ダートムーアの見事な歴史的な2ベッドルームコーチの家

My name is Helen, I am an artist and I live in Dartmoor National Park with my husband Simon, who runs an architectural practice, and our two children Maisie and Frank, 13 and 16. We moved here from London in 2008 for a complete change of lifestyle and plenty of space.

The landscape here is stunningly beautiful and unspoilt - a very inspiring and peaceful place to be. Ancient, wild and unpolluted, Dartmoor National Park is one of the last great wilderness in the UK. There are incredible walking opportunities as well many other outer activities including horseriding, wild swimming, canoeing, caving, cycling, tennis, golf etc.. There are several National Trust properties in the vicinity, and interesting local towns to explore. The nearest beaches are about 40 minutes away. Lustleigh itself is one of the most picturesque villages on the moor with a good pub, shop, tearooms and community apple orchard with playground. A beautiful walk through the fields and over a stream takes you directly from the property to the heart of the village. There are many other pretty villages and towns locally, and some interesting National Trust properties.

We fell in love with and bought a very historic set of buildings that date back to the early 14th century, in need of complete renovation! The Grade 2 listed Coach House is the last of these renovations. It was originally built around 1830 as a stable for the old Manor House here in Lustleigh - with cart bays, hayloft and groom's accommodation. It is a handsome and characterful building with many historic features which we wanted to preserve as fully as possible. You enter the property through the downstairs cobbled stalls, along through the tack room where the groom lit his fire and hung up his saddlery. Upstairs in the former hayloft we wanted to keep an open plan feel - the original roof beams are exposed throughout the length of the property. We were keen for it to feel cosy and luxurious, and so we installed underfloor heating throughout, which keeps the whole apartment super toasty. The overall effect is of all the modern conveniences in an authentic and sensitive historic conversion. We have top speed broadband but we also have some carefully preserved authentic nineteenth century graffiti!