Location

Other villages may strive for an inclusive atmosphere, but it seems to come naturally to St Teath, winner of Radio Cornwall’s most caring village in the recent past.

From the St Teath Village website: “We have a post office, a primary school, a cafe, a pub, a community centre, a community bus, a church hall, a church, an annual carnival… and, most importantly, some wonderful people! What more could you ask for?”

There are also two well equipped children’s playgrounds and a playing field at the football club. Just three miles away is the Bowood Hotel and Golf Club.

Located above the beautiful Allen Valley on the road to the coast, St Teath is surrounded by rolling farmland and wooded valleys. The popular North Coast villages of Polzeath, renowned for surfing, and Port Isaac, home to Nathan Outlaw’s Michelin-starred seafood restaurants are within a short drive. The towns of Wadebridge and Camelford, within easy reach, have everyday amenities.

The Old Vicarage, at the centre of the village, has played its part in the life of the parish over two centuries, with summer garden parties in the grounds and Christmas celebrations.

Description

Built in 1812 during the Regency period, The Old Vicarage is remarkably evocative of its time. It combines the architectural elegance of that era with the traditional materials of grand Cornish houses using granite for walls, lintels and pillared porticos, and Delabole slate for the roof and sections of the walls and balcony.

The main entrance into the house is under an impressive, pillared porch with direct entry to a wide hall, currently used as a study. Facing south, light streams in. The immediate impression is of elegance, enhanced by the period details and tasteful, pale décor yet also homeliness as the interior space flows from one comfortable room to another.

The drawing room overlooks the garden, with French windows opening on to the slate terrace. Original Georgian shutters are in place and the recent addition of an attractive sandstone fireplace enhances the Regency style of the room. Cornice, architrave, ceiling rose and dado rail are details that feature here and consistently throughout the house.
The dining room, also opening onto the terrace, is well proportioned for entertaining. It features an open fireplace and an arched recess, along with original shutters and period details.

The hall widens to become a versatile room where there is a second external door and passage leading to what was once the vicar’s office, but now is a generously sized cloakroom and wc. Next, the kitchen, with its own external door, is practical and homely with a beamed ceiling and limestone floor, warmed by an Aga and with bespoke fitted units, a Miele oven and hob, microwave oven, warming drawer and integrated dishwasher. Adjacent is the scullery/boiler room wih additional sink, shelves and cupboards, followed by the boot room and utility/laundry which is also fully fitted for storage and has external doors to both sides of the house and respective gardens.
A modern addition to the house is the spacious garden room, extending from the kitchen, providing a large dining area and living room overlooking the southwest facing garden. Bifold doors open to the terrace and the whole room is light and airy, with a vaulted ceiling and beams. The underfloor heating ensures cosiness.

The staircase is one of the listed original features of the house. A half landing is open to a space known historically as ‘the wig room’. As it has a huge window and is triple aspect, it is ideal as a craft studio and being above the porch, has a perfect view of any arrivals through the front gates.

The principal bedroom suite is imposing, entered through the dressing room which also opens onto a balcony above the main entrance porch. The bedroom is spacious, with a lovely southwest facing view over the garden and hillside beyond, and it has an en suite bathroom.

The second large double bedroom shares the same aspect and view, while the third looks towards the very peaceful churchyard. Finally, a door opens from the landing into a corridor to the guest wing, providing ample space with its own shower room and very large bedroom. Large windows give views over the front and rear of the house and have attractive wide wooden windowsills.

The overall atmosphere of The Old Vicarage is warmly welcoming and despite its obvious elegance and size, this is a cosy, comfortable family home.

The main entrance is just past the entrance to the Church through a double gate with high granite pillars into the tarmacked drive.

A double garage with electronic door has a washroom, wc and a large storeroom. The wood store is under the extended eaves of the garage.

The extensive gardens are beautifully landscaped and well maintained. At the front of the property is a large lawn with an herbaceous border backed by a high stone wall softened in appearance by climbers such as roses, jasmine and clematis.
To the rear is a wide slate terrace extending across the south-west aspect of the house. Mature trees and shrubs with drifts of bulbs and flowers surround a large lawn. A gravel path skirts the garden and leads to an imposing gated entrance at the southern edge of the property. This was originally the entrance for carriages to a drive leading to the Vicarage and the its stables beyond.

Beneath the trees at the side of the garden is a double storey wooden playhouse. Private access through the churchyard to the clock tower at the centre of the village, and to the White Hart, is through a small gate beside the drive. The property is within a conservation area and some mature trees are protected by tree preservation orders.

Directions

Taking the A39 from Wadebridge towards Camelford, at Knight’s Mill turn left on the B3267 and go up the hill into St Teath. Approaching the centre of the village the church is on the left. Just before it, turn left and immediately right, following this lane past the church hall and The Stables, to the double gated entrance of The Old Vicarage directly in front.

Port Isaac about 5.5 miles
Wadebridge about 8 miles
Bodmin Parkway about 15.5 miles
Cornwall Airport Newquay about 20 miles
Truro about 32 miles