Celebrity bolthole in rural Devon owned by Joan Rivers’ make-up artist goes on sale for £3.95million

A picturesque home in rural Devon owned by comedian Joan Rivers’ close friend and make-up artist Martin Fletcher has gone on the market for £3.95million.

The 16th century period property and its outbuildings, listed with Knight Frank, has been a celebrity bolthole for nearly 20 years since Mr Fletcher took ownership in 2002. 

The make-up artist told FEMAIL how the privacy offered by the property was a huge draw for stars including Sheila Hancock and Rivers, who would pop down to stay while on her tours of the UK.

Almost like a hamlet in itself, the main house and its four converted outbuildings are nestled in a peaceful valley in the heart of Dartmoor National Park, giving residents and guests ultimate seclusion. 

It’s surrounded by over 70 acres of land made up of ancient woodland, pasture, a stream, two lakes and tranquil waterfalls. There’s also a serene swimming pool and pool house, a tennis court and immaculately kept gardens.

A picturesque home in rural Devon owned by comedian Joan Rivers’ close friend and make-up artist Martin Fletcher has gone on the market for £3.95million

The 16th century period property and its outbuildings, pictured, has been a celebrity bolthole for nearly 20 years since Mr Fletcher took ownership in 2002

The 16th century period property and its outbuildings, pictured, has been a celebrity bolthole for nearly 20 years since Mr Fletcher took ownership in 2002

Speaking to FEMAIL, Mr Fletcher said Joan, who died in 2014 aged 81, would add shows in Bristol and Torquay to her UK tours purely so she could spend a few extra days at the rural retreat.

‘The joy about this place is it’s an absolute oasis of shelter,’ he explained. ‘We used to say, “No photographs, no eyelashes” so she could just be herself. It’s a great re-charging place.

‘It was a place that was private enough that there wasn’t any paparazzi to get any pictures, so she and other people could just walk around freely from prying eyes, which I think is a great joy these days.

‘Sheila Hancock would also come down here from London. She could do everything but write there, but she bolted herself away in one of the cottages where all she could do was write and finally finished the first draft of her book.’  

Martin described the estate as an 'oasis of shelter' where celebrities could escape the lenses of the paparazzi. Pictured: the pool and pool house

Martin described the estate as an ‘oasis of shelter’ where celebrities could escape the lenses of the paparazzi. Pictured: the pool and pool house

Make-up artist Martin Fletcher said his friend Joan Rivers, pictured together in 2010, would add shows in Bristol and Torquay to her UK tours purely so she could spend a few extra days at the rural retreat

Make-up artist Martin Fletcher said his friend Joan Rivers, pictured together in 2010, would add shows in Bristol and Torquay to her UK tours purely so she could spend a few extra days at the rural retreat

Sheila Hancock used one of the thatched cottages (pictured) to finish writing her book, having been too distracted in London

Sheila Hancock used one of the thatched cottages (pictured) to finish writing her book, having been too distracted in London

Discreetly positioned at the end of a long private drive accessed via an electric gate, Higher Combe’s main residence is a striking Devon longhouse.

Its grand entrance hall boasts granite floors and a hand-hewn granite circular staircase leading to the galleried landing above, complete with a granite and oak balustrade.

The impressive open-plan kitchen and dining room forms the heart of the home, characterised by oak floors and a beamed ceiling.

The windows offer spectacular views across the valley, while the kitchen itself is fitted with the latest appliances and boasts a modern central island. 

There’s also a cosy snug kitted out with a concealed TV which rises from an alcove below the bookshelf and cleverly designed built-in speakers which look like pictures on the wall. 

The main home's grand entrance hall boasts granite floors and a hand-hewn granite circular staircase leading to the galleried landing above, complete with a granite and oak balustrade

The main home’s grand entrance hall boasts granite floors and a hand-hewn granite circular staircase leading to the galleried landing above, complete with a granite and oak balustrade

The impressive open-plan kitchen and dining room forms the heart of the home, characterised by oak floors and a beamed ceiling

The impressive open-plan kitchen and dining room forms the heart of the home, characterised by oak floors and a beamed ceiling

The kitchen boasts stunning views across the valley and is fitted with the latest appliances and boasts a modern central island

The kitchen boasts stunning views across the valley and is fitted with the latest appliances and boasts a modern central island

The grand sitting room (pictured) features an oak panelled ceiling which emphasises the period of the 16th century property

The grand sitting room (pictured) features an oak panelled ceiling which emphasises the period of the 16th century property

There's also a cosy snug kitted out with a concealed TV which rises from an alcove below the bookshelf and cleverly designed built-in speakers which look like pictures on the wall

There’s also a cosy snug kitted out with a concealed TV which rises from an alcove below the bookshelf and cleverly designed built-in speakers which look like pictures on the wall 

Stairs from the snug lead to the main guest bedroom, which boasts an en suite, while upstairs there is a drawing room with a wood burner in the fireplace which doubles up as a screening room thanks to its projector and screen – making it ideal for entertaining.

The master bedroom features an enviable dressing room area and a gorgeous en suite bathroom with teak bath and basins.   

A gym is also situated on the first floor, along with an en suite bathroom, and to the rear of the house is a music room leading to a concealed wine cellar, built into the granite bank.

There is fitted racking for 1,200 bottles and it provides an even temperature throughout the year. 

The bedrooms - one of which is pictured - are all spacious and offer an enviable view of the stunning surrounding Devonshire countryside

The bedrooms – one of which is pictured – are all spacious and offer an enviable view of the stunning surrounding Devonshire countryside

The master bedroom features an enviable walk-in wardrobe-come- dressing room area (pictured) and a cosy modern fireplace

The master bedroom features an enviable walk-in wardrobe-come- dressing room area (pictured) and a cosy modern fireplace

The impressive en suite bathroom (pictured) features an unusual teak bath and basins and a rain shower with teak panelling

The impressive en suite bathroom (pictured) features an unusual teak bath and basins and a rain shower with teak panelling

The house is perfectly geared towards working from home, with an office complex next to an additional couple of bedrooms.  

The home itself is incredibly energy efficient; during its refurbishment Mr Fletcher fitted a biomass boiler that runs on wood chippings which he sources from the estate.

In the grounds is a picturesque Grade II listed thatched cottage which features an open-plan kitchen and dining room, a sitting room and a master bedroom with an en suite.

The home itself is incredibly energy efficient; during its refurbishment Mr Fletcher fitted a biomass boiler that runs on wood chippings which he sources from the estate. Pictured: the view from the pool house

The home itself is incredibly energy efficient; during its refurbishment Mr Fletcher fitted a biomass boiler that runs on wood chippings which he sources from the estate. Pictured: the view from the pool house

In the grounds is a picturesque Grade II listed thatched cottage which features an open-plan kitchen and dining room, a sitting room and a master bedroom (pictured) with an en suite

In the grounds is a picturesque Grade II listed thatched cottage which features an open-plan kitchen and dining room, a sitting room and a master bedroom (pictured) with an en suite

The terrace which belongs to one of the thatched cottages, which provide excellent ancillary accommodation for staff or guests

The terrace which belongs to one of the thatched cottages, which provide excellent ancillary accommodation for staff or guests

Asked why he is selling, Mr Fletcher said it feels like the right time to move on and let someone else enjoy the beautiful home, adding that four properties and 70 acres is 'a bit indulgent for one person'. Pictured: the view of the home from beside one of the two lakes

Asked why he is selling, Mr Fletcher said it feels like the right time to move on and let someone else enjoy the beautiful home, adding that four properties and 70 acres is ‘a bit indulgent for one person’. Pictured: the view of the home from beside one of the two lakes

There’s also an additional bedroom and separate bathroom, as well as a terrace and garden offering views of the valley. 

The property’s old stables have also been converted into additional accommodation which overlooks the swimming pool and pool house. 

Asked why he is selling, Mr Fletcher said it feels like the right time to move on and let someone else enjoy the beautiful home, adding that four properties and 70 acres is ‘a bit indulgent for one person’. 

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