Blackborough House is a remarkably impressive Grade II listed country house set in a fabulous rural setting within its own parkland and an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The house proudly stands in an elevated position with spectacular far-reaching views over Devon undulating country and the Blackdown Hills.
Whilst Blackborough enjoys this rural idyll, it also benefits from excellent communications from the A303, M5 and Tiverton Parkway providing a regular train service to London Paddington taking within two hours.
The house is currently derelict and requires a complete renovation. However, planning has been granted to restore Blackborough House to its former glory and to reinstate it once again as one of Devon’s finest architectural masterpieces.
The works have already commenced and many of the hidden costs that can be associated with a project of this scale have been mitigated. The East Wing has undergone the majority of the works, including a completely new roof, and has received planning permission to be a separate dwelling. The principle suite in the West Wing has also been refurbished to an exceptionally high standard and boasts a 2m copper bath from Catchpole & Rye.
The current owner’s passion for Blackborough House is illustrated by the intricate detail and the amount of time and energy invested in the planning process. This has included architect drawings, heritage statements, ecological reports and surveys, ground/soil reports and design and access statements; a costly process but which ended in successful planning being granted for an exceptional design.
The house was built in 1838 for George Wyndham, 4th Earl of Egremont. Originally it was designed as an Italianate palace and extends over 22,000 ft sq across four floors (including basement). Constructed from stucco bricks with stone dressings the house has an abundance of striking features including an impressive arched loggia around three sides of the house.
The East Wing
The East Wing is currently planned to be a separate dwelling - but can be incorporated into the main house – designed to be substantial ancillary accommodation for staff or family members. This wing has a separate entrance to the West Wing.
It has undergone most of the commenced works and was the part of the house in the worst condition. It has now been made stable and has a completely new roof with rebuilt Italianate styled and lime rendered chimneys.
It has its own entrance and the proposed rooms includes an entrance hall, study, cloakroom, new conservatory and a large open planned and double height kitchen/dining/living room with four French windows (two of which enter the conservatory) and three roof lanterns.
There are plans for four ensuite bedrooms, one with a walk-in wardrobe.
Further Ancillary Accommodation
In addition to the East Wing, there is further ancillary accommodation in the west wing of the main building. On the first floor there is a caretaker’s flat comprising kitchen, sitting room, bedroom and bathroom.
On the second floor there is a family flat comprising its own entrance hall, kitchen/living room and two ensuite bedrooms.
The Grounds
The house is approached via a descending tree lined drive from the hamlet of Blackborough. There are plans for an arched gateway for the main entrance with a sweeping driveway around the south facing aspect of the house leading up past the pool to a turning circle on the west side providing ample parking.
The house’s elevated position allows it to survey its grounds that have been extensively cleared, re-soiled and seeded creating attractive parkland that descends into a stunning valley to the south. .
The parkland has an array of mature trees, including a magnificent Wellingtonian and beech tree, and leads to an impressive terraced walled garden that would an exciting project for any green fingered person. Beyond the walled garden is ancient woodland that has a walkable path running through it. A stream intersects the steeper end of this section of land and it covered in wild garlic and wild orchids during the spring.
Hidden within the woodland are the remnants of a cottage which, subject to planning, could provide the footprint for further ancillary accommodation.
The Pool House
Planning has also been granted to build a large pool house adjacent to the swimming pool to the west of the house.
Flyover Tour
