Situated a mile from the peaceful, unspoilt village of Yarcombe in the Blackdown Hills yet superbly located for visiting Devon, Somerset and Dorset. Surrounded by 2,500 acres of farmland through which the River Yarty flows, try your hand at trout fishing, or enjoy the vast choice of walks nearby. You will probably not want to venture far from this idyll, but if you do, under a mile away is the village of Howley and the nearby towns of Chard and Honiton, both offering a wide variety of shops and places to eat and drink. The Jurassic Coast is easily accessible by car and the excellent beaches of Charmouth, Lyme Regis, Sidmouth, Seaton and Beer are all within 20 miles.
From the moment you step through the stone porch and ancient oak door you will be struck by the character of the house, which was originally a medieval hall and is part of the Yarcombe Estate which was inherited from Sir Francis Drake. The entrance to the house is from a formal courtyard with fine views over the estate. The impressive entrance panelled hall has flagstone flooring, a huge medieval, ornamental fireplace, beams and window seat. Off it, is an oak-panelled drawing room with comfy sofa’s, a wood burner to curl up in front of and TV/DVD. The banqueting dining room has a carved ornamental fireplace, piano, iPod dock and dining table seating 24, so you can all enjoy meals together. Next door is the kitchen/diner with an electric 4-oven Everhot range plus an electric double oven and ceramic hob, microwave, two dishwashers, two fridges, large freezer and breakfast table with window seats for those family breakfasts. There is also a proper old-fashioned larder/wine store and butler’s pantry, so there is plenty of storage for food and beverages for 24 guests. From the kitchen is a children's lounge a perfect place to watch a favourite film on the TV/DVD. There is a utility room with a washing machine and tumble dryer and there is also a separate WC. From here is a back door to the former stables and enclosed courtyard, a perfect space for young children to play with toys and a sandpit, there is also a useful outside dog kennel. Back to the entrance hall you will find the billiard room another huge, long room with large windows, William Morris-designed wallpaper, and a full-sized snooker table. Off this is an ante-room leading to ‘The Study’ a twin zip-and-link bedroom (which can be made up into a super-king-size on request) with lovely views across the countryside and a neighbouring shower room with shower and WC. There are four staircases (from billiard room, hall, back scullery and one steep, boxed-off spiral) up to ten more bedrooms, each uniquely named, some with lovely panelling and all with exceptional views. Some rooms have interconnecting doors, however, all can be bolted and individually accessed. From the billiard room staircase, you come to ‘Amy’ a super-king-size zip-and-link (which can be made up into a twin on request), ‘Francis Drake’ is a twin zip-and-link bedroom (which can be made up into a super-king-size on request) with en-suite bathroom with bath and WC. The ‘Clock Room’ is a king-size and shares a shower room with shower and WC with ‘Amy’. ‘Jacintha’ is a super-king-size zip-and-link (which can be made up into a twin on request), with en-suite shower room with shower and WC. ‘David’s Room’ is a king-size and has a neighbouring shower room with shower and WC. ‘Alexandra’ is a king-size room with a beautiful four poster bed and has a neighbouring bathroom with bath and WC. ‘Eva’ is a king-size suite with en-suite bathroom with bath, separate shower and WC. ‘The Blue Room’ is a king-size and has an en-suite bath and WC. ‘Marjorie’ is a twin zip-and-link bedroom (which can be made up into a super-king-size on request) with en-suite shower and WC. ‘The Playroom’ has two single beds and a super-king-size zip-and-link (which can be made up into a twin on request), there is also a ‘Jack and Jill’ en-suite bathroom with bath, separate shower and WC.
Venturing outside is a large and beautiful garden with lawn fading via a ha-ha into the countryside. A wild garden/orchard with mown paths is at the end of a pergola walk which is covered in wisteria, there is a perfectly placed seat, so you can listen to the trickle of the nearby stream (unfenced). On the other side of the huge croquet lawn is a shallow rill which is also unfenced, so children must take care. There is a huge games room accessed from the garden with pool table, air hockey, table tennis, table football and ride on toys, parents can relax in the seating area while children play. To the rear of the house is a flagstone and paved terrace a perfect place to enjoy a charcoal BBQ with seating for 24. From here head through a stone arch with wrought iron gate to a sunken garden, which is very sheltered and peaceful. Parking can be found at the front of the house, which can provide parking for a large number of cars.