With stunning gardens and a spacious interior, the Mid Devon home of the Quicke dairy family is expected to attract interest from around the country after it came on the market for the first time in over 40 years. Becky Sheaves reports.
If springtime makes you long to get out into the garden, then this delightful country house near Crediton might be the home for you.
It has a showpiece garden of 25 acres, which has been opened to the public through the National Gardens Scheme for many years.
Sherwood House is in a tranquil location five miles from Exeter, near the charming village of Newton St Cyres. The lovely ten-bedroomed property was built in 1907 in the Arts and Crafts style and stands centrally within a woodland garden which includes magnificent flowering shrubs and trees.
"We have something like 230 magnolias, and they are in full bloom looking wonderful right now," says the owner John Quicke, whose father Sir John Quicke and mother Prue developed the garden in two sheltered Devon valleys over more than two decades.
The property is for sale for the first time since Sir John bought it in the 1960s and this is a significant opportunity for anyone looking for a substantial yet welcoming family home in a superb location.
"I first moved here when I was 15, along with my five siblings," remembers John Quicke today. "Then about eight years ago, my wife and I moved back in again to support my parents who were elderly. Over the years we have had some wonderful family parties and occasions here, including my sister Mary's wedding, my father's 80th birthday and countless family Christmases."
The gardens are also well known in the wider community here, and much loved locally, as they have been opened to the public hundreds of times, allowing local families and children to enjoy themselves here.
Today, with the spring trees and shrubs in full bloom, the approach to Sherwood House up a sweeping drive is nothing short of breath-taking, as you pass stunning banks of ornamental shrubs with enticing paths leading away to more exciting vistas.
The large two-storey house is arranged around a central courtyard. In the past few years it has been occupied by two generations of the Quicke family and some modifications to the original layout have been made to accommodate this, such as a second kitchen and downstairs bedroom, but the house can easily be returned to become one property.
One of the most appealing rooms is the large kitchen/breakfast room, with a cast iron Eagle range, Aga and Bosch oven. The wonderful dining room is panelled in classic Arts and Crafts style and features a wood-burning stove and handsome oak staircase leading up to the first floor. Other rooms on the ground floor include two cloakrooms, a wine store, two utility rooms, laundry room, a second kitchen, and three sitting rooms.
On the first floor there are nine bedrooms, four of which have en-suite bathrooms. There is also a study, linen room, bathroom, sitting room, third kitchen and generous attic space which includes a photographic dark room.
"Although it is a large country house, the rooms are comfortably proportioned and not cold or imposing. This is a very welcoming, easy place to live your day-to-day life," says John. "We installed a wood-chipboiler in 2008, to make use of the wood we have in the estate, while retaining the existing oil-fuelled boiler, and it keeps the place really warm for a reasonable cost."
The main house and garden come with lots of outbuildings including a three-bedroomed property called Sherwood Cottage. There is also a large barn created from the original medieval house which was on the property, providing a large interior open space. The brick range of potting sheds and outbuildings are centred around an enclosed courtyard.
The 23 acres of garden are surrounded by a deer-proof fence. Beyond that, there is a ring of a 25 acres of sloping pasture, running out to the encircling forests.
Richard Addington of Savills in Exeter is supervising the sale of the property.
Richard says: "Driving to Sherwood up the long no-through road, leading through the woods, one leaves all traces of the outside world behind and enters a private and enchanting environment.
"The beautiful gardens, which have been opened on a voluntary basis under the National Gardens Scheme, include mature trees and deep valleys. The sense of remoteness, and the care taken to blend the cultivated and wild plants, combine to provide a magical experience.
"The main house is spacious and well appointed with period touches and the cottage and outbuildings offer a buyer even greater versatility and space."About the area
Location: Sherwood House is two miles from the village of Newton St Cyres, which has a post office/shop, a recreation ground with two football pitches, a cricket pitch and two tennis courts.[2]
Say cheese: The Quicke family, who have owned Sherwood House since the 1960s, make award-winning cheese on their dairy farm in the village. The renowned Quickes Farm Shop sells their superb traditional cheeses and much more.
Commuting? Exeter is five miles away, with many facilities including university, mainline railway, airport, superb shopping and hospital.
Everyday shopping: As a less busy alternative, the old market town of Crediton nearby meets most everyday needs.
Schools: Newton St Cyres has a primary school described by Ofsted as "outstanding". For state secondary education, children go on to Queen Elizabeth's College in Crediton which is "good", says Ofsted. The excellent private schools such as Exeter School (mixed) and Maynard's (girls) in Exeter are within easy reach.
Pubs: Newton St Cyres has two good pubs, The Beer Engine, which has good food, and The Crown and Sceptre in the village centre.
Eat out: The Lazy Toad at Bramford Speke is a superb gastro pub just a few miles from Sherwood House, with lovely river walks.
Connections: Exeter St Davids mainline station is 15 minutes from Sherwood House. London is about a 2.5 hour rail journey. The M5 and A30 are nearby.
Sherwood House Newton St Cyres, Devon, excess £2 million
Property: A ten-bedroomed Arts and Crafts country house near Exeter with 50 acres of land
Location: Two miles outside the pretty village of Newton St Cyres, five miles to the north west of Exeter.
Accommodation: The main house has ten bedrooms. There is also a three-bedroomed cottage, large historic barn and range of traditional outbuildings around a courtyard
Outside: 25 acres of renowned woodland garden with superb flowering trees and shrubs, as well as a further 25 acres of farmland.
The house is open to offers over £2m.
Agents: Savills, Exeter, 01392 455741, www.savills.co.uk
