Above: 13842 Westcot, Sennen - sleeps 4.

Colourful gardens amidst acres of farmland – just a mile from South Devon’s golden sands . . ."

Just a mile inland from the beach and sea at Man Sands, these five cottages enjoy a gloriously secluded rural situation on a 47-acre working farm, yet are convenient for the delights of picturesque Kingswear (1½ miles) and historic Dartmouth. Imaginatively formed within a charming group of barns, they are set in superb landscaped shared gardens. An indoor heated swimming-pool and a sauna have been created in a separate building, and a further barn offers facilities for table tennis, pool table, ‘fun’ netball and badminton. A spacious play area within a walled garden is equipped with swings, a sand pit, adventure playground, large outdoor trampoline (with safety netting), a large lawned area with raised decking, complete with garden furniture and views over the surrounding countryside; and here there is also an indoor playroom with ball pool, climbing frame and a range of children’s ride-on tractors and cars for outdoor use. The gardens are a riot of colour, with flower beds, tubs, hanging baskets and an intriguing network of brick paths, courtyards and paved terraces. Further afield the estate includes a well-stocked one-acre fishing lake (rods not supplied). Children are welcome to help feed the animals; and there are goats, ponies, kune kune pigs, sheep, lambs, rabbits and guinea pigs to make friends with. The taste of rural life at Nethway continues with walks through the fields.
The cottages themselves have been meticulously converted, with careful use of traditional stone and slate. All are tastefully furnished and decorated throughout, and comprehensively equipped (including automatic washing machine/tumble dryer, microwave, dishwasher and fridge/freezer). All of the properties have their own patios with furniture (Hyssop and Lovage Cottages have their own lawned garden), and all enjoy shared use of a separate barbecue area. They are ideal for holidays at any time of the year – all properties are cosily heated throughout and this region is especially beautiful in the quieter off-season months. For Christmas and New Year holidays, each cottage has a festively decorated Christmas tree and the roaring log fires in all living rooms are ideal for the Autumn and Winter months. This peninsula is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is renowned for its coastline, which offers glorious coastal walks and a choice of footpaths leading to secluded beaches. The village of Kingswear itself is set on the Dart estuary opposite Dartmouth – which can be reached via ferry. Here you will find a wealth of things to do, including the Kingswear–Paignton steam railway, Paignton Zoo and Woodlands Leisure Park, to name but a few, and many Blue Flag beaches and hidden coves are within easy reach. Coleton Fishacre (NT) is 1 mile away. Torquay, Brixham and Paignton offer a bustling array of seaside attractions and are within easy driving distance. Dittisham and Totnes make excellent river excursions from Dartmouth, and Dartmoor is only 45 minutes by car. Golf, sailing and riding can all be enjoyed locally and the nearby coastline boasts a choice of excellent surfing beaches. Shops 1½ miles.

A spacious family holiday property located above the pretty River Yealm estuary in the unspoilt twin fishing villages of Newton Ferrers and Noss Mayo, an AONB. From the large living room, patio doors lead out on to a spacious decked balcony overlooking the river - ideal for al fresco dining or enjoying a glass of wine. The games room on the lower ground floor is great for entertaining the children. Two nearby waterside inns offer tasty food and real ales. Superb coastal walks start from the doorstep and an excellent sandy beach is 4 miles away.

Enjoying far-reaching countryside views, with the sea in the distance, this superb detached house stands close to Ugborough Beacon on Dartmoor National Park, and just 8 miles from Wembury marine conservation area. Suitable for a romantic weekend and ideal for walkers, the Two Moors Way walk is just 200 yards away, and there are magnificent coastal walks along the South Devon Coastal Path, with Mothecombe beach lying 6 miles distant. Guided walks for all abilities are available. Leisure facilities, train station at Ivybridge, (approx 1 mile), Saltram House nearby. Eden Project, 1¼ hours’ drive. Golf, fishing and bird-watching locally. Shops 1 mile.

A good sized Edwardian, semi-detached house set in a quiet street close to the St Marychurch and Babbacombe area of Torquay. This property is located in the perfect spot if both seaside and countryside are desired. The area of Babbacombe and St Marychurch is a wonderful place to stay for a holiday, very popular with holidaymakers looking for a quieter seaside holiday. Those visitors with children will find many attractions in the local vicinity such as the Model Village (200 yards), and the area is great for breaks out of season for glorious coastal walks. Its location is in a quieter part of the Torbay region.

The beautiful Babbacombe Downs cliff top (500 yards) is the highest promenade in the country and is part of the South West Coast Path walk. On a clear day you can enjoy breathtaking views of Lyme Bay as far as Portland Bill in Dorset, almost 80 miles away by road. Take a fantastic 240ft journey down to Oddicombe Beach on the Babbacombe Cliff Railway, which has been operating since 1926. Shops 100 yards, pubs 150 yards.

With so much to offer, this stunning property makes a superb holiday base for a large family - not just for the summer holidays, but for celebrating special occasions throughout the year. Set in a striking location off a quiet country lane with uninterrupted sea views, spacious Cliff Lodge boasts extensive accommodation and superb leisure facilities. Most of the bedrooms are en-suite and have panoramic sea views stretching far across the water - and on a fine day, Lyme Bay and Portland can be clearly seen. Boasting an indoor heated swimming pool, together with a pine sauna and shower room, there is also an outdoor 8-seater hot tub set on the decked area to the side of the swimming pool for guests to enjoy. Other features of the property include a purpose-built detached games room which contains a full-size snooker table, sofas, 50in plasma screen TV, jukebox and bar facilities. This is a great area where teenagers can amuse themselves, or where the whole family can spend time and have fun together - with the bar stocked up, and the jukebox turned on, whole evenings can be whiled away happily. A good-sized, well-stocked garden and an additional one acre of fields provide excellent outside areas for children to play in.
For a day by the sea, Maidencombe Beach is ½ mile away - a delightful little cove surrounded by red sandstone cliffs, with a sand and shingle beach. Set in an unspoilt coastal hamlet, this location offers magnificent coastal walks and panoramic views. Torquay town centre is only 4 miles away, offering plenty of shops, pubs and restaurants. The South West Coast path from Watcombe in Torquay to Maidencombe is a favourite spot for local walkers. This walk has a little bit of everything - from woods and open fields, to beaches and coastal scenery and rare wildlife. Two of the English Riviera’s top attractions can be found in nearby Babbacombe: Bygones Victorian Street and Babbacombe Model Village. Cliff Lodge lies just 22 miles from Exeter city centre. Shops 1 miles, local pub 1 mile. Michelin star restaurant just 5 minutes’ walk away.

With magnificent views of the sea from most of its rooms, this spacious detached modern villa is set in 2 acres of steep, private woodland just 2 minutes from Meadfoot’s Blue Flag beach. Immediately opposite The Beach House is the beautiful Ilsham Valley with acres of well kept grassland flanked by wooded hills with abundant wildlife and coastal walks. Furnished to a high standard, with many antiques, it offers both space and comfort, with every facility for an enjoyable holiday. The living room has a gas ‘log-effect’ fire in an antique surround, and the large dining room has French doors opening on to a patio with barbecue. A well-equipped, farmhouse-style kitchen leads to an outdoor hot tub, a splendid way to relax at the end of the day. All four bedrooms enjoy en-suite facilities and satellite TV, and there is also a games room with pool table. The master bedroom boasts a magnificent antique four-poster bed, with views of the sea – a heavenly way to start the day.
From this delightful spot it is only five minutes to Kent’s Caverns limestone caves and Torquay town centre. All the attractions of the ‘English Riviera’ are on the doorstep, including sandy beaches, rocky cliffs and plenty of exotic greenery and palm trees, which flourish in the mild climate. Close by are Babbacombe’s model village and Paignton Zoo. From here the Paignton and Dartmouth Railway (steam) runs along the coast to Kingswear, opposite Dartmouth. Away from the coast there are plenty of places to visit, including the picturesque town of Totnes with some fine 16th-century buildings, while just a little further is the wild expanse of Dartmoor. Shop 600 yards.