5 bedroom detached house

The Old Vicarage is situated in a truly glorious position near the top of a steep-sided valley just below the southern edge of Exmoor, offering you the perfect opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the open moorland. It is not only surrounded by beautiful countryside but the landscape provides a natural bowl that shelters both the house and its grounds, which are renowned for their richness and were previously part of the National Garden Scheme. The house was built in 1840 to replace an earlier vicarage that burnt down and is a charming and classic example of early Victorian architecture. It is built using local stone under a slate roof and displays many of the features of that classic period of English architecture.

It has well-proportioned rooms with tall ceilings and every room looks out across the sumptuous grounds. Structurally The Old Vicarage has changed little since it was built. It retains most of its original architectural features including fireplaces, coving, panelling around the drawing room window seat and plentiful original joinery including a fine front staircase.

It has been the much-loved home of the current owners for the past 30 years and has clearly been well cared for over that period.

Today the house and its grounds are beautifully presented. The house has four good-sized reception rooms on the ground floor including an inter-connected snug, breakfast room and kitchen that form a wonderful family hub. These are supplemented by a large office on the first floor.The kitchen is fitted with bespoke painted timber units under stone work surfaces, a range of built-in electric appliances and a four oven AGA inset in the kitchen's original range fireplace.

The first floor has a centrally positioned landing leading to the office and four double bedrooms. The main bedroom is east-facing to catch the early morning light and has an en suite dressing room and a separate, en suite and dual-access bathroom. Within the roof space there is a further, walk-through bedroom that leads to a studio.

The house is approached off a peaceful country lane down a gravel drive that leads to a large parking area beside the house, providing plenty of parking and access to all the property's outbuildings. These are arranged around two sides of the parking area and comprise a range of attractive buildings incorporating a double garage, stable block with three loose boxes and a loft above and a workshop with attached tack room.

The garden and grounds amount to about two acres and spread out from the house on either side of the valley. The formal garden consists of a series of immaculate, level lawns fringed by richly planted borders abounding with flowering shrubs and herbaceous perennials alongside a wide mix of mature, broadleaf trees. All areas of the garden are accessible via a network of paths and it contains a charming, thatched summerhouse that offers a perfect spot to immerse oneself in nature.

Within the grounds is a pretty stream that flows down through three small lakes surrounded by mature, broadleaf woodland. Beyond the garden and immediate grounds are roughly 11 acres of natural, mature pasture land.

In all about 13.94 acres (5.64 hectares).

The Old Vicarage is situated on the edge of the tiny village of West Anstey, which lies in a sheltered valley within the Exmoor National Park and close to the moor itself.

Living on Exmoor is a truly unique experience that offers a sense of peace and tranquillity that is hard to find elsewhere. The rugged beauty of the moorland, the rolling hills, and the stunning coastline create a landscape that is both breathtaking and awe-inspiring.
Living on the southern edge of the Exmoor National Park means that you have easy access to some of the most beautiful countryside in the UK. The park is home to a wide range of wildlife, including red deer, Exmoor ponies, and rare birds, making it the perfect place for nature lovers to explore. The park also offers a range of outdoor activities, including hiking, cycling, and horse riding, so there is always
something to do.

The small market town of Dulverton is about 15 minutes' drive away and is a vibrant, local hub, with many independent shops including a butcher, baker, greengrocer, delicatessen and a mobile fishmonger, who visits twice a week, plus a monthly farmers market.

Nearby transport links include the A396 and A361 Devon link roads linking to Junction 27 on the M5 and Tiverton Parkway station, which has a regular service to Paddington (1 hour and 52 minutes). For air travel, Exeter Airport offers connections to both national and international destinations, including a regular service to London City Airport (60 minutes).

The area also offers a wide selection of schools from both the state and independent sectors including East Anstey Primary School (Ofsted rated 2), West Buckland School, Blundell's and Blundell's Preparatory Schools in Tiverton and The Maynard and Exeter Cathedral School in Exeter.