About the area of Devon
(For a list of all the prime country estate properties sold in Devon recently, scroll down to the bottom of this page)

Devon is packed full of attractive sea resorts.

In North Devon these include Woolacombe, Bude, Ilfracombe, Westward Ho! and Minehead.

In South Devon you are again spoilt for choice with Lyme Regis, Sidmouth, Exmouth, Dawlish, Teignmouth, Torbay, Salcombe and Dartmouth . Further inland you will find the Dartmoor National Park and exciting local communities in towns such as Tiverton, Honiton and Barnstable.

If watersports are your life, there are many areas just suited to making this easy and pleasurable – whether your interests are in sailing, windsurfing or fishing. There are numerous moorings for your boat/watercraft, sailing clubs and watersports tuition.

Devon has some excellent road links to London through the much improved A303 and M5.

This area offers a mix of breath-taking coastline, classic English inland landscapes, cosmopolitan and market towns as well as quaint chocolate box villages.

The coastal area ranges from dramatic cliffs to the numerous safe sandy beaches for which this area is famous. Inland you will find rolling downlands, hidden valleys and woodland.

The houses that command the highest premiums in Devon are close to Exeter, while the north of the county is less developed and less easily accessible from London, hence prices are lower.

Together with neighbouring Cornwall, Devon has the mildest climate in England; it is also the only other county to boast both an Atlantic and a Channel coast. No part of Devon is further than 25 miles from the sea, boosting the tourist industry.
The county's other main source of income is agriculture, in particular dairy farming, favoured by the high rainfall and long grass-growing season.

Exmoor and Dartmoor attract many visitors, and Dartmoor especially is a popular place to live. Yet the houses that command the highest premiums in Devon are close to Exeter on the south coast, particularly along the Exe estuary and further east to Sidmouth. Also popular is the South Hams, round Dartmouth, Salcombe and Totnes.

The north of the county is less developed and less easily accessible from London, hence prices are lower. Houses are typically built of stone with slate roofs; Devon longhouses of stone or cob are particularly in demand.

Major towns

Plymouth, Paignton, Torquay, Exeter, Exmouth, Dartmouth, Sidmouth, Newton Abbot, Barnstaple, Salcombe, Ilfracombe.

Transport links

Train: Paddington to Plymouth three hours. Paddington to Exeter two hours. Plane: Gatwick to Plymouth 1hr 5min direct. Car: Plymouth is 221 miles from central London, via the M4, M5 and A38; Exeter is 174 miles, via the M4 and M5.

Public & Private schools in Devon

West Buckland School, Barnstaple (01598 760281). Co-educational, age range 11-18, day and boarding. Associated preparatory school. www.westbuckland.devon.sch.uk

Shebbear College, Beaworthy (01409 281228). Co-educational, age range 3-18, day and boarding. www.shebbearcollege.co.uk

Grenville College, Bideford (01237 472212). Co-educational, age range 3-18, day and boarding. www.grenville.devon.sch.uk

Bramdean Grammar School, Exeter (01392 273387). Co- educational, age range 11-18, day and boarding. Associated preparatory school. www.bramdeanschool.co.uk

Exeter School (01392 273679). Co- educational, age range 7-18, day. www.exeterschool.devon.sch.uk

The Maynard School, Exeter (01392 273417). Girls only, ages 7-18, day. www.maynard.co.uk

Plymouth College (01752 203300). Co- educational, age range 7-18, day and boarding. www.plymouthcollege.com

Kelly College, Tavistock (01822 612010). Co-educational, age range 11-18, day and boarding. Associated preparatory school. www.kellycollege.com

Blundell's School, Tiverton (01884 252543). Co-educational, age range 13-18, day and boarding. www.blundells.org

Leisure

Golf courses: Saunton, Braunton (01271 812436). Royal North Devon, Westward Ho! (01237 473824).

Hunts: the Tiverton, the Dartmoor, the South Devon, the Spooners and West Dartmoor, the East Devon, the Stevenstone, the Lamerton, the Eggesford, the Dulverton East, the Dulverton West and the Tetcott.

Staghounds: the Tiverton, the Devon and Somerset.

Yacht clubs: the North Devon Yacht Club, the Brixham Yacht Club, the Royal Dart Yacht Club, the Royal Western Yacht Club of England, the Island Cruising Club at Salcombe and the Royal Torbay Yacht Club.

Fishing: rivers Exe, Otter, Teign, Taw and Torridge.

THE BEST DEVON COUNTRY HOUSES FOR SALE
(A breakdown of what was for sale & purchase prices)

Endsleigh Estate, near Tavistock ('bijou' country estate): £3.25m

Gurrow Point, Dartmouth (contemporary 7 bed house, frontage to River Dart, 78.5 acres): £3m

Morebath Manor, Bampton (Grade II, 9 beds, 21 acres): £2m

Little Dartmouth Estate, Dartmouth; £3m

Feniton Court, Honiton; £3m

Holme Down, Exbourne; £2.4m

Wyld Court, Hawkchurch; £2m

Gurrington House, Exeter; £1.75m

Lower Barn, Salcombe; £1.75m

Knapp House, East Anstey; £1.35m

Country Life

For property search assistance, please contact Sands Home Search.

Sands are independent buying consultants specialising in finding and acquiring prime country houses & estates, farm & equestrian property and waterside homes in Devon and throughout the UK & Cape Town, South Africa for retained private & corporate clients.

For further information about our service please visit www.sandshomesearch.com or use the menu at the top of this page.

If your enquiry is urgent or you require impartial advice on acquiring a prime property in DEVON please contact one of our Directors on
01425 462 549 ( +44 1425 462 549)