Ashley Priors Lane, Torquay, TQ1

LOCATION Downhills is set in an enviable position surrounded by rolling countryside and woodland, with the property having a private lane approach and enjoying a peaceful and "tucked away" position just above the South West Coast Path, with Downhills also enjoying direct access onto the coastal path. The position also affords almost immediate access to various local beaches. The coastal resort of Torquay is set around four miles away with its yachting marina, grand hotels, promenades and various educational facilities to include the renown Grammar Schools and there is a golf course at nearby Babbacombe. The picturesque nearby coastal villages of Maidencombe and Stokinteignhead offer local amenities to include public houses, and various village amenities, and the nearby estuary village of Shaldon and the coastal town of Teignmouth offer a good range of amenities too, with Teignmouth offering a mainline rail link to London Paddington in around two and a half hours. The country town and cathedral city of Exeter lies just over twenty miles to the north, with its Red Brick University, Public Schools, South Devon College, fine dining and the Princesshay shopping centre.  

DESCRIPTION Downhills is an elegant detached coastal villa set amongst around seven acres of sweeping gardens, grounds and woodland. Most of the rooms in the house enjoy fabulous coastal views, taking in both the South and East Devon coastlines, with notable coastal features including The Orestone, Hopes Nose, The Parson and Clerk and The Ness and with the views also stretching towards Exmouth, Sandy Bay and the Jurassic coastline on a clear day. The beautifully appointed and extended accommodation comprises a stunning reception hall with a fabulous drawing room/sun room leading off, which interacts well with the sweeping lawn and outside swimming pool to create a real sense of inside/outside living. The sitting room is another beautiful space, which interconnects with the large dining room, with both of these rooms having splayed bay windows taking full advantage of the views. The kitchen/breakfast room is another fabulous space with a stylish range of units, some integrated appliances and with a comfortable lounge area being set at one end of this space. Set below the kitchen breakfast room there is a study and a utility/boot room. On the first floor the principal bedroom suite has a high quality en-suite bathroom, and there are three further good sized bedrooms as well as a luxury four-piece family bathroom with a roll top bath. There is also a separate shower room. The gardens and grounds are something really quite special, with the property having a sweeping driveway approach which also accesses three garages, a range of outbuildings and a cellar. There are landscaped gardens, a sweeping south facing lawn with outside swimming pool and there are descending landscaped gardens as well as an orchard, a verdant flower meadow, extensive woodland and a tennis court. The outside spaces combine to provide wonderful vantage points to enjoy the fabulous coastal surroundings. 

To the front of the property there is a welcoming paved entrance courtyard from where the feature panel entrance door with outside light beside opens to the.... 

RECEPTION HALL A wonderful light and imposing space with timber flooring and a high ceiling with picture rail and cornice. Within the entrance area there are two double glazed windows overlooking the garden and French doors through which views are enjoyed through the sun room towards the sea and local coastal landmarks Hopes Nose and the Orestone. There is a column radiator and a period turning staircase with a sash window having a leaded light ship motif above rises to the first floor. Glazed and panel doors to the principal rooms, further radiator with cover and there is an under stairs cupboard. 

CLOAKROOM WC A large cloakroom with two opaque glazed sliding sash windows, feature dado-height tiling and a two piece suite with a large wash hand basin with mixer set mounted on timber-work with drawers beneath and a WC. Radiator, ceramic floor tiles, spotlights and coat hooks. 

SUN ROOM/DRAWING ROOM Sitting partly in an extended part of the property and being an excellent space with feature ceramic floor tiles and under floor heating. There is a log effect gas stove mounted on slate work with a slate surround. There are full height sliding uPVC double glazed doors with a full height window beside through which truly breathtaking views are enjoyed across the grounds taking in the sweeping lawn, the landscaped gardens, the swimming pool and wonderful elevated views across tree tops towards local coastal features and out to sea. The sliding doors open to a terrace and the pool area. 

SITTING ROOM Another outstanding space with a full height walk-in double glazed bay window with double glazed French doors beside taking in wonderful views across the lawn and the terraced grounds towards the local coastline and out to sea. High quality timber flooring, two radiators with ornate covers, cornice to ceiling, picture rail and a feature fireplace with a dressed stone-work surround with scrolls and mantle over, a raised polished hearth and an arched ornate cast iron inset with living flame coal effect gas fire. From the sitting room, panel and glazed double doors interconnect with the dining room. Additionally there is a feature recessed dresser unit with cupboards and display shelves. 

DINING ROOM A fantastic entertaining space with a SNUG AREA having a fireplace with a marble surround, a raised polished hearth and an inset arched cast iron grate. There is high quality timber effect flooring and, within the snug area there is a walk-in double glazed bay window taking in wonderful coastal views in both directions towards parts of Torbay and across rolling fields above the coastline in the east, taking in various coastal features and the Jurassic coastline. The snug area opens to the DINING AREA, a lovely space with a full height double glazed, sliding sash bay window with breathtaking coastal views as described and there are further large double glazed windows overlooking the tennis court and having coastal views beyond. Radiator, cornice to ceiling and picture rail. 

KITCHEN/BREAKFAST ROOM Another fabulous space and a wonderful "hub" for the house, having ceramic floor tiles with under floor heating. This room has a lounge area with a double glazed bay window overlooking the tennis court and having fabulous views towards the local coastline, Sandy Bay and Exmouth. There is a feature fireplace with a panel surround and a recessed log effect gas stove and there are recessed cupboards and display cabinets. A door opens to a large under stairs pantry with shelves, a window and light. The kitchen/breakfast area has ample space for a large dining table and chairs and the kitchen is fitted with a stylish range of bespoke units with extensive areas of polished granite work surface and cream coloured cupboard door and drawer fronts. There is an under mounted Franke sink unit with mixer set, space for a five-ring burner range-style gas stove with filter over and a further large one and a quarter bowl under mounted stainless steel sink unit with mixer set. Integrated dishwasher, built in Bosch oven, wine rack and integrated display cabinets. The kitchen area is well fenestrated by multiple double glazed windows and there is a picture rail and a cornice to the ceiling. Multiple spotlights and the two front facing double glazed windows also take in good coastal views. A panel and part glazed door leads from the kitchen/breakfast area to the outside terrace at the rear. From the kitchen area, steps descend to the.... 

STUDY A good home working space with a range of built in office furniture and a double glazed bay window taking in fabulous elevated views across tree tops toward rolling countryside and across Lyme Bay. From the study, a door opens to.... 

LAUNDRY/UTILITY ROOM With a good range of built in units having an area of roll edge work surface with tiled surrounds, a one and a quarter bowl single drainer stainless steel sink unit with mixer tap, cupboards and drawers. Under surface space for a washing machine, radiator and double doors opens to a cupboard providing storage and also housing the Vaillant central heating boiler. Window. 

FIRST FLOOR LANDING A lovely light space with a feature balustrade above the stairwell and a high ceiling with cornice. Picture rail, doors to the principal upper floor rooms and views through the aforementioned above stairs window towards woodland and across the nearby valley. There is a feature arch and a door opens to a good sized store cupboard with hanging rail. 

BEDROOM ONE A beautiful, light and spacious room with a sliding sash bay window and a further sliding sash window, both of which take in stunning views across sweeping lawns, the grounds and woodland and having elevated views across the nearby coastline and out to sea. Within the bedroom space there are a good range of cupboards and wardrobes, along with drawers and open shelves. Wall lights, two radiators and a picture rail. From the bedroom space a door opens to the.... 

EN-SUITE BATHROOM An attractive en-suite with a modern, four-piece bathroom with dado height tiled surrounds, and with the suite comprising a panel bath with mixer set, a large vanity unit with wash hand basin, cupboards and drawers beneath and wall lights above, a WC and a curved shower cubicle with dual controls. High quality timber effect flooring and a sliding sash window overlooks the front gardens. High ceiling with cornice and spotlights. Radiator. 

BEDROOM TWO Another highly appealing room with a large sliding sash bay window having similar views across the grounds, woodland and coastline as described in bedroom one. A further small sliding sash bay window has excellent views across woodland towards the easterly coastal aspect. There is a built-in wardrobe with open shelves beside and a vanity unit with inset wash hand basin, a tiled surround, a cupboard beneath and a lit mirror over. Radiator with ornate cover and picture rail. 

BEDROOM THREE A similarly appealing space with a picture rail and a sliding sash bay window having wonderful coastal views as described. 

FAMILY BATHROOM The luxury family bathroom is another elegant room with a picture rail and a sliding sash window having good coastal views. The four piece suite comprises a free-standing, roll top, claw feet bath, a large shower cubicle with ceramic tiling, dual controls and dual shower heads and, within a separate portion of the room with dado height marble-effect ceramic tiling there is a large wash hand basin with mirror, shelf and light above, a WC and an opaque glazed sliding sash window. Wall lights, radiator, a further ladder style radiator/towel rail and timber flooring. 

SECOND LANDING AREA With a sliding sash window overlooking the front aspect and a door opens to the airing cupboard, with large pressurised hot water cylinder and further cupboard above. 

BEDROOM FOUR A dual aspect room with a front facing sliding sash window overlooking the front garden and a further sliding sash window taking in far reaching views towards the East Devon and Dorset coastlines. High ceiling, built-in cupboard/wardrobe with hanging rails, sliding doors and further cupboards above. Double radiator. 

SHOWER ROOM Combining with the aforementioned bedroom four to create a good guest suite within the house. The shower room is well fitted with feature ceramic tiled surrounds and with the suite comprising a shower cubicle with Mira shower, a pedestal wash hand basin and a WC. Radiator with attached towel rail, high ceiling with cornice and picture rail and a sliding sash window takes in good coastal views. Timber flooring. 

OUTSIDE Downhills has a private lane approach with the property being set in a fabulous position at the end of this coastal lane. Gated access opens to the sweeping driveway flanked by beautiful gardens that descends to the driveways immediately in front of Downhills, one of which rises to an attractive period-style GARAGE, with a hipped tiled roof and part glazed sliding doors. The driveway descends to a PARKING AREA, immediately in front of the property with a canopy with light and a feature bell. From here, paved steps descend to the entrance courtyard, which has feature stone walling and raised gardens above, well stocked with a good range of shrubs, small trees and flowering plants. Set on the south side of Downhills, the main expanse of formal garden has a sweeping lawn with a sandstone paved area and a good-sized SWIMMING POOL with SUMMER HOUSE/CHANGING ROOM beside, along with a STORE ROOM also housing the workings of the pool. Set above the lawn there is a high set primrose bank with mature gardens having meandering pathways through set above with copper beaches and various other mature specimen shrubs and flowering plants. Set within a corner of the lawn there is a stone-built curved seat and there are mature high set borders. Set below the lawn, paved steps with outside lighting descend to fabulous, terraced gardens with pathways and feature stone walling providing appealing walkways through this part of the plot, which is partially sheltered by mature hedging and walling etc. Gravel pathways run below this section giving access to the lower grounds. There is a feature orchard area with various mature fruit trees, as well as an adjoining area with mature palms, paving and a large pergola. Set below this area there is a substantial terrace laid to gravel with retaining walls, below which there are verdant meadows with mature trees that descend into the wonderful sylvan setting with Watcombe woods below. The pathway extends across the top of the meadow giving access to the enclosure housing the septic tank and, on the northerly side of the plot the ground falls away into extensive areas of woodland. From the lower end of the driveway access is gained to a large DETACHED GARAGE, along with a CHALET STYLE STORE/OUTBUILDING. A gated approach also opens to the TENNIS COURT, which is laid to tarmac being a particularly sheltered spot, with high shaped conifers and high fencing surrounds. Also approached from the driveway there is a large DOUBLE GARAGE with power, light and an electronically operated door with a large adjoining GREENHOUSE and a further store beside. The driveway also extends to a gravel area providing additional PARKING being set above the expanse of woodland and with a bluebell bank having mature trees beside. Immediately behind the house there is a paved seating area with access to steps which descend to a large CELLAR and, within this area there is a further shaped lawn with a mature cherry tree beside, with this space providing another good spot to contemplate the coastal surroundings. 

MATERIAL INFORMATION - Subject to legal verification

Freehold
Council Tax Band H
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