With its green hills tumbling steeply down into impossibly blue sea, and views across the water to where you’ll see more of the same, there are few spots in England prettier than the River Dart estuary in Devon. Boats are as common here as cars are in most towns, skipping across the waves between Kingswear and Dartmouth, or perhaps down to the castle. And if you ever find yourself on one of those boats on a warm, sunny day, you’ll no doubt notice the gorgeous houses which cling to the choice spots, and wonder with envy who lives within.
The good news is that one of those houses, Paradise Point, has now come up for sale — and it’s every bit as beautiful inside as you’d hope. The less good news is that the asking price is £7.75 million, which will mean that for all but the best-heeled it’ll have to remain a dream.
The house sits in the village of Warfleet, roughly half-way between the centre of Dartmouth and Dartmouth Castle, on the western side of the estuary. It’s a Grade II-listed, five-bedroom house with gardens which run down to the water, where you’ll find your own little jetty.
While it’s full of character it’s a relative baby compared to many of the ancient buildings you’ll find in this historic part of Devon: it was built in 1850, to replace Paradise Fort, which once stood on this spot.
The 6,778sq ft is split across four floors, including lovely spaces such as a snug, bar, cinema room and a basement with wine cellar. The words 'wine cellar' undersell it a little, so here's a picture:
The bedrooms are split between the first and second floors, though the latter is currently laid out as a self-contained apartment.
The star of the show on the ground floor is the extravagant drawing room with doors that lead out to what we can only describe as a wraparound orangery.
The master suite above that drawing room has a balcony, dressing room and two en-suite bathrooms (yes, really — one has a bath, one has a shower) and is quite astonishing.
As well as place to moor your boats, there is space to park your cars — half a dozen will fit on the private driveway, while there is also a double garage with its own roof terrace that has been built into the slope. It’s an eye-catching design that has won a couple of architectural awards, according to the agents.
And speaking of eye-catching designs, another is in the pipeline for Paradise Point: plans have been submitted for a two-storey building down by the jetty which is to be a home office and boathouse.
If it wins approval from the local authorities, the next owner of this magnificent spot could become the proud owner of one of the great work-from-home spots in Devon.
Paradise Point is for sale via Knight Frank at £7.75 million — 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
-
Canine muses: The English bull terrier who helped transform her owner from 'a photographer into an artist'In the first edition of our new, limited series, we meet the dogs who've inspired some of our greatest artists.
-
Five of the most majestic properties for sale in Britain today, from a 1,700-acre estate to a private island, as seen in Country LifeOur look at the best homes to come to the market via Country Life this week includes some genuinely breathtaking places.
-
Five of the most majestic properties for sale in Britain today, from a 1,700-acre estate to a private island, as seen in Country Life
Our look at the best homes to come to the market via Country Life this week includes some genuinely breathtaking places.
-
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.
