One of the 'finest surviving examples' of a Dartmoor Longhouse for sale for offers over £3.5 million in the Dartmoor National Park
Shilstone, near the village of Chagford in Devon, is a truly magical small estate surrounded by beautiful pasture and woodlands. Penny Churchill takes a look.


More than 1,000 years of Dartmoor history are woven into the fabric of Grade II-listed Shilstone, three miles from Chagford in the Dartmoor National Park. The beautifully restored, thatched complex of buildings, comprising a Grade II-listed Devon longhouse, two cottages and a traditional farmstead set in 30 acres of pasture, paddocks and woodland, is currently for sale through Jackson-Stops and Knight Frank at a guide price of ‘offers over £3.5m’.
Its 1952 listing describes Shilstone as ‘an outstanding Dartmoor longhouse… attractively sited and, like many of the older moorland houses, tucked tightly into the hill-slopes. It forms a group with its associated 17th century farm buildings… It is remarkable that such a modestly-sized farmhouse should consistently be built to such a high standard, from its medieval roof to the 1656 front doorway. As early as 1935, the historian R. H. Worth recognized the house as one of the finest surviving examples of the Dartmoor longhouse type, and [a building] of national importance, in his book The Dartmoor House’.
Set at the end of its own private drive and surrounded by delightful gardens, picture-perfect Shilstone, which reputedly dates from Saxon times, has been much improved by successive owners since it was last used as a farmhouse, although its spectacular views towards Castle Drogo and Chagford remain the same.
The house lies centrally within its land, sheltered by the rising ground to the south west but high enough to capture long views to the moor. It offers more than 6,100sq ft of living space in the main building, including three reception rooms, a garden room, kitchen/breakfast room, three bedrooms with bathrooms, and a recently added master suite with a dramatic vaulted ceiling.
Another addition of note is the converted party barn with its 34ft dining hall, as is the equestrian yard comprising four loose boxes with Victorian-style fittings, and an adjoining thatched barn with two further loose boxes leading to a full-size sand arena and a range of gently sloping post-and-railed paddocks.
Two two/three-bedroom cottages, located beside the entrance drive, have also been recently renovated and are used partly as guest cottages or for occasional holiday lets.
Shilstone is currently on the market via Jackson-Stops and Knight Frank at a guide price of over £3.5 million — see more pictures or enquire with the agents for further details.
Sign up for the Country Life Newsletter
Exquisite houses, the beauty of Nature, and how to get the most from your life, straight to your inbox.
Chagford: What you need to know
Location: On the north-east edge of Dartmoor, four miles from Moretonhampstead and roughly 20 miles west of Exeter.
Atmosphere: The market town is hailed a 'hidden gem' within the Dartmoor National Park, with picturesque stone cottages, a 15th century church and a number of good pubs.
Things to do: Explore the national park via the many walking, cycling and bridle tracks. Exeter is a short drive away for a cultural or shopping excursion, and is home to both high street and independent shops and restaurants.
Schools: Chagford Church of England Primary School, South Tawton Primary School and Running Deer School are all local to the area; with Kelly College and schools in Exeter slightly further afield.
See more property for sale in the area.
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
-
Six rural properties with space, charm and endless views, as seen in Country Life
We take a look at some of the best houses to come to the market via Country Life in the past week.
By Toby Keel Published
-
Exploring the countryside is essential for our wellbeing, but Right to Roam is going backwards
Campaigners in England often point to Scotland as an example of how brilliantly Right to Roam works, but it's not all it's cracked up to be, says Patrick Galbraith.
By Patrick Galbraith Published
-
Six rural properties with space, charm and endless views, as seen in Country Life
We take a look at some of the best houses to come to the market via Country Life in the past week.
By Toby Keel Published
-
380 acres and 90 bedrooms on the £25m private island being sold by one of Britain's top music producers
Stormzy, 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.
By Lotte Brundle Published
-
A home cinema, tasteful interiors and 65 acres of private parkland hidden in an unassuming lodge in Kent
North Lodge near Tonbridge may seem relatively simple, but there is a lot more than what meets the eye.
By James Fisher Published
-
A rare opportunity to own a family home on Vanbrugh Terrace, one of London's finest streets
This six-bedroom Victorian home sits right on the start line of the London Marathon, with easy access to Blackheath and Greenwich Park.
By James Fisher Published
-
A tale of everyday life as lived on Britain's most expensive street
Winnington Road in Hampstead has an average house price of £11.9 million. But what's it really like? Lotte Brundle went to find out.
By Lotte Brundle Last updated
-
Damon Hill's former home in Marbella is the perfect place to slow down
The glorious Andalusian-style villa is found within the Lomas de Marbella Club and just a short walk from the beach.
By James Fisher Published
-
A 327-acre estate in the heart of 'England’s Côte d’Or', with a 26,000sq ft Georgian style home at its heart
Stokes Hall in the Crouch Valley is an inspiring property looking for a new owner.
By Penny Churchill Published
-
Schreiber House, 'the most significant London townhouse of the second half of the 20th century', is up for sale
The five-bedroom Modernist masterpiece sits on the edge of Hampstead Heath.
By Lotte Brundle Published