Higher Metcombe, Ottery St. Mary, Devon, EX11
- Land size
- 8.3 acres
- Bedrooms
- 5
- Bathrooms
- 4
Description
A striking, architectural designed home of immense interest sitting in a mature plot of 8.3 acres with outstanding long distance countryside views.
DISTANCES
Ottery St. Mary Town Centre - 3.0 miles
Whimple Station - 4.6 miles
(18 Minutes to Exeter St. David’s)
M5 Junction 29 - 6.6 miles
Exeter St. David’s Station - 12.7 miles
(2 hours to London Paddington)
GROUND FLOOR
- Reception hall
- Drawing room
- Sitting room
- Study
- Dining room
- Kitchen/breakfast room
- Pantry
- Utility
- Laundry
- Cloakroom
- Boot room
FIRST FLOOR
- Principal bedroom with dressing room and en suite shower room
- Four further bedrooms, two en suite
- Family bathroom
GARDENS & GROUNDS
- Garage
- Stables
- Workshop
- WC
- Barn
- Summer house
- Garden Field
- Paddock
LOCATION
Nestled amid the rolling hills of the Devon countryside, Higher Metcombe enjoys a scenic location just outside the village of West Hill and three miles southwest of the historic town of Ottery St Mary. Residents can find daily essentials right in West Hill which boasts a post office, local store, and an ‘outstanding’ primary school. While a wider array of supermarkets, cafes, and restaurants are just down the road in Ottery St Mary.
Outdoor enthusiasts will find themselves spoiled for choice. The East Devon National Landscape (formerly AONB) is virtually on the doorstep, offering endless trails for hiking, cycling, and horse riding. The dramatic Jurassic Coast and the Southwest Coastal Path are just a short drive away, alongside premier golf courses at Sidmouth, Honiton, and Woodbury Park. Commuting is equally convenient: the nearby A30 provides a direct link to Exeter and the M5 motorway, while also offering easy routes to the popular coastal towns of Sidmouth and Exmouth.
Families will appreciate the exceptional local education, from West Hill’s primary school to the highly regarded King’s School in Ottery St Mary and the independent St. John’s School in Sidmouth.
THE PROPERTY
Downs is an exceptional and unique contemporary home of true distinction. Thoughtfully designed to maximize its elevated position, the property seamlessly blends striking architectural features with a layout tailored for both grand-scale entertaining and comfortable family life. Every principal room has been oriented to frame the spectacular, panoramic vistas over the garden, paddock and the rolling Devon countryside beyond.
Upon entering, the sense of volume and light is immediate. The grand reception hall, with its soaring double-height ceiling and elegant galleried landing, sets the tone for what is to come. The heart of the home is a magnificent, semi-open plan living space divided into three distinct zones, all bathed in natural light. The central dining room features dramatic, full-height windows and French doors that open directly onto the sun terrace, creating a seamless transition between the interior and the grounds. To one side, a raised sitting area offers a cosy yet light-filled vantage point, while a separate, dual-aspect drawing room provides a more formal retreat with log burning stove.
The kitchen and breakfast room is beautifully appointed with an extensive range of stylish cabinetry, integrated appliances, a central breakfast bar, and the timeless warmth of an Aga. Designed as a secondary hub for the home, it offers ample space for informal dining or casual seating. The ground floor is completed by a peaceful, private study, ideal for home working alongside a highly functional practical wing comprising a large utility room, a traditional pantry, and a dedicated laundry room.
The striking galleried landing is a true design feature, bridging the front reception hall and the rear dining area, drawing in light from the double-height glazing and showcasing the elevated views. The bedroom accommodation is equally impressive, offering five generous double bedrooms. The luxurious principal suite is complete with a dedicated dressing room and a en suite shower room. Two further guest suites enjoy the luxury of their own dressing rooms, en suite facilities, and private balconies, perfect spots for a morning coffee while taking in the views. The remaining bedrooms are served by a beautifully finished family bathroom featuring a bathtub, a separate walk-in shower, and a vanity unit.
OUTSIDE
The house is set in a beautiful garden, which is sheltered by woodland for a sense of peace and privacy. The driveway leads to a tarmac parking area at the front of the house and provides access to the integrated double garage and workshop. Additional outbuildings include a barn, a summer house and a stables block. The immaculate rear garden includes paved terracing and steps leading to well-maintained lawns. There are border beds with various shrubs and flowering perennials, with the paddock beyond. The garden is oriented to take advantage of the sweeping views across the surrounding countryside, which is part of the protected East Devon National Landscape. In total, the gardens and grounds total 8.3 acres.
DIRECTIONS (EX11 1SP)
Leaving Exeter on the A30, after 6.1 miles take the exit signposted B3174 towards Ottery St Mary. At the roundabout take the third exit onto B3174. At the next roundabout take the second exit onto B3180 and after 1.7 miles turn left onto Oak Road and continue onto Aylesbeare where Down will be found on the left, on the turning to Higher Broad Oak Road.
what3words: ///excellent.clocked.trial
PROPERTY INFORMATION
Services: Mains water and electric, LPG gas, Oil fired central heating.
Tenure: Freehold
Local Authority: East Devon District Council
Council Tax Band: G
EPC Rating: C
Contents, Fixtures & Fittings: Unless specifically mentioned in these particulars, all contents, fixtures and fittings, garden ornaments and statues and curtains are specifically excluded from the sale. Certain items may be available by separate negotiation.
Viewing: By appointment with Jackson-Stops Exeter office T:
Map Location
Property details
- Tenure
- Freehold
- Council Tax Band
- G
- Date Posted
- 2026-06-16
Market Value Analysis
Compared with 494 Homes with Land listings in South West England (5+ acres).
Energy Performance Certificate
Energy Efficiency Rating
Based on UK Energy Performance Certificate standards (EU Directive 2002/91/EC)
Running costs are one side. Planning activity, flood history and ground risks for this location are in the full report.
Utilities & Restrictions
Utilities
- Electricity
- Mains
- Water
- Mains
- Heating
- Oil Heating
- Broadband
- Fibre (FTTC)
- Sewerage
- Septic Tank / Private
Rights & Restrictions
- Public Rights of Way
- Ask Agent
- Private Rights of Way
- Ask Agent
- Listed Property
- Ask Agent
- Restrictions
- Ask Agent
Listed status, conservation areas and planning constraints for this location are in the full report.
Property Features
- Accessibility
- Ask Agent
- Parking
- Garage, Driveway
- Garden
- Garden
Beyond the particulars: planning activity, flood history, heritage and ground risks, checked for this exact spot.
Connectivity
Broadband
Fastest speed available at this postcode
27 Mbps
Standard (10-30 Mbps)
Suitable for
- Web & social
- Music streaming
- Standard video calls
Mobile signal
Predicted 4G and 5G signal; indoor signal depends on building materials.
Ofcom Connected Nations postcode-level predictions. Speeds and signal are modelled, not measured, and vary between addresses and providers.
Signal is the easy part. Planning activity, flood history and protected designations here are in the full report.
Nearest Schools
Primary
- West Hill Primary School0.9 milesOfsted report card · Apr 2026
- Ages
- 4 to 11
- Pupils
- 216
- Type
- Foundation school
- Tipton St John Church of England Primary School1.3 milesNo Ofsted rating
- Ages
- 4 to 11
- Pupils
- 83
- Type
- Voluntary aided school
- Faith
- Church of England
- Newton Poppleford Primary School2.1 milesOfsted: Good
- Ages
- 4 to 11
- Pupils
- 190
- Type
- Community school
- Ottery St Mary Primary School2.9 milesNo Ofsted rating
- Ages
- 4 to 11
- Pupils
- 424
- Type
- Foundation school
- Rockbeare Church of England Primary School and Pre-School3.4 milesNo Ofsted rating
- Ages
- 3 to 11
- Pupils
- 155
- Type
- Academy converter
- Faith
- Church of England
Secondary
- The King's School2.3 milesOfsted: Good *
- Ages
- 11 to 18
- Pupils
- 1,097
- Type
- Academy converter
- Cranbrook Education Campus4 milesOfsted: Good
- Ages
- 2 to 16
- Pupils
- 1,066
- Type
- Academy sponsor led
- Sidmouth College4.3 milesOfsted report card · Mar 2026
- Ages
- 11 to 18
- Pupils
- 825
- Type
- Academy converter
- Clyst Vale Community College5.7 milesOfsted: Good
- Ages
- 11 to 18
- Pupils
- 944
- Type
- Academy converter
- St Luke's Church of England School6.9 milesOfsted: Good
- Ages
- 11 to 16
- Pupils
- 870
- Type
- Academy sponsor led
- Faith
- Church of England
* Latest graded judgement covers quality of education only; no overall grade was issued under the 2024-25 inspection framework.
Distances are straight-line from the advertised location. Source: the national school registers (DfE, Welsh Government, Scottish Government) and Ofsted.
Schools are just the start: sold prices nearby, planning activity and any flood history are in the full report.
Amenities
Supermarket
GP surgery
Pharmacy
Hospital
Straight-line distances from the advertised location. Sources: NHS records, Geolytix supermarket locations, OS Open Greenspace and the national trails registers.
The area stacks up? Now check the location itself: planning nearby, protected designations and past flooding.
Getting Around
Nearest station
Nearest bus stop
Typical drive times
Straight-line distances from the advertised location; drive times are typical free-flow times over OpenStreetMap road data, so allow more at peak. Public transport locations from DfT NaPTAN.
Easy to reach matters. So do planning activity, flood history and ground risks: all in the full report.
Flood Risk
Environment Agency open data, checked around the advertised map pin for the listed acreage. Long-term risk counts flood defences; the planning map's flood zones do not. Provided by LandSale, not the listing agent, and not part of the agent's particulars. Risk varies across a holding, so verify before committing.
Rivers and the sea
Planning map: Flood Zone 1.
Surface water
These bandings are the summary. Where this location sits on the flood maps, plus planning activity, heritage and ground risks, is in the full report.
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© LandSale | Version 1.3 - August 2026
Listing agent
Jackson-Stops, Exeter
13 Southernhay West Exeter EX1 1PJ









