DESCRIPTION Lower Blackaton is a 400-year-old renovated Grade II granite longhouse in the middle of Dartmoor, with a farmhouse kitchen, two reception rooms, and five bedrooms. It was originally part of a settlement with several other buildings, of which two barns have survived and have been restored and converted by the current owners.

A walled garden and picnic area are in the ruins of an older longhouse. There is plenty of parking as well as glorious gardens and grounds all set with a stunning Dartmoor backdrop.

The house sits in a very peaceful location and just absorbs people making it the perfect place for a family gathering or for entertaining friends. The owners have created a good income through successful letting yet Lower Blackaton remains primarily a home and gathering place for the owner's family and friends'

The house faces south across farmland with moorland views and easy access to the Two Moors Way running along the top of Hameldown to the early bronze age settlement of Grimspound and to Hookney Tor. It is three miles by road or a 45 minute walk over the top of Hameldown to Widecombe, which has two pubs, two cafes, a National Trust shop and other gift shops, a village green, and Dartmoor's largest church.

VENDORS COMMENTS -

"The house has held numerous family weddings and parties and has many lasting memories. We have been so lucky to wake up to the sound of bird song and lambs and to enjoy the stunning Dartmoor sunsets as well as some of the best walks ever right on our doorstep." 

LOCATION Widecombe-In-The-Moor is one of Dartmoor's prettiest villages and has within it a particularly fine church at its centre, a post office stores, an excellent primary school and two attractive inns. Widecombe lies in a wide sheltered combe on the eastern side of Dartmoor about 6 miles from both Bovey Tracey and Ashburton. Each of these towns has a full range of local amenities including medical services, shops, primary schools and inns. The market town of Newton Abbot is about ten miles and the A38 linking Exeter and Plymouth is about eight miles.  

ACCOMMODATION 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. 

THE HOUSE A granite porch opens into the hall, the original cross passage. To one side of the hall is the heart of the house, the kitchen with a four-oven oil-fired AGA. On the other side of the hall steps lead down into the former shippen or animal barn, now a triple-aspect living room with three south-facing windows and wood burner, and a door to the main staircase. Beyond the kitchen is a secondary staircase and a second reception room, currently used as a dining room, also with a wood burner. Leading from the kitchen is a useful utility room with downstairs toilet and pantry. The porch allows access to the small walled yard.

To the first floor there are five bedrooms, one en suite, the others sharing a bathroom and shower room. 

OUTBUILDINGS  

LOWER BARN/ANNEXE A two storey GRANITE BARN, at right angles to the house, with two ground floor entrances and first floor entrance accessed via granite steps between the house and the barn.

GROUND FLOOR - Two separate office or sleeping areas with glazed external doors, linked by an open-plan passage with an east-facing window, and separated by a darkroom/bathroom off the passage. Ladder staircase with trapdoor to …

FIRST FLOOR - A lovely space, being open plan and open to the roof with exposed beams, windows to the south, east and west, kitchen corner, door to top of granite steps and upper garden.

This barn is ancillary accommodation to the main house with planning for offices/ library granted in 2003.

 

UPPER BARN According to a survey commission for Dartmoor National Park (DNP) before restoration work was started, this barn is thought originally to have been a longhouse extending a further 15ft to the east and possibly predating the main house, and subsequently a shippen. It is 'an iconic building' according to DNP, and is now a beautiful open space, divided into three areas with a single shallow step between them. The main area is c.25' x 16'8, with a step up to the original cross passage and a further step up to what remains of the original domestic dwelling and which now includes a small kitchen corner. Being 45ft long the barn has been used for a number of occasions including parties, informal weddings, band practice (it has a wonderful acoustic), workshops and as a games room with table tennis. Glazed door and small window to the south, onto a spacious area of grass and at right angles to a loo shed and open-fronted BBQ barn. Double barn doors and internal double glazed patio doors to the north.

This barn has planning permission as Studio space ancillary to the main dwelling.  

DUTCH BARN The central and main section of this is open-fronted, with an insulated store-room/workshop to one end, and an insulated toilet (composting toilet) and shower room to the other end, nearest to the upper barn.

 

GARDENS AND GROUNDS The grounds extend to approximately one acre, on several levels. Behind the house the original farmyard and has ample parking. Beyond this lies a walled flower and herb garden and picnic area in the ruins of an earlier longhouse or shippen. There is also a garden shed and garage.

Lying below and leading down to the road is an area of informal woodland and shrubbery, with wonderful banks of snowdrops and daffodils followed by camellias and rhododendrons. A grass track with daffodils and bluebells leads up beneath beech trees on one side of the Lower Barn to the upper garden, which is also accessed via stones steps between the house and the Lower Barn. Above the steps a spacious grassed area leads to the open-fronted Dutch Barn and Upper Barn.

 

SERVICES Oil fired central heating. Private water (borehole) and drainage. Main electric. 

VIEWINGS Strictly by appointment with the award winning estate agents, Sawdye & Harris, at their Dartmoor Office - 01364 652652
Email - ashburton@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. 

DIRECTIONS Satellite navigation will take you to Blackaton Manor. Lower Blackaton is the next house up the hill on the same side.   Read less