Description
This beautifully presented Victorian home, once part of a Manor House and later a private school, is full of period charm and thoughtfully updated for modern living. EPC: C.
Situation - Stokelake occupies a wonderfully private position on a small, tree-lined road on the rural outskirts of Chudleigh, nestled in the scenic Teign Valley and surrounded by some of Devon's most picturesque countryside. The setting is peaceful and exceptionally safe, forming part of a unique, small estate with planning restrictions in place that prevent further development. The property is just a short walk from Finlake Holiday Resort, where residents can enjoy a wide range of leisure facilities including a gym, spa, swimming pools, a fishing lake, a convenience store, and bar/restaurant. The nearby towns of Chudleigh and Bovey Tracey offer an excellent range of everyday amenities including independent shops, cafés, restaurants, doctors and dental surgeries, and well-regarded schools.
Outdoor enthusiasts will find outstanding opportunities for walking, cycling, riding, and water sports, with Dartmoor National Park and the South Devon coast both within easy reach. Golfers are also well catered for with several courses in the local area including Teign Valley, Teignmouth and Dainton Park. For commuters, the A38 is just minutes away, providing swift links to Exeter, Plymouth, and the M5. Mainline rail services from Newton Abbot and Teignmouth connect to London Paddington in around 3 hours, and Exeter Airport offers flights to a wide range of national and international destinations.
Description - Forming part of a grand Victorian school building, sympathetically converted in the 1990s, this substantial home offers exceptional proportions, high ceilings, and an abundance of period character throughout. Extending to over 2,590 sq ft and arranged over three floors, the accommodation is filled with natural light and has been thoughtfully updated by the current owners to create a stylish and practical family home. A key highlight is the unusually generous room sizes, particularly the impressive drawing room with its tall sash windows and elegant cornicing. The kitchen/breakfast room is equally spacious, perfect for family life and entertaining. Throughout the property, original features sit comfortably alongside modern fittings to provide charm and comfort in equal measure.
Outside, the gardens to the front and rear are attractive and private, with a traditional veranda providing a lovely spot to relax. Residents also have shared use of approximately four acres of communal grounds including lawns, woodland and a tennis court. The property offers excellent parking with space for up to six vehicles including two garages, and benefits from lower water costs due to the estate's private waste water system.
Accommodation - An impressive entrance hallway is accessed through a beautiful stained-glass wooden door, setting the tone for the character and scale found throughout the property. Much of the ground floor benefits from solid wood flooring, creating a seamless flow between the principal rooms. The entrance hall itself offers generous space for coats and shoes and is arranged as a welcoming seating area with a sofa and fireplace. To the right, a door opens into a large and elegant sitting/dining room, a particularly impressive space featuring high ceilings, dual-aspect sash windows and a striking open fireplace forming the focal point. The kitchen/breakfast room is divided by an original wood crafted arch, 3D raised ceiling and fitted with a range of modern Shaker style units, herringbone crackle glazed tiles, solid oak worktops and integrated appliances, finished with Tintagel Stone flooring and offering direct access to the rear garden. From the inner hallway, the original staircase rises to the first floor, and at the far end is a useful and tastefully updated utility room and ground floor WC.
The first floor is light, spacious, and beautifully presented. A generous landing area leads to two bright and airy bedrooms, both offering large sash windows and charming period features. The main family bathroom is finished to a high standard with marble flooring, a traditional Mira shower and Kensington roll-top slipper bath with traditional Savoy heated towel rail, creating a perfect balance of character and modern comfort.
The second floor offers two versatile rooms, one currently arranged as a home office. Both enjoy plenty of natural light from Velux windows, with far-reaching views over the surrounding countryside. This floor also benefits from the second well-appointed bathroom, providing flexibility for a variety of uses, whether as workspaces, guest bedrooms, or hobby rooms.
Outside - The property is approached via a pathway through a charming front garden, enclosed by tall hedging and well-stocked with mature shrubs and flowering borders. A standout feature is the original Victorian veranda (approx. 16m²), beautifully finished with terracotta herringbone tiles, granite flagstones and crafted wooden pillars. The veranda offers a characterful and sheltered seating area, ideal for enjoying the outlook.
To the rear, a door from the kitchen opens onto a spacious and private courtyard garden, thoughtfully designed for low-maintenance outdoor living. The lower terrace includes a paved seating area ideal for alfresco dining, along with a separate spot for relaxing. A feature bridge provides convenient access from the upper terrace to the first-floor landing, adding both practicality and architectural interest. The upper terrace is also paved and enjoys a good degree of sunlight, thanks to its elevated position making it a superb space for outdoor seating and entertaining. A pathway links both terraces and continues through a well-maintained and mature banked garden, planted with a range of established shrubs and greenery.
Parking - To the front of the property, there are three allocated parking spaces, conveniently positioned at the end of the garden path leading directly to the front door. To the rear, further allocated parking space is provided along with two single garages, offering ideal storage or parking for additional vehicles. Facing back towards the house and tower bell, the garages also offer potential to be converted into a summer house/office space, subject to gaining the necessary permissions.
Services - Utilities: Mains Gas, Water and Electricity
Drainage: Shared Private Drainage - serviced and maintained by management company.
Heating: Gas Central Heating and Open Fire in Living Room.
Tenure: Freehold
EPC: C (73)
Current Council Tax: E
Standard and superfast broadband available. EE, O2, Three and Vodafone mobile networks likely to be available (Ofcom).
Agents Note - There is an annual service charge of £840 which covers the maintenance of the communal grounds and private sewerage system. The vendor has advised that a healthy sinking fund is in place to support any future repairs not covered by the annual charge. The service charge is largely offset against the reduced water costs.
Please note, there are restrictive covenants in place. Further details are available on request from the selling agent.
