The four-bedroom property has plenty of history
An old station master’s house has hit the market. The converted and detached house is up for sale at £395,000 – but the rather lovely catch is that it still has trains pulling up right outside.
The four-bed property is set on the picturesque Tarka Line that runs between Exeter and Barnstaple. It was built for the London and South Western Railway around 1850, as permitted by the then landowner, the Earl of Portsmouth.
It is said that the Earl agreed to the railway being built on his land on the understanding that all trains would stop at the station so that his guests had easy access to his home. Today, trains continue to stop at Eggesford on an hourly basis. The former ticket office, parcel store and ladies’ waiting room have been converted into a ground-floor, one-bed annexe.
The main house boasts a living room with a wood-burning stove, a wet room, and a kitchen overlooking the platform. Upstairs, there are three double bedrooms.
The home is being advertised by Stags. It has a significant history.
The listing says: “Having been built for the London and South Western Railway around 1850, primarily of stone under a slate roof, Eggesford Station was opened by the North Devon Railway on 1 August 1854, having been built on permission from the then landowner, the Earl of Portsmouth, whose country seat was situated within an estate near to the site of the station.
“The station was built in Tudor Gothic Style and is Grade II listed. The building originally provided a Station Master’s residence as well as the ticket office, parcel store, waiting room and toilets.
“A further building was erected adjacent to the station and originally provided the station master’s office and workers’ rest room. “Having been the subject of extensive improvements and conversion in their ownership, the current owners have created a wonderful home with a unique history.
“The property now offers well-presented accommodation throughout, and the former ticket office, parcel store and ladies’ waiting room have been converted into a ground-floor, one-bed annexe that offers scope for holiday letting, accommodating a dependent relative or for extending the accommodation of the main house.
“At the northern end of the property is a former railway worker’s building that offers much scope for further conversion to alternative uses if required.”
