The House
Go through the columned porch into a wide entrance hall; head up the stairs where the whole of the first floor is an open plan living and entertaining space. To the right is a light and airy living area, to the left is the Shaker style kitchen. In the light flooded central bay above the porch, the long dining table is a wonderful spot for breakfast each morning, for lazy lunches and big tuck-in feasts.
At the top of the stairs, doors open onto the garden. On the second floor are Bedrooms 1-3, all with ensuite shower rooms. The house has been renovated to a high standard, but the essential Georgian character remains in the original features - high ceilings, big barred windows, alcoves and fireplaces, and on the top floor, thick ceiling beams and exposed wall timbers.
Bedrooms 4 and 5 are on the ground floor, along with a bathroom. Both these bedrooms have an optional extra guest bed (great for children) and doors that open out to the garden – via steep steps, so children will need to be supervised at all times.
Fire up the barbecue in the huge part-walled garden, get the steaks sizzling, while away a few hours over a long and leisurely lunch, make an afternoon of it; there’s a lovely big parasol to keep the sun off you, or if it’s still too much, retreat to the shade of the covered area.
Sit back in the hot tub and soak up the views - uninterrupted countryside that stretches on for miles and miles. It’s so quintessentially English at Menagerie House, even down to the thwack of leather on willow in the summer from the cricket field the other side of the woods. Seclusion, peace and quiet, birds twittering away, your favourite people with you… it’s like a world of your own untouched by the clamour of life. Love every single moment.
Local Area
Menagerie House is right on the edge of the historic Castle Hill estate, so there are walks right from the doorstep; have a wander, see the follies and the sham castle on the hill. At the heart of the estate is a mansion house with gardens open to the public during the summer months.
Stroll down to the Stags Head Inn in the little village of Filleigh, or pootle over to South Molton where they have a regular Pannier Market; just outside the town is Quince Honey Farm, well worth a visit. A little further is Barnstaple, where you can hire bikes from Tarka Trail Cycle Hire and set off on an adventure. Head to the North Devon Coast for days on the beach at Saunton, Croyde or Woolacombe – some of the hottest surf spots in the UK!
Have a family day out at Exmoor Zoo, see the animatronic dinosaurs at Combe Martin Wildlife and Dinosaur Park, take in the splendour of Watermouth Castle. Spend a day on Exmoor, see wild ponies grazing on the heather clad heaths, discover beauty spots like Tarr Steps and Watersmeet, stop for cream tea at Selworthy, climb to the top of Dunkery Beacon for panoramic views across the landscape. Turn moment into memories you can keep forever.