Riverton House, Cottages and Lakes
Swimbridge, Barnstaple, Devon

GUIDE PRICE: £895,000

An extremely accessible 4-bedroom converted barn with small cottage complex and two superb fishing lakes situated in beautiful countryside south of Exmoor

Website: www.rivertonhouse.co.uk

Location

In a first-class location for exploring North Devon with its unspoilt countryside, dramatic coastline and superb beaches.  Well-presented character barn conversion with hall, large sitting room, dining room, fitted kitchen/breakfast room, utility area, cloakroom, 4 double bedrooms (2 en suite), family bathroom and separate W.C.  Oil-fired central heating.  3 well-equipped holiday letting cottages.  Two well-stocked specimen and match-style fishing lakes and junior lake.  Adaptable range of outbuildings.  Small caravan/camping paddock.  Landscaped gardens and most attractive wooded grounds with stream.  In all about 10 acres (4.06 hectares).

SITUATION & AMENITIES

Riverton House, is set in about 10 acres of landscaped gardens and wooded grounds with stream frontage.  It is in an area of unspoilt countryside with the Exmoor National Park to the north east affording excellent walking and riding.  The property is about 1½ miles from the village of Swimbridge with its church primary school and pub The Jack Russell. The slightly larger village of Landkey which has two pubs, post office, stores, primary school and church lies about 3 miles away.  The market town of South Molton is about 5 miles to the east, whilst the administrative centre of Barnstaple is about 6 miles to the west.  Fast road access to the area is provided by the A361 North Devon link road which connects directly with the M5 at junction 27.  The property is extremely well located for exploring the whole of the North Devon area including the dramatic coastline which, at its nearest, lies about 8 miles beyond Barnstaple and includes some of the best beaches in the South West at Saunton, Croyde, Putsborough and Woolacombe. There are many visitor attractions in the area for holidaymakers in addition to the splendid coarse fishing which is available on site.  The Tarka Line branch railway initially follows the River Taw and leads to Exeter.  There is also a main line railway station on the London (Paddington) line at Tiverton Parkway which lies adjacent to junction 27 on the M5.

DESCRIPTION

Riverton House with its cottages and lakes is likely to fulfil the needs of many purchasers seeking a lifestyle change and a more varied way of earning an income.  The house provides spacious, character accommodation having been converted in farmhouse style from a Victorian barn in 1984.  It is of stone construction with brick quoins under a slate roof and offers spacious accommodation including four double bedrooms, two of which have en suite facilities.  Income is generated from the three holiday cottages and from the established coarse fishery business.  The two magnificent coarse fishing lakes extending to about 2 acres, together with a third junior lake provide a very popular facility for holidaymakers occupying the cottages but, in addition, generate income from the sale of day tickets.  Both principal lakes are readily accessible to disabled anglers with parking available only feet away from Willow Pool.  There are attractive landscaped gardens with stream frontage and wooded grounds beyond, together with a small paddock for camping and caravanning.  There is also a general purpose farm building providing a large storage space for caravans, boats and other equipment but having potential for conversion to additional leisure facilities, subject to obtaining the necessary planning permission.  The total area extends to about 10 acres.

OWNERS ACCOMMODATION

HALL: Staircase with cupboard under and telephone point.

CLOAKROOM: Wash basin in vanity unit, W.C and extractor fan.

SITTING ROOM: 25’9” x 18’2”
KITCHEN/BREAKFAST ROOM: 21’3” x 11’3” max  
UTILITY AREA:  7’7” x 6’3”  
DINING ROOM: 18’3” x 12’3”

FIRST FLOOR

LANDING:
BEDROOM 1:  12’8” x 12’4”  
SHOWER ROOM (EN SUITE):
BEDROOM 2: 13’10” (max) x 9’5”
BATHROOM (EN SUITE):
FAMILY BATHROOM:
SEPARATE W.C:
BEDROOM 3: 12’7” x 10’8” 
BEDROOM 4: 18’6” x 11’7” 

OUTSIDE

To the front of the house is a private garden enclosed by low walls with lawn and flower borders.  The house itself is clad with hydrangea, ivy and a climbing rose.  Beyond the garden is a mainly concreted drive and parking area for several cars and alongside this is a paved patio and barbeque area with pergola over. There is direct access off the drive to a general purpose farm building 74’x 33’ of steel frame clearspan construction with concrete floor and electric light and power.  There is a lean to on either side, one measuring 74’x 21’ comprising a former cubicle house and the other 74’x 23’.  The building provides a useful general storage area and there is potential for conversion to leisure facilities in connection with the holiday cottages, subject to obtaining the necessary planning permission.  Beyond this building is a sheltered paddock with separate access from the lane suitable for touring caravans and tents, complete with four 240volt hook ups.  A second driveway to the rear of the house provides access to a gravelled car parking and turning area that serves the holiday cottages and also provides access through a ford to the lakes.  The delightful gardens include extensive lawns to the front and side of the house with many trees and shrubs, bordered by a stream.  Beyond the stream are very attractive grounds including informal grassed areas and woodland with a small stock pond and 15 peg junior lake and the two larger lakes beyond with access drive and parking areas.  The total area extends to about 10 acres (4.06 hectares).

THE HOLIDAY COTTAGES

These are located close to the house and provide a choice of attractive character accommodation.  Each cottage has oil-fired central heating and is available fully equipped as seen.

The Lodge (sleeps 4) 
This is attached to the house and has cream painted stone and rendered elevations under a pantile roof. Accommodation is on two floors and comprises: Entrance porch; hall with two storage cupboards; living/dining room 14’1” x 14’0”; small utility room; fitted kitchen 11’7” x 9’10” with Camray oil-fired boiler; double bedroom 14’2” x 11’9” (max); twin bedroom 13’8” x 8’0”; bathroom.  There is an area of lawned garden to the front of the cottage.

Mole Cottage (sleeps 4) 
This is attached to the Lodge and was purpose built by the present owners in 2003 incorporating disabled access.  It has cream painted rendered elevations under a slate roof with timber frame double glazed windows.  Accommodation is on two floors and comprises: Hall; sitting room 13’10” x 10’0” with door to decking and garden; fitted kitchen/dining room with Trianco oil-fired boiler; twin bedroom 11’0” x 9’10” (average) with shower room (en suite); twin bedroom 9’8” x 9’0” with shower room (en suite).

Kingfisher Cottage  (sleeps 6) 

Converted from a former brick barn with tiled roof to provide a comfortable single storey cottage with the following accommodation: Porch; hall; living/dining room 14’8” x 13’10”; fitted kitchen 14’8” x 7’3” with Camray oil-fired boiler; twin bedroom 10’10” x 9’0”; twin bedroom 10’10” x 8’10”; double bedroom 10’5” x 7’9”; bathroom.  Alongside the cottage is a small private garden area. 

THE FISHERY

Within the wooded area beyond the stream there is a junior lake with 15 pegs, designated for anglers and an adjacent stock pond. The drive continues past these to the two well-established principal lakes which are set at a distance from the house and cottages against a backdrop of mature trees and shrubs.  They are easily accessible with their own car parking area.

Pampas Lake
Is a 2 acre specimen lake with 28 pegs holding a large head of double figure carp, including fish up to 25lbs.  It also contains quality roach, bream, tench and perch and occasionally specimen eels to 4lbs have been caught.  Depths vary from 3ft to 6ft and it responds to most tactics but particularly floating baits in the warmer months.

Willow Pool
Is a heavily stocked match style lake with 28 pegs, again extending to about 2 acres.  It contains a good head of carp to 8lbs as well as bream, tench, roach and perch.  Shelving quickly from the margins, the depth is fairly constant around 5ft, until a more gradual slope up to the large central island.  Ideal for pole fishing, either in the margins or open water, it responds well to most baits such as corn, bread, meat and worm.  A waggler or ledger out close to the island can also be very effective.

THE BUSINESS

Over the years a varied lifestyle business has been established at Riverton House with income currently approaching £40,000 with scope for further expansion. The fishing lakes are well known and respected in the area by experienced anglers who appreciate the interesting and prolific fishing that is provided and a number of open matches take place during the year. The lakes also provide a considerable attraction to those holidaying in the cottages.  A small camping and caravan site also adds to the income.  The present owners carry out their own marketing and further details of the business can be seen on their website www.rivertonhouse.co.uk.  The sale will include the fittings and furnishings within the three holiday cottages, together with the fishery as a going concern, including valuable fish stocks.

SERVICES: Mains electricity.  Private drainage and water supply.  Oil-fired central heating to the house and cottages.  Broadband available.

LOCAL AUTHORITY: North Devon District Council, Civic Centre, Barnstaple EX31 1EA .  Tel: 01271 327711

OUTGOINGS: Council tax band A - £956.39 payable. Rateable Value - £7,500.  Business Rates payable £3,435

DISCLAIMER: These particulars are a guide only and should not be relied on for any purpose.

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