Country houses with land are more in demand than ever, and these three estates in the West Country are fabulous examples of the quality on offer for buyes looking to buy property with some land, either for privacy, equestrian use or for sport.
Historic Dorset estate
The neo-Jacobean Chedington Court at Chedington, near Beaminster, on the Dorset-Somerset border, is being sold by Savills at a guide price of ‘excess £7.5m’ for the whole or in three lots.
For sale for the first time in 10 years, the house, listed Grade II, boasts the largest great hall in Dorset, and comes with more than 58 acres of formal gardens, ponds, parkland and pasture as well as spectacular panoramic views across the upper valley of the River Parrett, writes Penny Churchill.
The earliest reference to a house at Chedington dates from 1285, after which it passed through several associated families before emerging in more or less its present form in about 1840. In 1893, Sir Henry Peto, son of the Victorian railway magnate, Sir Samuel Morton Peto, bought Chedington Court and estate and lived there with his wife until 1938. In 1999, the previous owners carried out an extensive renovation project, adding the great hall, the orangery and the study.
The present owners have carried on in the same vein, acquiring and redeveloping Chedington Lodge and building the Coach House, a high-tech office block next to the house, with garaging for four cars. The extensive accommodation in the main house is laid out over four floors served by a lift and two staircases and includes a reception hall, seven main reception rooms, master and guest suites plus seven further bedrooms and bathrooms.
Chedington Court on the Dorset-Somerset border is for sale through Savills who are inviting offers over £7.5m. For further information telephone 020 8022 6375 or visit http://countrylife.onthemarket.com.
Devon estate with single bank fishing
Built at the end of the 19th century for the owner of a dressed limestone quarry at Plymstock, this impressive country house comes with over 100 acres of land and single-bank fishing.
The finely dressed stone elevations at Cleeve House are a notable feature of the property, while the period brick detailing and sandstone mullions remaining in excellent condition.
The main house has been recently renovated, and improvements include underfloor heating run from thermo-dynamic panels, solar photovoltaic panels on the roof, double glazed windows and a pumped hot water system.
Some further work is still needed, but the property now comprises a substantial, and comfortable country house with seven bedrooms (five en-suite) and four impressive reception rooms, plus spacious wine cellars, a roof terrace and the magnificent galleried landing. An annexe and a large self-contained apartment within the main house could be easily incorporated back into the whole.
Outside formal lawns are complimented by attractive entertaining areas and a level croquet lawn. The River Erme lies at the foot of the valley and offers 520 metres of single bank fishing. Various parcels of land are offered as separate lots to the main house and its land. The total comes to around 112 acres.
Cleeve House is located just 12 miles from Plymouth and two miles from Ivybridge in Devon. The guide price is £2,665,000. Contact Strutt & Parker on 01392 976715 or visit http://countrylife.onthemarket.com.
Outstanding equestrian estate in Somerset
Pen House Farm was built in 1995 by the current owner. Built with local hamstone under a thatched roof with stone mullion windows the house has been built in a charming period style and sits very well in its mature landscaping. Accommodation comprises eight bedrooms, with four bathrooms and four reception rooms, all built to a generous size to be light and airy.
To the south of the house is an attractive parterre area with box and yew hedging, and roses and bay trees, while the flagstone terrace is surrounded by well-stocked borders. The lawns stretch away from the house on all sides leading down to a charming spring-fed lake. The tennis court and gazebo lie to the north east.
Equestrian facilities include loose boxes, tack room and a washing area. Groom's facilities are opposite. In addition there are two three-bay steel frame barns; there are four post and rail paddocks.
The balance of the land lies predominantly to the west and comprises attractive rolling pastureland interspersed by ponds and mature woodland. The house comes with 46 acres, with a further 90 acres available.
Pen House Farm is located on the edge of the village of Penselwood overlooking the Blackmore Vale. The guide price is £3.85m. For further information call Savills on 01722 515897 or visit http://countrylife.onthemarket.com.
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