Loxhore, Barnstaple, Devon, EX31

A charming former rectory in a private setting, with annexe and coach house, set within 6.6 acres of beautiful gardens and grounds.

Location – The Old Rectory occupies a truly enviable position, offering exceptional privacy and seclusion. This impressive country house is set within beautiful rural surroundings, surrounded by National Trust land on three sides, in the charming village of Loxhore, while remaining conveniently accessible to a range of local amenities.

The nearby Arlington Court estate, located just under a mile away, is rich in history. Originally commissioned in 1820 by Colonel John Palmer Chichester as a replacement for an earlier hunting lodge dating from 1790, the estate has evolved over generations of the Chichester family. In 1949, it was gifted to the National Trust by Rosalie Chichester. Today, it stands as a cherished local landmark, offering guided house tours, beautifully maintained Victorian formal gardens, extensive grounds, a renowned carriage museum, and a popular tea room.
The dramatic landscapes of Exmoor National Park lie just 4.5 miles away, celebrated for their rolling moorland, meandering rivers, and deeply wooded combes that descend to a striking and rugged coastline.

The North Devon coastline, approximately ten miles distant, is among the finest in the region, boasting an array of stunning beaches. Notable sandy surfing beaches include Saunton Sands, Croyde Bay, Putsborough Sands, and Woolacombe Beach. In 2022, this stretch of coastline was designated a World Surfing Reserve—the first in the UK and the only cold-water reserve of its kind globally. The renowned South West Coast Path runs along the shoreline, providing exceptional walking opportunities with breath-taking views.

The regional centre of Barnstaple lies approximately seven miles from the property and offers a comprehensive range of business, commercial, leisure, and shopping facilities, as well as convenient access to the A361. The area is also well served by an excellent selection of private schools, including West Buckland School, Shebbear College, Kingsley School, and Blundell's School.

Communications – The area is readily accessible from Junction 27 of the M5 motorway via the A361 North Devon Link Road. Rail connections are available from Barnstaple railway station, providing links to Exeter, where regular mainline services run to London Paddington in just over two hours.

Alternatively, Tiverton Parkway railway station, approximately an hour’s drive away, offers direct mainline connections to London and further destinations.

Mileages

Exmoor National Park – 4.5 miles
Barnstaple – 7 miles
Woolacombe – 14.5 miles
M5 Motorway/Tiverton – 38.5 miles

The Property – This is a rare opportunity to acquire a beautifully situated Grade II Listed former rectory, occupying a private and secluded position while remaining within easy reach of local amenities, Exmoor National Park and the spectacular North Devon coastline.
Believed to date back to circa 1590, the Rectory has evolved over time, with a later Victorian façade adding to its architectural charm. The property retains a wealth of character features, including impressive inglenook fireplaces and exposed beamed ceilings.

The accommodation is both spacious and versatile, comprising three reception rooms and a separate study, along with three bedrooms and three bath/shower rooms, two of which are en-suite. An attached one-bedroom annexe has the potential to provide guest accommodation or income.

To the rear, a detached two-storey former coach house offers well-presented two-bedroom accommodation and has been successfully let, providing a valuable income stream.

The property is further complemented by a range of useful outbuildings, delightful gardens, and a charming wildflower woodland including snowdrops, celandine and bluebells through the spring with established walks through, together with an adjoining meadow. In all, the grounds extend to approximately 6.6 acres.

Properties of this calibre, combining space, setting and potential, rarely come to the open market and can only be fully appreciated upon viewing.

The accommodation, with approximate dimensions more clearly identified on the accompanying floorplans, comprises:

Covered porch leads to the front door and:

Entrance Hall – Decorative tiled floor. Stairs rise to the first floor landing. Under-stairs storage cupboard.

Dining Room – Inglenook fireplace with a wood burning stove on a slate hearth, bread oven and exposed lintel. Sash windows to the front elevation overlooking the gardens with window seats. Exposed floorboards. Picture rail. Access to the breakfast room.

Sitting Room – Sash windows to the front elevation overlooking the gardens with window seats. Exposed slate flooring. Wood burning stove with a marble surround. Exposed beams. Picture rail.

Study – A dual aspect room overlooking the gardens. Wooden flooring.

Snug – A dual aspect room overlooking the rear gardens. Quarry tiled floor. Inglenook fireplace with an Esse Ironheart (solid fuel) range. Secondary stairs rise to the first floor landing.

Kitchen – A dual aspect room overlooking the rear gardens. Beamed ceiling. Kitchen comprises a range of matching wall and base units with a Belfast sink set into wooden work surfaces. Integrated double oven, hob and dishwasher. Cupboard housing space for a fridge/freezer.

Scullery – Window to the rear elevation. Range of base units with a sink set into roll top work surfaces and space for a washing machine below.

Rear Lobby – Access to the rear garden.

Boot Room – Providing excellent storage.

Pantry – Window to the rear elevation.

Cloakroom – Comprising low level WC and a pedestal wash hand basin. Understairs cupboard.

Half Landing – Window to the rear elevation with stained glass inserts. Secondary stairs lead down to the snug. Stairs lead to the first floor landing. Walk in airing cupboard.

Shower Room – Comprising low level WC, pedestal wash hand basin and a corner shower cubicle. Roof light. Exposed floorboards. Beamed ceiling.

Bedroom 3 – A dual aspect room overlooking the gardens and countryside beyond. Exposed floorboards. Ornate fireplace.

First Floor Landing – Window to the front elevation overlooking the gardens. Exposed floorboards.

Bedroom 1 – Two windows to the front elevation overlooking the gardens. Exposed floorboards.

En-Suite – Comprising low level WC, pedestal wash hand basin and a walk-in shower. Window to the rear elevation. Quarry tiled floor.

Bedroom 2 – Two windows to the front elevation overlooking the gardens. Ornate fireplace and exposed floorboards.

En-Suite – Window to the side elevation. Comprising low level WC, pedestal wash hand basin and a bath with shower over. Beamed ceiling. Wooden flooring.

The Coach House – To the rear of the Rectory stands a detached former coach house, now thoughtfully converted to provide spacious and versatile accommodation arranged over two floors. The ground floor comprises an open-plan kitchen/dining/living room, a separate sitting room, together with a bedroom with a vaulted ceiling and bathroom. On the first floor, there is a further bedroom with en-suite facilities.

The Coach House has been successfully operated as an Airbnb, generating a strong income stream and attracting many returning guests.

“Servants Quarters” (Annexe) – Attached to the Rectory and accessed from the rear garden is a self-contained one bedroom property that has the potential to provide guest accommodation or a long term let.

Gardens and Grounds – The property is approached via a pair of impressive stone pillars and wrought iron gates, opening onto a sweeping driveway with turning circle and ample off-road parking for several vehicles.

Garage – Double doors open to the garage, which benefits from useful storage above.

The front garden is predominantly laid to lawn and interspersed with well-stocked flower beds and borders, offering an abundance of colour throughout the seasons. Mature trees and shrubs provide structure and privacy, complemented by a wildlife pond.

Plant Room – Housing the water filtration system and ground source heat pump and providing excellent additional storage.

Garage/Workshop – Accessed via double doors, offering generous storage and workspace.

The driveway continues to the right-hand side of the property, leading to the Coach House, additional parking, and a further range of outbuildings including a tractor store and wood store.

To the rear of the Rectory lies a private and enclosed garden, bordered by the Coach House. Enjoying views over the surrounding countryside, it is mainly laid to lawn and features a selection of fruit trees, a kitchen garden, and a greenhouse. There is a large conservatory with fitted photovoltaic cells providing a small income stream.

On the north-western boundary, a raised terrace provides a delightful vantage point, with far-reaching views across the countryside and towards the church. A former stone piggery offers excellent potential for conversion into an outdoor kitchen or studio, subject to the necessary consents.

Beyond the Coach House is a beautiful area of woodland, carpeted with bluebells in the spring and offering enchanting walks throughout.

Adjoining the woodland is a level meadow. In total, the grounds extend to approximately 6.6 acres.

Property Information

Services – Mains electric. Private water (borehole). Private drainage. Heating via a ground source heat pump and underfloor heating.

Local Authority – North Devon District Council – 01271 327711.

Contents, Fixtures and Fittings – Only those mentioned within this brochure are included in the sale. All others, such as light fittings, mirrors, garden ornaments etc. are specifically excluded, but may be available by separate negotiation.

EPC Rating – D

Viewing – By appointment with Jackson-Stops, North Devon 01271 325 153.

For sale by private treaty with vacant possession upon completion.

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Directions – From Barnstaple, proceed along the Bratton Fleming road, passing through the hamlets of Snapper and Chelfham. After passing the disused railway viaduct on your right at Chelfham Mill, continue for a short distance before taking the next left-hand turning, signposted towards Loxhore.

Follow this road for approximately 1.7 miles, then turn left signposted to Loxhore Church. Continue for a short distance, where the entrance to the property will be found on the right-hand side, marked by a pair of stone pillars.