4 bedroom detached house for sale

Natural light ripples through this thoughtfully restored cottage in the Exe Valley, within easy distance of the River Exe. Here, rural charm is given a contemporary, elegant finish with bespoke cabinetry and sweeping window panels. With four bedrooms and a family bathroom, the house is a wonderfully welcoming space with constant communication to its thoughtfully planted mature English country garden, where a writer’s shed sits beneath the canopy of a Hawthorn tree.

Setting the Scene

Although small, Brampford Speke is a village steeped in history, with a church situated within its boundary for at least 900 years. Perched on the red sandstone cliff overlooking the Rive Exe, the church tower was built in the 1400s and would have been a landmark to oncoming travellers. Now a Grade I-listed building, it marks a journey through architectural styles as sections were added and restored.

The house is situated down a quiet country lane, where a wooden gate leads onto a front porchway flanked by garden beds with lush ferns, pink anemones, and wavering hollyhocks. Its façade is one of two halves: the first, dating to 1920s, has a red-brick profile wrapped by the branches of a mature fig tree. The second encompasses a contemporary extension and is faced with striking black-stained timber that contrasts elegantly with its rusty-hued counterpart.

The Grand Tour

Set underneath the branches of Sumac, the front door opens out onto a wonderfully bright entrance hall. Plenty of space for cloakroom storage can be found here, as well as room for kicking off muddy boots after a walk along the river valley. Beautiful flagstones underfoot bring warmth to the space and pave the way to the downstairs living spaces, delightfully engineered to maximise utility and functionality.

With timber flooring underfoot, the expansive living room is lined with tall windows that douse the room. Floor-to-ceiling bookcases are cleverly tucked beneath the staircase, which, combined with the wood-burning stove, lend a rustic appeal to this fantastically versatile space.

Long, slim ribbons of glazing span one wall, bringing a wonderful quality of natural light into the living space while ensuring visual communication with the gardens. The kitchen combines bespoke fittings with an Rayburn stove, and French windows open out onto the garden for a functional yet gorgeously peaceful space for quiet domestic ritual. The flooring in the kitchen and hallway is the sustainable Forbo Nairn Linoleum Tiles. There is also a resourceful nook for a private office between the kitchen and garden.

The central stairwell ascends to the first floor, where there are four beautifully appointed double bedrooms and a family bathroom, each with beautiful views of the house’s leafy surroundings. A mezzanine level offers an opportunity for more storage or a fifth bedroom.

The Great Outdoors

The gardens have been lovingly maintained over many years, the mature garden has many shrubs, plants and lush ferns, brining colour and greenery throughout the seasons. A rich expanse of lawn is bordered by specimen trees, ideal for al fresco entertaining or providing shade for lounging in the summer months. There are several raised beds for growing vegetables and flowers and a log store in the lea of the house. A timber writer’s shed is tucked behind a Hawthorn tree, offering a retreat from the house, the perfect place for indulging in solitude or finishing off work in peace. There is also space to add vehicular access, subject to the necessary permissions, as part of the land is adjacent to a pastoral lane.

Out and About

Brampford Speke is a sought-after village set within a conservation area five miles from Exeter, on the edge of the River Exe. The Exe Valley Way, a well-known long-distance route for explorers, offers excellent opportunities for outdoor activity. The village has a well-regarded primary school, and a church, and The Agricultural Inn is a much-loved 18th-century pub and restaurant. Its village hall was built in 1925 and holds regular pilates, yoga, line dancing, quizzes, school plays and other local events. Across the river, there is a footpath to a post office and shop in Stoke Cannon, reached by a pleasant 20 minute walk.

Exeter is around five miles to the south; a vibrant cultural centre dotted around the Exeter Cathedral, the city is home to an excellent selection of restaurants, shops and cafés. The Exploding Bakery is a particular favourite for contemporary coffee culture. Hub Box is fabled to be the best of the south west’s burgers, and the Fat Pig is an old Victorian pub with a wonderful Sunday Roast. They even brew their own moonshine.

Brampford Speke has its own CofE Primary School, and Stoke Canon CofE Primary is nearby. Broadclyst and Westclyst Primaries are both within driving distance and are rated “Outstanding” by Ofsted, while Exeter College and Exeter Mathematics School are both secondary schools rated “Outstanding” in the nearby cathedral city.

The city of Exeter is around six miles to the north. A vibrant cultural centre based around its breathtaking cathedral, the city has an excellent selection of restaurants, shops and cafés. Exeter has an extensive transport network with the M5 as well as Exeter St David’s Station, which runs services to London Paddington in just over two hours. The international airport at Clyst Honiton is around 20 minutes by car.

Council Tax Band: D