Marchand Petit - Issue 8 by TBC Publishing

HOME AT

COASTAL CONSERVATION

Robert Newman talks rewilding Blackpool Sands and beyond

Antiques, artists, makers, and a gourmet gateway to the moors 36 HOURS IN ASHBURTON

warm WELCOME

I always look at the autumn as returning the South Hams to some sort of normality. The kids are back at school, the caravans are off the roads, and our dogs get the beaches back. Even the local seasonal produce is better in autumn, and of course, the rugby season starts. As for the property market, it’s the business end of the year – a time for buyers to focus on wanting to be in by Christmas, or at least having secured a purchase by then.

With the change in season also comes the arrival of our latest issue of At Home. Inside we uncork the secret art of gin distilling with Salcombe Gin’s Jason Nickels, and we dive into thoughtprovoking conversation with Robert Newman, the marine biologist using his conservation experience to protect and rewild his family land stretching from Blackpool Sands to Start Point. We spend 36 Hours in Ashburton, stay the night at Gitcombe House, and share lessons on maximalism from Abbie Downey at Feather&Fossil Interior Design.

With more properties coming onto the market, the election over, and the start of a downward movement in base rates, autumn is the perfect time to make your move – if you haven't done so already. We're looking forward to a busy market here in Totnes and across all our offices.

James Rideout Totnes Branch Manager

DARTMOUTH

01803 839190

KINGSBRIDGE

01548 857588

MODBURY

01548 831163

NEWTON FERRERS

01752 873311

SALCOMBE

01548 844473

TOTNES

01803 847979

PRIME WATERFRONT & COUNTRY HOUSE

01548 855590

LETTINGS

01548 855599

10 STILL LEARNING

We join Salcombe Gin to try our hand at distilling a blend of our own

18 THE CONSERVATIONIST'S COAST

A conversation on rewilding with Blackpool Sands' Robert Newman

34 LIFE AT HOME

Feather&Fossil's Abbie Downey shares how to bring maximalism into your home

46 ONE FINE STAY

Stay the night with us at the Gitcombe Estate

36 HOURS IN ASHBURTON

Ashburton will leave you feeling rested, rejuvenated and probably quite full

FAVOURITE FOUR: HOMEWARES & INTERIORS

Local homewares and interiors shops promising everything you need to cosy up

PROPERTIES

UNIFYING DESIGN WITH TECHNOLOGY

Whitehouse combines cutting-edge technology with elegant design

AS FAR AS THE EYES CAN SEA

The Loft occupies the entire top floor of an industrial warehouse building

RURAL LIVING

Somerswood is perched above the River Avon within Dartmoor National Park

LIVING BY DESIGN

19 Clarence delivers an airiness and a rich experience at Royal William Yard

78 HOME IS WHERE THE ANCHOR DROPS

Cedar House offers beautiful views of one of the UK's best beaches

SITTING BY THE BAY

Mango House is an exceptional example of 1930s Art Deco design

90 THE SUN, THE SEA & THE STARS

The views are the stars of the show from Stargazy

98 PIÈCE DE RÉSISTANCE

12 Riverside Road East is a cottage of immense charm and character

The next edition of the showcase Marchand Petit ‘At Home’ magazine will be published and printed in November 2024.

Still LEARNING

As Salcombe Gin continues its expansion, At Home’s Rebecca Martin caught up with Head Distiller, Jason Nickels, to find out what it takes to create an award-winning gin.

Jason Nickels, Head Distiller

This one is...different. There are nine of us at Salcombe Gin School on this warm but grey Friday afternoon, and eight of those are trying to find the right words to describe the concoction trickling from the copper still in front of me.

The shelves around us are lined with an almost A-Z of botanicals and ingredients, from apricots and alexander seeds to slithers of dried bitter orange peel and tangled slips of seaweed. Lavender also features and it is this that I overzealously spooned into a little silver bowl of botanicals destined for a gin of my own making. It only takes a single drop of the gin on the tip of my tongue, and everybody else’s, to realise that I may have pushed the limits of the “anything goes” approach to distilling.

After smiling wryly and assuring me it will be fine, Salcombe Gin’s Head Distiller, Jason Nickels, asks what other botanicals I have used in my lavender gin. The answer is almost everything we had collected together on our foraging expedition around the creek that day, and then some. A honeysuckle flower here, pretty white elderflowers there, a smidgen of rock samphire sourced at the car park’s edge, and one solitary blackberry.

Provident is a nod to the love of sailing shared by the company’s founders.

Howard Davies, Co Founder

Angus Lugsdin, Co Founder

Jason has been with Salcombe Gin since waving goodbye to South Devon Chilli Farm, a business he had founded in 2003. With a personal passion for distilling and an inkling that the process would be relatively similar whether it involved gin or chilli sauce, he reached out to Salcombe Gin founders Angus Lugsdin and Howard Davies. “I worked with Angus and Howard part time to begin with and it quickly became obvious that marrying flavours together translated beautifully from chilli sauces to gin.”

Fast forward to today and Jason has made Salcombe Gin his home, his time split between recipe testing and product development, and teaching at the Gin School. Jason was instrumental in helping establish the school in 2017 and more than 20,000 bottles of homemade gin have come out of it since. He also helped develop the world’s first distilleries at sea on P&O Cruises ships ‘Arvia’ and ‘Iona’, and is just back from training the Arvia team on a flying 24hr visit to Barcelona.

Jason’s passion for foraging and the way unexpected flavour combinations can make magic is immediately apparent, and when he isn’t out hunting down botanicals with gin school guests or for special editions of the award-winning and internationally-renowned gin, he is foraging for his own enjoyment.

“I’m always on the lookout, especially if I’m exploring somewhere new or holidaying overseas. It’s a bit of an obsession,” he says.

Surely such an obsession comes with its own challenges, namely a chance of pretty violent illness.

“I’m fortunate, I haven’t managed to poison myself yet. There have been times when things have tasted particularly disgusting, but nature is clever like that - the things that are poisonous quite often look or taste it! That said, there have been times when I have eaten something and discovered it was poisonous after the fact.”

The shelves around us are lined with an almost A-Z of botanicals and ingredients... ‘‘

We round off our own foraging endeavours at Creek car park, where we finally manage to track down the rock samphire that had proven unusually hard to get our hands on. Jason hands me a piece to try, warning that it is best enjoyed in small measure.

“It’s quite a coastal flavour but it can very quickly edge towards tasting like petrol if you put too much in there. You have to strike a balance.”

WIth a white paper bag full of our findings, we head back to Salcombe Gin Distillery on Island Street. The Salcombe Gin School experience includes plenty of boozy accoutrements, starting with a complimentary ‘Start Point & Tonic’ on arrival. Gin in hand, we walk past the leather sofas and through the glass doors of the distillery, home to a beautiful 450l copper still named ‘Provident’. Every bottle of Salcombe Gin is distilled in Provident, its name a nod to the love of sailing shared by the company’s founders; Angus himself learnt to sail in Salcombe and later taught sailing at the Island Cruising Club, where he met friend, fellow avid sailor and now co-founder Howard.

With our education on the main still over, we take our seats in front of our own mini stills in the Gin School. Jason and fellow distiller Andrew Stafford share their knowledge of botanicals, the must haves and the definitely don’t adds, before sending us to raid the shelves while they mix another round of

drinks. It is here that the lavender comes into play, in abundance. I spoon it in heartily, then pop the rest of our foraged bits into the silver bowl together with base botanicals found in almost all gins, such as juniper and angelica seeds. While that distils, a process that takes about ten minutes to get going, we create our own labels and master the art of sticking them on straight.

With a white paper bag full of our findings, we head back to Salcombe Gin Distillery...

Jason has explained that the flavour of our DIY gin will change as the different botanicals come into play during the process, and sure enough the lavender begins to subside ever so slightly. The distilled Dartmoor water takes it down a notch again. By the time a very knowledgeable mixologist has worked his magic back in the Distillery Bar, bringing out the flavours with a slice of grapefruit and a single raspberry, my ‘At Home Gin’ has all the makings of a Salcombe Gin special edition. Almost.

The whole experience has been great fun and an educational experience of the best kind, from finding out what can thrive on the tarmaced edges of an unassuming car park, to marvelling at the ability of a single still in creating every bottle of Salcombe Gin sold the world over. I leave swinging my boxed bespoke gin and wonder whether I should have added a touch more lavender.

For more information on Salcombe Gin and their experiences, please visit www.salcombegin.com

The Conservationist’s COAST

Blackpool Sands is known as one of Devon's best beaches but there is more to this glorious stretch of golden shingle. Robert and Sir Geoffrey Newman explain how Mother Nature is thriving on the family land.

Above: Robert Newman & Sir Geoffrey Newman

There are these magical little valleys and scrub margins that are really valuable... ‘‘

Robert Newman is one of those people you could talk with for hours. Baseball-capped and laidback, he is a constant presence around Blackpool Sands, yet few would ever realise he is so pivotal to the privately owned beach and the swathe of land that stretches some of the way from it to Start Point.

Robert is the son of Sir Geoffrey Newman: former soldier, adventurer, filmmaker, conservationist and part owner with Robert of Blackpool Sands. While Geoffrey and Robert may be its latest custodians, the land has been Newman owned for centuries. The family’s history in Dartmouth dates back to the 1500s, a time when they were renowned merchant traders and some of the most notable residents in the town. In 1797, Richard Newman decided Dartmouth was becoming a little too crowded and decamped to the nearby hamlet known as Blackpool. Who could blame him? Its appeal is obvious, not least to Condé Nast Traveller magazine who named it the best beach in the UK earlier this year.

Fast forward to today and it is obvious that the Newman family feel proud to call this home. From its roots as private land, the area has grown into a place where tourism, conservation and of course land ownership collide happily. It is quickly apparent that they see this spectacular asset as something to be shared not secreted away.

Above: Yellow Horned Poppies

Shying away from development was a priority for them from the beginning. Fortunately the lay of the land here, the rolling fields too steep for much arable farming or building on, made an avoidance of industry easy. What did thrive along this unique slip of land was nature.

“There are these magical little valleys and scrub margins that are really valuable. Over the years we followed up on that - it became the coast path and then Undeveloped Heritage Coast…it grew and thrived,” says Robert. “But we were just lucky. The fact the grounds are very steep - you can’t put a combine on them. And you can’t put a huge amount of industry here, because you can’t create the building site to make it happen.”

Robert and Sir Geoffrey have made it their mission to blend nature with just a hint of painstakingly-planned tourism in more recent years, but it was Sir Geoffrey’s mother Ann who led the charge back in the 1950s.

“We’re very lucky to have it, but we want people to experience it. That was why my Granny set up the first little tea room at the beach” says Robert. “It was just post-war, private finance had arrived and people could buy their own cars. Summer holidays were a thing again. She realised ‘Hang on a minute, we can put a car park in and serve cream teas…’ and that is how Blackpool Sands as many know it today began.”

We’re very lucky to have it, but we want people to experience it. That was why my Granny set up the first little tea room at the beach... ‘‘

Robert speaks fondly of Ann’s generosity with Blackpool Sands in those early years, but his own tenure began more recently. A trained marine biologist, he spent several years working with a turtle conservation group on the Greek islands. When he returned to Devon, he quickly found himself fascinated by the bio-diversity along this coastline and set about learning all he could about it.

“It has the same principles, essentially, as a marine environment. You’re looking at trophic webs. You’re looking at food dynamics. You’re looking at cycling nutrients. It’s just different organisms and different body names, but it’s the same predatorprey interaction.”

It's not surprising that Robert’s natural passion for biology aligned with that of his father - Sir Geoffrey spent eight years as the chairman of the Marine Conservation Society - the result was an admirable determination to protect the land and sea. One of the most notable ways they are doing that is through rewilding.

Venture to the far left of Blackpool Sands, just beneath majestic Monterey pines and evergreen oaks and you will find a smattering of wildflowers. The yellow horned poppies, vibrant blue viper’s-bugloss and purple carline thistles may look to be flourishing here by accident, but this thriving ecosystem for flies, spiders, beetles, birds and bats is part of a trailblazing project in partnership with BeWild to reintroduce lost species that still thrive further along the coast. “Victoria at BeWild is incredible and we are thrilled to be working with her to re-naturalise the dunes at the back of the beach.

He continues "We are also part of ‘Life on the Edge’, which works with farmers, landowners and the local community to improve the condition of coastal sites and improve the natural habitat for some of the UK’s most threatened species. Robert hopes it could form the basis for a new kind of ecotourism in the area."

"The project is part of a bigger lottery-funded one; it will run the length of the south Devon coast, hoping to take back the gorse, get the cattle trampling back the bracken and have a range of cattle working on the cliffs to stop it all coming back. That means you can then start bringing in these legume rich flower meadows that are teeming with biodiversity.”

“If you could re-wild that coastal front again in a really nice way, create lovely flower habitats, places to picnic and bring walkers in. You could come and camp or stay at the eco-friendly accommodation here, get out on the paddle board to Beesands with a biologist one day and then do some land-based biology on the South West Coast Path the next. Identify plants, forage, perhaps have a local chef cook with what you find in our Field Kitchen. It could bring everything together amazingly.”

Still in its early stages and with a passionate Robert at its helm, the plan aims to ensure the two bits of land - Start Point and Blackpool Sands - are part of this wilder coast with ways for people to enjoy it in an ecologically considerate way.

“Start Point does seem to be slightly undervalued. It’s so incredibly beautiful there, so nice. You could be in the Western Isles.”

Above: Sir Geoffrey Newman

Left: Start Point Lighthouse

Much of Robert’s time is set to be dedicated to the project once it moves past the consultancy stage, but that isn’t to say he won’t have his hands full with the beach at Blackpool. Its cafe, lounge and restaurant, recently reopened after a restoration sensitive to its special location, serving a locally-sourced menu that Robert hopes to expand in years to come. An already full events calendar of live music and sports will soon grow to offer weddings and private functions.

Blackpool Gardens, tucked away above the beach, are flourishing again after a tough winter, and Wild Comfort ‘Birdhouse’ eco-cabins that nestle in the woods above the gardens are booked several months in advance. Built with land screws, they are completely mobile, sustainably crafted and beautifully off-grid.

There is more change afoot, but time with Robert and Sir Geoffrey quickly makes clear that, while the Newman family has created a pocket of tourism here, it is one which shares and treasures Mother Nature’s gifts rather than sacrificing them.

Learn more about visiting: www.blackpoolsands.co.uk

Unifying design with TECHNOLOGY

This unique architecturally-designed property is stunningly luxurious and contemporary.

Whitehouse combines cutting-edge technology with elegant design, making it an exceptional modern home...

Whitehouse, designed by Hilton Barnfield in Exeter, stands out with its unique blend of modern design and smart technology. The property features automated systems, including Lutron lighting for both interior and exterior, automated blinds, and heating and hot water managed by an air source heat pump. It also boasts a 16-panel PV roof system, Tesla battery, and BP Pulse external car charger in the carport. Smart home technology by Intelligent Abodes and custom lighting by Amos Lighting enhance the home's high specifications.

Its exceptional specifications aside, Whitehouse is equally impressive from an interiors and design perspective. The property turns heads outside and vaulted ceilings make an instant impression within. The front door opens into an open-plan kitchen and dining area, equipped with System Six charcoal and white gloss units, integrated Neff appliances, a built-in fridge, freezer, microwave, a Quooker hot water tap, and a Unistone polished quartz worktop. Sliding doors lead to a terrace with a BBQ area and a secluded westfacing garden. The sitting room offers a light and relaxing space with garden views. The property features underfloor heating and an MVHR system throughout.

Bedroom four is currently used as a home office, featuring 70 MB fibre internet with a Rukus WiFi booster. The home is equipped with an internet-enabled alarm system, Sky TV, integrated Sonos speakers in key areas, and a UPS for uninterrupted power supply.

The upstairs sitting room is filled with natural light and has sliding doors opening to a large terrace, on to which views of the coastline and Slapton Ley spill. The master bedroom features a dressing room and an ensuite bathroom, with two additional bedrooms and a family bathroom also completing the accommodation.

Life AT HOME

Bringing maximalism into your home with Abbie Downey of Feather&Fossil Interior Design

Maximalism is a ‘more-is-more’ approach to interior design. It's a celebration of pattern, colour, texture, accessories, art and statement features. I believe that maximalist interior design is a perfect expression of personality, encouraging you to showcase who you are and what you love. Think of your home as a canvas to decorate with treasures, collectables, personal memorabilia and carefully curated art and accessories to make a statement of your personality. Above all, maximalism is fun and unique, with no two designs the same. It inherently oozes opulence and extravagance through abundance and excess.

‘‘

I believe that maximalist interior design is a perfect expression of personality, encouraging you to showcase who you are and what you love...

Here are some tips on bringing maximalism into your home:

Start with the foundations

Think about new ways to approach your walls and ceilings. This could be through patterned wallpaper, wall murals, colour drenching - in which you use one colour for all the walls, ceiling and detailing - or colour blocking, where you use sections of colour to zone spaces or bring attention to certain areas within a room.

Introduce patterns and texture

Pattern clashing is a fundamental element of maximalist design. Incorporating patterns into your soft furnishings (think cushions, curtains and throws), your accessories (rugs, lamps, art) or even your walls (textured wallpapers and even tapestries) is an excellent way to add that maximalist touch. Texture is key to making a room feel inviting. Playing with a variety of textures such as velvets, silks, linens, cottons or boucles will add interest to a room and create a luxurious yet welcoming space.

Shed some light on it

Well-considered lighting is a must in any design, not just maximalist schemes. Consider when the room gets natural light, where your ‘dark spots’ are, what types of lighting you need (e.g. task, ambient or accent) and where you need them. Once you have considered these basics, add your maximalist touch by looking for statement lights. This could be a statement made in a variety of ways, from size to placement, colour or texture.

Embellish your space with the essence of you

Maximalist designs succeed when they successfully embody the homeowner. This is where you get to add your carefully curated art, accessories, ornaments and artefacts gathered on travels and simply as mementos of life. Maximalism embraces the more-is-more, so go for overloaded shelves, mantelscapes and gallery walls. Also think outside the box when it comes to placement; setting things ‘off centre’ or in a juxtaposed way adds to the sense of interest and uniqueness.

Maximalism is a joy to introduce into your home, but there are some elements to keep in mind when introducing design like this to a property:

Remember the basics of colour theory

Colour rules and schemes help us ensure a design works cohesively. This could be using the 60/30/10 rule, clashing colour schemes, triadic schemes, working with colours within the same colour category or using colour psychology to underpin your choices.

Create moments of space or breath within your scheme

This could be areas of block colour in a heavily patterned room, the introduction of natural materials to ground a space, the use of mirrors to enhance the illusion of light and space within a room, or incorporating furniture that is raised off the floor, on legs, to give a sense of space and airiness.

Finally, although maximalism celebrates more-is-more, consider if all of your elements work together in one room or whether some are best in another space. Think of an overarching theme or feel for the room, and ask yourself if everything you have in the space ticks those boxes.

For more information, please visit: www.featherandfossil.co.uk

As far as the

EYES CAN SEA

Flooded with natural light and an air of calm, this wonderful property benefits from the very highest of finishes. The result is a home with a special feeling of warmth and ambience throughout.

Just outside Dartmouth, in the sought after and picturesque area of Warfleet, stands The Pottery. Built in 1819 by Governor H Holdsworth of Dartmouth, the now Grade II listed building has lived past lives as a fine paper mill, a bakery, an outstanding brewery and, between 1946 and 1999, The Dartmouth Pottery. Today it is an utterly unique penthouse apartment.

Spanning approximately 3700 sqft, The Loft occupies the entire top floor of this industrial warehouse building with magnificent exposed scissor beams, vaulted ceilings and superb exposed stone walls. There is private parking for seven vehicles, a Juliette balcony and stunning views of the River Dart and Warfleet Creek.

The entrance lobby welcomes you in and leaves an immediate impression...

The entrance lobby welcomes you in and leaves an immediate impression. There is a useful store/plant room, a utility room and a discreet range of built in cupboards all accessed off the lobby area. A main hallway gives access to the remaining accommodation – the main living space is open plan with four feature windows commanding superb views, and has everything needed for luxurious modern day living. From the high specification kitchen with built in Miele appliances, chart a seamless course to the charming dining area with beautiful views of the Dart and through to the spacious sitting area with feature fire for those cooler autumnal evenings. An additional dining/ study area is currently used as a snooker/games room, all of the spaces contributing to making this space the very heart of this home. The sense of space and grandeur continues through to the bedrooms, which are all set off the main hallway. There is a family shower room which services two bedrooms and there are two further ensuite guest bedrooms. The main bedroom suite is a luxurious and calming space, with a fabulous dressing room and ensuite bathroom with a feature freestanding bath.

On the ground floor of the building are three basement store rooms of approx. 1754 sq ft – perfect for rib, paddle boards and general storage. Notably for properties in Dartmouth, The Loft has an incredible seven parking spaces within the main Pottery car park.

DARTMOUTH 01803 839 190

Gitcombe Estate radiates from the handsome Grade II listed Gitcombe House, a Georgian farmhouse with acres of period charm.

The house itself sleeps 13 plus little ones and feels like a true home-from-home, while a cluster of cosy cottages in the private valley sleep between four and six guests each. Gitcombe Retreat completes the line-up, a Roderick James designed space with lofty ceilings, hot tub off the main bedroom, and views that stretch across the countryside for miles on end.

This is the kind of place where you can do everything or nothing and have a thoroughly lovely time regardless. The array of accommodation options makes Gitcombe Estate a popular choice for group get-togethers and multi-generational family stays; you’ll find plenty of space for all to do their own thing, activities both on-site and nearby to suit everyone from the uber-active to the unapologetically lazy, and living areas big enough to get the whole crew together for big lunches and special celebrations. It also has excellent disabled access.

Where is it?

Gitcombe Estate snuggles into the greenery down a long Devon lane, tucked away beautifully in the hills past Totnes, onwards through Tuckenhay and down a pebbled driveway to an immaculate Georgian abode in Cornworthy. Dartmouth is only eight miles away, as are Blackpool Sands, Bantham, South Milton Sands and several more of Devon’s best beaches.

It is hard to imagine anywhere cosier than Gitcombe Retreat... ‘‘

Ways to fill your stay

Gitcombe Estate is one of those unique stays with as much to offer on rainy days as in bright sunshine. While the sun was shining on our stay, it is hard to imagine anywhere cosier than Gitcombe Retreat on a freezing cold Sunday in January, flames roaring in the log burner and the smell of a hearty roast dinner drifting from the kitchen.

There are indoor and outdoor pools plus a steam room, sauna and jacuzzi, along with tennis courts. You could lose teens for hours in the games room, while an adventure playground and indoor soft play entertains little ones.

If you can bring yourself to leave the peaceful surrounding of the estate and head further afield, you’ll find Woodlands theme park to entertain the kids, Dartington for nature lovers and art appreciators, Totnes for independent shopping and great coffee at The Curator and sustainablysourced food at The Bull Inn, and Dartmouth for a riverside vibe with some of the best places to eat in Devon.

Gitcombe Estate excels at group stays and keeps that in mind with its offering. A roster of local and renowned private chefs including Jack Bridgwood, formerly of Michelin-starred The Seahorse, and Masterchef runner up Elly Wentworth, are on hand to cook something delicious for celebratory dinners. Wine tastings are hosted in the comfort of your holiday home by Emerging Vines, massage therapists can work out those knots in your muscles without you moving an inch, and professional tennis trainer Elliot Veal can help perfect your backhand before dinner.

Anything worth bearing in mind?

It’s worth noting that Gitcombe Estate isn’t dog friendly, so four-legged friends can’t join in the fun.

To learn more about the estate, please visit www.gitcombe.co.uk

Rural LIVING

Perched above the River Avon in peaceful Lydia Bridge, within Dartmoor National Park, Somerswood is an exceptional country residence.

This striking home, lovingly restored by the current owner, offers over 3,000 sq. ft of accommodation, including a one-bedroom ancillary wing. The property is complemented by a Grade II Listed courtyard of barns and additional storage buildings. Set within approximately 2.16 acres of landscaped gardens, meadows, and woodland, Somerswood includes river frontage and exclusive fishing rights, making it a rare and exciting find.

The main house features four principal reception rooms, all oriented towards the garden. These include a drawing room/study with a charming box bay window and a stone fireplace with a wood-burner. A generous entrance hall with exposed pine floorboards and a feature stone fireplace accommodates stairs to the first floor, where you will find a light-filled sitting room with French doors, and a dining room with decorative ceiling mouldings and exposed wood flooring. The kitchen/breakfast room offers dual aspect views, an array of kitchen units, and access to the rear courtyard. Essential for rural living, the home includes a spacious boot room and utility area.

Somerswood includes river frontage and exclusive fishing rights, making it a rare and exciting find.

The barns are Grade II Listed, preserving their historic character. ‘‘

The master suite is a sanctuary, featuring large sash windows overlooking the garden, a stylish ensuite with a freestanding bath, walk-in shower, dual basins, bidet, and WC, and a dressing room with fitted wardrobes. Bedroom two offers garden views, a charming window seat, and an ensuite with a bath, shower cubicle, WC, and basin. Bedroom three, with two large sash windows, leads out to a balcony with elevated garden views and ample fitted wardrobes. The first floor also includes two additional double bedrooms and a contemporary shower room with a generous walk-in shower.

The ancillary wing, accessible from the inner courtyard, provides open-plan living on the ground floor, featuring a modern wood-burner and a balcony with river views. There is one bedroom with vaulted ceilings and ensuite.

To the rear of Somerswood is a collection of stone barns set in a cobbled courtyard. This includes a two-storey former coach house, offering potential for development (subject to necessary consents). The barns are Grade II Listed, preserving their historic character. Additional smaller barns along the driveway provide garden storage, a workshop, and two stables. Somerswood’s grounds extend over approximately 2.16 acres. The front features a delightful patio, formal lawns, and well-established trees and shrubs. A gravelled parking area leads to a wildflower meadow and woodland, with bucolic trails leading down to the river.

36 Hours in ASHBURTON

Whether you are drawn by its medieval heritage, its eclectic culinary offering, or the proximity to adventures in Dartmoor’s great outdoors, 36 hours in Ashburton will leave you feeling rested, rejuvenated and probably quite full. Here’s how to make the most of your time in the town.

DO THIS

Ashburton high street should prove the starting point for any visit. The town is almost chain-free, its main stretch a charmingly hotch-potch jigsaw of independent retailers, tea shops and delis. Scoop up edible souvenirs of your stay at Ashburton Delicatessen, or squirrel away all the local cheese and charcuterie for a picnic on Dartmoor later in the day. Fresh sourdough from Briar Bakery and a couple of pasties from Dartmoor Butchers are the final flourishes you need for a good post-walk fill.

Antiques are one of the major draws for the many who make regular pilgrimages to Ashburton’s high street, so much so that the town has an entire trail dedicated to antiques. Available to collect from the Information Centre, the Ashburton Antiques Trail guides you through ten or more of the best antiques shops run by some of the south west’s most notable dealers. From Art Deco jewellery to mid-century design pieces, Victorian furniture and countless other curios, it is almost impossible to leave the trail empty handed. Ashburton also does crafts beautifully well, with handmade pieces feeling at home in such a pretty town set against Dartmoor’s rugged backdrop. Ashburton Craftmongers feels like a step back in time, its magical shop piled with artisan goods ranging from the mythical to the practical yet unique. The shop is owned by wildlife and documentary cameraman, Toby Strong, with internationally sourced pieces happened upon on his travels sitting side-byside with locally-made items. It is truly unique and unmissable.

Given its proximity to the moors, it would be remiss of anyone spending time in Ashburton not to embark on a hike or two. Haytor is one of Dartmoor National Park’s best-known tors, delivering panoramic views well worth the effort it takes to reach the top. For a gentler stroll or one with kids in town, the River Dart Country Park sees riverside trails wind through ancient woodlands.

Above: Photo courtesy of Lydia Wood, organiser of the Ashburton Antiques Trail Left: Haytor, Dartmoor National Park

EAT HERE

While the town may be small, its reputation as a foodie destination is fierce. Referred to as ‘the gourmet gateway to the Moors’, Ashburton offers a feast of places to eat, so much so that you might well find that there aren’t enough meals in the day to enjoy them all.

Emilia is the standout and notorious eatery around here. The little Italian osteria is run by Claire Lattin and Tom Hill of Ducksoup in Soho fame. Despite only being open a couple of years, Emilia has seen a slew of exceptional reviews from food critics and a Michelin Bib Gourmand nod. Family tables sit in mismatched and rustic interiors, with a menu nonchalantly chalked up on the blackboard each day. Expect flavours like crab and fennel farfalle, salt pollock with nectarine and mint, and a signature ‘offal of the day’. The restaurant is open Wednesday to Saturday only and it is well worth timing your trip with that in mind.

Were Emilia not enough, the culinary power couple recently toasted the much-anticipated arrival of their second Ashburton

eatery. Le Vin Perdu opened late July as the sister restaurant to Emilia, this time with a French bistro feel and rotisserie offering plus wine bar. Alongside an expertly curated wine list, the wine bar also serves two ‘Collina’ and ‘Contadino’ wines created in collaboration with local award-winning wine producers Sandridge Barton.

For more relaxed dining, Rafikis is known for its creative, globally inspired dishes and an atmosphere that whisks you away to somewhere infinitely more exotic. The cafe on Lawrence Street was created by founder Susie after years of adventuring abroad, guiding treks in the Sahara and homeschooling her children on a remote tropical island. When the kids needed a more settled way of life, Susie created Rafikis as a place to share the eclectic recipes collected on her travels. All food is vegetarian or vegan, astoundingly flavourful, with a menu changing from day to night and the feel of a real family affair to the restaurant; it isn’t unusual to see the well-travelled and incredibly polite children taking orders and serving up drinks.

Above: Photos courtesy of Susie Moss, Hannah Collins, and Alex Tzotiz from Rafikis Restaurant

Ashburton has notable cosmopolitan appeal for such a tiny town in rural Devon. Sitting pretty on the southern edge of Dartmoor National Park, it blends history, culture, natural beauty and some of the best independent restaurants and shopping around.

DRINK UP

On the fringes of Dartmoor may be the last place you might expect to find a flavour of South America but Ashburton’s Cafe Latino is just that. Speciality coffees and Latin music whisk you away to sunny Cuba on even the dreariest of Devon days, while monthly ‘Noche Borracha’ nights take things up a notch with South American cocktails and ‘litres of margarita’. Noche Borracha translates as ‘drunken night’, so be warned to expect a sore head the next morning.

A different vibe entirely is found at the Old Exeter Inn, one of the oldest pubs in the country. Rumoured to have been a favourite watering hole of both Sir Francis Drake and Sir Walter Raleigh, the historic inn has quenched the thirsts of patrons since 1130.

Above: Ashburton, Dartmoor

Above: The Old Exeter Inn, image courtesy of Hugh Llewelyn

Living by DESIGN

19 Clarence delivers an airiness and a rich experience of contrasting original materials and modern comfort. It enjoys outstanding close water views throughout the property over the wharf, Hamoaze and Mount Edgecombe, with an abundance of activity to enjoy within Royal William Yard.

Royal William Yard was originally constructed between 1825 and 1831 as a British Navy victualling facility where they baked the bread and brewed the beer to supply the ships at sea...

Royal William Yard has made it one of the South West’s most talked about places...

The property demonstrates a masterful approach to pairing old with new, light with dark, resulting in a richly textured, honest and accomplished refurbishment throughout the threestorey home. The layout can be altered by adjusting internal doors and curtained walls, and the show stopping granite cantilevered spiral staircase serves as a dramatic prelude to the adaptable principal rooms on the upper floors. There are two imposing front doors for ease of access including handsome, original wooded cargo doors from the wharf. Floor to ceiling glass doors provide independent access as well as bringing the outside in when entering from the seaward side of the house.

The natural limestone floor in the kitchen contrasts nicely with the fitted kitchen which includes a stainless steel worktop, integrated Baumatic induction hob, Baumatic pyrolytic oven, Electrolux fridge and fridge/freeze, and Miele dishwasher. A high ceiling laundry cupboard and downstairs cloak room shoulder the entrance hallway that leads into the open plan main sitting room, which flows into the characterful dining room. A second compliment of full-height wooden cargo doors open onto the wharf promenade, from where spectacular evening sunsets can be enjoyed overlooking the water.

Circulation areas on the first floor are adaptable and currently arranged as two double bedrooms, both with luxurious high-specification ensuite facilities. Continuing up to the second floor, the study area has glorious views out over the water and the fascinating nautical manoeuvres happening on the River Tamar.

The show stopping granite cantilevered spiral staircase serves as a dramatic prelude...

Royal William Yard was originally constructed between 1825 and 1831 as a British Navy victualling facility where they baked the bread and brewed the beer to supply the ships at sea – then they discovered how to salinate water and the cooperage and brewhouse were no longer fully utilized. Fast forward to today and the design-led redevelopment of Royal William Yard has made it one of the South West’s most talked about places. It is now a buzzing community of homes, restaurants, bars, a cinema, offices, artists spaces, a gym with spa facilities and a hotel, plus a programme of markets, cultural events and exhibitions making an exciting success of community lifestyle and businesses in an exceptional, picturesque harbour side environment.

Our favourite four: HOMEWARES AND INTERIORS SHOPS

With that back-to-school September feeling often comes the desire to warm up your interiors ahead of autumn. Our edit of the best homewares and interiors shops promises everything you need to cosy up.

Above: Image from Society House House

An amalgamation of old, new, recycled, rustic and reimagined... ‘‘

RELISH

If your aesthetic is an amalgamation of old, new, recycled, rustic and reimagined, peer into the storage container at Stokeley Farm that houses Relish. The interiors store is run by Amy and Shaun; Shaun using his design nous and craft skills to reimagine old pieces into new originals, while Amy utilises her 20 years of experience in commercial and residential interiors to work with clients on creating unique spaces through colour, texture and carefully curated objects of desire.

relishlifestyle.co.uk

Above: Image from Relish

Above: Image from Society House Left: Amy, from Relish

SOCIETY HOUSE

A who’s who of South Devon gathered for the opening of the Society House outlet store in Buckfastleigh this summer. The 9,000sq.ft. space has interior design inspiration stretching as far as the eye can see, with reclaimed Indian mirrors jostling for space with vintage console tables and aged elm milking stools, hand-carved hardwood bowls, rustic vases and countless other timeless pieces.

societyhouse.co.uk

Design inspiration stretching as far as the eye can see... ‘‘

Family run interiors shop Rhool recently relocated from the top of Kingsbridge’s Fore Street to the bottom, stretching its wings after outgrowing its original home. The homewares and accessories store sources from near and far, stocking a range of iconic Scandinavian brands including HK Living and House Doctor alongside other small artisan makers from around the world. Sustainability is a focus, with timeless designs favoured over trend-led pieces. rhool.com

RHOOL

Above: Image from Society House House

Above and right: Image from Rhool

All Weaver Green textiles are made from 100% recycled PET plastic bottles. In fact, in the last three years we've recycled over 260 million plastic bottles!

WEAVER GREEN

Weaver Green is our go-to for textiles and all products are made from 100% recycled PET plastic bottles, so you can refresh your home for autumn with a clear conscience. Founded by husband and wife team Barney and Tasha, the sustainability focused store now has a permanent home at Heron Valley complete with coffee shop, bar and an idyllic outdoor terrace area with views across the Avon Valley. A visit to the South Devon showroom is an experience in itself and one not complete without stopping for lunch mid-shop.

weavergreen.com

Above: Tasha & Barney from Weaver Green

Below: Image from Weaver Green

Home is where the ANCHOR DROPS

Blackpool Sands is noted as one of the UK’s best beaches and Cedar House sits just a ten-minute walk away from it, in the heart of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and in a charming South Hams village with a great sense of community.

Designed by award-winning local architects Roderick James, the property is part of a small courtyard development of three homes and features a distinctive 'Carpenter Oak' frame. Constructed approximately 17 years ago, it has been a cherished family residence and has recently undergone extensive renovations. It offers a beautifully presented interior, a delightful garden, a double garage, and additional parking for two vehicles.

Cedar House offers beautiful views of the Start Bay coastline...

The ground floor of Cedar House extends a warm welcome in the entrance hall and extends into a utility room, cloakroom, and access into the garage. A newly-fitted kitchen/dining room boasts a handmade bespoke kitchen with an induction range and double doors leading to the garden. The sitting room is a cosy space with a wood-burning stove and more double doors opening to bring the outside in and create a fabulous entertaining space. An adjoining home office provides a quiet workspace. A staircase from the entrance hall leads to a half landing with access to bedroom three, which features an ensuite shower room.

The first floor includes two additional guest bedrooms, a stunning main bedroom with an ensuite offering beautiful views of the Start Bay coastline, and a family bathroom with a freestanding bath that encourages long, lazy soaks after a day on the nearby South West Coast Path.

A shared driveway leads to the house from the village centre, with parking for two vehicles and a double garage. The garden offers a peaceful, low-maintenance retreat with lavender borders, olive trees, raised decking and paved terraces. Despite its tranquil setting, Cedar House is conveniently located just a short drive from the lively towns of Dartmouth and Kingsbridge, as well as Totnes and its easy rail links to London.

Sitting by THE BAY

Mango House is an exceptional example of 1930s Art Deco design. Created by the renowned Robert Lutyens, the house overlooking ‘The Bay’ is only a short walk from the lesser-visited Hollicombe Beach and set at the heart of 22 miles of quiet coves and busier beaches that make up the Torbay coastline.

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Light-filled and characterful...

Whether it is paddleboarding or diving, kite surfing, wild swimming or sailing that brings joy, you will find opportunities for all on your doorstep. You can be on the South West Coast Path in a few minutes and Cockington Estate with its woodland acres and cosy pub, The Drum Inn, is just a couple of miles away.

Mango House itself has been subject to sensitive extension in recent years and so beautifully does the old and new blend that the house is a credit to its architect, Bill Brown of Sustainable Design Collective in Brighton. Light-filled and characterful, its accommodation extends to around 2,700 sq. ft and spans three storeys. A particularly appealing feature of the first floor is a principal bedroom with separate external staircase, meaning that this and the top floor could make up a separate annex if required (subject to normal consents). The ground floor features a recently installed bespoke kitchen with dining room, which is open plan, a sitting room leading to a garden room and a separate home office. In addition, there is a useful utility room/larder off the kitchen which leads to the integrated garage.

There are three balconies/decks which make the most of the outstanding sea views. Outside there is an easily maintained front garden and private west facing garden that catches the afternoon and evening sun with sheltered deck and sunny outside seating area. The garden is mostly laid to lawn, shrubs and trees with several veg beds, a stunning Maple tree, a wildflower area and a professionally planted flower garden bordered by lavender. The garden has a heated Scandinavian summer house which has a sauna, heating and electrics. It currently serves as a gym, but could as easily become an office for a work from home lifestyle by the sea.

The sun, the sea & THE STARS

The views are the star of the show from Stargazy – expansive and across sea, beach and one of the most epic stretches of coastline in Devon.

Set in a position just by the slipway to Bigbury-on-Sea, the stylish home exudes charm and has been thoughtfully designed with entertaining in mind; an important consideration for a home set in a location that is sure to attract no end of visitors.

Stargazy’s main living area opens onto a full-length, south-facing balcony, on which to bask in the sun and take in those exhilarating views. At the rear, an elevated decked terrace provides an ample space for gatherings, complete with bar. The home was made for hosting.

The home was made for hosting.

Accommodation is thoughtfully laid out on a single level, centred around a bright and airy hallway. The sitting and dining room has a the southfacing aspect we all so desire, with sliding doors leading out onto the sun terrace. The kitchen, with its coastal views, features sleek fitted units and a pantry, with enough space for the whole family and more to gather for lazy breakfasts and Sunday roasts that spill late into the evening. A utility room offers the practicality a home by the beach requires, with a sink, storage units and space for appliances, plus a guest cloakroom for hiding away wetsuits and muddy boots.

The family bathroom is elegantly appointed with a generous shower cubicle, bathtub, basin, and WC. The master bedroom, positioned at the rear, includes a contemporary ensuite with a shower and WC. Bedrooms two and three also enjoy rear views, while the fourth bedroom, a versatile single room with dual aspects, offers stunning views and could easily serve as an ideal home office.

Stargazy takes its surroundings and makes them part of itself. The southern side of the property features a fantastic full-length terrace with impressive coastal views, accessed through sliding doors in the sitting room. The elevated rear garden has an air of the Mediterranean about it, while a decked sun terrace sits at the top of a set of steps, lending the perfect space for either entertaining or simply sitting and enjoying the view.

Bigbury-on-Sea is one of the highlights of the South Hams, a pretty coastal village celebrated for its expansive sandy beach and iconic Burgh Island hotel. Glasses are raised at the Pilchard Inn and breakfasts at the beach café as ever popular. Dartmoor National Park is just a short drive to the north, Modbury and Kingsbridge are close by, and Plymouth and Exeter are just a little further.

Pièce de

RÉSISTANCE

Overlooking the wooded fringe of the River Yealm, 12 Riverside Road East is a cottage of immense charm and character, where it is easy to sit and watch life on the water unfold.

With the added advantage of an adaptable studio in the lower section of the rear garden, this three-bedroom cottage is full of light and tantalising water views from different vantage points in both the property and the garden.

12 Riverside Road East greets you immediately with a warm welcome as you enter the spacious open plan sitting and dining area with beautiful views over the creek. Enjoying the best of both worlds, offering a cosy sitting area with wood burner set in an Inglenook fireplace, as well a more contemporary feel in the extended kitchen flooded with natural light from the triple glazed roof. The clean contemporary lines of the fitted kitchen include Neff integrated appliances, a light and bright living area with breakfast bar, a laundry cupboard and downstairs cloakroom complete the downstairs accommodation. Upstairs the original features continue, along with beautiful estuary views which can be admired from the window seating while enjoying a good book. Three bedrooms and a family bathroom complete the interior of this fabulous cottage.

The rear gardens offer two different entertaining and relaxing spaces, with a Mediterranean style sun terrace in front of the studio which has twin glazed French doors, light and power. A secluded lawn with raised sun deck and timber shed sits in the higher section, enjoying village views across the water to Noss Mayo. As you meander through the garden you are drawn to the arch seat to sit and enjoy the view with your morning coffee.

A public slipway across the road gives immediate access to the water and foreshore, and a possible dinghy mooring (subject to consent from the Harbour Authority). There is easy access from the slipway to kayak/paddle board rack on the quay for those with a space permitted by the Parish council.

A public slipway gives immediate access to the water and foreshore...

NEWTON FERRERS 01752 873 311