Burrington, Umberleigh, Devon, EX37

This hidden gem, nestled in the hills between Umberleigh and Chulmleigh is positioned on the outskirts of the popular and peaceful village of Burrington. Northcote Cross Cottage is a spectacular period detached 5 bedroom home with parts dating back to the 17th century, with further annexe accommodation, perfect for Airbnb or a family member looking for their own space nearby to the rest of the home. The eye-catching stone and cobb cottage resides in roughly a third of an acre, allowing plenty of room for the family to grow and enjoy, and is south facing so it enjoys the sun throughout the day. This blend of tranquillity and open space works perfectly to create a wonderful family home, with ample opportunity for you to put your own unique touches.

Wooden five bar gates open into an expansive driveway leading up to the double garage with the main house positioned to the left. Taking the pathway along the front of the property, you immediately notice the impeccable finish of the newly lime rendered walls. This, combined with new oak lintels, really sets the property off beautifully. A pretty sage green, hardwood door opens into the spacious front porch, giving access to the home and providing plenty of space for footwear and coats.

Turning right you enter into the open plan kitchen breakfast room, finished with bespoke country cupboards, a butler sink and brick surround for the electric range style cooker where the old fireplace once was, with room for an island or breakfast table. A large walk-in pantry sits to one side ensuring maximum storage space for food and supplies. A further doorway leads out into the utility room with a further butler sink and space for freestanding fridge/freezers. This in turn flows round into the laundry room where you’ll find further unit space for the washing machine and tumble dryer, and lots of room for wetsuits and wellies.

There is also a handy w.c. just inside the rear stable door.

Heading back through the kitchen, the hall leads into the dining room, an elegantly finished space with wooden flooring underfoot and beamed ceilings above, and symmetrical oak window seats. The fireplace commands attention in this room giving a lovely warmth and character to the space. There is plenty of room available for a large dining table in here, allowing for the whole family plus guests to enjoy mealtimes together. One end of the room has custom-made bookshelves, providing a perfect reading nook.

At the far end of the downstairs is the sitting room. An impressive, Marland brick-floored space provides a cosy area to relax in, but is equally suited to entertaining guests around the brick-surround fireplace. The conservatory flows off of this room giving additional seating space that allows you to look out over the delightful gardens (whatever the weather!).

To the rear of the sitting room is the family room, providing extra space for entertainment, a play room or occasional extra accommodation. This has its own set of double doors leading out to the wisteria adorned pergola and up to the patio area at the end of the house.

A home office sits tucked behind this family room and gives another option for a home working space away from the main home, allowing privacy and peace. Completing the downstairs is yet another room along the back of the house, which would work perfectly as a hobbies space or smaller bedroom if required.

Taking the main staircase up from the sitting room, a landing gives way to the main bedroom on the left, with plenty of natural light and abundant room for a king size bed, free standing drawer and wardrobe units as well as a built-in wardrobe. Being situated at one end of the home this space again is incredibly peaceful.

A family bathroom is the next room along, serving the main bedroom, with a bath, shower, basin and w.c. The large built-in airing cupboard in here hides the hot water tank and gives lots of shelving for towels and bedding.

The third door on the landing opens into a long hallway giving access to the rest of the upstair’s accommodation. The first being a generous bedroom currently housing bunk beds and plenty of shelves, drawers and a wardrobe. A built-in cupboard (or children’s hideaway!) sits over the stairway providing further storage.

Continuing down the hallway you’ll find a light and airy L-shaped double bedroom and opposite this is the family bathroom comprising a bath, shower, w.c and wash basin.

Next door is the penultimate bedroom, currently set up as a spacious home office, but also works well as a children’s nursery or walk-in wardrobe.
Finally, at the end of the hallway is a very generous double bedroom, much like the main bedroom, housing a large double bed and plenty of wardrobe and drawer unit space. The charming cottage window looks out over the front lawn and lets in plenty of natural light.

Heading out of the backdoor and sits another incredible addition to Northcote Cross Cottage.

This is the converted garage or “Nest”. The current owners have created a fabulous self-contained accommodation, finished with its own tailor-made kitchen/breakfast room, luxury shower room, and an exquisite main bedroom/living area upstairs. Since completion, this has been used for spare family accommodation as well as an Airbnb, giving the discerning purchasers income potential. It is a brilliant modern space and is completely separate from the main dwelling.

The other half of the garage downstairs provides excellent storage space, allowing for expansive shelf storage as well as room for a car, or as it is currently set up: a workshop and exercise space. As you’ll see, the garage area can be as flexible as your imagination allows! To top it off, there is parking for a whole fleet of vehicles.
Outside an open lawn sits in front of the main house, with bird feeders in the trees that are frequented by goldfinches, chaffinches, woodpeckers and all sorts of local feathery friends.

The lavender lined pathway leads up to a pedestrian gate opening out onto the lane giving a fantastic sensory experience as you take in the gardens. The pathways continue across the front of the home and lead around to a raised paved area, perfect for outdoor dining. Being situated at the westerly end of the house it basks in the evening sun. The current owners have a fire pit and barbecue/ pizza oven space here as well, a perfect addition for entertaining in the evening. Due to the lack of light pollution, the stargazing here is phenomenal. Adjacent to the BBQ area is a pond and rockery area lovingly built by the current owners.

At the opposite end of the garden there’s an open expanse of lawn, peppered with fruit trees and bordered by hedging - providing perfect privacy. A substantial ‘Rhino’ greenhouse occupies the far corner, above the large raised planting beds, and with a hidden seating area creating a lovely escape and somewhere for a cup of tea in the sunshine, admiring the buzzards often seen soaring above. Adjacent a brick outbuilding can also be found, a great space for storing tools and garden maintenance equipment. There’s even a further shed providing more space for hobbies and storage.

Perched on the edge of the Taw Valley, and 1 mile from the Tarka Line railway (Portsmouth Arms - request stop), the beautiful Devon countryside is truly on your doorstep, making it a brilliant base for exploring Dartmoor & Exmoor, but only an hour's train ride away from Exeter too. The house is just a short walk to Northcote Manor, where there is a stunning new Spa facility with a gym and swimming pool. The community in Burrington is really active, hosting countless bake sales and fun days to join in with. And for the team-players there’s several active competitive skittles teams. There are also some fantastic pubs locally - the closest being a saunter down the hill to The Portsmouth Arms, but also only a short drive (or cycle) to The New Inn at Roborough, and others in Dolton, Torrington, High Bickington and Chulmleigh.

In conclusion Northcote Cross Cottage is nothing short of remarkable, with its flexible living and ability to split the main house, extra accommodation as well as large open gardens all working together seamlessly to create something truly special.