DESCRIPTION Sedgewell Coach House is a unique property and comes to the market for the first time in eighteen years. Its secluded setting in a wooded valley inspired international artist, Heather Jansch, to build a garden to display her life-size driftwood horses. In the process the original Victorian stone built Coach house became an exceptionally versatile spacious three bedroom house with generously light and airy rooms.

The gardens which extend to 4.5 acres, first opened for the National Garden Scheme charities in 2009 and have continued to attract visitors time and again to savour the extraordinary atmosphere created in what is an amazing hidden garden.

The breathtaking entrance is formed by an avenue of mature horse chestnuts from where the 300 yard private driveway descends to Sedgewell Coach House and studios nestling against a backdrop of mature native trees. The property basks in a south facing position overlooking extensive woodland and rolling fields; the almost Mediterranean micro-climate has dictated the planting of the gardens immediately surrounding the house and formal pools.

Dramatic sweeping lawns and beautifully conceived dry stone walls emphasize the natural beauty of the landscape and divide the dry cultivated upper gardens subtly into different areas while site-specific works enclose a productive organic kitchen garden, the bore hole and small paddock.

Around every corner there is something else to see and seats abound at vantage points in both sun and shade. It is a wildlife paradise. An archway marks the entrance to a woodland trail as the path narrows beneath trees shading the newly established fernery and begins the descent into the fragrance of the bluebell wood where ferns and wild orchids also thrive. Beneath the woodland is the timeless peace of the stream-bordered water meadow where butterflies abound among the wildflowers, small fish shoal in the clear waters above sand and pebbles disturbed only by the appearance of blue brilliance from the Kingfishers and Buzzards wheeling high above.

From the water meadow the stream flows closer to the bluebell wood and an even more hidden part of the valley where the music of the stream can be heard. At the foot of the steep southern bracken covered slope, a cathedral of alder soars above a marshy tract fed even in the worst drought by springs.

Returning through the woodland, the trail meanders slowly up the open hillside and stretches across above the alder cathedral to a hairpin promontory and vantage point holding a delightfully exotic chalet.

From there, the path broadens and the slow ascent is eased by the welcome shade of huge overarching field maples and site specific seats made from massive Macrocarpa rings until reaching the level cultivated gardens and fragrant planting which abounds around the house.

Historically gardens are places of rejuvenation and the medicinal herb garden surrounding a clear formal pool was planted specifically to provide a place for reflection. An undercover area with seating and tables for up to twenty is a favourite place with visitors who are often powerfully affected and manyare inspired to write or draw about their experience of this extraordinary place.

"Calls across time caught briefly like motes in sudden light now here, now there and now gone again in whispering breeze and rustling leaf but remembered and treasured, deep inside. This is why I live here; this is what sustains me, lifts my heart always. As I leave this place each step is a silent rapture carrying the jewel back up the hill for release out into the world."

 

LOCATION The property sits outside of the hamlet of Olchard and close to the pretty village of Ideford. A historic church, pub, village hall and green and an active village community are all present in Ideford making it an ideal location for people seeking a rural village lifestyle. Situated to the southern slopes of the Haldon Hills, Ideford is about mid-way between the University and cathedral city of Exeter and the coastline of Torbay.

The location allows ready access to both the A380 and A38 trunk roads connecting to the 'English Riviera' and the cities of Plymouth and Exeter whilst the popular coastal towns of Shaldon and Teignmouth lie to the East.

The nearby town of Chudleigh also has various shops, a small supermarket and excellent tea rooms and public houses.  

THE HOUSE Few properties can be found enjoying views where not another building can be seen. The original stone built Coach House dating from 1910 was initially converted in the late 1900's and extended in 2000 by an imaginative three story extension allowing the 3 bedroomed property to effortlessly divide into two thus giving a perfect teenagers haven, a granny annexe or the opportunity to offer self catering holiday rentals.

The central entrance of the three storey extension is through a south facing wisteria clad wooden conservatory leading into a generous hall with window overlooking the enclosed kitchen garden and formal fishpond. The entrance hall contains a visitor's cloakroom to the right and also serves as a sitting room with fabulous views over the front garden. It opens onto a lower inner hallway containing a spiral staircase up and winding stairs down.

The inner hallway leads directly into a handsome dual aspect and commodious room with extensive breathtaking views over the wooded valley. This room is currently used as a gallery space and occasional guest room.

Leading down stairs from the inner hallway is a large high ceilinged dual aspect room with a wood burner, water and door out to a covered area and the magnificent views of the woodland and lower garden. This space is currently used as painting studio.

Accessed up the spiral staircase the principle triple aspect bedroom is beautiful and light. The room has an elevated ceiling with exposed beams, spectacular views, a window seat and ample storage; it also has the luxury of a large walk in wardrobe and is served across the landing by an impressive size family bathroom which would convert readily into a third double bedroom with en-suite shower and WC.

To the left of the main conservatory entrance and hall the original stone built coach house provides an open plan snug/dining room with woodburner and a bright high ceilinged double aspect kitchen with sky lights. From the snug a door leads to a gardeners cloak room with a delightful view up the driveway and a door opening onto the front garden.

Stairs up from the snug/dining room open to a double bedroom with exposed beams, and views over the entrance driveway and front garden, it also benefits from ensuite double shower room and wc with velux window.

 

OUTSIDE The triple aspect STUDIO/WORKSHOP was once the double garage and is of block construction under a fully insulated slate roof and is currently used as a sculpture workshop with a stable door to the adjoining loose box behind which is a lean to garden tool shed with sky light.

An open fronted pole barn overlooking the lawns and woodland and sits to the end of the drive. A beautiful undercover open fronted seating/entertaining area is tucked away by the pool and offers fabulous views.

 

OPEN FRONTED BARN 2 bay open fronted barn measuring:- 1st bay 19'5 x 12'5, 2nd bay 19'5 x 9'10 with an attached store measuring 10'10 x 9' maximum. 

SERVICES Private water and drainage. mains electricity. 

VIEWINGS Strictly by appointment with the award winning estate agents, Sawdye & Harris, at their Teign Valley Office - 01626 852666 Email - chudleigh@sawdyeandharris.co.uk

If there is any point, which is of particular importance to you with regard to this property then we advise you to contact us to check this and the availability and make an appointment to view before travelling any distance 

For clarification we wish to inform prospective purchasers that we have prepared these sales particulars as a general guide. We have not carried out a detailed survey, nor tested the services, appliances and specific fittings. Items shown in photographs are not necessarily included. Room sizes should not be relied upon for carpets and furnishings, if there are important matters which are likely to affect your decision to buy, please contact us before viewing the property.  Read less