Fans of Devon’s Salcombe estuary will know the true value of finding a self-catering house for a big group so close to the heart of this popular seaside town. Old Sail Loft is a good-looking, pale yellow house with stunning views from all its rooms, only five minutes from the water. It has been newly renovated and is a perfect holiday home for a group of family or friends who love beaches, sailing, rock-pooling and walking.
The delights of Salcombe, with its confetti-coloured houses, surf shops, butchers, bakers, waterside pubs and restaurants, are right on your doorstep. Beyond the town lies the South Hams, an area much loved by holidaymakers. There’s gorgeous open countryside, cliffs and numerous sandy beaches, and most of all this is owned by the National Trust.
The house is beautifully airy, modern and light inside, with lots of windows, contemporary furniture and wooden floors. The large kitchen diner is a calm wooden affair with a pale blue Aga as well as a conventional cooker and a large fridge and freezer. You can all eat together around a wooden table with comfortable chairs, though the superb views down over town and the water may well distract you!
There are five main bedrooms – two doubles (one en suite), two twins/triples and one twin, which together sleep 12. There’s also a garden room/children's TV room with a double sofa bed and an ensuite shower room. There are four bathrooms in all.
If the adults are relaxing and chatting in the living room, children can always slope off to the separate TV/games room, DVDs in hand.
There are also extensive outdoor seating areas and terraced gardens, with a barbecue and, again, those views to die for.
These include a utility room with washing machine and dryer; and a TV, DVD player and open fire in the living room.
There is parking for 2-3 cars.
Membership of a health club ten minutes’ walk away can be included in the rental. This has a large indoor pool, a jacuzzi, sauna, gym and waterside terrace.
Wireless broadband, flip charts and projector are available on request.
Sorry, no pets allowed.
High up on Bonfire Hill, five minutes’ walk from the estuary and the holidaymaking essentials in the centre: butcher, bakery, fishmonger, deli, pasty shop, surf shops, bucket and spade stores, bookshop, pubs and restaurants.
Airport: Exeter (1 hr); Plymouth (45 mins)
Station: Totnes
Salcombe is in an area of “Outstanding Natural Beauty”. It is a five minute walk down the hill to the boatyard area where yachts and powerboats are launched, and sailing, windsurfing and kayaking are widely available, rental and lessons too.
It is a short walk to the ferry boats which can motor you across to several beaches, all of them 5-10 minutes away. These include East Portlemouth directly opposite Salcombe, and its neighbouring fabulous family beach of Mill Bay; and South Sands where you can not only swim and picnic and learn to sail, but also walk up and over the hill to the National Trust’s Overbecks House for lunch in the café and a fascinating tour of inventor Otto Overbeck’s museum and gardens. Alternatively you can walk from Old Sail Loft 20 minutes down a farm track to South Sands. Most of the beaches in this area have safe, beautiful bathing and rock pools.
In town you’ll find tennis courts and a thriving rugby club. Other activities available include horse riding (10 minutes’drive), surfing (15 minutes) and boat trips up to Kingsbridge at the head of the estuary.
The shops, as mentioned above, are delightful, and between the two pubs and a mix of restaurants you’ll be able to eat out as much as in. Bigger Dartmouth and Totnes have even more choice, both a 30 minute drive away.
Low season: from £800 per week.
High season: from £1,900 per week.
Discounts for short breaks/weekends (minimum 3 nights).