Newton Abbot, Devon

Orchard Lea

North Whilborough | Newton Abbot | Devon | TQ12 5LP

ORCHARD LEA

Welcome to Orchard Lea, a historic gem nestled in the heart of North Whilborough, within the Parish of Kingskerswell in South Devon. Thought to be the oldest known property in the hamlet, it has a Georgian farmhouse façade dating back to the 1700s and is linked to a barn which dates back to the 1400s. The current owners have breathed new life into this Grade II listed property, meticulously modernising it and protecting it for the future while retaining its traditional charm. The result is a magnificent blend of history, character, and modern convenience. Orchard Lea is a wonderful home that flows extremely well and offers versatile, spacious accommodation.

STEP INSIDE

The most utilised entrance is from the courtyard area, where you’ll be welcomed by the open-plan kitchen, living, and dining area, this wonderful space really is the real heart of the home. Here, flagstone floor tiles, and oak flooring blends seamlessly with handcrafted oak elements, including staircase to the first floor, architraves, surrounds, and a bespoke kitchen island. The kitchen, skilfully crafted by the same local carpenter, infuses modern luxury with timeless character. There is an electric AGA (economy 7), an electric oven and induction hob as well as plenty of useful cupboards and worktop space. The living and dining area is down two steps from the kitchen which provides a nice division whilst maintaining a social feel. The living area has a wonderful fireplace with a wood burner which provides a lovely focal point. The dining area is at the end of the room with double doors out on the patio.

Moving through to the front of the house from the kitchen area, the tiled flooring continues past the cloakroom and on to the traditional front door. Timber panelling in the hall and the door to the snug are noted in the listing, the door is particularly special with four square panels at the top and four triangular panels underneath. The snug is a lovely bright room, complete with window seat, original shutters and a fireplace with wod burner and fitted shelving and cupboards in the chimney alcoves.

On the other side of the hall is the formal dining which room offers a welcoming space for family meals and gatherings. Complete with oak flooring, charming fireplace, and twin front-facing windows, complete with shutters and window seats. There is a staircase from the dining room up to the first floor and a door which leads into the sitting room.

The sitting room was a big project completed by the owners, during the work, they uncovered an amazing oak lintel fireplace which now has a wood burner sitting beneath. They also found an original plaque dating back to 1678 that had been boarded over. It now sits proudly on the wall and is a lovely feature to have on display. A door from this room leads to a utility room with staircase to the first floor, door to the outside and access to a further WC/cloakroom.

The layout of Orchard Lea is a remarkable feature in itself, with three strategically placed staircases leading from the ground floor to the first floor. Here, five spacious bedrooms await, each offering lovely views either over the countryside, or the charming courtyard and garden. One of the bedrooms has a spacious ensuite complete with bath and shower. There is a family bathroom too and a further shower room which is conveniently located to the room currently used as the main bedroom. As well as the bedrooms, there is a dedicated office space fitted with ‘Neville Johnson’ furniture provides a tranquil place to work or study.

SELLER INSIGHT

We moved to Orchard Lea in June 2004. We’d been looking for a while and then purely by chance came across North Whilborough and Orchard Lea – it reminded us of Jersey, where we were living at the time. As soon as we saw it, we knew it was going to be our home – We knew we could get the house to how we wanted it – it needed a lot of love! The location was perfect, it’s a very quiet hamlet, but you can be in either Newton Abbot or Torquay in minutes. Totnes with its independent shops isn’t far either, just 20 minutes or so.

The layout of the house is excellent for entertaining – we have hosted the village Christmas party for the last few years and many a family party has started here. There is lots of room for when the family comes to stay along with parking for plenty of cars. The house is very flexible too, and it’s easy to segment the house when teenagers need their own space and have their friends over. So it could also work well for multi-generational living.

The outside barn provided a working-from-home space before it was ever a ‘thing’. Again, it was a good way of separating home and work. It has also been a good place for children’s parties and has now repurposed itself into a gym and cycle studio.

In regards to the history, it is fair to say we didn’t realise exactly what we were taking on all those years ago, but room by room, we have uncovered the house’s story and hopefully allowed it to continue for many centuries to come, whilst being suitable for today’s modern way of life.

Location-wise, it really couldn’t be better. We are near the beaches of Torbay and the wildness of Dartmoor. There are excellent schools including grammar schools and a local nursery. Exeter is only 25 minutes away, and Newton Abbot station is only 12 minutes. We’re also just a short walk from the local pub!

Orchard Lea has been a wonderful family home for us for 19 years. We’ll certainly miss the community here but now that the kids have grown up and moved, it’s time for our next adventure. We are sure that whoever moves here will love the house and location as much as we have. We feel very lucky to have lived here.”*

* These comments are the personal views of the current owner and are included as an insight into life at the property. They have not been independently verified, should not be relied on without verification and do not necessarily reflect the views of the agent.

STEP OUTSIDE

As you step outside Orchard Lea, you are greeted by a picturesque cobbled courtyard that mirrors the home’s historical charm. The courtyard, is perfect for off-road parking and leads to the outbuilding. This repurposed barn, is now home to a garage, a wood store, and a versatile, very smart first floor office space which has its own entrance and dedicated phone line (currently serving as a gym and indoor cycling studio), the barn is adorned with climbing roses and is a very pretty building that has been utilised without losing the character and charm.

As the house, the gardens of Orchard Lea are a credit to the owners too. The main garden, a classic cottage garden, is planted with roses and other traditional plants. It features the remains of a historic bread oven in one corner, which is thought to be a vestige of a past dwelling. Above this garden area there is a productive vegetable garden with raised beds. A well-maintained greenhouse and a chicken coop (which can be retained or removed according to the buyer’s preference). This part of the garden gives access to the office and a grass path, leads to a grassy area with mulberry tree and on to a two-tiered patio garden, perfect for outdoor entertaining which has doors back into the dining, living, kitchen area.

LOCATION

Nestled in the serene landscapes of South Devon, North Whilborough is a quintessential English country hamlet on the outskirts of Kingskerswell. It’s an idyllic haven, that offers a tranquil retreat from the bustling world while remaining incredibly well-connected with excellent transport links.

Kingskerswell has a good range of amenities including, Co-op convenience store, doctors surgery and pharmacy, hairdressers as well as cricket club and an active church.

North Whilborough is positioned conveniently, just 6 miles away from Newton Abbot railway station, which provides fast, frequent services to the broader network, linking the village with Devon’s cities and beyond. Exeter Airport, another key transport hub, is just 20 miles away, providing both domestic and international connections. Access to the motorways, including the M5, is seamless, making travel a breeze. Yet, despite these connections, the village itself is well insulated from any noise or disturbance, offering an atmosphere of peaceful seclusion.

The hamlet and Kingskerswell are rich in history, dating back to the Saxon era, and possessing a wealth of character with traditional cottages, the 13th-century St Mary’s Church in the village, and a host of historic buildings.

Being in Devon, North Whilborough enjoys close proximity to some of the UK’s most stunning natural landscapes. It is strategically situated between the sandy beaches of Torbay and South Hams, and the dramatic Dartmoor National Park. Each of these attractions is within 15 miles from the village, meaning residents can easily take day trips to enjoy sun-kissed beach days or explore the rugged beauty of Dartmoor’s moorland and forests.

Meanwhile, the major cities in Devon, including Exeter and Plymouth, are within easy reach. Exeter, the county’s capital, with its historic cathedral and Roman walls, is a mere 22 miles away, while Plymouth, with its vibrant waterfront and the historic Barbican district, is only 30 miles away.

In North Whilborough, you’ll find the perfect balance of country living and connectivity. It is the ideal spot for those who appreciate the tranquillity of a rural setting without sacrificing convenient access to amenities and attractions.

Exeter

Teignmouth

Torbay

Dartmoor

Copyright © 2023 Fine & Country Ltd.

Registered in England and Wales. Company Reg No.6699427. Registered Office: 1 Bank Street, Newton Abbot, Devon, TQ12 2JL.

USEFUL INFORMATION

Tenure: Freehold

Local Authority: Teignbridge District Council

Council Tax Band: G (£3771.18 2023/2024)

Listing: Grade 2 Listed – Listing number: 1334150

Heating: Gas central heating

Services: Mains gas, electricity, water and drainage

Broadband: Superfast Broadband with speeds of 31Mbps according to checker.ofcom.org.uk

Agents notes: All measurements are approximate and for general guidance only and whilst every attempt has been made to ensure accuracy, they must not be relied on. The fixtures, fittings and appliances referred to have not been tested and therefore no guarantee can be given that they are in working order. Internal photographs are reproduced for general information and it must not be inferred that any item shown is included with the property. For a free valuation, contact the numbers listed on the brochure. Printed 23.06.2023

Guide price £1,200,000

EPC Exempt

FINE & COUNTRY

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