The property:
... about ¾ mile from Newton Ferrers, secluded at the end of a long private drive, Casa Del Rio was built in 1935 by Walter Price after a visit to Beverley Hills. Price was a baker, responsible for introducing sliced bread to the UK from the US. During his US tour he visited Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford at their beautiful home, Pickfair. He was so impressed that on his return to England Price resolved to build a new house, in a magnificent setting, modelled on what he had seen in the US. Casa Del Rio is the result: a little Hollywood glamour in a glorious south Devon location. Built to a Spanish theme around a full-height, central, circular, marble-floored tower, it has typical 1930s Art Deco touches. Off the tower, doors lead to the reception rooms and the master bedroom with balcony and stupendous views over the River Yealm. This is an extraordinary place with exceptional facilities.
The house stands in beautiful terraced gardens which lead down to the river and across a private road to a private quay with running mooring and a hard standing area for a boat. The swimming pool building is situated a little below the house. It houses the 36’ x 18’ indoor heated swimming pool, shower-room (suite) and has double-glazed picture windows (it’s air conditioned, so no misting) with wonderful views over the gardens.
Inside, wonderful views from the living room, dining room and two bedrooms. From the hall, doors lead to the barrel-vaulted dining room and drawing room (tuned piano), both with arched French windows to terrace. Also off the hall are the American oak fitted kitchen (2-oven Aga, separate range with oven and hob, dishwasher, microwave, fridge-freezer) and breakfast room with utility room (second dishwasher, washing machine, tumble drier, second fridge-freezer) beyond. At the far end of the entrance hall, second living room. There is one large downstairs double 5’ four-poster bedroom off the main hall. Shower-room (suite). Up the marble staircase are a further 7 bedrooms: the master double (5’ bed) with en suite bathroom (suite with bidet and twin washbasins plus bath-shower and hand-shower) and balcony, a large double (5’ bed) with en suite bathroom (suite plus hand-shower) and balcony, a twin (washbasin) with small balcony, a room with bunks and two single beds (washbasin) with small balcony, two single rooms and, accessed down 4 steps through one of the single rooms, another twin (NB 5’7" headroom) with beds on a low gallery and en suite bathroom (suite plus bath-shower) and finally, on the top floor, another twin with en suite bathroom (suite plus bath-shower). Main family bathroom (suite plus bath-shower and bidet) and separate shower-room (suite) down 4 steps on first floor.
At the back of the house, accessed through the kitchen, a self-contained apartment with own kitchen (washing machine, microwave, fridge-freezer, cooker), sitting/dining room and shower-room (suite with two double-sized shower cubicles) downstairs and, upstairs, two bedrooms, a double and a single plus pull-out truckle, and loo (washbasin).
In the basement is a superb games room (skittles, air hockey, table tennis), snooker room and private 28 seat cinema.
Between April and October a rowing boat is provided with the house. You may hire (by prior arrangement, 6 weeks in advance): 16’ motorboat; 24’ powerboat; 33’ picnic boat; and 20’ yacht (weather/experience/safety conditions apply). A skipper is required for 24' powerboat, 33' picnic boat and 20' yacht.
4 TVs/3 DVDs. Arrival after 4pm. Cautionary Deposit £500. Caterers can be recommended by owner.