For centuries, British diplomats, entrepreneurs and high-flying executives who ply their trades in the Middle East, Asia and beyond have dreamed of spending their golden years in a quiet unspoilt corner of the West Country. And corners don’t come much quieter or more unspoilt than the east Devon hamlet of Upexe, which sits between the villages of Thorverton and Silverton in the lovely Exe Valley, eight miles north of Devon’s county town, Exeter.
Upexe: What you need to know
Location: Upexe is located eight miles north of Exeter near the river Exe and nine miles south of Tiverton, in between the villages of Thorverton and Silverton. The local train station is Exeter St Davies which has fast links to London and the north.
Atmosphere: Upexe is a small, quiet hamlet in a beautiful location, close to the villages of Thorverton — which has a primary school, village hall, two pubs, cricket club and a monthly fresh produce market, and Silverton — one of the oldest villages in Devon, home to The Ruffnell Inn.
Things to do: Upexe is perfectly located for those who enjoy rural country living without feeling too disconnected. With Exeter and Tiverton nearby, there are countless options from shopping, exploring Exeter Cathedral, watching an Exeter Chief's rugby game, horse racing or family days out at the Devon Railway Centre or Killerton House.
Schools: Thorverton Primary, Stoke Cannon Primary and Brampford Speke Primary are all located near to Upexe, with secondary options located closer to Exeter with Exeter School, Isca Academy and Maynard School.
Credit: Strutt and Parker
Best country houses for sale this week
An irresistible West Country cottage and a magnificent Cumbrian country house make our pick of the finest country houses for
-
The century-old enamelling technique used to create Van Cleef's lucky ladybird brooch — which has something in common with Country LifeThe technique used in the jeweller's Geneva workshop has been put to good use in its latest creation.
-
‘The best sleep in the sky’: What it’s like to fly in United’s Polaris cabin, approved by American icon Martha StewartUnited’s Business Class cabin goes by the name Polaris and Martha Stewart is a fan. So, how does it fare?
-
18 magnificent homes for sale from £550k to £20 million, as seen in Country LifeFrom a charming thatched cottage to a 300-acre estate with its own vineyard, here's our pick of places to come to the market via Country Life of late.
-
If heaven is on earth, it might be in this home with a converted chapel that is now a swimming pool5 Wood Barton Town House is part of an exclusive 80-acre development in Devon that also comes with fishing rights on the River Avon and four bedrooms.
-
The sounds of spring and stained glass in an Arts-and-Crafts masterpiece in DorsetWith 35 acres, more than 10 bedrooms, a swimming pool and tennis court, Winterfield has it all.
-
An eight-bedroom wonder in East Sussex where the outdoors are an adventureThe interiors of Old Middleton are pretty good too.
-
A lakeside farmhouse on the market in the beautiful heart of PembrokeshireA lake, streams, 15 acres and five bedrooms. Rogershook might have it all.
-
An idyllic countryside home that's light, spacious and comes with a Grade II-listed follyHagg House is a gorgeous family home that just happens to have a miniature castle in the gardens. Annabel Dixon explains more.
-
A historic villa for sale on the Via Nomentana worthy of Rome's rich historyThree floors, lots of balconies, and a private garden in one of Rome's loveliest neighbourhoods.
-
Eight bedrooms of unlisted Edwardian elegance with sweeping views of SomersetAshton House sits near the market town of Chard and comes with a wealth of amenities both inside and out.
