An historic property which once belonged to an inventor who helped design the diving bell has gone on the market for £1.5million . Willmead in Bovey Tracey , Devon was once home to the Reverend William Davy who was instrumental in the development of the underwater contraption - the forerunner of today 's submarine . Rev Davy invented key components of the diving bell as part of moves to raise the guns and other lost property from shipwrecks such as the Royal George , which sank near Portsmouth in 1782 . Willmead ( pictured ) in Bovey Tracey , Devon was once home to the Reverend William Davy who was instrumental in the development of the diving bell . Rev Davy ( pictured ) invented key components of the contraption while he was living at the property . Willmead is set in a stunning area of countryside at Bovey Tracey in south Devon ( shown in the map ) Although his was not the first diving bell , his improvements to the air supply improved the design . As a boy Rev Davy watched the construction of a Devon mill , which he replicated in a wooden model , with working parts . When the mill workmen encountered a difficulty and the mill stopped , it was the eight-year-old William who was able to point out the defect and get the machinery working again . Plush : The building once belonging to the inventor features luxury interiors and is now on the market for £1.5million . Comfort : The property has four bedrooms as well as a dining room , snug and study area . After being educated at Exeter Grammar School and Balliol College , Oxford , Rev Davy embarked on a major project on the origin of the Christian Faith . After being educated at Exeter Grammar School and Balliol College , Oxford , he embarked on a major project on the origin of the Christian Faith . His 12 volume work , A General System of Theology , was to be one of his major life ’ s works . In fact he was such a prolific author that it was a practical measure to build his own printing press . He married Sarah Gilbert of Longabrook near Kingsbridge . When he lived at Willmead , he also concentrated his energies on the gardens ( pictured ) , moving granite boulders , arranging terraces among the rocks , and forming an exotic herbacious garden . The Grade II listed property is set in stunning countryside close to Newton Abbot in Devon . Rev Davy was educated at Exeter Grammar School in Devon before moving on to Balliol College , Oxford . Pictured is an image of the interior of the house . Rev Davy was a prolific author and even built his own printing press . The kitchen of Willmead is pictured above . Over his long career he applied his preaching style to the parishes of Mortonhamptead , Drewsteignton , Lustleigh and Winkleigh . When he lived at Willmead , he also concentrated his energies on the gardens , moving granite boulders , arranging terraces among the rocks , and forming an exotic herbacious garden with a collection of plants from around the world . The house is for sale with Strutt & Parker for £1.5 million .
located in Bovey Tracey , Devon once home to the Reverend William bell . He played key part in creation of diving bell forerunner of the submarine . His improvements to the water ##ways improved the design of the diving bell . The former bedroom country home has gone on the market for £ 1.5million .