Dreamy stone cottages, buildings steeped in history, and an ancient church denote your arrival at Branscombe, its leafy valley leading to Lyme Bay and a long sweep of shingles flanked by pretty beach huts. Follow the South West Coast Path to enjoy dramatic views along the Jurassic Coast – the fishing village of Beer is less than 3 miles to the east. For day trips further afield, Sidmouth, a lively seaside town steeped in royal and architectural history, is an 8-mile drive to the west, while Honiton, 9 miles north, is regarded as the antique capital of the South West.
Enjoy a taste of country life at this chocolate-box thatched cottage. There’s not a straight wall in sight, but this skilfully renovated retreat is full of traditional features, with low ceilings, exposed beams, window seats and inglenook fireplaces all helping towards a warm welcome. An entrance hallway accessed from the garden leads into the kitchen/diner, where Shaker-style cabinets complement all the home-from-home essentials. Cooks will love working their magic here, and everyone will want to linger in the adjacent dining area where a wood burner-effect electric fire inside an original inglenook fireplace will cast a warm glow over the after-dinner conversation. A renowned 14th-century inn is on the doorstep for great food and local ales, but the spacious sitting room has sink-into sofas and an impressive inglenook fireplace with a wood burner-effect electric fire for relaxing evenings at home. There’s a TV, DVD and iPod docking station to entertain here, too. For ultra-convenience, there’s a cosy bunk-bedded room on the ground floor along with a stylish shower room, while, upstairs, there’s a spacious family bathroom and three peaceful bedrooms: two with double beds and one with twins. Thick stone walls, well-dressed windows and thermostatically controlled electric heaters will ensure comfortable slumbers.
Gorgeous valley views surround the cottage, while a gated gravelled driveway and mature lawn garden offer guests a private space outdoors in which to unwind.