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The lost gardens of Bideford - Bideford, Devon

Unlock the magic of this grand Victorian gentleman's house, all yours for just £595k.

Listing link: Fairholme, Bideford, Devon


There is an undeniable sense of magic, wonder and mystery about this house. Even the nameplate on the front door 'Fairholme' is Tolkein-esque. Imagine a stained glass window of a scene from Tolkien's realm over the door.

Inside you will find the basics of a solid structure and a new central heating system. The rest of the property is ready for your touch. If I purchased this property my first trip would be to a reclamation yard to get some doors and other Victorian interior bits to restore the property to its golden age.

The property has several features of note which could be developed and enhanced. With a bit of thought and hard work, you could have a truly extraordinary family home.

Starting in the basement which is extensive with plenty of room for a cinema, a sauna, a swimming pool, a wine cellar or maybe even all of them. 

On the ground floor, you have four reception rooms, a kitchen, a hall and a porch. Additionally, you have a delightful sunroom where you can take your morning coffee and an impressive glasshouse attached to the house with two flourishing grapevines. These rooms, with a bit of updating, could transform into an impressive family living space.

The house layout feels like a real-life Cluedo mansion, inviting you to play out your own mysteries. Did Miss Scarlet have a secret liaison with Reverend Green in the glass house?

The main staircase once restored could be a magnificent sweeping feature in the hall. However, if you need to ascend to the secret floor secretly then use the backstairs hidden behind a door in the kitchen. The doors could be easily replaced by secret panels to increase the magic atmosphere of the house.

The first floor gives you four perfectly adequate bedrooms and two bathrooms. You may want to create an ensuite bedroom and a family bathroom but the choice is yours.

Who knows what lurks in the loft, perhaps a mysterious trunk from a Victorian traveller with a map to hidden treasure or it could be a big empty space ready for development into more bedrooms.

Outside the house, the wonderment continues with one acre of garden to get lost in. Winding paths lead to hidden corners giving you a sense of discovering a lost garden. The woodland paths, the sundial, and the overgrown kitchen garden all add the mystery. You expect to find a bothy with a wizard who can tell you all the secrets you never knew you needed to know.

As with any grand adventure, there are a few practical considerations that need to be made before you set off. The property is actually semi-detached, half of the original house belongs to someone else. Also although the property may have impressive views across the Kenwith Valley nature reserve on the other side of the valley is the A39 so traffic noise may be an issue.

If you want to create a magical, mysterious family home where adventures can start then this house awaits your magic touch.



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