A striking detached country house together with superb, separately accessed, detached contemporary holiday lodge set in mature, secluded 1 acre gardens in a timeless Hamlet within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty close to North Devon's premier surfing beaches. Main House; Hall, Open plan reception area, incorporating; Sitting/Dining/Garden Room and Kitchen 'zones', Snug. Potential self contained but interconnecting annexe, currently arranged as Lower Hall, Cloakroom, Utility Room, Study. 5 Bedrooms, 3 Bathrooms. Attached Double Garage. The single storey holiday lodge comprises; Spacious Hall running into Open Plan Reception Area/Kitchen, 2 En Suite Bedrooms, Private parking, allocated garden and water feature. EPC BAND F

HOME WITH INCOME

Situation And Amenities - Forda is a small hamlet lying just outside the village of Croyde and close to the pretty and popular village of Georgeham. It is extremely well-placed to access three of North Devons most beautiful beaches - Croyde, Saunton and Putsborough - the latter of which boasts three miles of golden sands stretching to Woolacombe. Also nearby, Saunton Golf Clubs two championship courses are ranked the finest 36 holes of links golf in the UK.

This part of Devon offers a wonderful mix of coastal paths, cycling routes and bridleways, as well as the wild splendour of Exmoor, all within easy reach. Croyde itself is a mecca for families and surfers alike, with its fabulous sandy beach, quaint thatched cottages, popular pubs, restaurants and shops. Georgeham also benefits from a general store and post office, period inns, the parish church and a highly regarded primary school with excellent Ofsted report. Secondary schooling can be found in Braunton, Barnstaple and Ilfracombe, with notable independent schools at West Buckland and Tiverton.

Forda Meade is ideally positioned to utilise the back roads to Braunton which avoids the longer journey around the Croyde headland, so providing quicker access to the main amenities of this larger village. The regional centre of Barnstaple is just 25 minutes by car and offers the areas main business, commercial, leisure and shopping venues as well as the North Devon District Hospital and live theatre. The A361 leads on, in about 45 minutes, to Junction 27 of the M5 motorway at Tiverton. Barnstaple rail station connects to Tiverton Parkway which provides a fast mainline service to London Paddington in just over two hours. The nearest international airports are at Bristol and Exeter.

Description - This is a rare, change-of-lifestyle opportunity, to purchase a superb individual, family home set in private well-established gardens together with a fabulous and totally independent detached holiday lodge which produces a healthy income, and which alternatively may be suitable as self-contained single storey accommodation for relatives, subject to any necessary change of use.

We understand that the house was originally built in the 1950s. A substantial sympathetic extension was added in the 1990s. In the last five years the property has been completely remodelled, extended, rewired, replumbed and updated by the current owners.

Today, it presents part brick, part rendered and part cedar-clad elevations, with bespoke Scandinavian composite aluminium pine-framed double-glazed windows beneath a new slate roof. The accommodation, arranged over two storeys, is bright, contemporary, spacious, stylish, versatile and finished to a very high standard.

Completed in 2019, the lodge is a stunning contemporary single-storey detached property with cedar-clad and rendered elevations with aluminium-framed double-glazed doors and windows. This property offers bright, spacious and beautifully presented accommodation with independent access via a five-bar gate and its own private outside space. The lodge is currently subject to a holiday restriction of up to 28 days by the same person in any calendar year. Further details of income are available from the selling agents.

The two properties are complemented by beautiful gardens of about an acre in size which are well screened, private and a natural haven for birds and wildlife. There are many well-established specimen plants, shrubs and trees providing year-round colour and interest. The gardens back on to far-reaching open countryside.

All in all, this is a special property in a magical setting - one which is often sought, but seldom found. An internal inspection is strongly advised.

The accommodation of each property with approximate dimensions is more clearly identified on the accompanying floor plans, but comprises:

Forda Meade - The contemporary interior features light engineered oak flooring throughout the ground floor reception rooms, complemented by quality oak doors. The stairs and bedrooms are carpeted while the bathrooms have Porcelanosa tiled floors and walls. There is underfloor heating to the ground floor and bathrooms, with radiators in the study, bedrooms and landings.

Ground Floor - In the porch, a contemporary oak front door leads into a good-sized ENTRANCE HALL with feature brass porthole, reclaimed from an ocean liner, which provides an intriguing glimpse of the house beyond.

From the hall, a glazed oak door reveals the heart of the property: the impressive open plan main RECEPTION AREA arranged in three distinct spaces, comprising a kitchen/breakfast room, a sitting/garden room and a dining area. This superb entertaining space is triple aspect with extensive use of glass including three double-glazed rooflights (which can be illuminated at night) and a corner wall of full-height glazing incorporating sliding doors which open on to the paved terrace with the beautiful, secluded garden beyond. The room is therefore flooded with natural light. For those cosy winter evenings an inset Morso triple-sided wood-burning fireplace takes centre stage. The dining area has French doors which open on to a small front patio area. Recessed shelving lines the walls and a built-in cupboard houses power and cabling for a hi-fi system.

The kitchen/breakfast room is fitted with an extensive range of handleless white gloss cupboards and wall units, with oak worktops and a large matching island/breakfast bar fitted with cupboards either side. The kitchen has a 11/2 bowl sink and is fitted with a range of Siemens appliances including two self-cleaning electric ovens, a warming drawer and microwave oven, a brushed stainless-steel five-ring gas hob with matching island cooker hood above. There is also an integrated dishwasher, plus provision and plumbing for an American-style fridge/freezer. One of the cupboards houses the main BT outlet, with data cabling to the study, snug and lounge.

Also from the hall, the SNUG has double aspect views to the front and features a Morso wood-burning stove on a slate hearth, flanked by bookshelves with cupboards below, one of which has power and distribution terminals for a satellite television receiver.

Both the main reception room and snug have TV points and various lighting options including 5A circuits for table lamps, etc.

The entrance hall leads to a secondary lower hall (also accessed from the kitchen) with glazed door returning to the front driveway and large understairs storage cupboard.

There is a generous STUDY with double glazed French doors to the garden, BT and data sockets.

The UTILITY ROOM has good range of wall and floor cupboards finished in gloss white with wood effect worktops, a single drainer stainless steel sink, integrated fridge, provision for washing machine and tumble dryer, ceramic distressed plank-style flooring, underfloor heating and cabling for worktop downlighters if required. Fire door to garage.

Spacious CLOAKROOM with Duravit wall-hung WC and wash hand basin, mirror and light over, heated towel rail, feature tiled wall, tiled floor, underfloor heating.

SPECIAL NOTE: The study, utility room and cloakroom could be converted to create a self-contained ground floor annexe. The study would make an excellent double bedroom; the utility room a galley kitchen; and the cloakroom could be reconfigured to create a bathroom with shower. Subject to any necessary planning permission, the adjoining integral garage could also be converted to form a large reception room, as it already has windows to the side and double doors to the garden. Alternatively, the garage would make an excellent gym or games room.

First Floor - Stairs with LED downlighters in oak handrail to lower LANDING and corridor to:

MASTER BEDROOM: a magnificent double aspect room with French doors and a glass Juliet balcony overlooking the rear garden (with external wall lights if a full balcony is required). The room features a central fixed bedhead with recessed reading lights and power outlets, designed to accommodate a super king double bed on one side and a dressing table on the other. TV point. One end of the room is fitted with built-in his and hers double wardrobes, between which is a door to:

ENSUITE SHOWER ROOM: tiled walk-in shower with illuminated alcove shelf, wash hand basin in wall-hung console cabinet, recessed illuminated mirror and shaver point, wall-hung WC, heated towel rail, tiled floor, underfloor heating.

The master bedroom has a trap door and a retractable aluminium ladder to a boarded loft space with double-glazed window, power and lighting.

BEDROOM 2: views over rear garden, triple built-in wardrobes, TV point.

BEDROOM 3: double built-in wardrobe, view to front, TV point.

Stairs to UPPER LANDING with feature radiator. Second trap door to loft and retractable aluminium ladder. Doors to:

Fabulous FAMILY BATHROOM: bathe in luxury, enjoying views over the garden but in complete privacy. Double-ended elliptical cast natural stone bath with freestanding mixer tap and hand shower attachment. Walk-in rain shower with hand shower mixer. Tiled and illuminated alcove shelving. Wall-hung WC, wash hand basin in wall-hung console cabinet, illuminated mirror, shaver point, shaving mirror, heated towel rail. Tiled floor with underfloor heating.

BEDROOM 4: double aspect, views to front and side gardens, double built-in wardrobe, TV point.

BEDROOM 5: an impressive triple aspect room with views to the front, back and side gardens, including a feature apex window, fixed central bedhead with dressing area similar to the master bedroom, large walk-in wardrobe/airing cupboard, TV point. Door to:

ENSUITE SHOWER ROOM: tiled walk-in shower and illuminated alcove shelf, wall hung WC and wash hand basin, recessed mirror, shaver point, heated towel rail, tiled flooring, underfloor heating. Views to rear garden.

Forda Lodge - A separate entrance with five-bar gate provides access to a gravelled driveway lined with post lights, ample parking and turning space, an area of lawn and composite deck, overlooking an attractive natural water feature. The large south-facing deck is ideal for sunbathing and open-air dining. There are external power points, a water tap and access around both sides of the property. The enclosed, designated gardens are completely separate and secluded from the main house.

The front door leads into RECEPTION HALL with oak-effect flooring and a large lockable storage cupboard housing the water cylinder and underfloor heating system. The OPEN PLAN RECEPTION AREA and KITCHEN is double aspect and features two sets of bi-fold doors opening on to the sun deck. Oak-effect flooring runs in to slate-effect tiled flooring in the kitchen area which is fitted with gloss white handleless floor and wall cupboards with grey stone-effect worksurfaces, a single drainer sink, built-in electric oven, four-ring ceramic hob, canopy cooker hood, microwave, integrated dishwasher, washing machine and fridge/freezer. The room has various dimmable lighting options, including 5A sockets for table lamps, etc.

BEDROOM 1 is at the front of the property, triple aspect with a pair of double-glazed French doors to sun deck, there is oak-effect flooring and ENSUITE SHOWER ROOM with corner tiled cubicle, pedestal wash basin, mirror above and light, shaver point, double-ended bath, low level WC, heated towel rail, Porcelanosa tiled walls and floor.

BEDROOM 2, also double aspect and with oak-effect floor, has its own EN-SUITE SHOWER ROOM comprising tiled cubicle with rain shower head and handheld mixer, pedestal wash basin, wall mirror, light above, shaver point, heated towel rail, low level WC, Porcelanosa tiled walls and floor.

Outside - Returning to the house, the truly delightful garden is a particular feature, arranged as a serious of external rooms with rustic arches and a bridge pergola helping to define the spaces. To the front, the driveway provides parking and turning space for several vehicles, to the left of this is a log store. The front garden is bordered by mature trees and shrubs, including a fine copper beech, which provide seclusion and privacy. To the right of the drive is a large lawn and well-stocked flower beds, divided by a stone path lined with bollard lights. The INTEGRAL DOUBLE GARAGE has an electric roller door, multiple power points, side windows, a boiler cupboard and double doors leading to the rear garden, plus outside taps front and rear.

There is access at both sides of the house to the rear garden where the extensive Brazilian slate terrace wraps around three sides of the property and has a low stone retaining wall illuminated at night for outdoor dining. The sweeping lawns are interspersed with mature specimen trees and shrubs including camellias, hydrangeas, magnolias, lilac, rhododendrons, silver birch, acers, firs, to mention a few. The lawns are linked by grass pathways which skirt around the borders and cross a meandering natural watercourse via three bridges, one of which is topped by a pergola clad in two wisterias and a grapevine. There is also an established orchard, raised vegetable bed, brick barbecue and aluminium framed greenhouse. Excellent screening between the house and lodge means that one cannot be seen from the other.

Services - Both properties have mains electricity and water. Drainage is private to an effluent treatment plant, commissioned in 2019. Central heating to the house is LPG; the lodge has an air source heat pump for hot water and underfloor heating. Both properties are cabled for broadband and terrestrial/satellite television reception with provision for wall-mounted televisions in all bedrooms and reception rooms, and both are fitted with security alarm systems which can be operated remotely. The lodge has a video doorbell system.

Directions - From Croyde proceed out of the village towards Georgeham where you will reach Forda as the road bends around to the left. The entrance to the property is just before the bend on the right at the junction with another unmarked lane.

Viewing - Strictly by appointment with the vendors sole agents Barnstaple office,[use Contact Agent Button]. Please note that the lodge is currently a holiday let so can only be viewed internally on changeover days which are generally Fridays, during restricted hours.

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