A gloriously-renovated farmhouse in Devon that comes with four lovely cottages
Penny Churchill takes a look at Greenawell, a house with land in Devon that has a huge amount of potential.


Down in deepest Devon, birdsong is said to be the only sound you’ll hear at Greenawell, an idyllic, 76-acre farm settlement in the Dartmoor National Park, near the market town of Moretonhampstead, 15 miles south-west of Exeter. It’s on the market with Strutt & Parker, who quote a guide price of £4.5m.
Originally a working farm on the Bovey Castle estate, the property, comprising the five-bedroom Victorian farmhouse and its adjoining farmstead, was acquired in 2005 by the present owner, who embarked on a comprehensive programme of improvement, restoration and alteration that saw the work completed by November 2006.
The farmhouse was enlarged and improved with the installation of granite fireplaces, floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors, new oak joinery, biomass underfloor heating and all-new plumbing and wiring, to create a supremely comfortable family home on three floors.
There are three main reception rooms, a large kitchen/breakfast room, five bedrooms and three bath/shower rooms, and a number of glass walls to make the most of the scenery.
The traditional farm buildings were re-imagined and converted to four delightful cottages, each with its own individual character.
There is the two-bedroom Granary Cottage, with its gallery/study; Horseshoe Cottage also has two bedrooms and a charming kitchen/breakfast room; Old Stables Cottage is a little smaller, all one one floor; and finally the three-bedroom Courtyard Cottage.
A former barn was converted into a 50ft indoor swimming pool, with one wall fully glazed to allow wonderful views over Dartmoor, and a range of outbuildings built to house stabling, a tack room and feed store. There is also a tennis court on the property.
Exquisite houses, the beauty of Nature, and how to get the most from your life, straight to your inbox.
The farm complex is surrounded by gardens and grounds landscaped and designed to incorporate the original dry-stone walls, farm tracks and mature trees.
As is common on Dartmoor, large granite stones border gateways complemented by modern bespoke wooden gates. 
Greenawell is for sale via Strutt & Parker at £4.5m — see more details and pictures.
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
-
Neil Armstrong and Sir Edmund Hillary’s joint adventure to the Arctic that you've never heard about and what its re-creation can tell us about the state of Earth
In 1985, Neil Armstrong and Sir Edmund Hillary adventured to the North Pole; 40 years later, their children re-created the expedition.
By Ben Lerwill Published
-
Nuthall Temple: The Palladian masterpiece that was blown up to make way for the M1
Every Monday, Melanie Bryan, delves into the hidden depths of Country Life's extraordinary archive to bring you a long-forgotten story, photograph or advert.
By Melanie Bryan Published
-
What everyone is talking about this week: Where are the new Cotswolds?
The appearance of American Vice President J. D. Vance in the Cotswolds is a sure sign that they're saturated, but where else can you escape to that has the same charm?
By Will Hosie Published
-
19 outstanding country homes, from £450,000 to £20 million, as seen in Country Life
A spectacular country house in Yorkshire and an enormously impressive Channel Islands retreat are among the stand-out homes on the market this week.
By Toby Keel Published
-
Three homes down by the Thames, perfect for those who love messing about on boats
This summer’s scorching temperatures will no doubt have endorsed the perennial appeal of Thames-side houses with frontage and private access to the river. Penny Churchill and Toby Keel pick out some prime examples.
By Toby Keel Published
-
A pavilion, pool and pleasure gardens at this Devon country house 'with not another building in sight'
Ebberly House is a majestic country house in Devon built by one of John Soane's pupils — and as it comes to the market, it's a place Penny Churchill knows well.
By Penny Churchill Published
-
Take over the world or throw a great big party on this private fort for sale in Pembroke
Thorne Island, dubbed the British Alcatraz, has been a £2 million labour of love. Now it could be yours.
By James Fisher Published
-
The perfect summer house? A country home, beach house and rural escape rolled into one in a prime spot in Sussex
If there's a finer house than Grangewood House in which to enjoy the summer, we'd love to see it. Penny Churchill takes a look.
By Penny Churchill Published
-
A six-bedroom modern masterpiece mere minutes from Europe's best golf course
Villa Stern catches the eye with its distinctive design, and is imbued with luxury inside and out.
By James Fisher Published
-
Everything the light touches… The London penthouse for sale that will make you feel like a king
The Observatory in London’s Fulham boasts 360-degree views of the capital.
By Rosie Paterson Published