Ferme Willesley

A quietly captivating Devon farmhouse with strong Georgian feel, set at the heart of its 140 acres in an idyllic rural setting, complete with a superb family shoot.
Willesley Farm is an utterly charming and surprisingly unlisted farmhouse, dating from the mid-19th century and originally forming part of the Duke of Bedford’s Tavistock Estate. While not formally Georgian, its symmetry, proportions and architectural detail are unmistakably of that tradition, with handsome chimneypieces, attractive cornicing and elegant sash windows throughout. The result is a house that carries the character of a larger Georgian manor.
Willesley Farm is presented in good condition, having been lovingly maintained, and enjoys a magical position at the heart of its land. The house has lovely views across its immediate gardens and grounds, down to the lake below, and over the surrounding open countryside beyond.
A most attractive cobbled courtyard, formed by a range of traditional stone barns and centred around a delightful circular walled garden, creates a wonderfully evocative approach to the house, immediately recalling its origins as a Devon farmstead. Adjoining the main house, the buildings are currently arranged as a shoot lunchroom, party barn and estate office, and offer considerable flexibility.
The hall immediately sets the tone, with its elegant proportions and pretty granite flagstones, and establishes the easy flow that runs throughout the house. From here, the principal rooms unfold naturally, including a fine sitting room with double doors to the drawing room, and an open-plan kitchen with a double-height ceiling, large granite fireplace with log burner, and French windows opening onto the gardens.
Together with the vaulted dining room, these rooms work exceptionally well for both entertaining and family life. Equally important for country living, there is a substantial boot room/inner hall, laundry room, larder, drying room and cloakroom.
A graceful central staircase rises to a wide landing, leading to four bedrooms, all enjoying wonderful rural views, and three bathrooms, in addition to a separate loo. The principal bedroom has two adjoining bathrooms.
There is also a fifth bedroom with an adjoining shower room on the ground floor, which has its own separate side entrance.
Willesley Cottage
There is a separate, single storey three-bedroom cottage, set in its own grounds including a drive and gardens. The cottage is currently let out on an Assured Tenancy (formerly known as an Assured Shorthold Tenancy) to long term tenants.