2 Bed Houses To Rent in Exbourne, West Devon

Exbourne’s sales market gives a useful read on local rents. Recent data from homedata.co.uk and home.co.uk puts the average sold house price over the last year at £303,317. That is 32% lower than the previous year and 42% below the 2008 peak of £525,667. For renters, that sort of correction can matter, because landlords often adjust asking rents as values and yields shift.

On Exbourne street, sale prices vary a lot by tenure and size. A 2-bedroom leasehold flat might sell for around £134,515, while larger family homes command far more, with 5-bedroom freehold houses reaching approximately £920,151. Those sale values give renters a clue to the rental market, as landlords usually look at capital values, yields, and local demand when setting rents. The village has a mix of property sizes, so it can suit singles, couples, and families alike.

Interest in Exbourne properties has stayed steady, with prices on Exbourne street falling by an average of 3.7% since the last recorded sale in April 2025. That points to a market that is fairly stable, but still price-sensitive, which may suit tenants looking for sensible rents in a much sought-after village setting. For renters, keeping an eye on these wider conditions can help when judging tenancy terms or deciding whether asking rents offer good value in this part of West Devon.

Exbourne is a traditional Devon village, full of rural character and set among attractive countryside. At its centre is St Mary, the historic church, a Grade II* listed building with fabric dating from the 14th century. Along the High Street, historic buildings are clustered together, including many Grade II listed cottages and farmhouses, which gives the village a pleasing appearance that has been carefully kept over generations.

Historic character still shapes the village, helped by conservation area status and the many listed buildings that protect its architectural heritage. Places such as Elm House, Fir House, Glebe House, and Higher Woodhall are part of the traditional building stock that defines Exbourne’s look. Jacobstowe Bridge nearby adds to the old infrastructure people use every day, and the K6 telephone kiosk outside the former post office is a small but telling reminder of the village past.

Residents keep a strong community spirit going, with local events through the year making Exbourne feel welcoming for anyone moving into rural Devon. The village is designated as a Conservation Area, so its historic character and architectural heritage remain well protected. Neighbours tend to know one another, and the calendar of local traditions brings people together year after year. Okehampton is close by, which means extra amenities, shops, and services are within easy reach.

Families moving to Exbourne will find primary education available in the surrounding area, with schools serving both the village and nearby parishes. The local primary school in Exbourne itself offers younger children an intimate learning environment within the village community. For secondary education, pupils usually travel to schools in nearby towns, and Okehampton has several options, including Okehampton College, a comprehensive secondary school serving a wide catchment area across West Devon.

Okehampton College is the main secondary option for children from Exbourne, teaching students aged 11 to 18 across a catchment that reaches well beyond the town itself. It offers a range of GCSE and A-Level courses, backed by modern facilities and dedicated teaching staff. Other secondary schools in Okehampton give families further choice too, including faith schools and schools with specific specialisms.

For households in Exbourne, school transport is an important part of renting in a rural location, and many families rely on bus services to get children to schools outside the village. Travel times and costs need factoring in, especially for secondary school pupils who may have longer journeys. For older children, sixth form provision is available at Okehampton College and at further education colleges in the region, so there are clear routes on once secondary school is finished.

Road links and the nearby A30 shape most journeys from Exbourne, with Okehampton acting as the main public transport hub in North West Devon. The village connects into local roads that lead to the A30 trunk road, giving access to Exeter to the east and Cornwall to the west. For commuters heading to Exeter or other larger towns, the drive usually takes around 30-40 minutes to Exeter, so day commuting is possible for those with flexible working arrangements or hybrid work patterns. In practice, a car is generally regarded as essential for daily commuting and for reaching everyday amenities.

Exeter is home to the nearest railway station, with regular services to major destinations including London Paddington, Bristol, and Plymouth. Exeter St Davids and Exeter Central give good rail connections to the national network, and the journey to London Paddington takes around two hours. Okehampton railway station has reopened in recent years, adding another link for local residents and making the wider rail network easier to reach. That restored service has improved access for West Devon residents, so occasional rail travel is now more straightforward.

Bus services run between Exbourne and the surrounding villages, although they are much less frequent than in urban areas, so planning ahead matters for anyone relying on public transport. The routes mainly cover weekday commuting and school travel, while weekend services are particularly sparse. Cycling is popular for short local trips, and the Devon countryside offers scenic routes for leisure rides and longer journeys where practical. For many residents, the best arrangement is a car for day-to-day needs and occasional public transport for specific trips.

Living in Exbourne brings a few specific considerations that are different from urban renting. Homes in conservation areas often come with restrictions on alterations, so if we want to decorate or make changes, it is best to discuss that with the landlord before signing. Many properties are old enough to use traditional building techniques such as cob walls, which need different maintenance approaches, and we should ask about the condition of thatched roofs and period features. Understanding those quirks helps us choose a home that fits our lifestyle.

Flood risk is worth checking, since Exbourne sits between the River Okement and Hole Brook. The village has not seen significant flooding in recent years, but asking about any history of water ingress or drainage problems is sensible, especially for ground floor properties. The rural setting also means broadband speeds and mobile phone coverage should be checked before we commit, as both can vary widely across West Devon. Homes with large gardens may also carry maintenance duties that need clarifying in the tenancy agreement.

Most of Exbourne’s housing stock dates from the pre-Victorian period, and many cottages are built from locally sourced cob and stone materials. That kind of construction brings plenty of character, but it can also mean single-glazed windows, solid walls without cavity insulation, and heating systems that are different from modern standards. When viewing, ask about the age of the central heating system, the type of insulation installed, and any recent renovations that may have improved the thermal efficiency of older buildings. These details can have a real effect on ongoing utility costs, especially where heating an older house is more expensive than in modern construction.

Keeping the full costs of renting in mind helps us budget properly for a move to Exbourne. The deposit is usually capped at five weeks rent for properties with annual rent below £50,000, and it is held in a government-approved deposit protection scheme throughout the tenancy. We also pay the first month rent upfront before moving in, and together those two sums create a significant initial outlay that needs planning for well ahead of time.

Extra fees can include referencing checks, which confirm identity, credit history, and employment status. Some letting agents still charge administration fees, although these have been largely removed for standard tenancies following recent legislation. First-time renters may qualify for relief on certain fees under government schemes. It is also sensible to set aside money for moving costs, furniture if the property is unfurnished, and initial utility setup costs.

Older rural homes can carry higher heating costs, especially where there is solid wall construction or thatched roofs, so ongoing utility costs must be part of the true monthly rental budget. Properties in Exbourne are usually older constructions without modern insulation standards, which means winter heating bills can be higher than expected. If available, ask the landlord for recent utility bills, and check the EPC rating before committing so we understand the energy efficiency of the property we are considering renting.