengrocers, butchers, bakeries, banks and a post office.
There are primary schools at Exbourne, Okehampton and North Tawton and secondary schools in Okehampton and Crediton. Exeter has a range of excellent state and private schools including Exeter School and The Maynard School.
Okehampton is for sale at £2m via Knight Frank — find more houses in the area.
A magnificent former bath house with a classical-style portico and three acres of walled gardens
Rachael Turner explores a Georgian gem in Country Durham.
Credit: Knight Frank
A house and estate with a waterfall, gym and 40 acres of the Yorkshire Dales
Penny Churchill takes a look at Roundhill, in the Nidderdale AONB.
-
Graham Norton's elegant East London home hits the market, and it's just as wonderful as you would expect
The four-bedroom home in Wapping should be studied for how well it uses two separate spaces to create a home of immense character and utility.
By James Fisher Published
-
Sign of the times: In the age of the selfie, what’s happening to the humble autograph?
When Ringo Starr announced that he was no longer going to sign anything, he kickstarted a celebrity movement that coincided with the advent of the camera phone and selfie. Rob Crossan asks whether, in today’s world, the selfie holds more clout than an autograph?
By Rob Crossan Published
-
Graham Norton's elegant East London home hits the market, and it's just as wonderful as you would expect
The four-bedroom home in Wapping should be studied for how well it uses two separate spaces to create a home of immense character and utility.
By James Fisher Published
-
About time: The fastest and slowest moving housing markets revealed
New research by Zoopla has shown where it's easy to sell and where it will take quite a while to find a buyer.
By Annabel Dixon Last updated
-
A wisteria clad hall built by one of the founders of the Bank of England
Come for the history of Old Hall. Stay for the interesting interiors.
By Annabel Dixon Published
-
A gorgeous Scottish cottage with contemporary interiors on the bonny banks of the River Tay
Carnliath on the edge of Strathtay is a delightful family home set in sensational scenery.
By James Fisher Published
-
Six rural properties with space, charm and endless views, as seen in Country Life
We take a look at some of the best houses to come to the market via Country Life in the past week.
By Toby Keel Published
-
380 acres and 90 bedrooms on the £25m private island being sold by one of Britain's top music producers
Stormzy, Rihanna and the Rolling Stones are just a part of the story at Osea Island, a dot on the map in the seas off Essex.
By Lotte Brundle Published
-
A home cinema, tasteful interiors and 65 acres of private parkland hidden in an unassuming lodge in Kent
North Lodge near Tonbridge may seem relatively simple, but there is a lot more than what meets the eye.
By James Fisher Published
-
A rare opportunity to own a family home on Vanbrugh Terrace, one of London's finest streets
This six-bedroom Victorian home sits right on the start line of the London Marathon, with easy access to Blackheath and Greenwich Park.
By James Fisher Published