8 bedroom detached house for sale

Down Park House is a distinguished and beautifully refurbished Victorian residence of striking presence, dating from the late 19th century and the home of the notable builder and civic leader John Pethick, later Mayor of Plymouth. The property’s origins are closely aligned with a period of regional expansion and prosperity, reflecting the stature and ambition of one of the area’s foremost industrial figures.

Today, the house has been meticulously renovated to create an elegant and highly versatile family home. Set adjacent to open moorland, it offers a lifestyle defined by space and natural beauty, while its scale and flexibility make it ideally suited to both impressive entertaining and relaxed family living.

Accommodation

The accommodation is arranged over three floors and provides an impressive and adaptable layout that can function either as a substantial eight-bedroom residence or as a five-bedroom home with a self-contained three-bedroom annexe on the second floor.

A grand entrance hall with an elegant staircase immediately conveys the scale and architectural quality of the house, leading to a series of beautifully proportioned reception rooms. The magnificent open-plan drawing and dining room forms the principal entertaining space, while a separate sitting room with bay windows offers a more intimate setting. A refined library provides a peaceful retreat and cleverly conceals a hidden doorway leading to an exceptional leisure suite, comprising a games room, wine room and bespoke oak bar, perfectly designed for entertaining.

The kitchen with breakfast area features a range cooker, central island and walk-in larder, creating a sociable hub for everyday living, supported by a utility room, cloakroom and additional storage.

On the first floor, the luxurious principal suite features a marble bathroom and walk-in ‘his and hers’ walk in wardrobes, while a further en suite bedroom with an attractive Victorian fireplace adds to the period charm. Additional bedrooms and bath or shower facilities are arranged off the landing, with access to a terrace and balcony enhancing the sense of light and outlook.

The second floor offers four further double bedrooms, one enjoying a balcony with far-reaching views towards the Tamar estuary. With its own external access, this floor provides excellent flexibility and is ideally suited for use as a self-contained annexe, guest accommodation or a potential income-generating letting unit.

Outside

The property is approached through private electric gates opening onto a sweeping, tree-lined driveway leading to a triple garage and extensive parking. The gardens are wonderful with a large flat lawn, in the just over an acre plot, providing a variety of areas for relaxation and entertaining.

A raised deck with hot tub, a veranda with outdoor heaters, paved terrace seating areas and an ornamental pond create an exceptional outdoor environment, perfectly suited to both family enjoyment and hosting guests. A private gate from the garden provides direct access to Roborough Common, offering an immediate connection to the surrounding moorland landscape.

Location

Down Park House enjoys an enviable position on the fringe of Yelverton, one of West Devon’s most desirable villages, set on the western edge of Dartmoor National Park. This exceptional setting offers immediate access to some of the South West’s most breathtaking natural landscapes, with open moorland, scenic walks and outdoor pursuits quite literally on the doorstep, including direct access to nearby Roborough Common.

Yelverton itself provides a strong sense of community and an excellent range of everyday amenities, including independent shops, cafés, a primary school, medical facilities and well-regarded recreational clubs. Yelverton Golf Club lies close by, while the surrounding moorland offers outstanding opportunities for riding, cycling and walking across Dartmoor’s unspoilt scenery.

The historic market town of Tavistock, renowned for its Pannier Market and rich heritage, is within easy reach and offers a wider selection of boutique shops, restaurants, schooling and leisure facilities. To the south, the vibrant waterfront city of Plymouth provides extensive shopping, cultural and educational amenities, along with mainline rail links to London Paddington and access to the A38 Devon Expressway, ensuring convenient connectivity to the wider region.

Specification & Renovation Summary

Down Park House has been the subject of an extensive and carefully considered programme of refurbishment, with significant investment made to enhance both its infrastructure and aesthetic finish, while preserving the integrity of its period character.

Internal Improvements

The property benefits from comprehensive upgrades to its core systems, including complete rewiring throughout with modern fire alarm installation, WiFi booster extensions and conversion to a three-phase electrical supply. New boilers and radiators have been installed where required, and modern lighting has been introduced across the house to complement the refreshed interiors.

A programme of redecoration and replastering has been undertaken throughout, alongside the refurbishment of the principal staircase and the installation of bespoke cabinetry, notably within the utility room and study, the latter cleverly designed to conceal a secret bookcase doorway leading to the games room. New wood flooring has been laid to the snug, study and first-floor hallway, complemented by new carpets, curtains and blinds throughout (available via separate negotiation).

Four new bathroom suites have been installed, while the main kitchen has been carefully updated with refurbished cabinetry, a new central island, replacement of the former Aga with a contemporary range cooker and new integrated appliances. The second-floor kitchen has also been upgraded with new appliances and oven, enhancing the potential for independent living.

The games room has been extensively improved, including refurbishment of the flooring, replacement of roof elements and windows, and the creation of a bespoke wine room in place of a former cloakroom. A striking live-edge oak bar has been installed, forming a distinctive entertaining feature.

External Works & Grounds

Externally, the grounds have been thoughtfully re-landscaped with new planting, refurbished pond, improved fencing and the installation of electric gates with a digital entry system, reinstating the property’s original sense of arrival.

Roof works have been carried out, including repairs to tiles, ridges and leadwork, replacement flat roofing to the front and rear, and renewal of part of the games room roof along with new windows and external doors. Fascias, gutters and window elements have been repaired or replaced where required, while the second-floor balcony and external railings have been redecorated and weatherproofed.

A former conservatory roof has been replaced with a new tiled structure to create an attractive sun room, complemented by the construction of an American-style veranda leading onto a raised deck with sunken hot tub. The first-floor balcony above the main entrance has also been reinstated in keeping with the property’s historic appearance.

Further works include the creation of a small porch extension at the top of the external staircase, facilitating the reconfiguration of the internal layout so that the second floor now has its own external entrance. Planning permission has been granted to allow the house to be separated and used as two distinct units if desired, significantly enhancing its flexibility for multi-generational living or income potential.

Please call Poppy @ Fine and Country today to arrange your viewing!