Read the article
Read the article on the Country Life website, or browse properties available to buy at Flete House, Ivybridge, Devon.
Flete House featured in the news this week.
The Country Life article features a photo of the stunning ornamental fireplace in the listed building. Jump down to more photos of Flete House below.
About Flete House
Flete House retirement village is a stunning Grade I listed country house set within 12 acres of Grade II listed landscaped grounds near Modbury in Devon.
Located in the village of Holbeton, nine miles east of Plymouth by the River Erme, Flete House is nestled in the heart of the South Hams region of southwest Devon. This area boasts some of the most pristine coastline along the South Coast, with the entire shoreline and the lower Avon and Dart Valleys forming a significant part of the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Holbeton is a tranquil village with a population of fewer than 1,000, featuring charming thatched and stone cottages.
Please note: Unlike other Audley Villages, Flete House operates under a different ownership and management structure, with Plymouth Block Management undertaking the day-to-day management of the estate. Services are funded through the service charge payable by apartment owners, and only services supported and paid for by owners can be provided.
The history of Flete House
Flete House is a Grade I listed country house in Holbeton, Devon, originally a Saxon estate held by the Damarell family until the reign of Edward III. Parts of the house date to the 16th century, with substantial rebuilding around 1620 by Sir Charles Hele. The Gothic remodeling by J.C. Bulteel in 1835 replaced earlier classical work with castellations.
In 1861, the arrival of the railway brought Henry Bingham Mildmay, who loved the estate and purchased it, commissioning architect Richard Norman Shaw to remodel and extend it in 1878. The house became a hub for distinguished visitors, including Crown Princess Friedrich Wilhelm and Queen Mary.
During WWII, Flete House served as a maternity hospital, delivering its first baby on July 14, 1941. By 1947, Lord Francis Mildmay, the estate’s owner, had passed, and the hospital closed in 1958. The house returned to the Mildmay family in 1959, operated briefly by the Country House Association, and became luxury retirement apartments in 2005.
Gallery
Flete House Frequently Asked Questions
-
Who manages Flete House?
-
The day-to-day management of Flete House is undertaken by Plymouth Block Management (PBM), with Audley providing strategic oversight of the estate. Services and amenities are funded collectively by apartment owners through the service charge, and owners are regularly consulted on estate matters and the level of services provided.
Audley does not own the freehold of the estate but holds a head leasehold interest from the Flete Estate. Apartments are held on 125 year under leases.
To find out more about buying a leasehold property at Flete House, please contact the team at Luscombe Maye who act for Audley and some of the apartment vendors.
-
Who do I contact about buying?
-
All sales enquiries for Audley apartments are handled by Luscombe Maye. Vendors are free to appoint other agents. Please contact them via a web form or email modbury@luscombemaye.com to arrange a viewing. Alternatively, call the Luscombe Maye team on 01548 830831.
-
What services are included?
-
Flete House is a unique Grade I listed country house set within 12 acres of landscaped grounds near Modbury in Devon. Unlike other Audley Villages, Flete House operates under a service charge model where the costs of the services are shared between the apartment owners.
On site facilities and services include:
- Dining room
- Drawing room
- Library
- Billiard room with full-sized table
- Tennis court
- Croquet lawn
- Night staff - Flete House benefits from a 24-hour staff presence on site
- 12 acres of stunning landscaped grounds including a water garden and Italianate garden
- Residents and visitors parking
- Guest suite for family and friends
- A programme of events organised by the Flete House owners which currently include dinners, talks, gardening club, yoga, pub night, trips to local attractions and a croquet competition
- Flexible care packages are available through third parties at an additional cost
-
How is it different from other Audley Villages?
-
The management of Flete House is fundamentally different to Audley Villages, as set out above.
There is no swimming pool, gym, spa, restaurant, bar, or on site wellness services at Flete House, which you can typically expect from any Audley village.
As Flete House is managed by PBM, all staff are employed by PBM and not Audley.
-
Are there any other fees payable?
-
The service charge is set annually based on a budget. This is presented and discussed with apartment owners prior to the start of the new year.
On the resale of an apartment, a Reserve Fund Contribution and Sales Administration Fee are payable by the vendor.
The Reserve Fund Contribution escalates on an annual basis but is capped at 5% of the sale price. These monies are kept in a separate account and contribute to the long term maintenance of Flete House. This helps keep the Service Charge lower.
The Sales Administration Fee is 5% of the sale price and is payable to Audley for overseeing the administration of Flete House. This is the only fee that Audley receives for overseeing the management of Flete House. We have agreed that following the appointment of Plymouth Block only 2% will be payable to Audley and the remaining 3% will be invested in Flete House which could be a further contribution to the Reserve Fund or for marketing expenditure.
Apartment purchasers must take independent legal advice on the lease and associated charges.
