Nr Christow, Teign Valley

Presented by James Cooper - Part of By Design’s network, with 25 years’ experience in the South Devon premium property market.

Introduction

Tucked away at the end of a private lane in the beautiful Teign Valley, Frank Mills House is a wonderfully peaceful country home set within the Dartmoor National Park. Originally two cottages, the property was later combined to create one substantial and characterful home, now surrounded by its own gardens and grounds with far-reaching views across the valley and countryside beyond.

Offering both privacy and accessibility, this is a home that feels delightfully secluded, yet remains well placed for Exeter, Plymouth and the A38. The house is light, welcoming and full of character, with generous accommodation that works beautifully for family life, entertaining and enjoying the lifestyle on offer in this very special part of Devon.

The Inside

Frank Mills House offers bright and well-proportioned accommodation, with a lovely sense of character that reflects its origins as two cottages that were thoughtfully brought together to form one home. Large windows draw in the natural light and frame views of the surrounding gardens and valley, giving the house a warm and uplifting feel throughout.

From the parking area, the main entrance leads through a conservatory, a welcoming and light-filled space with a sunny aspect and direct access into both the sitting room and the kitchen. At the heart of the home is the impressive kitchen breakfast room, a generous everyday living space with room to cook, dine and relax. The room features an AGA, bespoke fitted units, granite worktops and splashbacks, together with a central island that provides additional preparation space and helps define the layout. There is ample space for a large dining table and, at one end, a wood burner creates a cosy seating area for the cooler months. Just off the kitchen is a large utility room and pantry with access outside, providing exactly the kind of practicality that suits country living so well.

The sitting room is another wonderfully proportioned reception room, with windows to the front and side elevations and French doors opening into the conservatory. It is a bright and comfortable space with a wood burner and plenty of room for a full range of furniture. There is also a separate dining room, again with a wood burner, which offers excellent flexibility as a formal dining room, second sitting room, library or study. Together with the hall and study area, cloakroom and kitchenette, this part of the house could also work especially well for those seeking annexe-style potential for a dependent relative, guest accommodation or a degree of separation for multi-generational living.

Upstairs, the bedrooms are arranged around a central landing. All four are excellent double rooms, each enjoying lovely natural light and views over the surrounding grounds and valley. The principal bedroom has an en suite with bath and separate shower, while the remaining bedrooms are served by two further bathrooms, one with bath and separate shower, and one with shower.

The Outside

The grounds are a particularly attractive feature of Frank Mills House and provide a wonderful setting for the house. Extending to around 1.75 acres, they have been arranged to create an appealing mix of formal gardens, lawns and outdoor seating areas, all making the most of the peaceful surroundings and lovely valley views.

Beyond the formal gardens, the property also includes a lovely orchard, paddock, a stable block which has three good size boxes, the largest of which is currently used as an art studio and is complete with woodburner. There is a yard area and an outdoor all-weather tennis court, giving the home excellent versatility for buyers with equestrian interests or simply those who value outdoor space and lifestyle. There is also ample parking together with a detached garage.

Location

Frank Mills House enjoys a particularly special position in the Teign Valley, tucked away within the Dartmoor National Park yet still highly convenient for everyday life. The setting offers a wonderful sense of peace and escape, surrounded by beautiful Devon countryside, while the A38 is within easy reach, making travel to Exeter, Plymouth and the wider South West refreshingly straightforward. The nearby villages of Christow and Trusham add to the appeal of the location, while Chudleigh and Bovey Tracey are both within convenient reach for day-to-day needs.

A real benefit of living here is the proximity to Canonteign Woods, with access just metres away from the property. It is a wonderful resource to have on the doorstep and has provided beautiful walks over the years, particularly for those with dogs or those who simply enjoy being out in the countryside.

This is an area that will particularly appeal to buyers who enjoy the outdoors. The Teign Valley is known for its beautiful scenery, woodland and walking, and Canonteign Falls, one of the area’s best-known attractions, is close by, with waterfalls, lakes, gardens and far-reaching views across the Devon countryside. The valley also has a rich history, with local links to the mining heritage that helped shape this part of Devon in the nineteenth century.

For those balancing country living with accessibility, the location works especially well. Exeter is readily accessible for a wider range of shopping, dining, schooling and cultural amenities, while Exeter or Newton Abbot provide mainline rail connections to London Paddington in around 2.5 hours, making the property a realistic option for buyers who may still need to travel for work or regular commitments. Christow also has its own primary school, which will be of interest to families looking for a village setting with practical convenience.

Altogether, Frank Mills House offers the kind of location that is increasingly hard to find: properly rural and wonderfully scenic, yet not isolated. It is a setting that gives easy access to Dartmoor, the Teign Valley and the coast, while still allowing Exeter, Newton Abbot and the main road and rail networks to remain comfortably within reach.

Useful Information

Local Authority: Teignbridge District Council and Dartmoor National Park Authority

Council Tax Band: G (£4343.08)

Grounds: Approx. 1.75 acres

Services: Mains water and electricity

Drainage: Private drainage

Heating: Oil fired central heating

Broadband: High speed internet is available via: Fibrelink, Airfibre or Starlink

Mobile Signal: Variable to Good according to OFCOM Mobile checker

Flood Risk: Very Low according to Gov long term flood risk checker

Anti-Money Laundering Regulations: By Design is supervised by HMRC for compliance with the Anti-Money Laundering Regulations. All buyers will be required to complete digital identification checks at a cost of £25 including VAT per person. Proof of funds and source of funds checks will also be required once an offer has been received.