An impressive Grade 1 listed medieval farmhouse set in 3 acres of stunning gardens with two further guest cottages and a Gatehouse


Description

Situated in the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), Leigh Barton is nestled in one of the prettiest valleys between the Avon Valley and Kingsbridge. Steeped in history, this medieval farmhouse is now a wonderful home having been restored over many years by both English Heritage and past owners. Thought to date back to the Saxon times, the main house is believed to be dated around the 1120's while later additions including the standalone gatehouse dates around 1450-1475. Originally within the lands of Buckfast Abbey this cross-passage house, in its location and size would indicate that it was used to accommodate pilgrims journeying from Buckfast to Santiago de Compostela in Northern Spain; one of the three most important pilgrim destinations in the late middle ages.

It is thought that the Gate House was likely constructed as part of the gentrification when the Leigh family enlarged the house with the addition of the two Ranges which provided high quality lodgings. As the property was owned and extended in the 15th century by Buckfast Abbey, the style and structure of the buildings from that time are ecclesiastical, with Cinque foil window openings, and church style roofs. In 1974 the site was taken into guardianship by the Department of the Environment who subsequently passed it on to English Heritage and it was then saved.

English Heritage painstakingly restored the fabric of the house, the Gatehouse and the Ranges but also recreated it so that it could again be inhabited as a home.

Nowadays, with an abundance of original medieval features including beams and timbers, flagstone floors running through the ground floor, ancient doors and mullion windows, it is possibly one of the finest examples of inhabited medieval architecture in private hands.
The main house is beautifully appointed and as you step through the front door it is clear that attention to detail and great care has been taken to preserve the history of this important home.

The entrance hall leads you into the traditional farmhouse kitchen complete with flagstone floor, exposed beams, oil fired Aga and separate range cooker. The convenient utility / boot room adjoins the kitchen and benefits from a cloakroom and also leads through to the store room, workshop and garage areas.

On the opposite site of the entrance hall is the bright and spacious drawing room again with a flagstone floor, exposed beams, window seats and feature stone fireplace with inset wood burner. Beyond this is an equally beautiful dining room, again with a wood burning stove, and a study with en suite wet room and stable door to the courtyard.

A stone spiral staircase from the drawing room leads to the first floor as does a second staircase from the entrance hall. The first floor offers further character and period features again with exposed beams, feature fireplaces with large stone lintels and lovely window seats. The current owners have created a beautiful second sitting room on the first floor which could easily also be the principal bedroom suite.

Beyond this there is a further double bedroom which is currently used as the principal bedroom with an en suite bathroom complete with roll top bath and separate shower. There are a further three double bedrooms on this floor, one of which has an en suite shower room and one a cloakroom.

Gardens and Grounds
Outside, the historic splendor and architecture continues. The Ranges which consist of an east and west chamber are accessed either from steps to a galleried walkway or from the first floor of the main house. In addition, there is a fabulous Gatehouse which provides a historic grandeur to the entrance and grounds.

Also within the grounds are two Grade II listed cottages, Leigh Barn and Leigh Poundhouse. As with the main house, these have been sympathetically restored to provide self-contained guest accommodation with kitchens, living rooms and both benefitting from two bedrooms with one being used as a successful holiday let. There is ample parking for both cottages and they each have their own garden areas to enjoy the countryside surroundings.

The formal gardens at Leigh Barton are an utter delight. Tranquil and private with a small stream running through the garden, you have your own slice of a private valley. Expertly planted with specimen trees, roses, shrubs, and numerous water loving plants for the stream and pond, it is a haven for wildlife. Carefully mown paths snake through the garden leading to various seating areas whilst immediately outside the main house is a flat lawned area, perfect for a spot of alfresco dining. There is also a large shed as well as a beautiful large greenhouse and raised beds for the kitchen garden.
Leigh Barton is approached via electric gates which lead to ample parking for a number of cars both for the main house and the cottages.

Location

Leigh Barton sits in a sheltered and idyllic valley in the rolling South Hams countryside less than 2 miles from Kingsbridge. This popular and thriving market town sits at the head of the Kingsbridge and Salcombe estuary and offers a wealth of amenities. It offers a wonderful range of independent shops, restaurants, pubs and cafés, in addition to a cinema, a leisure centre, a medical centre and 2 supermarkets. The town offers both primary and secondary education with the highly respected secondary school Kingsbridge Community College (KCC). The nearest private schools are Stover and Plymouth College and both provide a daily bus service from the area. Blundells in Tiverton is also a popular choice for many local families.

The South Hams is renowned for its glorious rolling countryside, estuaries, hidden coves and sandy beaches, and the popular surfing beach at Bantham is the closest at about 4 miles. There are coastal and countryside walks in abundance and the popular sailing towns of Dartmouth and Salcombe are nearby (12 miles and 6 miles respectively). Communication links are excellent with Totnes (12 miles) having a mainline rail link to London Paddington in less than 3 hours and the A38 Devon Expressway is 8 miles away and provides access to the M5 and beyond.

Square Footage: 4,914 sq ft



Directions

From Kingsbridge take the A379 Plymouth Road towards Churchstow. At the first roundabout take the second exit onto the A381 signposted Totnes / Loddiswell. After about quarter of a mile at the crossroads turn left signposted Leigh. Continue down this lane for about half a mile and the entrance to Leigh Barton will be found on the left hand side.

Additional Info

Services : Mains metered water. Private drainage, to two septic tanks. Mains electricity.

Leigh House Band B
Leigh Pound House Band B
Leigh Barn currently business rated

Listings and Schedules
Leigh Barton House is Grade I listed. Cottages are Grade II listed. The Gatehouse and Ranges are on English Heritages’ list of Ancient Monuments with limited public access obligations, strictly by appointment. There are no public rights of way across the property.