This is a very rare opportunity to occupy one of Britain's most celebrated Modern residences on a short or long-term lease for up to 20 years. High Cross House was designed in 1932 by the renowned architect William Lescaze and is located on the beautiful Dartington Hall estate in the countryside near Totnes, Devon.
The 3,000 sq ft (approx) property is Grade II* listed and is set in approximately 1 acre of gardens. Since the house has not been used as a residence since its refurbishment by the renowned architect John Winter in 1995, potential tenants will need to make some alterations before moving in (a kitchen, for instance, will need to be installed).
The house retains all the attractive features one would expect of major Modern house of the 1930s, including a roof terrace with wonderful views, large and light reception spaces and superb detailing. Lescaze was practising primarily in America at the time he designed High Cross House but the design by the Swiss-born architect is more in the purist European tradition of Modernism instigated by Le Corbusier and the Bauhaus architects than the more whimsical style developed across the Atlantic. Described by the architectural historian Alan Powers in his book The Twentieth Century House in Britain as "an essay in pure form", the house has a strong sculptural presence. For more on the history and architecture of the house, please see the HISTORY section.
High Cross House occupies an elevated position on the Dartington Hall estate. There are wonderful views over open countryside from the roof terrace and upper rooms of the house. Dartington Hall is an estate of 1,200 acres located to close to Totnes that is owned by the Dartington Hall Trust charity. The estate incorporates a rich mixture of commercial, agricultural, leisure and educational facilities (including restaurants and an independent cinema) – all of which are dedicated to the charity's aims of advancement in the arts, sustainability and social justice. It should be noted that any tenants of High Cross House would need to be sympathetic to these aims. For more on the Dartington Hall estate, please click here. It is also hoped that any tenants would be agreeable to allowing the public access to parts of the house at certain specified points throughout the year.
The Dartington Hall Estate is located on the edge of Dartington, an attractive Devon village that has a pub, shop and petrol station. Further facilities, including a broad range of shops and dining opportunities, can be found in nearby Totnes (1.5 miles away). Totnes has a train station that runs direct services to London Paddington in under 3 hours. The closest cities are Plymouth to the south and Exeter to the north (both approximately 40 minutes' drive). The surrounding countryside is well known as among the most beautiful in Britain, with Dartmoor National Park close by and the popular South Hams coast even closer.
Click here for a MAP.
Please note that all areas, measurements and distances given in these particulars are approximate and rounded. The text, photographs and floor plans are for general guidance only. The Modern House has not tested any services, appliances or specific fittings — prospective purchasers are advised to inspect the property themselves. All fixtures, fittings and furniture not specifically itemised within these particulars are deemed removable by the vendor.