On paper, it’s a four-bedroom home in the picturesque seaside town of Torquay.
But the most marketable property of this unsuspecting family house is actually what’s behind it.
For £669,000 the new home owners will not only receive a charming house but they’ll also be getting a stunning tropical garden that wouldn’t look out of place in the Caribbean.
For £669,000 the new home owners will receive a stunning home (pictured) alongside an even more decadent garden, one so tropical you’d be forgiven for thinking you’d made it to the Caribbean
The grounds (pictured) boast plants such as the Canna, Cordyline and hibiscus which are usually found in Central America, the South Pacific and the Far East
The unusual grounds boast plants such as the Canna, Cordyline and hibiscus which are usually more at home in Central America, the South Pacific and the Far East.
There are also a fine collection of Canary Island date palms, Chinese Chusan palms, New Zealand tree ferns, Chilean Potato vines and Mexican yucca for those with a green thumb.
But perhaps most striking of all are the collection of banana trees with enormous leaves that provide fresh fruit in the summer.
There are also a fine collection of Canary Island date palms, Chinese Chusan palms, New Zealand tree ferns, Chilean Potato vines and Mexican yucca for those with a green thumb
Gardens such as this are commonly found in tropical climates such as those in South America and Southeast Asia but Torquay’s combination of warm and wet weather makes it an unlikely candidate for breeding lush plants
Gardens such as these are commonly found in tropical climates such as those in South America and Southeast Asia but Torquay’s combination of warm and wet weather makes it an unlikely candidate for breeding lush plants.
In fact the home’s current owner, who cultivated the garden, barely has to carry out any maintenance on it at all.
The house itself, which is affectionately called Avila which means ‘desired’, is very much in keeping with the exotic outdoor space, with lots of light and air scattered throughout.
The house itself, which is affectionately called Avila which means ‘desired’, is very much in keeping with the exotic outdoor space, with lots of light and air scattered throughout
Arranged across three floors, an open plan hallway leads to a conservatory with views over the garden and a sheltered courtyard for when the days are too hot
Arranged across three floors, an open plan hallway leads to a conservatory with views over the garden and a sheltered courtyard for when the days are too hot.
The first floor features a sitting room, kitchen, shower room and en suite bedroom. An oak staircase rises to the top floor and master en suite bedroom as well as two more bedrooms that share a bathroom.
Susan Couch, the agent from John Couch who are selling Avila, said: ‘The current owner is responsible for the garden, it’s her pride and joy.
The first floor features a sitting room, kitchen, shower room and en suite bedroom. An oak staircase rises to the top floor and master en suite bedroom as well as two more bedrooms that share a bathroom
‘In Victorian times wealthy British people used to come here in the winter to try and enjoy some decent weather. The house itself is absolutely immaculate with a very foreign feel to it, you could be anywhere from the Caribbean to Indonesia,’ the real estate agent selling the property said
‘Surprisingly it’s fairly maintenance free because the plants more or less look after themselves. We have a brilliant microclimate for growing plants like these here in Torquay.
‘In Victorian times wealthy British people used to come here in the winter to try and enjoy some decent weather. The house itself is absolutely immaculate with a very foreign feel to it, you could be anywhere from the Caribbean to Indonesia.
‘The location in the middle of Torquay is highly desirable. You can be at the harbour in five minutes and the property is a five minute walk from Torquay’s picturesque harbourside.’