Property description
An elegant 7 bedroom Grade II* Listed detached house in the village of Kenton with many period features, a wonderful and private garden with a southerly aspect and a private cobbled parking area behind electric gates. Approx 0.47 acres. NO CHAIN.
THE HOUSE : Leslie House is an ideal family home with spacious rooms, high ceilings and period features. During the 11 years the current owners have been in the property they have invested a very substantial amount to overhaul the roof, insulation, plumbing and decoration of the main house. Previously known as Southtown House, this "London townhouse"
style property is believed to have been built around 1765 as a dower house, the only one associated with the Powderham Estate. Around a century ago the name was changed to Leslie House.
GROUND FLOOR AND CELLAR : Bollards protecting the roadside walls from damage by carriage wheel hubs bound a conveniently set back frontage where Portland stone steps rise to the grand front door. Tug the bell pull and enter into an equally grand hallway, with a decorative arch framing a central staircase leading to the upper floors. Elegant, wide, high doors either side open into the principle rooms. The Drawing Room and Dining Room have large bay windows letting in lots of light, and secondary double glazing, rendering the road noise insignificant.
Towards the rear slightly lower doorways, indicating use by staff, open into a sitting room, and into the large, warm, family kitchen with a 4 oven oil fired Aga. A discrete doorway opens to a servant' stairs leading up & up through the property, and ultimately out onto the roof, with views to Exmouth. Under the main staircase another door leads down into the large, low cellar. Or carry on straight through to the beautiful garden.
THE YARD : Behind the kitchen there are several unrenovated utility and storage rooms and a cloakroom. Exiting into the private cobbled yard, there is ample parking and a decrepit old garage provides some useful storage space.
THE FIRST FLOOR : It is thought that the Lady Dowager's guests would have entered her main reception room, now the master bedroom, through what is now the ensuite bathroom. The two other bedrooms on the first floor, having had, at some time, a connecting door, would have served as her bedroom and dressing room. Both front rooms still have the original shutters to close out the night. And above the kitchen there is a guest bathroom and a walk-in airing cupboard.
THE SECOND AND THIRD FLOORS : A further three very large bedrooms, the two at the front having shutters, and a fourth single bedroom, provide masses of space for family and guests. They are served by a family sized bathroom within which discreet doors access the servants' stairs. This stairs leads up into the loft, with height restricted rooms that may originally have been servants' quarters. Low doors lead out onto the roof, with views of the Exe Estuary to Exmouth.
THE GARDEN : The generous patio provides a wonderful area for families and entertaining. The garden rises with a terraced section of lawn and flowerbeds and opens out to a larger area of level lawn.
SITUATION : Kenton is a delightful village with a vibrant community.
There is a primary school, shops, restaurants, a pub and a church. The area has several well respected private and state schools, and there is a bus from outside the door directly to Torquay Boys & Girls Grammar Schools. The village has good access to the M5, the A303, the A38 and the A380. For trains into Exeter, or towards Plymouth, Starcross Station is a short walk. St David's Station in Exeter has trains into Paddington and Waterloo, and Flybe are operating flights from Exeter International Airport landing at London City (subject to change)
DIRECTIONS : From Exeter take the A379, following signs to Dawlish and Kenton. After approximately 5 miles, enter the village of Kenton. The property is situated on the right opposite the entrance to Powderham Castle.
NOTE : During the 11 years the current owners have been in the property they have invested a very substantial amount to overhaul the roof, insulation, plumbing and decoration.
Property Info: