Magdalen Road, Exeter(Image: DevonLive)

Exeter's million-pound neighbourhood attracting TV’s biggest stars

by · DevonLive

A famous neighbourhood that is arguably the poshest in Exeter has attracted another celebrity resident into its ranks.

Comedian Josh Widdicombe recently snapped up a house in the St Leonards area of the city, where several dream properties are currently on the market.

The Last Leg star is thought to have bought the home formerly owned by Deal or No Deal presenter, Noel Edmonds.

Speaking on his podcast Parenting Hell, Widdicombe confirmed his move to Exeter and said: "Just to be clear, it isn’t in Crinkley Bottom – it isn’t the house we used to see on Saturday nights on the TV."

The fictional mansion he referred to featured in the 90s show 'Noel's House Party', hosted by Noel Edmonds alongside Mr Blobby.

His new neighbourhood is one Exeter's most desired addresses alongside leafy Pennsylvania near the University, with the Georgian and Regency properties priced into their millions. Wetherspoon founder Tim Martin has also dwelled there.

One of the most expensive houses sold in Devon in March 2018 was also in this area, and was once lived in by controversial former reality star Katie Hopkins.

Other notable St Leonards present and past residents include BBC presenter Juliet Morris and Dominic Wood of Dick and Dom.

Exclusive properties on the market there currently include:

  1. Mount Radford Crescent, marketed by Stags, listed at a guide price of £2,950,000.
  2. St Leonards Place, marketed by Knight Frank, listed at a guide price of £2,750,000.
  3. Baring Crescent, on the market with Strutt and Parker, listed at £1,550,000.
  4. 40 Wonford Road, being sold with Wilkinson Grant and Co, listed at a guide price of £1,500,000.
  5. Marlborough Road, with estate agents Wilkinson Grant and Co, listed at a guide price of £1,200,000.

The newest listing on Rightmove is a seven-bedroom Regency-style villa, which only went on the market last week. Knight Frank Exeter, which is marketing the property for a cool £2.75m, describes St Leonards as "Exeter’s most prestigious and popular residential area".

Its listing states: "[It is] known for its quiet tree-lined paths and avenues fronted by elegant Georgian villas and Victorian and Edwardian town houses, yet still on the doorstep of the city centre. Nearby is the Magdalen Road shopping parade with independent shops, delicatessen, butcher, fishmonger, bakeries and pub and close by is a Waitrose store.

"There is a good choice of both state and private schools, including St Leonard’s Primary School, Exeter School, Maynard School for Girls and Exeter College. The city is also home to one of the UK’s top universities."

Wilkinson Grant & Co agency also describe the neighbourhood as "one of Exeter’s most prestigious locations" and say it is "highly sought-after".

The area sits in between the city centre and the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital. Magdalen Road is the jewel in its crown, with Portal Pizza, Stage, Common Beaver, Bon Gout and Calvo Loco just a handful of businesses serving up delicious food and drink.

It is also situated closely to Exeter Quayside and the River Exe, offering a range of cycling, walking and there's also a Waitrose a stone's throw away on Heavitree Road.

Scroll down to see inside three of the most expensive properties on the market in St Leonards right now:

Property at Mount Radford Crescent, St Leonards, Exeter listed at a guide price of £2,950,000(Image: Stags)
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The modern living space inside Mount Radford Crescent(Image: Stags)
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Property on Baring Crescent in St Leonards, Exeter, listed at a guide price of £1,550,000(Image: Strutt & Parker)
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The spacious but cosy interior inside Baring Crescent(Image: Strutt & Parker)
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