Just outside the thriving town of Ivybridge on the edge of Dartmoor is Filham House, a grand, five-bedroom home set on the site of a former monastery. It's for sale via Marchand Petit at £1.75 million.
To say that it's a house for sale isn't quite accurate, actually. While the sprawling Georgian manor house is the centrepiece, this is actually a small estate that includes five further cottages, gardens, an outdoor swimming pool and half a dozen acres of parkland.
The original monastery that once stood on this site was apparently destroyed during the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the reign of Henry VIII.
All that's left from those days are the remains of the 14th century St Andrews Chapel — but that's not the ruin you see here. That is actually a folly, Gaze Tower, which was built in 1794 by John Pearse and thus predates the main house by some years.
With its faux-ruined walls and ivy-clad tower it lends a wonderful romantic charm to the place. This is no crumbling hazard, however: there are steps to the top from where you can see across to Dartmoor.
Inside, Filham House itself is a grand house built in the early years of the 19th century, and extensively remodelled after the First World War.
There's a mix of old and new within, with traditionally-decorated reception rooms and a spectacular modern kitchen that leads through to a pretty dining room.
The centrepieces of the kitchen are an enormous double Aga and a large island. There is also a separate boiler room and utility room
On the ground floor of the house are three large reception rooms, with two of them — the sitting and drawing rooms — having French windows opening onto the gardens.
Those views of the gardens are also enjoyed from three of the five bedrooms, one of which is a huge master suite with a separate dressing area and a healthily-sized en suite bathroom.
Of all the rooms, however, it's the dining room which is perhaps the most striking, a double-height room overlooked by a gallery from the landing.
The grounds include a paddock, orchard and a small lake, which has a boathouse and a fountain in the centre.
Finally there are the cottages, approached by a separate driveway — all are currently let out, brining a healthy revenue for the owners and offering all sorts of possibilities for a future owner, subject to the usual permissions being granted.
Filham House is for sale via Marchand Petit — see more details and pictures
Credit: The Turner Twins
The twins from Dartmoor who defied near-tragedy and took on the world
Katherine Sopwith on the brothers who bounced back from teenage tragedy to forge a lifetime of adventure.
A Dartmoor manor house with its own hydro-electricity, and space for horses and helicopters
Holystreet Manor lies in a sweep of the River Teign and some magnificent ancient woodland.
Credit: Martyn - Marchand Petit
The unique chance to own of the great houses of Totnes, with stunning views of Dartmoor National Park
Highfield House hides behind its high walls but slopes down to a garden which reveals views of Totnes, Dartmoor and
-
Sophia Money-Coutts: I went to stay with a friend last weekend and my dog killed a chicken. How do I adequately apologise?Our modern etiquette columnist Sophia Money-Coutts reflects on the dark side of being a dog owner.
-
100 years of the photobooth, the essential piece of party paraphernalia beloved by Salvador Dali, Andy Warhol and BeyoncéOn the centenary of the photobooth, Will Hosie looks back on a hundred years of self-portraits.
-
The dream home that never was for one of Britain's greatest film stars, back on the market for the first time in half a centuryAnna White takes a look at the beautiful Wallers Mead, in the Buckinghamshire village full of links to Hollywood movies from James Bond to Star Wars.
-
A 500-year-old cottage in West Sussex that's as beautiful as you could ever hope to see, with a pool ringed by flowers, stables and a croquet lawnJames Fisher was in need of some balm for the soul when he came across Woodshill House.
-
A Clarkson's Farm of one's own: Five properties with just enough farmland for you and your family, from under £1 millionMoving to the country is one thing; moving to the country and being able to grow and rear all your own food is another level entirely, and all these properties offer exactly that.
-
Six superb homes, from chocolate box cottages to grand Tudor mansions, as seen in Country LifeOur regular round-up includes charming home counties houses and superb grand country house in Ireland.
-
A billionaire's thatched cottage is for sale in Surrey, once owned by the oil magnate J. Paul GettyChestnut Cottage is a joyous little home — albeit one with the most unusual bedrooms to acreage to price balances we've ever seen. Toby Keel takes a look inside.
-
Medieval Italian? 19th century French? 16th century German? You're spoilt for choice if you're looking to buy a gorgeous continental castleFrom hills of Italy to a Bavarian palace, Toby Keel takes a look at three of the finest castles for sale across Europe today.
-
How to buy a house at auctionBuying at auction can mean you secure your dream property for a bargain price, but preparation is the key
-
The homes of two 1980s TV icons are both up for sale at the same timeThe houses where Bob Monkhouse and Sir Terry Wogan spent decades of their lives are currently on the market. Annabel Dixon takes a look.
