Whitestone, Exeter, Devon, EX4

Gratton House is set in a fine location with wonderful rural views over the surrounding countryside. This large, contemporary house which has been remodelled and enlarged in recent years provides over 3,800sq ft of internal accommodation including a magnificent principal reception room with spectacular views to the south and west leading onto a large decked terrace.

The entrance hall has an impressive staircase rising to the first floor and off this there is an inner hall, cloakroom and sitting room. The kitchen/breakfast room gets the afternoon sun and has double doors opening on to the patio and walled garden. It has an impressive range of solid oak cupboards and drawers with granite worktops, an AGA and a range of fitted appliances and leading off is a utility room. The dining room also faces west and has double doors out to the walled garden and patio and is accessed from the breakfast room.

There is a dual aspect morning room with magnificent views across the valley towards Exeter which leads on from a large office. The drawing room has large picture windows facing south and two sets of bi-fold doors to the west opening onto a large, decked terrace with a frameless glass balustrade. For added warmth during the winter, there is an inset Stovax woodburner which uses the latest high efficiency, clean burn combustion technology.

On the first floor there is a large principal bedroom suite enjoying the fabulous southerly views, extensive fitted wardrobes and an en suite bathroom with Jacuzzi whirlpool bath, large shower cubicle, WC and dual basins in a vanity unit. Doors lead out onto a huge balcony with composite decking, surrounded by a glass balustrade. The balcony has modern built in lighting, weatherproof power sockets and even a mains water supply. Bedroom 2 is an excellent guest suite with en suite bathroom. Bedroom 3 has an en suite shower room whilst bedrooms 4 and 5 have en suite cloakrooms. There is also a family bathroom. All showers are powerful, enjoying the benefit of a pressurised water system.

THE GROUNDS
A tarmac drive sweeps down to arrive at a parking and turning area by the front door for a number of vehicles. This driveway continues down to the barns which provide excellent storage and work shops. To the south of the house is a terracotta patio area with Mediterranean style balustrading and stunning rural views, overlooking the private lawns below.

Surrounding the property the land extends to approximately 20.85 acres in total. There is a block of land enjoying extensive road frontage at the northern side with three smaller fields below. The fields are mainly gently or more steeply sloping, primarily surrounded by traditional Devon hedge banks. On the western side is delightful broadleaved woodland of around 7 acres with a small stream.

BARNS
Below the house is a very large former agricultural barn and a second equally versatile fully enclosed general purpose agricultural building. Both barns have power and the larger one also has a mains water supply.

GARDEN AND GROUNDS
To the side of the house a private driveway providing parking for a number of vehicles leads to a garage and a paved area immediately to the rear of the property providing further parking. Beyond is another garage and a carport, both with up and over doors. The garden is a fantastic feature of the house, a very good size and well tended with a variety of different plants and shrubs. Through the dining
room French doors is a pergola providing an attractive area for outside dining. Steps lead down to a large lawn which extends to the rear where there are mature fruit trees, a vegetable area and at the bottom a gate giving access to a rear service lane.

Gratton House is situated about one mile from the small village of Whitestone, within a widespread rural community, set amidst unspoilt, rolling countryside and yet only three miles from the western edge of Exeter. The village has a pretty 13th century parish church and a parish hall. Exeter city centre takes only about 15 minutes by car and has all the amenities, both cultural and commercial, that you would expect to find in a city that is home to a cathedral, a Russell Group university and a population of about 130,000 residents.

Exeter is the major transport hub of the West Country and consequently the property has quick and easy access onto the major road network via A30, which is only two miles away on the far side of Tedburn St. Mary and thence onto the A380/Devon Expressway and the M5. In addition, there are two railway stations in Exeter. Exeter St David's has regular services to Paddington in as little as two hours seven minutes and Exeter Central connects directly to Waterloo in a little over 3 hours. Exeter Airport is only fourteen miles/20 minutes away on the far side of the city via the A30 and M5, offering flights to both UK and international destinations.

The local area also offers a wide choice of schools from both the state and independent sectors. Local independent schools include Exeter School, Maynard's and the Cathedral School and Blundell's School in Tiverton provides a daily bus service from and to Exeter.