Devon - Romantic Isolation

South Hams - South Devon

The South Hams is a relatively unknown part of Devon that has remained one of the quietest parts of the South Devon coast. Yet it is fabulous walking country, with a string of beautiful beaches all sporting top awards. If you are looking for quiet beaches & coves, hidden haunts and romantic isolation, then look no further.


Much of the coast is owned by the National Trust and is sprinkled with small rivers and estuaries, many with a maze of tidal inlets fed by small streams. Beaches that must be visited include the beautiful Blackpool Sands beach, near Dartmouth and Bigbury-on-Sea with its famous sea-tractor over the causeway to Burgh Island and Agatha Christie connections (Evil under the Sun was written while she stayed at the hotel and was based on the island).

If surfing is more your style, then go to Bantham beach, just across the river from Bigbury, which is the best surfing beach in South Devon.Just a bit further west along the coast and you will have views across the Plymouth Sound. With the Naval dockyards based here, your view across the Sound will inevitably be enlivened by warships at anchor or on the move, with the huge breakwater on the horizon.

If you want a bit more civilisation, then there are the nearby towns of Kingsbridge, Dartmouth and Salcombe to explore. Kingsbridge is at the head of the estuary and is generally thought of as the  capital  of the South Hams. It is a lovely town with many interesting shops, pubs, cafes and even a cinema!

Dartmouth is made up of a mesh of narrow lanes, stairways and corridors, with plenty of Elizabethan streetscapes, making it is must-see for anyone visiting this part of Devon. The town has a reputation for good food, antiques and local arts & crafts. The natural deep water harbour has been the driving force behind the town's history as a port and military centre. The magnificent Britannia Naval College sits up the hill overlooking the town, and is now open to the public, while Dartmouth Castle protects the mouth to the estuary.

Salcombe is a beautiful place, with tiny streets, interesting shops and pubs and many large yachts moored in the estuary to admire!The cottages at Carswell Farm Cottages are dotted around our working organic dairy farm, set in unspoilt countryside on the stunning South Devon coast. The cottages are just a few minutes walk from the coast and are ideally situated to explore this beautiful part of Devon.
Katherine Harding, Carswell Farm Cottages©

Welcombe North Devon/Cornwall

Don’t tell a soul!

Welcombe is a little known jewel in Devon, a county renowned for its treasures. The village is a truly rural retreat on the North Coast sitting right on the Devon/ Cornwall border.

It is set in the heart of an area of outstanding natural beauty and the Marsland Valley is an SSSI (site of special scientific interest). When you visit this unspoiled village you will understand why it has achieved these accolades as the scenery and wildlife are exceptional. Over 70 different species of birds have been recorded in a 3km radius of Berry Park, which is the accommodation most people chose when staying in Welcombe.

There is a wealth of footpaths through the wooded valleys and along the cliff tops so there is plenty of opportunity to appreciate the wild flowers which are in such profusion especially in the springtime. The rugged beach has recently been acquired by the National Trust and is a favourite spot for surfing, rock pooling and building sandcastles at low tide.

Despite its rural setting the village has a thatched real ale pub which serves excellent food so there is a choice of places to eat out as Berry Park also has a small restaurant for residents.

There is a well stocked community village shop run by volunteers. Welcombe’s location makes it ideal for exploring both counties and local attractions include the picturesque village of Clovelly, RHS gardens at Rosemoor, the sandy North Cornwall beaches, “The Big Sheep” and “The Milky Way”.

The Eden Project is only an hour and a quarter’s drive away. Trips to the island of Lundy on the Jessica Hettie can also arranged by Mike & Val, your hosts at Berry Park.
Val Jenner, Berry Park©
Listed in Cottage Holidays

North Devon - a Hidden Gem!

My husband is a Devon boy, but from the south and little did I know about the great north south Devon differences. North Devon is a hidden gem, it has absolutely stunning coastal walks and the views & sunsets are out of this world.

Our cottages are set in a wooded valley and surrounded by lovely Devon countryside. The wildlife in our gardens is enough to keep you relaxed, just look out for our Jay family, the Sparrow Hawk, Woodpeckers, Goldfinches, Nuthatches, Blue Tits, friendly Robins, Jackdaws, Blackbirds and our resident squirrels and foxes. Buzzards often soar over the cottages and Egrets have recently visited the Castle pond near the cottages.

Watermouth Cove is a rural seaside idyll, our cottages are beside Watermouth Castle and just a 200 yard walk will take you to the sea and the south west coastal path. The sunsets are magnificent so there is no need to spend loads on entertainment.

The cottages are within a mile of beautiful Berrynarbor village and a short drive of Combe Martin & Ilfracombe with their beaches, pubs and restaurants. Our cottages are ideally situated for a wide range of local attractions and activities to suit all ages.

These include Watermouth Castle, Combe Martin Wildlife & Dinosaur Park, Exmoor Zoo, Exmoor National Park, Valley of the Rocks, Lynton & Barnstaple (Woody Bay) railway, Arlington Court, Chambercombe Manor, RHS Rosemoor, Marwood and Broomhill gardens. Local activities include sea and course fishing, North Devon coastal path walks, Horse riding, Golf, Boating and Wild Life Cruises, Surfing, Diving and Beach activities, Quad bikes or simply just chilling out.

Nearby are the magnificent sandy surfing beaches of Woolacombe, Saunton Sands and Croyde bay. You are on the doorstep of the Exmoor national park and Lorna Doone country with its unique wild beauty and variety of flora and fauna.

Exmoor is also famous for its wild ponies, Red Deer and birds of prey Lundy Island is just off the North Devon coast and can reached on a boat trip on the MS Oldenburg from historic Ilfracombe harbour. Lund-ey which is Norse for Puffin Island is a place of outstanding natural beauty and a nature reserve for seals, seabird and all types of marine life. Spectacular wildlife, coastal cruises and fishing boats trips depart daily from Ilfracombe.

From the North Devon coast it is just over an hour's drive to resorts such as Bude, Minehead, Dunster and Torquay and less than two hours drive to Cornwall's Eden Project and The Lost Gardens of Heligan. North Devon is for Singles, couples, families, groups, and it’s such a dog friendly beautiful destination.

What are you waiting for…………………?

Authors: Clare & Steve Mountain
Watermouth Cove Cottages