Property history of Furzeland Down House, Grenofen, Tavistock PL19 9EP, 26th Jul 2011

Property Description Furzeland Down House is situated in an idyllic, elevated, peaceful position within Dartmoor National Park. The large, impressive colour washed family residence sits in 20 acres of gardens and recreational woodland enjoying panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.

Its stunning location was cherry picked shortly after the Second World War when a prominent Plymouth businessman elected to find a site on the fringes of Dartmoor in order to construct a house for his family.
Chartering an aircraft he surveyed the area from the air after which he approached the Grenofen Manor Estate and secured his acreage overlooking the Walkham Valley. With the assistance of a local architect he designed Furzeland Down House in such a way as to take maximum advantage of the beautiful setting and views. Construction started in 1948 the house completed in 1949.

The house is approached from the Tavistock to Plymouth road by a quarter of a mile long private tarmacadam driveway lined by Tibetan cherry trees, specimen rhododendrons, a variety of ornamental shrubs and mature hardwoods, providing a high degree of privacy. The drive continues, to terminate in an extensive parking area with stone retaining walls, grassy banks and mature trees to the north side of the house.

This home has been perfectly planned as all the windows of the principal rooms face South over a level lawn, the gently sloping meadow out towards the Walkham Valley and the moors. You enter the property into the hallway with its parquet flooring which opens out into the dining room. The dining room is a fine feature of this home with an open fireplace and large French windows opening out to the terrace and grounds. The impressive drawing room extends around to the study which was originally the music room, which overlooks the cricket net. The drawing room has an original open minster fireplace, oak parquet flooring and from the sitting room French doors lead out to the terrace and gardens. The bright and airy kitchen with Aga and hand painted units leads into the breakfast area with expansive views and French doors leading out to the sun terrace. On the ground floor there is also a walk-in pantry, playroom with French doors opening onto an East facing terrace, a utility room, cloakroom with separate WC and a fifth bedroom/office with its own separate access. On the first floor you will find a further four well proportioned bedrooms, the main family bathroom and master shower room. On the landing there is a beautiful feature leaded glass window overlooking the front of the property.

From the entrance hall there is access down to the basement. The basement is of full height and could easily be adapted to the buyer's choice of accommodation. Store room one has doors off to a very large L shaped main room which is currently used as a music room with a sliding door and incline to the parking area and a hatch to an underground bunker. There is a further store room and a wash room with a large Belfast sink and door to the WC. There is also a boiler room and a wood store. The basement area could easily be made into separate living accommodation or media suite and gymnasium.

Furzeland Down House stands within exceptional gardens and grounds which would be of particular interest to the plants man and arborist. To the South of the house is an attractive level lawn from which steps lead down to a woodland meadow, below which is the arboretum and woodland. The previous owner, a keen arborist, undertook a significant programme of planting and within the arboretum and elsewhere planted many varieties of Acers, Camellias, Ceanothus, Magnolias, Rhododendron species and hardy hybrids, Maple, Monkey Puzzle trees, Burnt Toffee tree, Tulip tree and Indian Bean tree amongst others.

The vendors comment that the grounds have many interesting features and history. In March there is a stunning display of primroses and daffodils. In April the woodland meadow is awash with violets followed by the bluebell season when the woods become a sea of blue. There are many hidden areas and much to discover. There are several timber built outbuildings and a tree house. To the West of the property a timber and iron roofed garden store below which a fish pond and a rockery. Beyond to the South and West are a series of delightful woodland walkways and paths, one of which leads to a clearing (also approached by a spur from the driveway) within which there is a timber and corrugated wood store, timber and felt woodshed, privy and barbecue area. To the East side of the house is a swimming pool with sun terrace and pool house with changing room, WC and shower. At the rear of the property is a detached annexe comprising kitchen, bathroom and four further rooms, perfect for someone looking for additional income or for visiting family or friends. Attached to this a high roofed single garage, bike store and block work built open fronted parking bay. 

Area Description Furzeland Down house is situated in Grenofen, a small hamlet with a gastro pub on the favoured South Eastern side of Tavistock, which is just over two miles away, Yelverton is approximately three miles. Plymouth City Centre is approximately 13 miles away where you can access travel links by rail or plane also ferries to the continent. The vendor, a regular business traveller to London arrives at Paddington station via the breakfast train from Exeter from the house within three hours.

Whilst far from the madding crowd, the popular ancient stannary town of Tavistock - voted Best Market town in 2005 by the Daily Telegraph and Best Food Town in 2006 – is just minutes away. It provides an excellent variety of educational, recreational, cultural and shopping facilities, primary and secondary schools, State and Private including Mount House and Kelly College, hotels, restaurants, art centre, hospital, public swimming pool, health centres, veterinary practice, banks, pannier market, churches and many other local amenities including the golf courses on Whitchurch Down and Yelverton, three cricket clubs and rugby and football clubs.

Dartmoor with its 368 square miles is renowned for its spectacular scenery, its granite tors, heather clad moorland and wooded valleys bisected by rushing streams and rivers and there are many opportunities locally for walking, riding and fishing. Superb sailing and other water sports are available from a number of venues along the South and North coasts and the North to South Devon cycle path is also easily accessible from the grounds. 

Vendor Comments Furzeland Down House is a unique home with a huge character and personality. The entire locale is described as an area of outstanding natural beauty and being within the splendour of the National Park it is easy to understand why. Here is a wonderful home in the right location with an environment that is tranquil, private, peaceful and truly inspirational.

"I had lived in the area as a child." says Rosemary. "So for me this felt like coming home, but I was not prepared for the immediacy of impact that the first views of the property would have upon us, the quarter of a mile long private driveway and then rounding a corner we were presented with the first view of this warm and welcoming house. I think we had both decided that this was the perfect place for our family before we had even set foot inside. Whilst walking around we imagined the fun and adventures the children would have in the woods, building dens and playing hide and seek. For us we imagined elegant dinners in the dining room, barbecues around the pool, a marquee on the top lawn for special celebrations, Furzeland Down House has delivered all that and much more".

"There is a very special feel about the house and the grounds, yes – it is large and spacious but it never presents itself in an ostentatious manner. There is a great feeling of light, space and warmth – it is a home and a house to share with family and friends. The house especially seems to come into its own when full of people, laughter and chatter. Entertaining just seems to be the natural thing to do. We have had some wonderful moments and shall take with us some incredibly special memories. Christmas in particular is a special joy, friends and family come with their children on Christmas Eve, we start with mulled wine and hot mince pies and at dusk wrap up warm for a walk through the grounds, stopping en-route at an open wood shed where there is a nativity scene, then following woodland paths lit by tealights, we happen upon Father Christmas with his sack of little goodies. With squeals of delight from the children and much excitement he shares out his gifts and leads the children back to the house where they disco dance themselves to happy exhaustion ready for the delights of the following day."

"Throughout the years we have hosted several charity events" says Gerald. "Easter egg hunts, bluebell walks and concerts in the grounds. We have enjoyed a number of large celebrations on the top lawn under a marquee and entertained our friends and family in the beautiful dining room with less formal occasions spent in the spacious kitchen. Each day we’ve enjoyed walking through the woods with our dogs. The children have built tree houses, dens, camped out over night, practiced in the cricket nets and hosted rounders matches and swimming pool parties. As our children have grown up the basement has become a great area for them to have friends to visit for band practice, discos and chill outs. Our children have felt safe and we have had peace of mind as all this fun has happened at home. When we have visits from much younger children they can play and enjoy the swings, slides and trampoline in the enclosed children’s play lawn".

"We knew the first moment we saw this house that it would be a wonderful place to live" adds Rosemary. "Though we never imagined just how extraordinarily special it would be. There is an elegance and a gentle understated grandness here that never overwhelms and it always feels like home – in the truest sense of the word. The man who chose to build his home here all those years ago, knew exactly how to create something quite idyllic and unique and for our part, we have felt it a privilege to have lived here – Furzeland Down House is a very special place to live indeed!" 

Directions From Plymouth proceed on the A386 towards Yelverton and Tavistock. Turn left at Yelverton roundabout towards Tavistock, after approximately 3 miles cross Bedford Bridge. After three quarters of a mile on leaving a series of wooded bends, turn right on to the private drive. Follow the drive up then take the right hand fork which leads you down to Furzeland Down House. From Tavistock proceed on the A386 towards Yelverton and Plymouth. From The Halfway House gastro pub the driveway entrance is a further 0.4 of a mile on the left hand side. 

Services Tenure - Freehold
Local Authority - West Devon Borough Council
Council Tax Band - H
Fuel - Oil
Electricity - Mains
Drainage - Soak away
Water - Mains