Our star property this week, called Place Court, is a beautiful Grade II* listed former manor house, writes Becky Sheaves.
It is a property that is steeped in history, with fascinating links to Sir Walter Raleigh. Indeed, the Elizabethan Westcountry hero Sir Walter may even have been christened in the chapel here, as Place Court was owned by the church for 750 years.
The property was originally built between 1225 and 1250 for the Dean of Exeter Cathedral as his rural retreat. It sits in a very secluded and private position within the pretty village of Colaton Raleigh in East Devon.
Much of the present building dates back to the 16th century, with alterations in the 17th and 18th centuries.
The current owners have undertaken a major restoration of the many original features, as well as adding many modern comforts such as luxury bathrooms.
The vendors have owned Place Court for 16 years. “We came to have a look and just said to each other: This is it, this is what we have been looking for,” remembers the vendor.
The owners have enjoyed many happy times at the house but their work lives have changed and they are planning a move to London.
“It will be a huge wrench as we love this house and have done so much work on it,” the vendor explains.
“But life moves on and it is time for a new owner to enjoy the wonderful lifestyle which is on offer here.”
Over the years, the couple have stripped back many of the unflattering alterations to the house, swapping chipboard for solid oak on the floors, taking down false ceilings to expose the stunning original beams and putting in a bespoke country kitchen in place of off-the-peg DIY store units.
“The house is Grade II* listed, so we had to be very careful to do all the work in sympathy with the architecture and history of the property,” the vendor explains. “There are so many original features, including wonderful stonework, leaded windows and some impressive fireplaces, one of which has medieval etchings scratched into it.”
The master bedroom even has its own unique en-suite chapel, where Sir Walter Raleigh is rumoured to have been christened.
Apparently, his father worked for the estate here and wanted baby Walter to be christened secretly as a Protestant, during the Catholic reign of Queen Mary (also known as Bloody Mary).
As well as the main house, which has four bedrooms, the property comes with a thatched tithe barn, converted into a three-bedroomed detached cottage. There is also a charming two-bedroomed mews cottage which has been converted. For many years the owners rented these properties out as holiday accommodation. “They also make terrific guest accommodation for visiting friends and family,” says the vendor.
“The countryside here is so attractive, and there is a footpath all the way from here to the sea at Budleigh Salterton, much of it along the banks of the River Otter. So this is an idyllic country holiday location.”
Place Court lies on the southern edge of Colaton Raleigh, a popular and unspoilt village with pretty white rendered cottages, surrounded by rolling hills and farmland, much of which is owned by the Clinton Devon estate. The village has a parish church, shop and a good gastro-pub called The Otter Inn. The property is 12 miles to the east of Exeter, which is around a 25 minute drive and has good rail links to London.
A mile and a half walk along the River Otter from Colaton Raleigh brings you to the picturesque village of Otterton. Here, Otterton Mill is a 1,000-year-old working mill, where they still make their own flour.
The mill also houses shops, a bakery and an award-winning café. A further mile and a half walk along the river’s edge and you are in the delightful coastal town of Budleigh Salterton which has a large beach.
All in all this is a special house in an idyllic location, and an exciting prospect for house-hunters in the Westcountry.