A four-bed clifftop Victorian villa leading down to a stunning cove has hit the market for £2.5million.
The Old Vicarage is an unlisted Victorian home that is only being sold for the third time in its 147-year history.
The impressive property sits in a prominent position at the mouth of the River Fowey in Polruan, Cornwall.
It has gated steps from the garden which descend down the cliff to a sheltered and isolated cove.
The Old Vicarage was built in 1877 for a local sea captain, John Lamb. It became the vicarage in 1920 and has been sympathetically restored by the current owners since 2005.
Although it is unlisted, the property has a number of characterful period features including intricate original cornicing and detailed ceiling roses, Victorian fireplaces and window shutters.
The property has 2,013 sq ft of accommodation with an entrance hall, dual aspect kitchen/family room, dining room, drawing room, shower room and utility room on the ground floor and four bedrooms and two bathrooms on the first floor.
Three of the four bedrooms have beautiful views of the river.
Outside the property sits in 0.3 of an acre with westerly facing gardens in a ‘once in a lifetime’ setting. It has a walled lawn terrace, tiered vegetable garden with planters, fruit cages and a greenhouse as well as suntrap dining terrace.
The view across the river is the gateway to Fowey Harbour, which is an ever changing vista with sailing events, cruise ships and watersports enthusiasts.
There is a picturesque sheltered cove accessed via gated steps which acts as an extension of the garden to the water’s edge.
The property also has a good-sized garage and a rear courtyard with outbuilding store.
Polruan is on the east bank of the River Fowey, just inside the entrance to the harbour. The village has two public houses, a thriving primary school, general store, post office and tea rooms.
There is a regular passenger ferry from the quay to Fowey, which has a wider range of shops and other amenities.
Alex Taylor, from estate agents Strutt & Parker, who are selling the property, said: “It’s the prominent headland on the Polruan side of the Fowey river. It looks straight across to a magnificent view of St Catherine’s Castle and Readymoney Beach.
“It’s just the most amazing position and it’s quite hard to come by property on the headland here, not much comes up, this is only the third time this house has been sold.
“The steps down to the beach are incredible, it’s almost like a private cove. Only the house next door also has steps, it’s about 80-100 steps, it takes a couple of minutes to walk down, it is steep though.
“The colour of the water is phenomenal and like that all year round. You’ve got the sea and river outlook, but it’s sheltered, a characterful home and access to the beach – the list goes on, it’s just really special.”
