4 bedroom detached house for sale

Located on the western flank of "Room Hill" with southerly views over the moorland village of Withypool, towards Withypool Hill and Common, this wonderful farmhouse has been the subject of extensive modernisation and restoration over the past two decades and has given our clients, in our opinion, a truly magical village and country lifestyle.

Most people know they wish to purchase their next home within about two minutes of arriving, either getting out of the car and falling in love with the setting or within two minutes of walking around the property. Weatherslade Farm is one of those properties where either could well be true. The setting is truly wonderful, the views from the property (and in particular the main rear garden) are exceptional as are the views and approach from either drive, The lower drive approaching from the village, past Foxtwitchen House and then following a pretty and winding route up to the property across a small stream. The upper drive dropping down from the B3223 through open fields and a variety of field gates, the views from which are truly fantastic. If you havent been sold on the property by then, then the farmhouse just has that lovely homely feel as you wander from room to room with of course that wonderful backdrop view from almost every single window on the southern elevation.

Withypool is an attractive, traditional village predominantly surrounded by open moorland and bisected by the River Barle in the heart of the Exmoor National Park with good local amenities which include the village shop and post office, tea room and renowned village inn, The Royal Oak, where R.D.Blackmore wrote part of Lorna Doone and Alfred Munnings was said to have kept a studio.   The popular moorland town of Dulverton is c.8 miles South of Withypool, offering an excellent range of shops, There are also a good range of restaurants to include the award winning 'Woods' and the exotic 'Tong Dam' restaurant. The national connections will be found at Taunton, the county town of Somerset which is c.30 miles East and Tiverton, c.20 miles South with access onto the M5 and National Rail networks respectively. London Paddington by rail is c. 1 hour 40 minutes from Taunton whilst Exeter is c.1 hours' drive South and Bristol   c.1 ½ hours' drive North.

Accommodation
Ground Floor
Entrance Porch stable door top half glazed giving access into Entrance Hall with wide staircase to first floor and door leading off into

Sitting Room Inglenook fireplace with pointed stone surround, raised slate hearth, inset multifuel woodburning stove, recess at either side door giving access to the Farmhouse Kitchen/Breakfast Room. Oak flooring, exposed beams and ceiling timbers, picture window to front elevation with stunning views, deep recess sill, radiator, understairs storage cupboard and door leading off to the rear reception hallway.

Study with window to front elevation with similar views, open fireplace with raised slated hearth and inset Jetmaster grate, recessed shelving at either side, exposed ceiling timbers, oak boarded flooring.

Reception Hallway with slated floor, tongue and groove doors leading off into sitting room, utility and cloakroom, stable door top half glazed giving access to entrance porch and to gardens and drive.

Large Cloakroom/Boot Room Double aspect with windows to both rear and side elevation, Heritage wash hand basin, close coupled WC, slate flooring, recessed downlights.

Utility Room with slate floor, window overlooking drive and courtyard, timbered work surface with inset deep glazed sink, range of drawers and cupboards with fitted dishwasher and washing machine, recessed downlights, steps leading down through to

Impressive Open Plan Farmhouse Kitchen/Breakfast Room triple aspect with window and stable door (top half glazed) giving access to front gardens and the stunning vista, stable door top half glazed with window at side overlooking drive and courtyard and window to side elevation. The kitchen end comprises an extensive range of timber work surfaces with cupboards and base units under, deep glazed sink, mixer tap, Rayburn oil fired cooker, peninsula work surface again timbered with range of drawers and cupboards under, inset four ringed Schott ceramic hob, Diplomat double oven and grill to one side under, recessed downlights and access to roof void. The dining room end has slate flooring as per the kitchen, impressive pointed stone Inglenook fireplace with inset woodburning stove, recessed downlights, stable door giving access to gardens.

FIRST FLOOR
Wide staircase giving access to first floor tiered landing, off which is access to the

Main Bedroom with Victorian cinder grate with tiled and carved surround with mantel over with slate hearth, timber framed double glazed windows to front elevation with stunning views both over the gardens, home paddocks and across to Withypool moorland and common, radiator, exposed beam, tongue and grooved ledge and brace door into the

En-suite Shower Room comprising shower cubicle with tiled splashback and shower fitments, Heritage pedestal wash hand basin, WC, radiator/heated towel rail, wall mounted toiletry mirrored fronted cupboard, windows to front elevation with similar views, recessed downlights.

Off the main landing area is access to the linen cupboard, access to the roof void, further radiator and door off to

Bedroom Three with stunning views to the front, radiator, exposed boarded flooring.

Bedroom Two with door well recess then steps down, boarded flooring, window to front elevation with skylight over, exposed beams and trusses, radiator.

Off the main landing are steps down into an inner rear landing area with window to rear elevation overlooking drive etc. and a smaller access to roof void.

Bathroom comprising of rolled edged bath set in a tiled surface with timber surround, mixer tap and shower fitment, tongue and groove panelling to dado height to all walls, similar vanity surface incorporating a Heritage wash hand basin with storage cupboards under, WC, window to side elevation, radiator, recessed downlights.

Bedroom Four (L-Shaped)
Windows to side elevation overlooking paddocks, single radiator, extensive range of fitted wardrobes with storage over.

OUTBUILDINGS Off the main parking is a semi-enclosed yard to one side of which are multiple buildings. These predominantly are Shillet construction with pitched slated roofs and comprise of a lock-up store and Large Main Barn with impressive double barn doors. Internally it measures 8.7m x 4.5m with a concreted floor, stonework, blockwork under a modern timbered felted roof with slate, open access with steps down to a further Barn/Store measuring 8.4m x 2.6m extreme, again with concreted floor, pair of doors and small window to rear elevation with modern timber felted and slated roof. Power and lighting connected to both this and also to the main barn. To the side of the main barn there are steps up to the First Floor Storage Room, being used as both hayloft, games/hobby room, all of which have the benefit of being connected with power and lighting.

At the side of the kitchen there is an outside tap, external lighting and the central heating system. Off the drive there is also a lawned area. There is a lovely restored pointed stone building, part workshop and part seating area with electric sockets. The seating area is semi open fronted with both pointed stonework, slate and timber support which is ideal for shade and enjoying a late summer evening. To the rear of this is the gardeners store and workshop, full length door three quarter length glazed, cobbled and part concreted floor measuring 5.5m x 3m. At either side of the farmhouse there is access to the main principal front gardens, to the left hand side is a five bar field gate and to the right hand side is a stone chipped footpath.

Continuing with the rest of the outbuildings, off the main drive there is a lower spur which gives access to the stable yard and ancillary buildings. On the corner there is a stone storage building. On the opposite side of the drive access to the stable yard there is an open fronted implement shed at the side of which is a stone cottage (at present unconverted). To the left hand side of this area there is access into the lower part of the previously mentioned barn and also stable doors giving access to the large wood store measuring 4.6m x approximately 5.2m, again of stone construction with modern timbered insulated and slated roof. The stable yard has a concreted apron surrounded by timber posts and railing and with a five bar gate towards the lower end. It is presently subdivided into four stables and a secure tack room with Belfast sink and electric points, the end stable having a window to the side elevation. There are Trapdoors from the Hayloft ("first floor storage room") enabling hay to be fed from above. Power and lighting and water are also connected in all four.

The south facing side of the property has the landscaped gardens and stunning views. From here there is access to the three paddocks.

Planning
Consent to convert the stone storage building into self-contained holiday accommodation (reference 6/42/99/101) was granted by Exmoor National Park Authority. Work to implement this approval was commenced but has not been completed.

A subsequent planning approval (reference 6/42/06/101) was approved for creation of the stables in the traditional barn.

A copy of the letter from the National Park and associated original applications are available for inspection from the selling agents upon request.

Agents note
If the barns are converted for holiday/letting accommodation, the tenants can only access the property from the B3223. No access (included vehicular and pedestrian) through Foxtwitchen other than for the owners of Weatherslade Farm.

Land
In total the property stands within some 13.7 acres. The pasture comprises the majority of this and is split into three main pastures (south facing) and stands to the south and east of the homestead. Whilst the land is sloping, by local standards the land is pretty level and is suitable for stock and horses.

Rural Payments
We understand that our clients receive rural payments - to be confirmed

Sporting Rights
The hunting rights are not held with the property.

Drives
The property has two drives. One from the B3223 dropping down to the property passing through the "Drang" some 100 meters along to the property. The other approaching from the village and accessed past Foxtwitchen House is narrow, step and twisty (see notes re viewings for access on appointments).

Agents Note
Our clients inform us that all slate-floored areas on the ground floor are under-floor heated, in 3 separately controllable zones whilst all other areas are radiator-heated in addition to the woodburning stoves.

All buildings have been re-rooved with slate within the last 20 years

The house is entirely double glazed and all rooms are copiously fitted with power points.

All the buildings are of traditional Shillick (ie local slate) and mortar construction originating probably in the early 19th century with some areas internally repaired with blockwork and concrete.

The property is being offered for sale with a Guide Price and for sale by Private Treaty. Due to the considerable interest that is expected to be shown in this home, the agents, on behalf of their clients, reserve the right to offer the property for sale by Informal Tender should the need arise.

All Viewers should approach the property from the direction of Withypool Village. On entering Withypool (from the Winsford Direction), turn immediately right at the side of the Royal Oak Inn. After approximately 100 yards take the right fork, then over a small bridge, past "Mill Cleeve" on your right and the ascend the hill. After a few hundred yards there will be a drive entrance on the right (Marked as Foxtwwitchen House". Turn right here, travel past Foxtwithcen house and then the drive continues (from here on a tarmac drive), into a small combe and then heads up hill again, the drive takes the hairpin right turn and then at the crest is Weatherslade Farm. The farmyard ancillary drive on your right, the main drive another 20 yards further along.