Secluded holiday cottage with spectacular views

Take a break and relax in this peaceful space. The cottage is elevated and south-facing, with stunning views over the village to the countryside beyond. More than two hundred years old, it retains many original and charming features. In keeping with its heritage, it is simply furnished, providing a restful and welcoming sanctuary. Its location provides easy access both to the Devon and Cornwall coasts and to Dartmoor, making this is a perfect bolt hole for beach lovers, surfers and walkers. The cottage is a mews-style house, tucked away in a secluded position overlooking the ancient village of Ermington. Its location - just five miles from the spectacular coves and quiet beaches of the celebrated South Hams’ coastline and only four miles from the wilderness of Dartmoor – is perfect for making the very best of this outstandingly beautiful part of Devon. Though in a quiet location on the edge of Ermington, the cottage is within easy walking distance of the village shop & café; The Crooked Spire, a traditional pub, and The First and Last bistro/wine bar. The three-storey cottage is over 200 years old and, whilst it has recently had extensive refurbishment, traditional features, such as open, wooden stairs and wide plank wooden flooring, have been preserved. The top flight of stairs are quite steep, open on one side, with a sturdy handrail, but some visitors may find them challenging. The front door leads directly into the quarry-tiled sitting/dining room. There is a Smart TV with Freesat, fibre broadband and WiFi. In addition to central heating, there is a contemporary Swedish woodburner in this room, making it very welcoming for winter holidays. The kitchen is ingeniously arranged so that, despite its small size, it provides all the essentials: there is an electric oven and hob, a fridge with small freezing compartment, and a microwave. Access to the sitting space at the back of the cottage is via the kitchen. On the first floor there is a large single bedroom to the front, with beautiful countryside views, a full-sized single bed, armchair, window seat and chest of drawers. The family bathroom is also on this floor, facing the rear of the cottage. The spacious double bedroom on the top floor is the full size of the cottage: it is dual aspect with windows to the front – overlooking Ermington woods and the Flete Estate - and to the rear, looking out over our gravelled yard and beyond. There is a king-sized bed, window seat, chest of drawers and hanging space. Both bedrooms have their original wooden floorboards and have been furnished and decorated to promote a peaceful atmosphere conducive to sleep. If needed, we can provide a travel cot, which we can set up in either bedroom. There is a fenced, paved, south-facing garden to the front of the house whilst at the rear, there is another seating area alongside a stone outhouse. Gas central heating and the woodburner ensure that the cottage is cosy, even in midwinter. Internet access is excellent, making home working very manageable (though it would be really great if you could have a complete break from those duties). The cottage offers charming, comfortable and spacious accommodation for a wide range of guests; it is especially welcoming for couples and young families, with one or two children. Duvets, bed linen, pillows and towels are provided. Beach towels are not provided. All service costs are included. In common with many cottages in traditional Devon villages, the cottage does not have dedicated off-road parking. There are at least three spaces close by on the road just above the cottages, and some more spaces 100 yards further up the road, which are rarely used. There is more parking in the village square, 150yds down the road. The lane is very quiet so loading/unloading in the road is easy; if no space is available, simply unload, then move the car. We have owned and holidayed in the cottage for more than 20 years and the parking is usually no problem at all, though it can occasionally be frustrating. Ermington does not have many holiday lets, so it is sometimes quieter in high season, as residents go away. We live close by in the village of Holbeton and are happy to be contacted if you have any queries. Pubs and restaurants Within walking distance: The Crooked Spire: pub The First and Last: bistro and wine lounge The Plantation House Hotel and Restaurant Highly recommended Further afield: The Swan Inn and the Ship Inn at Noss Mayo are in beautiful locations alongside the creek. The Turtley Cornmill at Avonwick is set in a lovely and very spacious garden. All of these pubs are highly recommended – we visit them regularly (when permitted!). Booking is advisable in high season. Beaches Beautiful beaches at Mothecombe 5 miles, Bigbury 9 miles, Bantham 11 miles, Thurlestone 11 miles. The South West Coast Path links them all. Shops Ermington Store and More is excellent: it’s a shop, café and community hub, all within walking distance. The shop stocks a comprehensive range of food and household items, whilst the café serves teas, coffees, cakes, ice creams and sundaes, as well as tasty snacks and light bites. The nearest fuel garage is at Yealmpton (4 miles), where there is also a Londis mini supermarket. Yealmpton also has a Post Office, a village store and two popular pubs, The Rose and Crown and The Volunteer, both of which serve food. Just a little beyond Yealmpton, is Ben’s Farm Shop selling local organic meat, dairy and vegetables, wholefood, vegetarian and vegan supplies. There is also an excellent café open throughout the day. Continuing west, Plymouth, named as Britain’s Ocean City, is just 13 miles away, and easily accessed. Though often overlooked in the past, the city is enjoying a renaissance. It is difficult to describe its many and varied attractions succinctly but you might start with the National Marine Aquarium, Royal William Yard, the Barbican, the Mayflower Steps, a walk along the Hoe, a visit to The Box, or a dip in Tinside Lido. Ivybridge (3 miles) has a large Co-op, a newly refurbished Leisure Centre with swimming pool, many independent shops, cafés, and takeaways. It has three pharmacies, including a Boots and a Day Lewis. South Devon Tennis Centre, just outside Ivybridge, is open to visitors who can book to ‘Pay & Play’. South-east of Ermington, Modbury (3 miles) is a small and very pretty market town of independent food shops, pubs and cafés. There are several gift, vintage and bric-a-brac shops, a vibrant art gallery, and streets of fine architecture. Modbury also has an excellent small Co-op. To the north east, Totnes (13 miles), is just as a town should be. It has an intoxicating array of independent traders selling food, vintage clothing, books, art supplies, children’s clothes, vegan shoes, vinyl records…… the list goes on. A plethora of cafés, restaurants, food markets, bars, pubs, and takeaways cater for all tastes. There is a splendid market every Friday and Saturday whilst the smell of patchouli and dope is free on most warm days. Adjacent to Totnes is the Dartington Trust (14 miles), a centre for learning, arts, ecology and social justice. Here you will find The Barn Cinema, seasonal concerts, the Cider Press mini-village of independent shops, The White Hart Restaurant and Green Café, all set in beautiful gardens on a 1,200 acre estate. Driving in a rural area requires a very different approach from urban motoring. Many of the surrounding lanes , especially those to the beaches, are quite narrow, so be prepared for your journey to take longer and to require patience - you will have to slow down, give way to others and do some reversing! Visibility is sometimes restricted as the lanes are deep and winding. Parking is not always readily available at your destination, which can be very frustrating. Most lanes have no pavements, so you will meet pedestrians (and horses, cattle, sheep, dogs...) in the road. If you are driving over the moors, you will encounter horses, cattle and sheep which are free to roam - many are killed each year in motor accidents. Check-in 3pm onwards; check-out before 10am. One or two well-behaved pets are welcome; please confirm at time of booking. A travel cot is available on request.