£4m manor house has golf course included

A dream home for golf fanatics has gone on sale in Devon for just under £4 million – and comes complete with its own championship-length 18-hole course.

The private owner, who wishes to remain anonymous, designed the course himself after moving into historic Idehill Manor at Farway, near Honiton, ten years ago.

The course, only previously used by the owner, his family and friends, boasts the longest recognised golf hole in Britain – a 740-yard par six.

Now in his 70s, the retired businessman is looking to downsize from the 16th century nine-bedroom manor house that was once owned by King George II and latterly by the Earl of Ilchester.

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The Grade II listed property, which also has a two-bedroom yeoman's cottage, comes with 51 acres of grounds and has "views to die for", according to the estate agent's brochure.

The price? A cool £3.95 million.

As one would expect, there is currently a green-keeper employed to maintain the course – the fairways and greens are cut once every fours days.

But there is also plenty to keep you occupied indoors. The main house has six reception rooms, a snooker room, a heated swimming pool and original beams and fire places. The largely thatched building also features six bathrooms with the master bedroom overlooking the pool and adjoining sun terrace.

The owner, who shares the property with his wife, said he will be sad to leave the home.

He said: "We bought the house ten years ago. I'm a keen golfer and I had 50 acres of land to myself so it made sense. It is the only private championship-length golf course on the British Isles and it does have the longest hole in the country as well. I designed the course myself and the first tee is only 100 yards from the main entrance.

"The course extends to three sides of the house and is very sympathetic to the landscape, which is one of the reasons why it doesn't have any bunkers. The other reason is due to maintenance, as you don't have to worry about cutting around them."

He added: "The best time to play is at 7am on a Sunday when all you can hear are the birds and sheep.

"You don't have to worry about waiting your turn to play or other golfers whistling a shot past your head."

He will be sad to leave, he says, but he and his wife now need to downsize. " It is a big place and looking after the course is a big job," he says.

"I would hope that whoever buys it will keep the course but it is up to them.

"There is certainly great kudos in being able to say to friends or business clients 'come and have a game on my golf course'."

The golf course extends to 6,117 yards and is a par 73. There are four par threes, ten par fours, three par fives and a par six.

The owner plays off a handicap of eight strokes over the par but his best score is 79.

One of his favourite holes is the 15th, which has a tall oak tree 100 yards in front of the green and requires an accurate tee shot either side of it.

The property is being sold by Exeter-based estate agents Jackson-Stopps and Staff's Exeter office. Contact them on 01392 214222.