House, Bishops Court Lane, Clyst St. Mary, Exeter, Devon

Bishop’s Court is a fine Grade I Listed country house set within 31 acres of grounds, offering approximately 18,000 square feet of period accommodation alongside historically significant outbuildings. The estate is thought to be recorded in the Domesday Book and was purchased in 1265 by Walter Branscombe, Bishop of Exeter, becoming the Bishops’ official palace until the Reformation in 1546.

The main house retains a wealth of striking period features, from elements of the original medieval buildings, through an early 19thcentury Georgian remodelling, to the later 19th-century Gothic Revival design by the highly regarded architect William White, which unifies the house into its present form. These include high ceilings, elegant cornicing, tall arched windows and handsome fireplaces. The formal reception rooms provide generous space for family life and entertaining, with an impressive reception hall, formal dining room, dual-aspect library, and adjoining drawing and sitting rooms. There is also a well-equipped kitchen, various stores, and a breathtaking chapel with vaulted ceiling, stained glass windows and ornate detailing.

On the first floor, Bishop’s Court offers eight double bedrooms and five bathrooms, each enjoying far-reaching views over the surrounding parkland. Further accommodation is provided by ancillary flats and studios, including two two-bedroom flats, one one-bedroom flat, and ground-floor studios—ideal for work or guests.

Together, the house, ancillary accommodation, outbuildings and land provide a rare opportunity to acquire a Grade I listed historic estate that already generates a significant income. The layout offers considerable flexibility, whether for multi-generational family living or for those wishing to run a business from home, with the added potential for alternative uses such as a boutique hotel or events venue, subject to consent.