This award-winning, timber-framed home, completed in 2022 by AR Design Studio, is a stunning replacement dwelling nestled in East Devon's Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty within the parish of Uplyme. Surrounded by tranquil Forestry Commission woodlands, the property captures seasonal valley views and features eco-conscious landscaping with wildflower meadows and woodland habitats. The home's architecture, recognized by Build It Magazine, the Future House Awards, and the Architecture Master Prize, showcases a striking design divided into three distinct volumes—a central two-storey section with single-storey wings—allowing flexible use and energy efficiency, perfectly blending innovation with natural beauty.

Situation - This property enjoys a serene woodland setting adjacent to the scenic Trinity Hill Nature Reserve, nestled in the undulating hills of East Devon’s Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Ideally positioned between the bustling market town of Axminster to the north and the charming seaside town of Lyme Regis to the south, the property offers close proximity to the breathtaking Jurassic Coast. Axminster provides a variety of amenities, from supermarkets and independent shops to a mainline rail service with direct connections to London Waterloo. Esteemed local schools include Colyton Grammar School, Axe Valley Academy, and Lyme Regis’ Woodroffe School. The nearby A35 ensures convenient access to the broader region, making this an exceptionally well-connected yet tranquil retreat.

Description - This home is an exemplary replacement dwelling nestled in East Devon's Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), within the parish of Uplyme. Completed in 2022 by the award-winning AR Design Studio, this home has garnered several accolades, including Build It Magazine’s “Best Timber Framed House” (2023), a nod from the Future House Awards (2023), and an Honourable Mention at the prestigious Architecture Master Prize Awards (2023) in the category of Residential Architecture.

Set amid Forestry Commission plantations, the house occupies a serene plateau surrounded by deciduous woodlands that reveal the valley's panoramic views during the winter. Designed with both the natural landscape and biodiversity in mind, the property integrates a garden space for meadow wildflowers and a woodland habitat under the trees, preserving the ecological character of the site.

The architectural form is a harmonious blend of striking angles and sympathetic design details. The house is divided into three distinct volumes: a two-storey central volume flanked by single-storey wings. This layout offers versatility, allowing for compartmentalisation when parts of the house are not in use, reducing energy consumption.

The geometry of the home reflects the undulating landscape. The angular structure is emphasized by diagonal Siberian Larch cladding, meticulously finished with double-mitered corners for a sharp, sculptural effect. Large picture windows strategically frame and enhance specific views, bringing the outside beauty into the home.

Upon arrival, you are welcomed via a sweeping path framed by Magnolia and Cherry trees, leading to the house's entrance. The central family space presents a breath-taking view of the valley, setting the tone for the home's design ethos. Vaulted ceilings accentuate the dynamic roofscape, creating varied spatial experiences throughout. The minimalist Scandinavian aesthetic is evident in the bespoke Birch plywood kitchen, which adds a clean-lined, natural feel to the open-plan living space.

The central space connects to a semi-separated living room on one side and a corridor leading to bedrooms and a music room with a 3.5-meter ceiling height on the other. The oak-clad staircase leads to the first floor, where the principal suite, a fully functional study, and additional picture windows capture sweeping views of the landscape. Throughout the home, finely detailed bespoke Birch plywood joinery offers ample storage, complementing the home's seamless and modern design.

Designed with sustainability at its core, utilizing a “fabric first” approach that maximizes energy efficiency. The sculpted rooflines are perfectly angled for photovoltaic panels, and the air source heat pump and underfloor heating system ensure the house remains a zero-combustion, all-electric household. This meticulous construction achieved U-values between 0.13 and 0.16 W/m2K, resulting in an enviable EPC rating of ‘A’ (rated 97) for thermal comfort.

Outside - Approaching the property is an experience in itself. Accessed via a serene 0.9-mile private lane, flanked by ancient woodland, evoking an immediate sense of peace and seclusion. This tranquil setting enhances the feeling of being deeply immersed in nature, far removed from the bustle of everyday life.

Ample parking is available, with space for several vehicles, along with the convenience of a garage for additional storage. A large garden shed provides valuable space for storing gardening tools and equipment, keeping the grounds in immaculate condition.

The property sits on approximately 1.4 acres of land, predominantly laid to lawn, interspersed with a variety of mature trees and shrubs that add depth and visual interest to the landscape. These thoughtfully planted elements enhance the natural beauty of the surroundings, creating a harmonious outdoor space that mirrors the tranquillity of the interior.

There is a raised terrace along the south elevation, seamlessly flowing from the interior to the outside. This area offers an “inside-outside” connection, where the lines between indoors and outdoors blur, allowing for an uninterrupted experience of the breath-taking views. The terrace, with its infinity-like perspective, provides an ideal setting for alfresco dining, relaxation, or simply soaking in the peaceful ambiance of the valley below.

This carefully designed outdoor environment ensures not only offers a luxurious living space but also provides a deep connection to its natural surroundings, making it a perfect retreat for both everyday living and entertaining.

Services - Fully equipped with modern utilities and technology. The property has mains water and electricity, with a multi-phase power supply. It operates on private drainage via a septic tank and uses a highly efficient Mitsubishi Ecodan air source heat pump for heating.
The home also features solar PVT panels paired with a Tesla Powerwall (13.5 kWh capacity) for energy storage, ensuring high energy efficiency and reduced external power reliance. A Zappi EV charger is installed in the garage.
Cat6 cabling throughout connects to a Ubiquiti UniFi data network, providing seamless connectivity, while a satellite TV dish ensures broad media access.

The house's energy efficiency has been demonstrated with real-time data from 2023, showing 60% electricity self-sufficiency over a one-year period. Beeches is future-proofed not only with its eco-credentials but also with a 10-year building warranty, ensuring both environmental and structural sustainability.
This property stands as a masterpiece in bespoke residential design, seamlessly blending high architectural form with energy-efficient, eco-conscious living.

Directions - From Honiton, head southeast on High Street (A35) and continue on the A35 towards Axminster and Lyme Regis. Stay on the A35 for approximately 6.5 miles. After passing through Raymond's Hill, turn right onto Trinity Hill Road. Follow this road for about 1.5 miles, passing signs for Trinity Hill Nature Reserve. Beeches is accessed via a private lane flanked by ancient woodland. Follow the lane for about 0.9 miles to reach the property.