Babbacombe, Torquay TQ1 3LY

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LADY MOUNT TEMPLE SUITE, 1 BABBACOMBE CLIFF, BEACH RD, TORQUAY TQ1 3LY

A grand, imposing ground floor apartment in historic Babbacombe Cliff, a Grade II listed building along Beach Road in the coastal district of Babbacombe, Torquay. The property comprises 3 bedrooms (2 en suite), a dining hall, drawing room, kitchen / breakfast room, private courtyard garden, shower room, and allocated parking spaces. The property benefits from gas central heating and a mixture of single, secondary and double glazed windows.  The property is sold with no onward chain.

The property is suitable as:

• Income potential as residential let or holiday home
• Peaceful dwelling for professionals who work from home.
• Enjoyable residence for entertaining guests and al fresco dining.

SITUATION AND AMENITIES

The Lady Mount Temple Suite is a 3 bedroom ground floor apartment in Babbacombe Cliff, a historic building that’s known to have been a holiday dwelling for Oscar Wilde. The apartment’s convenient location at the leftmost portion of the building provides lush garden views to the side aspect and easy access to the communal garden.

Babbacombe Cliff is a 3 storey Grade II listed building along Beach Road, with a clifftop location overlooking Lyme Bay. Its perfect spot within close proximity of Babbacombe Beach, and several hotels and holiday apartments make the property a sought after area for holiday goers. The building is also close to the Babbacombe Theatre, Babbacombe cricket club, a spa, and several restaurants, pubs, and cafes.

Beach Road is conveniently connected to Babbacombe Downs Road, a quaint hotel strip with a picturesque promenade leading to the Babbacombe Railway and Oddicombe Beach, and connecting to Babbacombe Road where various commercial amenities are within convenient reach. Babbacombe Road or A379 also leads to the Fore Street shopping area of neighbouring St Marychurch, and allows easy access from Exeter, Plymouth, and Torquay town centre.

Babbacombe is named ‘Torbay’s Jewel in the Crown’ for its tranquil views and atmosphere, where residents and visitors can enjoy scenic bay views and quiet relaxation. The nearest bus stop from Babbacombe Cliff is in front of Babbacombe Theatre, which stands on the corner of Babbacombe Downs Road and Beach Road. Bus 122 goes to St Marychurch, Torquay Harbour and Paignton. Another accessible bus stop is on Babbacombe Road, with buses going to Dawlish, Dawlish Warren, Teignmouth, and other parts of Paignton and Torquay. 

HISTORY

Babbacombe Cliff was still a private manor house owned by Georgina Baroness Mount-Temple when Oscar Wilde stayed as a guest for 4 months during the 1890s. This is where he wrote the play “A Woman of No Importance”, and entertained friends Lord Alfred “Bosie” Douglas and Oxford tutor Campbell Dodgson, whilst his play “Lady Windermere’s Fan” was being performed at the Theatre Royal in Abbey Road, Torquay. From 1928 to 1988, the manor house became a 34-bedroom hotel known as Babbacombe Cliff Hotel, with Wilde’s room being named ‘Oscar Wilde Suite’. There are notable features throughout this impressive house including a stained glass window on the first floor painted by one of the leading painters and designers of the late 19th-century, Sir Edward Burne-Jones. In 2000, the hotel was purchased and converted into luxury flats. Today, the building’s front gate entrance bears a commemorative plaque of Oscar Wilde’s momentous stay in the property, and the individual apartments have been restored to retain their elegant charm and character.

ACCOMMODATION

Babbacombe Cliff is fronted by a low stone wall and secured by double wrought iron entrance gates which lead to the communal driveway. The Victorian building’s archway leads to the paved parking area. The exterior of the Lady Mount Temple Suite features large windows, wall mouldings, stone brick wall sections, and slate roofing. The original timber front door is approached by elevated steps and leads to the communal entrance vestibule.

Communal Entrance Vestibule

Tiled flooring. Individual post boxes. Glazed panelled door leading to the communal entrance hall.  Decorative ceiling rose.

Communal Entrance Hall

Carpeted flooring. Window to the front aspect. Twin glazed panelled doors leading to the private entrance lobby of Lady Mount Temple Suite.

Private Entrance Lobby

Door leading to the dining hall.

Dining Hall (7.83 x 4.33 m - 25′8″ x 14′2″ ft)

Ornate cornice and central ceiling rose. Dado rail. Bay window to the front aspect overlooking Lyme Bay. Impressive Minster fireplace. Two double radiators. Intercom system. TV point. Phone point.  Wall light points. Twin glazed panelled doors to the kitchen. Glazed French doors to the drawing room.

Drawing Room (5.32 x 4.99 m - 17′5″ x 16′4″ ft)

Two ceiling roses. Ornate cornice to ceiling. Decorative ceiling rose.  Dado rail. Windows to the front and left aspects, overlooking the bay and garden area. Stone fireplace. Two double radiators. TV point. Phone point.  Wall light points. Glazed French doors to the dining hall. Glazed panelled door to the inner hallway.

Inner Hallway (5.14 x 1.63 m - 16′10″ x 5′4″ ft)

Ceiling with cornice and central rose. Dado rail. Radiator. Doors to the master bedroom, bedroom 2, kitchen, and drawing room.

Kitchen / Breakfast Room (5.30 x 4.76 m - 17′5″ x 15′7″ ft)

Multiple high gloss worktops with plenty of double power sockets, drawers and base units underneath. Centre island with high gloss worktop and storage drawers and cabinets. Illuminated dresser units with glass doors. Wall cupboards. Inset 1½ bowl stainless steel sink with mixer tap over. Range cooker with 5 ring stove top, hot plate, grill, double oven, and extractor hood over. Integrated refrigerator and freezer, dishwasher, washing machine, and tumble dryer. Glow Worm condensing combi boiler.  Enclosed radiator.  TV point. Phone point.  Ceramic tiled flooring. Wall sections with accent tiles. Ceiling spotlights. Several decorative ceiling roses.  Ornate ‘egg and dart’ cornice to ceiling. Window to the rear aspect. Glazed rear French doors to the private courtyard. Extractor fan. Glazed French doors to the dining hall. Doors to the inner hallway, shower room, and bedroom 3. 

Principal Bedroom (6.78 x 5.26 m - 22′3″ x 17′3″ ft)

L shaped layout. French doors to the communal garden and patio area. Two windows to the front aspect overlooking Lyme Bay. Space for sitting area by the bay window. Window to the side aspect with garden and woodland views. Built in wardrobes. Quality drawers with a large mirror. Two ceiling roses. Decorative ceiling roses. Ornate cornice. Dado rail. Three double radiators. TV point.

En Suite 1 (2.86 x 2.32 m - 9′4″ x 7′7″ ft)

Panelled bath with shower attachment and mixer tap. Pedestal wash hand basin with mirror and electric light over. Low level WC. Four inset downlighters. Fully tiled walls. Ornate ‘egg and dart’ cornice to ceiling. Ladder style heated towel rail. Extractor fan.

Bedroom 2 (5.74 x 3.82 m - 18′10″ x 12′6″ ft)

Built in wardrobes. Window to the rear aspect. Decorative ceiling rose. Ornate ‘egg and dart’ cornice to ceiling.  Dado rail. Double radiator.

En Suite 2 (2.46 x 1.78 m - 8′1″ x 5′10″ ft)

Panelled bath with shower attachment and mixer tap. Pedestal wash hand basin with electric light and shaver socket over. Low level WC. Three inset downlighters. Fully tiled walls. Cornice ceiling. Ladder style heated towel rail. Extractor fan.

Bedroom 3 (3.7 x 2.78 m - 12′2″ x 9′1″ ft)

Window to the rear aspect. Decorative ceiling rose. Cornice ceiling. Dado rail. Double radiator. Airing cupboard with pressurised cylinder, wooden slatted shelving and consumer unit.

Shower Room

Walk in shower cubicle. Low level WC. Pedestal wash hand basin. Fully tiled walls. Ceramic tiled floor. Ladder style heated towel rail. Extractor fan.  Inset down lighters.

Rear Private Courtyard

Italianate style paved garden. Raised flower beds.  Outside light.  Garden tap.  Wrought iron gate leading to the communal gardens.

Outside

Private driveway with remote control gates and intercom. Two private parking spaces and visitor's parking. Landscaped communal grounds with stunning sea and woodland views, paved seating areas and walking paths.

Allocated Parking

Two dedicated parking spaces for Lady Mount Temple Suite adjacent to the property. Visitor parking available.

Length of Lease   

999 years from August 2001.

Pets Allowed

Domestic pets such as cats, dogs and caged birds are allowed providing the pet does not create annoyance to any other owner occupier. 

Maintenance

The maintenance fee is £2,692.16 per annum which includes building insurance and a sinking fund. The maintenance fee can be made in two payments, payable in January and July. £25 ground rent.

Council Tax Band

'F' (Torbay Council).