Beach End
Dittisham, Devon

Sleeps: 12
First letting through The Travel Chapter: 2019

Patrick and Susie live and work in Australia with their daughter and son. The family visits England each summer to spend time out on the water in boats of all different kinds. Their base is the property that has been in Patrick’s family for 50 years, Beach End in Dittisham, Devon.

Situated right on the water’s edge on the River Dart, Beach End enjoys a prime location on arguably the most beautiful estuary in the South West of England. Patrick’s parents, who bought the property in the late 1960s as a holiday retreat, were drawn to South Devon, and Dittisham in particular, “by its wonderful location and access to the river and the sea for boating and all the attractions of the South Hams and Dartmoor.”

When Patrick and Susie took Beach End on, it was “significantly dilapidated”. They decided to take the plunge and, after what Patrick describes as, “extensive refurbishment”, they placed the property on the holiday letting market to cover costs.

“It was either sort it out or sell up and let someone else do so. We chose the former.”

The location could hardly be better for a holiday let, with much of the South Hams (the corner of Devon between Plymouth and Dartmouth) designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Beach End is on the River Dart, at the eastern end of one of England’s most beautiful stretches of coastline. The river is an idyllic water sports playground, offering everything from sailing and kayaking to paddle boarding and motorboat trips. Nearby beaches, include the ‘Blue Flag’ Blackpool Sands, and the property is close to the pretty, historic town of Dartmouth with its traditional streets and a castle. Dartmoor is also nearby. 

The property’s position makes it ideal for guests seeking tranquillity within a popular village.

“Its position on the water is a key attraction, being part of the village but also separated from it - especially when the tide comes in and cuts off access along the foreshore, providing a sense of peace and isolation.” 

However, while visitors certainly value seclusion, they also want to be within easy reach of food and drink. Beach End delivers here, with a traditional village pub and an excellent seafood restaurant a short walk away.

The property itself has been refurbished to a ‘five-star’ standard, incorporating many traditional cottage-style features. As well as multiple bathrooms and a luxuriously equipped kitchen, extras such as a wet room and shower for guests coming straight off the beach add to the guests’ convenience and comfort. Beach End also makes the most of the panoramic river views around it, from sitting and dining areas as well as bedrooms, with balconies and patios enabling guests to enjoy an al fresco holiday.  

Sleeping up to 12 people, Beach End meets the growing demand for multi-generational family holidays, as well as two or three different families wanting to share the same accommodation. Dogs are welcome as well, which is also vital for owners seeking to maximise the number of weeks for which properties are let. 

Achieving high occupancy and good letting rates is obviously a priority. While the couple’s approach is to “maintain the property to a very high standard," being 10,000 miles away most of the year means they rely on The Travel Chapter to market the property as effectively as possible. While it is still early days, Patrick and Susie are very happy with how things are going. 

“The Travel Chapter? So far, so good!”

The financial benefits of holiday letting are, of course, paramount, but in common with many owners they also take great pleasure in, “the evident enjoyment others get from a property that is truly special to our family.”

If they were to offer any tips to anybody thinking of putting a property on the holiday market, top of the list would be to, “Seek as much advice as you can find from those already in the business.” They also warn owners not to underestimate the effort involved, and very importantly to “be realistic about the maths.”

Looking forward, Patrick and Susie intend to continue with the current arrangements for the foreseeable future, sharing their unique home with visitors lucky enough to spend time at Beach End.