Location

Clayhidon is a pretty, rural village on the Devon and Somerset border. The parish Church of St Andrews is at the heart of the village and offers weekly services. The village pub, The Half Moon, is popular with locals and visitors alike and prides itself on serving locally sourced produce.

The village overlooks the stunning Culm Valley and sits within the Blackdown Hills, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The village of Hemyock is approximately 2.4 miles away and has a primary school, GP surgery, garage, post office and convenience store. Wellington, about 4 miles to the north has a Waitrose supermarket and various independent shops and eateries.

There are many excellent schools in the surrounding area including Wellington School (offering a private door to door bus service), Blundell's in Tiverton and Kings College and Queens in Taunton. The village also falls in the catchment area for the outstanding and sought after state secondary, Uffculme.

Communication links to the area are excellent, with the M5 at Wellington providing fast links to Exeter, Tiverton and Taunton. Taunton (Junction 26) has regular fast rail services to London Paddington. Exeter and Bristol International airports also offer daily flights to UK and International destinations.

Description

The Old Rectory is an immaculately presented, beautifully restored Georgian residence (unlisted) dating from 1802. Set next to the Church of St. Andrews, in the charming village of Clayhidon, the property enjoys fabulous gardens and far-reaching rural views south and east. In addition, there is Rectory Cottage, offering generous secondary accommodation for extended family, or to generate an income through holiday lets.

Many of the building's original features remain, including tall ceilings, decorative cornicing, picture rails and deep skirtings. Renovations include new sash picture windows throughout, restored fireplaces, cast iron radiators, limestone flooring to kitchen and bathrooms, new boiler and intelligent heating system and stone restoration. The property is decorated in a soft palate of Little Greene colours and benefits from a custom designed Wi-Fi installation with superfast fibre connection.

You enter the residence via a beautiful orangery leading to the front door which opens into an impressive reception hall. A splendid Georgian staircase spirals to the first and second floors. On the left is an elegant drawing room with bay window and marble fireplace leading to a further reception room also with marble fireplace. Additionally there is a downstairs cloakroom and bell room.

On the right of the reception hall is the dining/living room which connects to the kitchen via an archway, making this a fabulous open kitchen/living space. The kitchen, designed and made by local artisans, is fitted with hand painted oak units and a bespoke stained-glass door. The contemporary energy saving electric Aga is framed by an impressive hand carved oak mantel. French doors open onto a terrace with stone barbeque/pizza oven and beautiful views of the surrounding gardens. There is also a utility room, with stable door to the garden and Rectory Cottage. Extensive cellars on the lower ground floor provide useful storage spaces including a wine cellar.

On the first floor, there is the principal bedroom with dressing room and en suite bathroom, two further ensuite double bedrooms, an office/4th bedroom and a laundry room. Additionally there is a spacious family shower/wet room with Aqualisa rain shower and underfloor heating. The front wing of the second floor offers two further bedrooms and a shared bathroom, whilst the back wing, accessed by a separate staircase, leads to a large ensuite office/family room with Velux Cabrio balcony windows offering spectacular views of the gardens and surrounding countryside.

Rectory Cottage, which has independent access, is a recently refurbished annexe with light, open plan living spaces. Upstairs a glass, balconied landing leads to three ensuite bedrooms. Downstairs a very large open plan living/kitchen area with stone flooring and an additional cloak room. There is a secluded garden area for Rectory Cottage and a sheltered hot tub terrace. Kitchen appliances and cottage beds are included in the sale.

The property is accessed via a gated, private driveway which leads to a spacious parking and turning area and detached double garage. The front of the house features a large, tiered lawn overlooking the Blackdown Hills, offering an impressive and welcoming entrance.

The gardens surrounding the house are meticulously maintained, featuring formal walled sections, landscaped lawns and borders. The gardens boast mature trees, a flowering arbor, a variety of ornamental plants and shrubs, a scented garden, stone sun terrace, lantern lighting and a pond altogether creating a serene and picturesque environment. These areas offer ample opportunities for outdoor entertaining and relaxation. Included in the sale are two premium Husqvarna robotic lawn mowers which maintain the appearance and health of the lawns.

Additionally, the property includes a charming woodland area full of mature spring flowering shrubs, perfect for tranquil walks. Adjacent is a level four acre field and a large lawned/paddock area, providing versatile outdoor spaces. In all the property extends to 7 acres and there are many foot and bridle paths from the door to enjoy long walks in the surrounding countryside.

Directions

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