Glenthorne House’s location is as majestic as the property itself

For something rather magical, the 77-acre coastal estate of Glenthorne is surely the ideal purchase for those who revel in history and natural beauty. This property has access straight onto the beach and views across the Bristol Channel, while the house itself – an intriguing blend of Georgian, Gothic and Tudor design – is luxurious and comfortable. You will feel you have stepped back to a more elegant time..

Own and occupy a piece of British history

Glenthorne House dates from 1831 and was built as part of the Estate for the Rev Walter Stevenson Halliday. The construction is of pinkish local stone and the interiors still boast the original handsome chimneypieces, curved oak doors with Gothic arch panels and elegant ceiling mouldings that would have made it so splendid in the Victorian era.

A loving restoration has helped to celebrate the original features – you will feel you’re stepping back in time

The outgoing owners have undergone extensive renovations on the house, retaining many of the gorgeous original features while adding in the modern luxuries and comforts we need today. This is country-house living in style!

Carved pillars mark the start of your long, sweeping driveway

The main rooms of the house all face seaward for exceptional views and the ground floors offers expansive, ornate and well-designed reception rooms for dining, lounging, studying and preparing feasts for guests in the kitchen.

The large, bright kitchen looks old but has been updated with all that the modern cook would need

The roll-call of rooms includes a morning room, a drawing room and a library, all of which provide comfortable spaces for groups or sole occupiers to find some peace and ease.

Dual-aspect windows are a feature of many rooms, allowing the incredible views to be enjoyed almost constantly

For added convenience, there is also a pantry, a boot room, and a utility room, all of which are useful to daily life, while the grand dining room will become your venue for those opulent dinner parties that friends will expect.

An elegant dining room has doors opening onto the terrace, where summer dining may be taken al-fresco

No country house is complete without an attention-grabbing sweeping staircase. The one in question is oak and ascends in a gentle curve to a circular landing that is lit from above for a dramatic effect whatever the time of day.

It’s the sweeping staircase you’ve wanted ever since you watched Downton Abbey..

There will be no shortage of space for guests and occupants when it comes to bedding down. The first floor has the master bedroom with its adjoining bathroom occupying the prime spot in the house and providing incredible views for those fortunate enough to claim it.

Not only are bedrooms in vast supply, they are also generously-sized and bathed in natural light

On this floor are six more bedrooms and three bathrooms which provide grand baths as well as modern, convenient showers to keep the modern dweller spick and span.

Bathrooms celebrate the historic features while still providing the more modern conveniences for washing

The first floor also has a study with a gallery and large studio, so home-working is a serious prospect for those who don’t need to – and won’t want to – leave this glorious property.

Cosy is the word – imagine the fire roaring as the snow falls outside

Ascend another floor to find four more bedrooms and another bathroom, with the rooms able to be used for other purposes if owners would prefer. Many of these second floor bedrooms are, currently, being used for storage.

Owners may like to use some of the bedrooms for alternative purposes, such as for storage or as more office space or a studio

In addition to the main house is Home Farm, which has also been restored to a high standard and provides an annexe of sorts: a large kitchen, dining room, sitting room and office, plus three bedrooms and two bathrooms. This could be ideal for older relatives or guests who would prefer their space.

The additional accommodation in Home Farm could be very useful for multi-generational living or for guests

As if all this wasn’t enough space for your new country life, there is also a restored stone barn adjoining the main house that is being used as a gym currently, but could be turned into dining or a party space, or perhaps a workshop or studio.

Despite its apparent (and glorious) isolation, Glenthorne is close to local amenities and transport links

The property sits on 77 acres of land that includes a paddock, a water garden and some beautiful landscaped walks and beds in addition to the many sections left for nature to do as she wishes.

The grounds are a mixture of landscaped beds, walks and wilder land that are ideal for strolling off a mighty meal

One of the closest hubs of life is nearby Porlock where there are hotels, shops and eateries. Porlock Weir is 1.5miles west of Porlock, beyond which are Lynton and Lynmouth. This house is also close to Exmoor National Park which is renowned for its recreational activities – you can walk along the footpaths or take part in local shoots, while fresh-water fishing might suit those after something calmer. Don’t forget, of course, north Devon’s beautiful beaches not far away too..

This is a property you could be duly proud of owning, doing your bit to preserve an elegant piece of English history

The Estate may feel remote, yet in reality it is well connected by good transport links. Access to the M5 motorway is available from Taunton where there is also a mainline railway station (trains to London take less than two hours). For catching flights, the airports at Exeter and Bristol provide regular flights to both UK and international destinations. If all else fails, the property can be accessed by helicopter. Phew.

Source: Right Move

11 bedroom detached house for sale in Countisbury, Lynton, Devon, EX35 (rightmove.co.uk)

Marketed by Savills, Residential & Country Agency

11 bedroom detached house for sale in Countisbury, Lynton, Devon, EX35 (rightmove.co.uk)