In a sequestered spot at the edge of woodlands, Menagerie House was once part of the Castle Hill Estate, just a stone’s throw from the peaceful village of Filleigh in North Devon. When owners Issy and Charlie found it in 2019 the house was very much neglected; after a painstaking restoration, they’ve created a space that truly reflects their passion for unique historic houses. Full of calm and character, this is a very special place for guests to relax and enjoy unforgettable gatherings with friends and family.
Wend your way through the high hedged Devon lanes and up the drive to Menagerie House. What a wonderful welcome! Park in the sun dappled shade of the trees and take a moment to admire this elegant Regency-style house; the impressive columned facade, the big sash windows on the first floor, and right at the top, almost in the eaves, a circular window. Oh, it’s lovely – but it wasn’t always so. When Issy and Charlie first saw this house, it was neglected and unloved. It was crying out for a huge helping of TLC.
What’s the History of Menagerie House?
Despite those classic Georgian looks, the house was built in the early 19th century, rumour has it by the 4th Earl Fortescue for his mistress to live in. He lived in the mansion house on the Castle Hill Estate, so he could ride through the woods for clandestine meetings!
Back then, it was known as Menagerie Cottage and was actually part of the estate. It remained so until it was sold off in the 1920s. How easy it was for the landed gentry to conduct their love affairs in those days – want your mistress conveniently near you? Easy – build a house for her on your land!
It was quite a fancy house in those days – a far cry from when Issy and Charlie bought it. The agent’s details said the property required ‘significant refurbishment and modernisation’, which was no understatement.
Why Did the Owners Decide to Buy Menagerie House?
Issy and Charlie were looking for a development project, and this appealed to their love of older properties, despite the sorry state it was in. The agent had been very busy - they were the 68th viewers and they liked it straightaway.
“It was the location that really got us” explained Issy. “It’s so idyllic, there are no near neighbours, nothing but woodlands and rolling Devon hills. But it’s not too far out the way – Filliegh is only a mile away and has a cosy village pub, you can stroll along the River Bray in the valley, South Molton and Barnstaple aren’t far, and its within easy reach of major routes. We also liked how unique the house was – there’s nothing else like it”.
Charlie continues, “The day we visited there was a cricket match the other side of the woods – you couldn’t see it, but you could hear the thwack of leather on willow and it felt so perfect, so quintessential”.
So they went away and put together a business plan, though they still weren’t sure they wanted to do with the house. They thought of living there, selling it on, or running it as a holiday let.
On the second viewing they made up their minds and their offer was accepted. From there everything evolved.
How Long Did the Restoration of Menagerie House Take?
Taking on such a mammoth task is no easy feat, but incredibly, it was just 10 months from when Issy and Charlie collected the keys to when they took their first booking!
There were no big teams of builders, no enlisting friends at weekends to help out, Charlie did most of the hard grafting himself. What he didn’t know he worked out as he went along, for anything that had to adhere to regulations he called in professionals.
The house had no heating, the kitchen consisted of only a microwave, and there was just one electric shower – with a washing machine right next to it emptying into the tray. At the back of the house were the tatters of a glass garden room – now replaced by an oak framed veranda to the garden.
From Neglected to Luxury
Charlie set to work, installing a heating and plumbing system, the old electrics were stripped out and replaced, rotting floorboards came up and new flooring went down.
During the works, an old man in his 80s called at the house delivering leaflets; he and Charlie had an interesting chat as he worked as a butler at Castle Hill House in his younger days – a lovely connection to the past life of Menagerie House.
All Change!
With the garden leading out from the first floor, it made sense to have the main living quarters there, with bedrooms on the lower ground floor and the second floor.
Opening up the first floor made a huge difference with the high ceilings and the enormous sash windows allowing the light to pour into the space. Charlie installed a kitchen to one side, to the other he relined the chimney and put in a wood burner to make a cosy living room area. The bay window in the middle of the room was the natural place for a dining table; the base came from a local antiques dealer, the top was made from a huge slab of slate that Charlie spotted in a restoration yard.
The lower ground floor became a wide entrance hall with a central handcrafted oak staircase, a bedroom to either side and a bathroom at the back. On the top floor Issy and Charlie decided to retain as much of the original character as they could, so the small windows, high rafters and exposed beams stayed, giving the three ensuite bedrooms a very cosy feel
By the time they got to the garden they had formulated a plan to let the house for luxury large group holidays, so the dilapidated sheds came down, and a terrace was laid with outdoor dining and a hot tub.
Ready At Last
After so much hard work, Issy and Charlie were looking forward to welcoming their first guests. But no-one could have predicted what happened; guests were due to arrive the weekend of 20th March 2020, but with the worsening Covid-19 situation, they were worried they wouldn’t be able to get back to London and understandably, cancelled their stay. Then, on Monday 23rd March the world went into the first lockdown.
This left Issy and Charlie feeling quite deflated after all their hard work, but this was a serious situation and there was little they could do. The plans and excitement were put on hold and when lockdown ended, those guests could at long last look forward to being the first people to stay at Menagerie House – and they loved it.
How Did the Owners Find the Right Holiday Letting Agent?
Issy and Charlie wanted to find an agent that specialised in the large group holiday market; Sleeps12 were recommended to them and with their offices fairly close to North Devon, it made sense to contact them first. Ashley went out to visit Menagerie House it quickly became clear that this was the way to go. “They really know their stuff” said Charlie, “We liked how personable they are, and we really appreciated all the advice and suggestions they had. We definitely made the right choice.”
What is Menagerie House Like Today?
Take a look on our website and you’ll see what Menagerie House is like today, and why it’s a popular choice for large group holidays, family celebrations and hen weekends. 5 bedrooms sleep 12, interiors blend modern facilities, country house styling and original character to perfection. Outside are sweeping lawns with far reaching views of the Devon countryside, and a terrace for outdoor dining and relaxing in the hot tub.
What’s really evident is the immense sense of tranquillity, the gentle feels that pervade throughout the house. Each floor feels different – the cottagey feel of the top floor with exposed timbers and low ceilings, the calm and safe feel of the more modern lower ground floor, and the airiness of the first floor with high ceilings; this is a space where people can come together to celebrate a special occasion, to share stories and make memories
The essential character of the building remains as a beautiful backdrop to group stays, all the creature comforts are there – the wood burner to return to after a walk, the spacious kitchen where there’s plenty of room to cook, the bespoke table set in the bay window where the natural light streams in – at night a softly lit space where you can gather round the table to enjoy one of the best pleasures in life - good food and good company.
What is there to do near Menagerie House?
If you’re wondering what there is to do near Menagerie House, the answer is – plenty! Issy and Charlie are Devon born and bred so they know this area well. Their favourite spots are Tarr Steps for a stroll along the river and cream tea, and the quiet beach at Putsborough for rockpooling and a good café.
A stroll around Castle Hill Gardens is a must as it’s less than a mile away. The Stag Inn at Filleigh is within walking distance for pub lunches, only a short drive away is The Bell at Chittlehampton, family friendly, serving hearty homemade food. For surfing and relaxing days by the sea, the beaches on the North Devon Coast aren’t far.
The owners also recommend a browse around South Molton, with its Saturday Pannier Market, or a day spent discovering the lush river valleys and heather clad heaths of Exmoor National Park. Families can visit award-winning attractions like Quince Honey Farm, Arlington Court, and Combe Martin Wildlife & Dinosaur Park.
Why the Owners Enjoy Running a Large Group Holiday Let
The owners have no regrets – they very much enjoy running a large group holiday let. Guests come to Menagerie House and leave the loveliest reviews – Issy and Charlie love that, knowing their hard work was worthwhile. They like meeting lots of lovely, interesting people and indirectly helping to create happy memories. As Issy says, “It’s a good way of putting life back into a house that wouldn’t be right as a family home; instead, it’s somewhere for people to get together and enjoy special times.
They make a good team with Charlie in charge of maintenance and Issy being chief organiser, heading up the housekeeping team. They do a remarkable job, especially when you factor in that they’ve also restored and run another Sleeps12 holiday house – Kennard Hall near Bampton. Issy and Charlie both work, and to add to the balancing act, a couple of years ago they welcomed their first baby into the world. But they’re good at getting on with things so it’s nothing for little Xandy to join them on changeover days – his first being when he was just 10 weeks old!
What Do the Owners Like Best About Menagerie House?
Ask Issy and Charlie what they like best about Menagerie House and they agree – it’s that gorgeous Georgian-style frontage
“With that and the tranquillity, it’s like you’ve stepped into a fairytale deep in the heart of the Devon countryside” says Issy.
And she’s right; it feels so magical to arrive at Menagerie House, and then you step inside and there’s that lovely calm ambience. You really can feel the gentleness that pervades throughout the house. There are only good vibes here.
Any Tips for Anyone Thinking of Letting a Large Group Holiday House?
Issy and Charlie’s top tip for anyone thinking of letting a large group holiday house is to make sure you have a good team unit. They work well as a couple, but they also have a reliable and trustworthy team who know their properties inside out. Having someone very knowledgeable on maintenance is also essential, someone who knows the house and who you can trust to look after the property if you go away.
They’d also advise all owners to try to do Meet & Greets themselves as much as possible - it’s a personal touch that goes a long way. The aim is always to have happy guests enjoying unforgettable stays at Menagerie House.