Readers of Country Life (January 15 issue) may have noticed a prominent advertisement placed by Savills announcing the sale, at a guide price of £6.5m, of Ferndown, a ‘stunning coastal home with unrivalled views’ set in just under an acre of hillside overlooking the surfing beach of Saunton Sands, Saunton golf course and the sand dunes of Braunton Burrows, within the rugged North Devon National Landscape.
Selling agent Damian Charles reveals that this modern masterpiece was also built as a replacement dwelling, having been constructed on the site of an earlier Ferndown, a run-down waterfront house acquired by the developer in 2019.
The present, futuristic Ferndown offers more than 12,000sq ft of internal living space spread across three floors, each one showcasing the spectacular panoramic sea views. The property also boasts some 5,000sq ft of terraces with access to Braunton Burrows and a separate path leading to Saunton Sands.
The ground floor has an open-plan layout with a spacious, state-of-the-art kitchen, which flows into the family and dining areas, where floor-to-ceiling windows connect with the outdoor terraces to bring the natural beauty of the surroundings into the heart of the house.
The first floor is designed for versatile living with seven double bedrooms, each with its own en-suite bathroom. The ‘western wing’, comprising two en-suite bedrooms with a day room beneath, is a possible self-contained annexe or separate living space.
The lower-ground floor is an impressive leisure complex built into the hillside. High-lights include a 9m by 5m (29ft by 16ft) swimming pool, a 20m (65ft) lap pool and a pool bar; plus a spa-quality leisure area, comprising a sauna, steam room, gym and yoga/weights room, a treatment room and an impressive glass-walled cellar where wine buffs can exhibit and store their collection.
The complex also includes a cinema with its own bar and a large games room ‘thereby ensuring that there are plenty of options for recreation and fun without ever leaving the property’.
Designed for the 21st century and beyond, amenities include an air-source heat pump, underfloor heating throughout, a mechanical ventilation heat recovery system, 48 solar panels, an integrated Lutron system for lighting and media, Sonos throughout and a fully integrated burglar- and fire-alarm system.
-
Vertigo at Victoria Falls, a sunset surrounded by lions and swimming in the Nile: A journey from Cape Town to CairoWhy do we travel and who inspires us to do so? Chris Wallace went in search of answers on his own epic journey the length of Africa.
-
A gorgeous Scottish cottage with contemporary interiors on the bonny banks of the River TayCarnliath on the edge of Strathtay is a delightful family home set in sensational scenery.
-
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.
-
Six rural properties with space, charm and endless views, as seen in Country LifeWe take a look at some of the best houses to come to the market via Country Life in the past week.
-
380 acres and 90 bedrooms on the £25m private island being sold by one of Britain's top music producersStormzy, 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.
-
A home cinema, tasteful interiors and 65 acres of private parkland hidden in an unassuming lodge in KentNorth Lodge near Tonbridge may seem relatively simple, but there is a lot more than what meets the eye.
-
A rare opportunity to own a family home on Vanbrugh Terrace, one of London's finest streetsThis six-bedroom Victorian home sits right on the start line of the London Marathon, with easy access to Blackheath and Greenwich Park.
-
A tale of everyday life as lived on Britain's most expensive streetWinnington Road in Hampstead has an average house price of £11.9 million. But what's it really like? Lotte Brundle went to find out.
-
Damon Hill's former home in Marbella is the perfect place to slow downThe glorious Andalusian-style villa is found within the Lomas de Marbella Club and just a short walk from the beach.
-
A 327-acre estate in the heart of 'England’s Côte d’Or', with a 26,000sq ft Georgian style home at its heartStokes Hall in the Crouch Valley is an inspiring property looking for a new owner.
