With its green hills tumbling steeply down into impossibly blue sea, and views across the water to where you’ll see more of the same, there are few spots in England prettier than the River Dart estuary in Devon. Boats are as common here as cars are in most towns, skipping across the waves between Kingswear and Dartmouth, or perhaps down to the castle. And if you ever find yourself on one of those boats on a warm, sunny day, you’ll no doubt notice the gorgeous houses which cling to the choice spots, and wonder with envy who lives within.
The good news is that one of those houses, Paradise Point, has now come up for sale — and it’s every bit as beautiful inside as you’d hope. The less good news is that the asking price is £7.75 million, which will mean that for all but the best-heeled it’ll have to remain a dream.
The house sits in the village of Warfleet, roughly half-way between the centre of Dartmouth and Dartmouth Castle, on the western side of the estuary. It’s a Grade II-listed, five-bedroom house with gardens which run down to the water, where you’ll find your own little jetty.
While it’s full of character it’s a relative baby compared to many of the ancient buildings you’ll find in this historic part of Devon: it was built in 1850, to replace Paradise Fort, which once stood on this spot.
The 6,778sq ft is split across four floors, including lovely spaces such as a snug, bar, cinema room and a basement with wine cellar. The words 'wine cellar' undersell it a little, so here's a picture:
The bedrooms are split between the first and second floors, though the latter is currently laid out as a self-contained apartment.
The star of the show on the ground floor is the extravagant drawing room with doors that lead out to what we can only describe as a wraparound orangery.
The master suite above that drawing room has a balcony, dressing room and two en-suite bathrooms (yes, really — one has a bath, one has a shower) and is quite astonishing.
As well as place to moor your boats, there is space to park your cars — half a dozen will fit on the private driveway, while there is also a double garage with its own roof terrace that has been built into the slope. It’s an eye-catching design that has won a couple of architectural awards, according to the agents.
And speaking of eye-catching designs, another is in the pipeline for Paradise Point: plans have been submitted for a two-storey building down by the jetty which is to be a home office and boathouse.
If it wins approval from the local authorities, the next owner of this magnificent spot could become the proud owner of one of the great work-from-home spots in Devon.
Paradise Point is for sale via Knight Frank at £7.75 million — see more details and pictures.
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
-
A well-connected rural playground with 23 acres on the edge of the South Downs National ParkOld House Farm is an impressive family home with a wealth of amenities that would inspire any rural passion.
-
The UK gets its first ‘European stork village’ — and it's in West SussexAlthough the mortality rate among white storks can be up to 90%, the future looks rosy for breeding pairs in southern England.
-
A well-connected rural playground with 23 acres on the edge of the South Downs National ParkOld House Farm is an impressive family home with a wealth of amenities that would inspire any rural passion.
-
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.
