Higher Halstock, Okehampton, EX20

Higher Halstock is a grade II listed example of a late Devon longhouse (list no.1165616). Estimated to be built about 1700 of granite field stone, it has a two bedroom cottage and with attached barn and classic through passage within the barn. Of particular architectural note is a massive granite fireplace in the cottage. The original thatch has been replaced at some point in the building history by a more practical modern corrugated steel roof. Higher Halstock offers an unusual combination of rustic charm with a valiant history and 21st Century eco-friendly aspirations. The property is off-grid for electricity, has a private spring-fed water supply and septic tank drainage. It has an oil fired Esse stove serving hot water and central heating plus woodstoves for alternative non-fossil fuel heating.
There is a bespoke wind turbine driven electrical system in place. The detached house sits in the centre of a plot of circa 0.55 acre in three sections and is approached by rough tracks across the moor and through two field gates. The boundary is partly protected from sheep ingress by dry stone walls and fully surrounded by stock-proof fencing. Large trees shelter the eastern track way entrance into a small sheltered open hard stand courtyard with stables and barn on north side and house to the south side. There is a shed for housing of diesel fuel generators and wind turbine circuitry.


Council Tax Band: A (West Devon Borough Council)
Tenure: Freehold

Situation & Amenities
Higher Halstock is situated on high moorland within the northern boundaries of Dartmoor National Park. Few residential properties exist in this area of the National Park and fewer still enjoy a more remote and picturesque setting of the dramatically beautiful East Ockment River Valley and overlooked by Scarey Tor.


Situation & Amenities
Notwithstanding it's remote location. Higher Halstock is just two miles from Okehampton and the railway station which offers rapid services to Exeter and, thereafter, connections now to the National rail network. The A30 connection at Okehampton allows easy access to the road and bus system. Its position gives it extraordinary opportunities for exploring the high peaks of Dartmoor with all its activities and attractions whilst still being within easy reach of Okehampton facilities of three supermarkets, shops, primary & secondary schools, cinema, GP practice and community hospital. A walk off the moor or short drive gives access to the beautiful Simmons Park with its fine leisure centre with swimming pool, gymnasium, squash courts, bowls lawns, tennis courts as well as grounds for team sports such as football rugby and cricket.


Cottage Accommodation
Usual entry to the cottage is from the courtyard via stable door to:
Kitchen 13 ' X 7' Ceramic tiled floor two shuttered windows to north and east, stainless steel one & half sink granite work surfaces, granite topped breakfast booth pine cupboards and Esse range cooker with heating and hot water system. Granite linteled door to:
Sitting Room 15.5' x 12.5' (max) wood floor window to South Large fireplace with bread oven to side wood burning stove. Door to:
Dining room: 7' x 6' (max) Tiled floor shuttered window to West. Doors to:
Front door with small hallway
Bathroom with 4' bath, WC and wash hand basin
Stairs to Upper Floor hallway with small toilet with WC and hand basin
Door to Main Bedroom 13' x 13' feature granite stone chimney breast to ceiling of exposed beams of mixed oak and other woods to roof apex with window to North.
Door to Second Bedroom 9' x 11' with part exposed beams and loft over Velux style window to North


The Shippon
Attached through passage Barn:
Passage to:
The Old Dairy with feeders now used as rural craft workshop. Stairs to
The Old Shippon now with coffee area with window and glazed door to south (oil fired Rayburn stove ultimate supply hot water and heat)
The New Shippon 2 Velux and one window to South used as rural craft workshop Stairs to:
The Hay Mow used as rural craft workshop and storage. Window to North behind hatch door.



Outbuildings
A range of stone built outbuildings to include two stables that provide ample external storage.
Oil tank storage 3.6 x 4.6
Open fronted store 2.7 x 3.6
Stable 1 2.4 x 3.0
Additional storage to the side of the shippen and a generator store to the North of the outbuildings.
Stable 2 3.8 x 3.0

Listing Information
OKEHAMPTON HAMLETS SX 69 SW
10/95 East Bowden or Higher Halstock
Unoccupied farmhouse. Probably early C18 possibly with earlier origins. Plastered stone rubble walls. Gable ended corrugated iron roof. Axial granite ashlar stack with tapering cap. Plan appears to be of longhouse derivative with shippon at left end which has no internal access from the adjoining hall/kitchen beyond which is a small unheated parlour or dairy at the right end. C19 outshot added at the rear of the shippon and C20 lean to at the front of the parlour or dairy. Direct entry into central hall/kitchen which is heated by an axial fireplace. 2 storeys. Asymmetrical 2 window front of circa early C20 2-light casements.

Listing Information
Shippon to the left has a doorway to its right and a 1st floor loft opening to the left. C20 single storey flat roofed addition to the front of right-hand end of house which has plank door. At rear is C19 outbuilding extension behind shippon. Interior: Probably C18 roof structure of straight principals with lapped and pegged collars re-inforced with nails. The principal room has a fairly rough granite flamed fireplace with lightly chamfered lintel. This is an interesting C18 continuation and adaption of a very traditional Dartmoor plan form and is in an isolated setting on high moorland.

Directions
A 4 x 4 vehicle is desirable for access as there is some driving, or walking, on rough Dartmoor tracks required to access the property here.
Map ref: SX6054092752
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Detailed Directions Can Be Emailed Out