Sometimes a property is so chocolate-box perfect if's hard to believe — and in the case of this house, even the name is like something from a story book: Cubby Close Cottage, which is up for sale.
The house is a delightful three-bedroom, thatched home set in as pretty a slice of countryside as you'll find in the West Country, at the heart of the National Trust's 6,000-acre Killerton Estate.
Inside, the house has been recently refurbished, but it's kept many charming period features — not least a glorious country kitchen with a huge traditional Aga set in an alcove created from ancient gnarled beams that date to the cottage's 18th century origins.
The thatched roof, you'll be glad to know, was re-done in 2017, so you'll not need to worry about anything more than standard maintenance for some time to come.
It's not a huge place. There's a living room and the kitchen/breakfast room, plus a utility room, bathroom and conservatory downstairs.
Upstairs are three modestly-size bedrooms, and another bathroom.
The gardens are three-quarters of an acre, but you're entirely surrounded by fields and woodland, with the River Culm close by. And yet despite this bucolic, secluded feel, Exeter is just eight miles away — it's a thatched country dream that's eminently commutable.
The agents, Bradleys, have it listed at £650,000, which — given its status as part of the wider estate — you might have guessed buys you not the freehold, but a 90-year lease.
Still, the ground rent is set at £10 a year, so no outrageous service charges here, and we're fairly sure you can trust the National Trust not to pop a couple of extra zeroes on the end of that figure any time soon.
Cubby Close Cottage is for sale at £650,000 — see more details and pictures.
Credit: Paul Massey
The Country Life guide to South Devon: Where to go, what to see, where to stay and what to eat
Mile-upon-mile of coastline, England’s largest fish market and idyllic scenery make South Devon a fantastic staycation destination. Here’s our guide
The Country Life guide to Dorset: Where to go, what to see, where to stay and where to eat
Magnificent coastline, beautiful countryside, irresistible romantic ruins and wonderful local produce make Dorset a superb place to go. Here's our
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
-
A glorious 17th century home in one of the most exclusive waterside villages in BritainOrchard House was lucky not to have been sunk beneath the surface of Rutland Water when it was created in the 1970s — but it did, and today this wonderful spot is looking better than ever.
-
How to make a bay and vanilla crème brûlée custard tartElevate your everyday vanilla crème brûlée by infusing it with delicate bay.
-
A glorious 17th century home in one of the most exclusive waterside villages in BritainOrchard House was lucky not to have been sunk beneath the surface of Rutland Water when it was created in the 1970s — but it did, and today this wonderful spot is looking better than ever.
-
A honey-coloured, 300-year-old rectory where every period-house headache has already been solved for youThe Old Rectory is a charming family home that's just undergone an extensive renovation.
-
The sleepy village hall that's been transformed into a breathtaking homeThe Village Hall in Shotley Bridge is a masterful conversion of a much-loved village amenity.
-
Six wonderful rural homes for sale, as seen in Country LifeOur pick of the best homes to feature in Country Life over the past week includes a grand Sussex estate and a delightful riverside home.
-
A five-bedroom former farmhouse brought to life with one of the finest living rooms we've seenGlebe Farm in Nottinghamshire has undergone an astounding restoration to create a very special home.
-
A five-acre estate at the heart of the 'prettiest village in Leicestershire'Horninghold Hall is the jewel in the crown of Horninghold.
-
A wetsuit room, fingerprint entry and coastal views from all the principal rooms: Is this the ultimate Cornish holiday home?Sitting pretty overlooking Polzeath Beach in North Cornwall, Megizzy’s spectacular views, contemporary design and well thought out features are hard to beat.
-
Inside Audrey Hepburn's exquisite Alpine retreatViews of the mountains, 40 acres of gardens and grounds and 10,000 sq ft La Paisible is a subtle yet spacious country home.
