Devon 'castle' for sale: unique modern fortress features Grade II-listed gardens, an electric portcullis and sweeping sea views
The period-style property was only finished in 1992, though its exterior walls and grounds date from the 1920s. It's now for sale for £1.5 million.
Lincombe Keep commands an impressive position on Devon’s coastline and is set over many levels, all made to look like a medieval castle.
The gardens and castle walls, with orangery and terraces, are Grade-II listed and overlook Meadham Beach and Ilsham Valley.
The original castle walls were designed by Fred Harrild, believed to be a trainee of Sir Edwin Lutyens, for the wealthy son of a Leeds bookmaker.
The grounds were once part of another house, Castle Tor, which is also currently on the market as a separate sale.
The estate was divided up in 1980 when half of the original gardens were sold with Castle Tor, but these were restored to Lincombe Keep in 1997. As a result, the new owner will be fully responsible for the upkeep of the walls.
Set in half an acre of land, Lincombe Keep’s grounds include private enclosed terraces, a canal style pond that runs from east to west and an orangery. Topiary birds and stone statues decorate the grounds, which also include water features, fountains and a waterfall.
The landscaped gardens also feature listed turrets and an electric portcullis.
Situated in one of Torquay’s most exclusive residential areas, the property once won an award for its design.
The castellated exterior walls of the house are finished in Somerset stone, in keeping with the grounds and boundary walls.
Inside the four-bedroom house a grand hallway leads to two sets of stairs, one of which leads to an upper floor, where a large sitting room boasts wooden floors and curved walls with wraparound windows.
Double doors lead from the sitting room to a formal dining room. On the same floor there is also a spacious kitchen and dining area with an Aga cooker and private terrace, plus a bathroom and utility room.
The second set of stairs from the entrance hallway leads to a lower ground floor and the bedroom suites. On this level there are three bedrooms, all with en-suite bathrooms and one of which features its own turret, plus an extra bathroom and separate toilet.
The master bedroom suite takes over the whole of the top floor, with panoramic sea views and a private enclosed balcony. There is also a walk-in dressing room and sun room on this level, ideal for the new owners to take advantage of the far-reaching and impressive views.
Furthermore, a lower ground floor features a small courtyard and double garage while an internal lift provides access to two of the three upper levels.
Lincombe Keep has had one owner since it was built and was previously used as a holiday home.
The property is unique as it was built in the late Eighties to early Nineties, says Darren Hole, director of Absolute Sales and Lettings.
He says that with a little work the new owner could turn it into a luxurious modern home. “It’s designed to look like a castle, which makes it stand out from other properties.
“There is potential to create a cinema room, a gym and reconfigure the rooms for the right buyer, without losing its unique character.
“It’s a great place to come for a holiday”.
Although still associated in many people's mind with the disastrous Fawlty Towers hotel from the John Cleese sitcom, Torquay is in a beauty spot on the English Riviera and close to Dartmoor National Park with direct rail links to London and other UK cities, making it a popular holiday spot.
Lincombe Keep is for sale for £1.5 million.