Property history of Goats Hill House, Goatshill, Northam, Bideford EX39 1AJ, 1st Jul 2009

An imposing detached Arts & Crafts style 1920s residence of quality & character offering tastefully modernised & well presented accommodation set in magical parklike gardens of 4.46 acres & enjoying breathtaking elevated views of the Torridge Estuary together with mooring rights.

Situations and amenities

Goats Hill House enjoys complete seclusion and privacy, at the end of a private, no-through road, nestling into a hillside surrounded by its own mature grounds. From its elevated perch, the property commands extensive southerly panoramic views over the estuary of the River Torridge to Bideford and of surrounding countryside. From the gardens, there are also marvellous views across Appldore and Instow to the coast in the distance. The land to the North, South and East of Goats Hill House is owned by the National Trust, just below the property there is a pathway running parallel to the boundary, leading onto the quaint former fishing village of Appledore, with its cobble streets, galleries and eateries, as well as the popular quay. The centre of the self contained village of Northam which offers local shopping facilities and amenities, providing for day-to-day needs is within a healthy walking distance. Northam Burrows Nature Reserve is easily accessible and backs onto the famous pebble ridge and Blue Flag sandy beach popular with bathers and surfers alike. Just beyond is the well known resort of Westward Ho! Where the Royal North Devon Golf Club is reputedly the oldest links course in the country and occupies part of the burrows siding onto the Torridge Estuary. The port and market town of Bideford is about 1.5 miles distant and offers an extensive range of shopping facilities including supermarkets, schooling for all ages, hospital and places of worship.

Across the river is the equally sought after village of Instow. East along the coastline is the huge expanse of Saunton Sands, running onto Croyde, whilst to the West lies the rugged North Devon coast stretching all the way to Clovelly and beyond to Hartland and the Cornish border. The renowned Tarka Trail is also easily accessible. The A39 Link Road is less than a mile and gives access to the regional centre of Barnstaple, around 11 miles distant and housing the areas main business, commercial, entertainment and shopping venues. The A39 leads onto the A361 and thereafter Junction 27 of the M5 just beyond Tiverton. Also at Junction 27 is Tiverton Parkway Railway Station offering excellent rail services to London and the rest of the United Kingdom. For those interested in maritime pursuits, sailing is available in Appledore and Instow and there is also wonderful fishing on the Rivers Taw and Torridge, where the vendors enjoy mooring rights, over the latter, immediately below the property.

Description

Goats Hill House was built in the 1920's for a famous local artist connected with the Burton Art Gallery in Bideford and was architect designed to an Arts and Crafts style. The property actually featured in Ideal Home magazine in 1925 and again in 1938. The elevations are rendered in colourwash beneath a tile roof, which was originally thatched before it was replaced in 1954. The property is believed to have won an architectural roofing award for the way the tiling was laid to follow the curved contours of the carefully designed roof. Goats Hill House is undoubtedly one of the areas most prestigious properties, and within recent years has been tastefully refurbished to combine modern quality comforts with many original character features including Oak doors, Oak newel posts and balustrading to the staircase and exposed beams and ornamental woodwork in a number of rooms. All external windows have been replaced with Everest double glazed units within Mullion surrounds. The property is extremely well presented and all of the principal rooms make the best of the outstanding estuary views and surrounding gardens. These are enhanced again from the views from the superb conservatory on both the southern and eastern sides of the house, and which is ideal for entertaining. Otherwise, the rooms are well proportioned and the excellent layout centres around a generous hallway and landing.

Apart from the view, the most outstanding feature of the property are the wonderful landscaped gardens which take full advantage of the sheltered south facing site and which contain many Mediterranean temperate shrubs, together with species from throughout the World. The gardens are arranged as a series of external rooms and include a wide range of water features, terraces, seating areas, view points, woodland walks, a step garden and sunken garden. The gardens have been designed for ease of maintenance and are managed by the current owners, with a part time gardener working approximately one day a week. Properties of this calibre, with so many unique features are rarely available and the agents therefore have no hesitation in recommending an early inspection. The accommodation is more clearly shown in the accompanying floor plans, but briefly can be described as follows:

Ground floor

From the main terrace at the front of the house, a pair of double doors lead into the

Amdega conservatory

This wraps around both the south and east of the house, and has excellent views of the gardens and the estuary below. Currently divided in two areas, namely the sitting room and plant area, the conservatory has very adaptable space, as well as wonderful climbing plants inside, including a Bouganvilia. There is a stable style Oak door to the

Inner lobby

Slate floor and door to

Entrance hall

With a Mullion window looking into the conservatory. Attractive Oak beams and high level shelves. Two exposed beams and archway through to downstairs cloakroom. Stairs to first floor.

Cloakroom

WC. Wash hand basin. Fitted units.

Drawing room

A spacious twin aspect room with large leaded windows overlooking the conservatory and the estuary beyond. Stone fireplace with slate hearth. Exposed beams and high level display shelf. Wood blocked floor.

Dining room

A superb, well proportioned room with projecting bay window and window seat below overlooking the estuary. A further Mullion window looks into the conservatory. There are exposed beams to the ceiling and an inner recessed Oak panelled area with brick arts and crafts style fireplace with jet stream open grate.

Kitchen / breakfast room

A very attractive and light room. Excellent fitted kitchen with traditional painted units, handmade and individually designed for the house with Beech worktops. An excellent range of wall and floor units. Built-in Neff oven and Zanussi Induction ceramic hob. Matching wall units, including filtration hood, display shelving and concealed lighting. 1.5 bowl stainless steel sink unit with mixer tap, plus further stainless steel sink. Integrated dishwasher, fridge and large cupboard concealing space for upright freezer. The breakfast / dining area centres around an attractive fireplace feature with fitted wood burner, shelves and cupboards to one side. Dresser with Beech surface, glazed shelves and concealed lighting. Large domestic larder cupboard with shelving. There is Brazilian slate flooring throughout the kitchen / breakfast area and running through to the

Utility room

Which has been completely constructed and fitted within the last two years and incorporates a stainless steel sink adjoining work surfaces, cupboards and appliance space below. Plumbing for washing machine. Vent for tumble dryer. Coats storage cupboard. Broom / vacuum storage cupboard. Shoe cupboards. Stable door to outside. Space for chest freezer. Trap to loft space.

Second cloakroom

WC. Wash hand basin. Circular wall mirror above. Brazilian slate flooring.

Occasional room

Shelved alcove. Fine views over the estuary. Brazilian slate flooring.

Special note

It is considered that this room could be adapted for use as a gym, treatment room or potentially an annexe (together with the utility room and cloakroom, possibly linked to the bedroom above).

First floor

The stairs turn up through 90 degrees to the main galleried landing with Oak balustrade. Mullion windows. High level display shelf. Archway with inner lobby containing built-in airing cupboard with hot water cylinder.

Master suite bedroom one

A lovely triple aspect room with superb views of the estuary and gardens. There are extensive ranges of recently fitted wardrobes in Pippy Oak incorporating ample clothes hanging rail and shelving. Further cupboards with shelving. Mullion windows.

En-suite shower room

Recessed shower cubicle. Shower tower. Heated towel rail. Wash hand basin with surround. WC. Fitted units. Concealed lighting.

Bedroom two

Projecting bay window with view to the gardens. Built-in wardrobe. Wash hand basin.

Bedroom three

The entrance to this room has extensive fitted shelves and basket storage. Built-in wardrobe with clothes hanging rail. Two leaded Mullion windows.

En-suite shower area

Tiled shower cubicle. Pedestal wash hand basin. WC.

Bedroom four

A room with a stunning view over the estuary and garden from a bay Mullion window. Full width built-in wardrobes / dressing table.

Family bathroom

Bath with tiled and tongue and groove painted surround. WC. Wash hand basin. Built-in shower cubicle with Mira shower. Separate cloakroom.

The gardens and grounds

Goats Hill Road is about a quarter of a mile in length and Goats Hill House is the last property at the end of the lane. The house is approached through a pair of electrically operated security gates with intercom which leads to a long, private driveway and into a generous parking and turning area. Adjoining the drive, there are two car ports, a large traditional area for parking and an outbuilding, the sail loft, of timber construction 25'0 x 12'0, which is fully lofted with electric power and light connected. Immediately outside the side lobby and the kitchen is a paved stone courtyard. A small inner courtyard is to the rear, where there are useful storage buildings.

The property is set in 4.46 acres of magnificent landscaped gardens designed to take full advantage of the southerly sheltered situation and the stunning views over the Torridge Estuary and surrounding countryside. Immediately adjacent to the conservatory are extensive areas of stone terraces with seating areas, one partially covered, catering for inclement weather conditions. Designed as a series of individual gardens, each with it's own character, many enjoy the different vistas of the estuary and capture the sun from the early morning to late evening. The garden incorporates more formal areas, including a pond garden, a pumped waterfall cascading down a rock face, as well as more informal areas such as the dell, river and woodland walks adjacent to the estuary. Immediately below the house are the Mediterranean terraces and various temperate shrubs and perennial plants. To the west of the house is the grasses garden, with stone features and a deep herbaceous border, with a formal pond area beyond. To the north of the house is a large grass area interspersed with mature trees and spring bulbs which lead onto an elevated area, where there are pergolas, planted with clematis as well as two dovecotes and a garden featuring a modern stone sculpture.

To the east are a series of terraces forming walkways with two waterfalls and an elevated gazebo constructed with timber wood seating and a paved floor enjoying magnificent views over the estuary and surrounding countryside. Beyond this is a flight of steps rising through the terraces, known as Jacobs Ladder. At the top, there is a view to the north looking down over the river to Instow and beyond to Exmoor. To the south, beyond the Mediterranean terraces, an overgrown gateway gives pedestrian access to the coastal path through adjoining National Trust land and a right of way to tidal mooring rights on the River Torridge. All in all, the gardens and grounds provide an appropriate setting. The garden area is more clearly identified on the plan accompanying these particulars which is for identification purposes only.

Local authority

Torridge District Council, Riverbank House, Bideford, Devon, EX39 2QG.

Services

Mains water and electricity. Private drainage. Oil fired central heating. Security alarm fitted.

Fixtures and fittings

The following items are available by separate negotiation if required: All fitted carpets, curtains and light fittings, the majority of the furniture, the Kubota tractor, chainsaws, hedge trimmers, trailers, leaf blowers, henchmen and all necessary tools for maintaining the gardens as well as all garden seats, statues and masonry.

Map reference

456/287

Viewing

Strictly and only by appointment with Stags on .

Stags reference

Goats/25492/6

These particulars are A guide only and should not be relied on for any purpose