Marchand Petit At Home Spring 2023

HOME AT

BEHIND THE LENS

Charting a transition from estate agent to photographer

HOME Exploring ethical homewares with interiors brand Nkuku

Firstly, thank you to everyone for the wonderful comments and overwhelming compliments received after the launch of our new look At Home magazine! It truly has been a great success, seeing more and more local businesses wanting to collaborate with us.

So, we are pleased to be producing our second edition filled with more interesting articles, focusing on South Hams businesses and the people behind them, and spotlighting a range of the outstanding properties we have the privilege of working with - some in the most breath-taking settings!

It’s wonderful to see Spring is truly on its way with all the flowers and trees starting to bloom and the lambs frolicking in the fields. We are glad to report that the property market is also seeing positive signs as the spring season continues.

As 2022 came to a close many in the industry felt that 2023 might be a tough year for the property market, with even the government forecasting a recession. We are pleased to report that the recession doesn’t seem to have raised its head and there are plenty of buyers out there looking for their dream homes.

But being proactive as estate agents (the real estate agents) has never been more important; if we haven’t the right properties on our books for buyers we will go out and find them. Stock is still limited, so for those looking to sell we can still achieve excellent results. However, instead of the frenzied market we were operating in, everything has now taken on a steadier pace.

As a business this year we will be continuing to unveil new ideas, marketing campaigns and strategies to help you, the homeowners and buyers, to obtain the best results. So, if you want to be part of our success please give us a call and we will be happy to help.

Prunella Martin MA Director

for sore eyes A SIGHT

Salcombe’s coveted cliffside addresses make the location’s sea and estuary views the star of the show, and just as its name might suggest, this contemporary coastal abode raises the bar.

Adetached contemporary residence, it features a well-considered scattering of sun terraces, balconies and gardens, each unfurling its very own to-die-for panorama. Amble downwards and those views come fingertip close, thanks to direct access to the water’s edge.

Above the Bar occupies an enviable location on the waterfront, its present owners having created a home that boasts arguably the most spectacular views in Salcombe. Nestled above an idyllic cove, the property has been built as such that every vantage point sees the sea blues and rolling hillside greens of this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty through fresh eyes. It’s difficult to imagine tearing yourself away from such a scenic space, but the South West Coast Path runs just outside the front door for those who do manage such a feat, while South Sands beach and its harbour town ferry sits a five minute walk away.

Turning your gaze inside, a magnificent open plan kitchen/dining/living room area cries out for entertaining friends and family. Views spill in through picture windows and sliding patio doors, the latter opening onto a sun terrace and balcony that was made for al fresco evenings. On the upper floor level, a wraparound balcony unfurls a 180-degree bird’s eye view of the water and Salcombe’s inimitable coastline.

Spread across three floors, Above the Bar hosts four double bedrooms, three of which feature en-suite facilities and with the three ground floor bedrooms each having access to a balcony that makes morning coffees in the sun almost obligatory.

Above the Bar occupies an enviable location on the waterfront, its present owners having created a home that boasts arguably the most spectacular views in Salcombe.

SALCOMBE

5 bedrooms

4 bathrooms

1 reception room

EPC: C

GUIDE PRICE £3,250,000

SALCOMBE

01548 844473

Meander along the footpath through wellestablished gardens to the rear and you’ll find yourself at the water’s edge, complete with access to a waterside landing area; a must in the sailing hotspot of Salcombe.

A sustainable HOME

We caught up with the founders of the ethical interiors brand, Nkuku to discuss interiors and sustainability both in their home and in the business.

It isn’t perhaps too surprising to find there is a distinct Nkuku lifestyle store feel to the south Devon home of Ali and Alex Cooke. “Friends always laugh when they come through our front door as it does have quite a few trademark Nkuku touches” comments Alex. The couple head up the product development side of the business and so it is perhaps only natural that their home and work life blur together.

Ali and Alex established Nkuku in 2003 after a round–the–world trip. Africa was the inspiration for the business, but India proved to be the starting point for their first collection of journals and photo frames. Twenty years on and

business has evolved into an interiors brand, with a product collection that includes everything you need for your home, from mugs and cutlery right through to dining tables, sofas, and bed linen.

“We genuinely love our products – we live and breathe them, and we often use our own home to direct our product development. We are a big family that is usually surrounded by a healthy amount of chaos, so it’s a great way to check product practicality and durability!”

When the pair refurbished their home, a lot of focus was put on using recycled and natural materials. This is obvious throughout the house with reclaimed wood used in a variety of ways from cladding walls and flooring in the main reception rooms to a stylish dado rail in the hall and sitting room, that adds an appealing detail. The kitchen also incorporates natural woods, with an island clad in zinc and a panel of reclaimed metal tiles above the aga. Ali explains that these are originally from America, reclaimed from old houses ceilings, although the couple found and bought them in France. The effect is an eye-catching interesting patina.

The principle of creating products that derive from recycled and sustainable materials, along with promoting natural alternatives in the homewares market, is a core focus of Nkuku and this ethos aligns with their own ideas for their own home.

“We never wanted to bring in mass produced items that all look exactly the same, and we have always focussed on handmade artisan techniques and processes, and the unique products that creates; keeping alive all the astounding skills we have been lucky enough to witness.”

We never wanted to bring in mass produced items that all look exactly the same, and we have always focused on handmade artisan techniques and processes, and the unique products that creates.

‘‘

As well as working with sustainable materials a key part of Nkuku is to support and work with artisans throughout the world, with particular focus on handmade techniques and traditional skills. From the outset the couple wanted to work in partnership with their suppliers, with transparency being core to their ethos. Nkuku is proudly certified B Corp joining a group of business that meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability to balance profit and purpose.

Over the years, Ali and Alex have been fortunate to explore more and more corners of the world, learning about indigenous craft methods and meeting many talented artisans on the way. The love of travel is obvious throughout their home, with intriguing panels of artwork from Indonesia on the wall of their entrance hall, through to hand carved beaded figures in vibrant colours, to framed textiles accumulated from various product development trips. The sitting room also features a large ship lamp, salvaged from a naval ship.

Travelling to visit our suppliers often sounds more glamourous that it really is, there is a lot of work, detail and patience involved when developing a collection. India in particular is an assault on the senses and a continuous place of wonderment but there is nothing quite like coming home to the peace of rural Devon and the view of the river.

Ali and Alex’s South Devon home is for sale through Marchand Petit. Please get in touch to arrange a viewing.

We genuinely love our products – we live and breathe them, and we often use our own home to direct our product development.

Behind the LENS

Photographer Michael Mills charts his transition from estate agent to life behind a lens.

My professional life in property began in July 1988 - a fact I still find difficult to wrap my head around - and as is so often the case, happened almost by accident.

My best friend had recently secured a job as a trainee estate agent with a firm in Ladbroke Grove, West London and told me they were looking for someone to fill the same role in their Shepherds Bush office. I remember being pretty ambivalent about the whole thing, but more out of curiosity than anything else, went along to the interview, and despite myself, landed the job. I can only conclude they must have been desperate.

The industry was transitory in nature back then - the term “job-hopping” had yet to be coined - with the same characters popping up in new roles on a regular basis. I did my fair share of this and by the age of twenty-five was given my first branch manager position.

Early in 1995, things became significantly more serious. Two colleagues and I scraped some modest funds together and took the lease of an office at 53 Shepherds Bush Green, W12. In order to gain what we perceived to be a more prestigious postcode, we cheekily changed the address to No.1 Shepherds Bush Road, W6 - amazingly, the Post Office informed us this was a perfectly acceptable thing to do - and launched Sturges Estate Agents upon an unsuspecting world.

For five fun-filled years we carved out a niche in an incredibly competitive marketplace. Lacking the money for expensive advertising, we were constantly looking at other ways to set ourselves apart from the crowd. We invited local art students to display their work on the walls of our office, hosting regular gallery evenings by way of a thank you. One particularly hot summer, the combination of full height plate glass windows and a lack of airconditioning prompted us to abandon our suits and dress in shirts, shorts and loafers. If nothing else, it got people talking about us.

Eventually all good things come to an end and in 2000 we parted ways.

I’ve had a keen interest in photography for as long as I can remember. My father was an enthusiastic photographer and I clearly recall accompanying him to photographic shops as a kid.

‘‘

A stint in suburbia followed, before re-entering the London market, this time in North London - specifically Hampstead and Highgate. For those not familiar with it, this incredibly beautiful and sought-after part of London combines a genuine, albeit extremely up-market, village feel with some of the capital’s highest property prices. Challenging, frustrating at times, but also a huge amount of fun, is probably a fair summary of my time there.

Fast forward to 2015 and a move out of London, to The Chilterns in Buckinghamshire, prompted another new role.

I dropped into a conversation with the estate agent we bought through that I was casting about for a job. After a couple of interviews, I found myself not only being offered a position, but also being asked if I would be willing to reopen and run the Country House and Farm Sales Department. No small task, as this covered not only Buckinghamshire, but Hertfordshire, Oxfordshire and Bedfordshire.

Whilst being a tremendous opportunity, this posed something of a problem. I had plenty of experience with large and expensive houses but dealing in farms and agricultural land was entirely new to me. Fortunately, I was introduced to a wonderful consultant to the firm, Adrian Cole, who had actually run the department in the 1970s and early 80s, before setting up his own business which was subsequently bought by my employer.

Despite being semi-retired, Adrian, who was also a qualified surveyor, was a font of knowledge, seemed to know everyone and opened a lot of doors for me. He was also wonderful company, with an inexhaustible supply of anecdotes. Invariably, our joint valuations were scheduled for mid-morning, allowing us to take lunch in whichever country pub was most conveniently situated. I owe Adrian a great deal and miss our chats enormously.

As we all know, everything changed in March 2020. Along with a great many others, we made the move to Devon that same year.

In March 2021 I joined Marchand Petit, working alongside Prunella Martin and Daniel Butterworth in the Prime Waterfront & Country House department. I thought I knew what a fast-paced market looked like, but this was something else. I can honestly say I’d never before known such an exhilarating and rewarding time in estate agency. The sense of camaraderie was second to none and the whole experience epitomised everything I think the industry should aspire to.

And yet, despite this, the feeling that I was ready for a change of direction was growing ever stronger.

I’ve had a keen interest in photography for as long as I can remember. My father was an enthusiastic photographer and I clearly recall accompanying him to photographic shops as a kid, ogling at the beautifully engineered kit in the glass cases with a sense of awed fascination.

As an agent, I’d long thought the photography we were using could be improved upon. All too often each and every room was shot from the corner and as wide as possible - where was the variety and creativity? Why not mix it up with different angles and some tight detail shots? After all, surely the whole point is to generate a positive emotional response from potential buyers, not bore them?

That in a nutshell is the idea behind MJE Film + Photography - the company I started in September 2022, along with my wife, Janet, and Ellie, our daughter - hence MJE. It’s only been about six months, but I’m really busy and loving every moment. More importantly, I’ve received some lovely feedback from clients and have even had my work featured in The Sunday Times, once for Property of the Week.

What’s next? Hopefully many, many more beautiful houses to photograph. Who knows, maybe the next one will be yours?

PREPARING YOUR HOME FOR PHOTOGRAPHY IS A VITALLY IMPORTANT STEP WHEN GETTING READY TO SELL. HERE ARE MY TOP FIVE TIPS:

• Declutter - It’s a pain, I know, but it’ll pay you dividends not only for the photography, but also when your home is being shown to prospective buyers.

• Finish those jobs - We’ve all got small jobs around the house that need finishing. We may have learnt to live with them, but buyers will notice and worry what else isn’t as it should be.

• Clean - It sounds obvious, but we see a lot of properties that could use a bit of a sprucing up. Grubby surfaces and windows show up on the photography and will affect how a buyer views your home.

• Dress it - Taking time to lay the dining table, buy some fresh flowers (we can move these room to room) and artfully arrange a few throws can make a huge difference and is an investment well worth making.

• Cut the grass - Landscaping in general makes a huge difference to the overall aesthetic of a property. If nothing else, mow the lawns. It helps suggest a cared for home and looks so much better in the photos.

As an agent, I’d long thought the photography we were using could be improved upon.

‘‘

Totally TOTNES

In ever-cool Totnes sits the equally hip 11 Plymouth Road, a Grade II listed Georgian townhouse within minutes of morning coffees at The Curator and evenings over orange wine at the Tamarind Tree.

The property is beautifully presented throughout, having the perfect blend of period charm and contemporary style.

Blending period charm and contemporary style, this well-balanced abode brims with character features, from its wrought iron fireplaces to its storied wooden floors and garden-framing picture window opening out into a nirvana of quiet amidst the town’s appealing hustle and bustle. Woodburners warm both the sitting and living rooms, while to the first floor are two double bedrooms, the master enjoying its own en-suite bathroom with a deep bath made for long soaks after hard days. Continue to the second floor and you’ll find a further two double bedrooms, plus shower room, along with views over the rooftops to Totnes Castle beyond.

Totnes is known as a haven of creativity and a large summerhouse to the rear of 11 Plymouth Road could serve as an inspiring studio or workshop space. The south-facing landscaped garden serves as an inside-out extension of the sizeable kitchen and dining room, making for the perfect entertaining space.

Behind the sunshine yellow door and duck egg blue facade is a chance to call one of the most coveted towns in Devon home. Totnes is an enigma; an easy train ride to St Pancras for London and the Eurostar, yet with the rolling hills of Dartmoor National Park to its north and the beaches of Bantham and Bigbury - to name but two - to its south.

TOTNES

4 bedrooms

2 bathrooms

2 reception rooms

EPC: Exempt GUIDE PRICE £695,000

TOTNES 01803 847979

All in the DETAIL

QCan you start by giving us the Tanner Bates backstory?

Tanner Bates was founded almost 15 years ago by John Hagger, who trained as a saddler and bridle maker in Walsall. The town is steeped in the history of leatherwork – it is the best place to learn traditional leatherwork skills and everything about leather.

After training alongside and being taught by people who had been in the industry for generations, John returned to Devon and with an enthusiastic 17-year-old Will as his apprentice, Tanner Bates was born!

John has recently embarked upon his well-earned retirement, leaving Tanner Bates in the very capable, expert hands of the dedicated team: Rick, Matt and Will, who between them have over 35 years’ experience working alongside John at Tanner Bates and in the leather industry.

We continue to make everything entirely by hand, using only the finest leather made in traditional ways by small tanneries, just as we have always done.

QYou place huge focus on provenance, with an ethos of keeping your ‘legacy light on the planet’. Why is this so important to you and how does that influence your process as makers?

Tanner Bates is passionate about provenance, sourcing the best and most local raw materials. We believe that this not only lends itself to hand crafting a superior product but also goes hand in hand with so many environmental benefits. Afterall, our products are designed and made to last a lifetime and will ultimately return to nature.

It is the way we have always done things, but it is increasingly important to be mindful of our footprint.

QHow does your dedication to this ethos translate in terms of sourcing and treating your leather?

We are probably best known for our work with our Oak Bark Tanned Devon Leather. It is sourced from the only remaining oak bark tannery in Europe, which just so happens to be just up the road in Colyton. Making the leather is a painstaking and labour-intensive process taking at least 18 months. The hides are all hand dyed and hand finished.

The hides are from Devon cows, a biproduct of the meat industry and are tanned gently and naturally using only oak bark from trees coppiced in the Lake District and Wales, (another biproduct), and water from the stream that flows beside the tannery. The tan pits are agitated by an ancient waterwheel – there has been a tannery on the site since Roman times. It is a truly phenomenal leather, known the world over.

We caught up with Rick Burns-Howell at Dartington based leather makers, Tanner Bates, to find out how those gorgeous surroundings influence their craft and how a renewed trend for ‘forever pieces’ has seen contemporary heirlooms thrive.

Tanner Bates is passionate about provenance, sourcing the best and most local raw materials.

QWe’re seeing a shift away from fast fashion and towards buying less but buying well. Your ‘contemporary heirlooms’ sit perfectly with this –leather pieces can last generations; have you seen this shift in mindset influence the popularity of handmade items like yours?

Absolutely, yes. Now, more than ever, (and quite rightly), consumers are expecting and demanding more from the brands they choose to support. More transparency in terms of raw materials, being light on the planet and moving away from the unsustainable ways of fast fashion. It’s how we’ve always done things! Classic well-designed pieces that last, never go out of fashion.

QYour workshop sits in beautiful Dartington. What makes the area so special and how much do the surroundings influence the work you do at Tanner Bates?

We’re so lucky to be based in Dartington, it has always been a melting pot for crafts and creative makers.

We take so much inspiration from our surroundings, our raw materials come from nature and will return to nature in a lifetime of years to come. There is nothing more special than being outside surrounded by the beautiful South Devon countryside and nature. From the moors, to the river and the coast, we have it all on our doorstep here in Dartington.

Many of our collections are named after local landmarks, such as our Dartington Belt, Vixen Tote Bag and Thurlestone Card Holder! Our new (soon to be launched) roll top backpack is designed with an active day out adventuring around South Hams in mind. Make sure you’re following us to be first in the know when it drops!

QHow does a typical day at the workshop look?

Our days in the workshop are varied. Being such a small team, there are all aspects of running a small business that we all like to get involved in. The workshop smells of leather and usually of coffee too! Good tunes (or podcast) on, great banter. A touch chaotic at times, although always productive and fun, capped off with a mad dash to the post office at the end of the day!

We have a small shop at the workshop – do pop in and see us when you’re passing. Meet the makers and see how your favourite Tanner Bates pieces are made.

QWhat can we expect from Tanner Bates in years ahead?

We have all sorts of ideas and exciting things planned. We’re always working away behind the scenes creating and designing new products –extraordinary everyday items – contemporary heirlooms. And of course, all hand crafted, using the finest raw materials.

If you’re not already signed up to our newsletter, do - and give us a follow to make sure you’re in the know and up to date with all the latest Tanner Bates news!

QUICK FIRE WITH RICK BURNS-HOWELL

Favourite coffee stop: Almond Thief at Webbers Yard… (and The Curator at The Plains, and the Hairy Barista – too many excellent coffee stops).

Best breakfast: River Shack at Stoke Gabriel, sat by the river is pretty unbeatable.

Your South Hams hidden gem: Oh, so many! Although at the moment I’m longing for a sunset SUP up the River Dart and a pint at the Maltsters Arms in Tuckenhay – Always a win.

What does the idea of being ‘at home’ mean to you?

After a long day of crafting and making in the workshop or out adventuring around South Hams, ‘at home’ is sitting by the log burner (usually in the dog bed) with my dog and a wellearned beer!

There is nothing more special than being outside surrounded by the beautiful South Devon countryside and nature.

‘‘

By the

WATER’S EDGE WATER’S EDGE

tumble of tiny boats and adventure seeking kayaks marks the spot where Brook Bakery meets the water. Poised in a ringside seat position beside the Newton Ferrers slipway, the sash windows of this delectable property serve up long, ever-changing views across to Noss Mayo beyond.

Completed in 2020, the restoration and extension of Brook Bakery saw an exhaustive and comprehensive architect designed scheme that focused on retaining the character and features of the original building - one of the oldest in the village - capitalising on its absorbing position and aspect, while also cleverly maximising the space available. It is now a remarkable tardis of space, its living accommodation rising over three levels to reach an upper floor which includes a remarkably private rooftop garden. The principal sitting room, which is over 24ft in length, lies at first floor level, and is dominated by the unobstructed and distracting views over the water.

Brook Bakery is only a few minutes’ walk from all the amenities of the village centre - its yacht club, The Dolphin pub, a thriving primary school and The Green, a delicatessen that tempts with fresh bread, good coffee and irresistible bakes. A stone’s throw away, its twin, Noss Mayo, lures thirsty patrons to The Ship and The Swan pubs after a day on the water.

A spot at the heart of Newton Ferrers’ Conservation Area and the South Hams Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty also puts spectacular countryside, woodland and clifftop walks on your doorstep, including along the South West Coast Path. Deep water moorings and slipway facilities are located around the Yealm Estuary, while venturing further afield puts the amenities of nearby Yealmpton, Modbury, Ivybridge and Plymouth in reach.

The principal sitting room, which is over 24ft in length, lies at first floor level, and is dominated by the unobstructed and distracting views over the water.

NEWTON FERRERS

5 bedrooms

5 bathrooms

2 reception rooms

EPC: C

GUIDE PRICE £1,495,000

NEWTON FERRERS 01752 873311

The sash windows of this delectable property serve up long, ever-changing views across to Noss Mayo beyond.

Cottage LIFE

Primrose Cottage sits pretty in the village of Chillington.

Tastefully modernised, yet retaining many of the original features which lend its character, the property is perfectly located for days spent mackerel fishing at Start Bay, sailing the Salcombe and Dart estuaries, or exploring the beaches, coves and headlands knitted together by the South West Coast Path.

A galley style kitchen overlooks the garden, while an open fireplace creates a cosy hideaway in the dining/sitting room after a day spent outdoors. A utility area and shower room offer ground floor practicality for wet suits and the like, while upstairs features three bedrooms, a bathroom with bath and separate shower, along with an attic bedroom. Step outside and you’ll find a patio seating area primed for al fresco eating and well-established lawned garden with mature shrubbery.

CHILLINGTON

4 bedrooms

2 bathrooms

1 reception room

EPC: F

GUIDE PRICE £550,000

KINGSBRIDGE 01548 857588

Situated in the heart of this popular village, with lots of character and original features.

Living RIVERSIDE

Offering riverside living in its most luxurious form at the award-winning Dart Marina development.

This stunning first-floor apartment is just a picturesque stroll to the centre of ever-popular Dartmouth.

The River Dart holds the starring role, the whole property and its interiors having been designed to maximise uninterrupted views across the river and to Kingswear beyond. Bi-fold doors encourage morning coffees with a spectacular view from the open plan living space, while integrated Smeg appliances and Poggenpohl units create a sleek kitchen from which to entertain. Two double bedrooms feature, one with ensuite bathroom, along with a further family bathroom.

Currently a successful holiday let, this stylish apartment promises the perfect place to decamp after long, leisurely days on the river and late nights indulging at Dartmouth’s many renowned restaurants, from the Michelinstarred Seahorse to the Bib Gourmand winning Andria.

DART MARINA

2 bedrooms

2 bathrooms

1 reception room

EPC: B

GUIDE PRICE £950,000

DARTMOUTH 01803 839190

hours in SALCOMBE 36

Salcombe is the South Hams seaside at its very best. Tucked into an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the harbour town and its coastline attracts keen sailors and adventurous families in equal measure. Here’s our guide to what to do in a place where you can indulge a penchant for fine art in the morning and be kayaking caves and coves come afternoon.

Above: South Sands.

Below: North Sands.

DO THIS

Salcombe is home to beautiful sandy beaches, some of them more secluded than others, but one thing they all share is sheltered waters and golden shores. A walk through town to North Sands is a great way to get a feel for the place, but our favourite spot to dip toes in the sea is South Sands. Catch the small passenger ferry across and you’ll get to appreciate Salcombe from the water on the way.

Another foot ferry will take you to East Portlemouth, from where you can weave a scenic trail along the South West Coast Path to the Gara Rock Hotel for lunch with a spectacular backdrop. If you have the miles left in your legs for a post-lunch walk, the strenuous section from the hotel to Prawle Point rewards your hard work with a beautifully wild and rugged landscape (and a pub stop at the infamously fun Pig’s Nose).

The National Trust has a host of attractions in the South Hams and Overbeck’s Garden at Sharpitor is a highlight. Bursting with exotic plants, this subtropical garden is a hidden paradise and a playground for the green-fingered. The views to Salcombe beyond are truly photo worthy, but don’t forget to put your camera down and take a minute to just enjoy the peace too.

With sailing at its very heart, you mustn’t visit Salcombe without getting out on the water. If you aren’t the captain of your own ship, you can charter a yacht with Devon Sailing Experiences instead. Alternatively, Salcombe Dingy Sailing offers lessons beneath the canvas. The view back towards the town as you meander along the estuary is mesmerising.

If your stay in Salcombe happens to fall over the final weekend in April, the town’s Crabfest must make your agenda. Created to celebrate Salcombe seafood in all its glory, whilst raising money for good causes locally, the event sees some of the UK’s best-known names in food and drink come together for chef demonstrations and pop-up stalls galore. Proud sponsors of the event each year, Marchand Petit can be found keeping the fizz flowing outside the main marquee.

EAT HERE

If you’re packing a picnic and venturing out on the South West Coast Path for the day, Salcombe Deli will keep you fuelled with utterly to-die-for sandwiches and snacks. Toppings are tasty and portions are generous, with as many ingredients as possible sourced locally; its namesake ‘Salcombe Deli’ sandwich will leave you in a state of blissful satisfaction (just add crisps).

It is an unspoken rule that you cannot come to these parts without paying homage to the area’s delectable seafood in one of its many coastal hangouts. The Winking Prawn is a favourite with many; set on North Sands beach, it is famous for its breakfast buffets and summer barbecues.

With sailing at its very heart, you mustn’t visit Salcombe without getting out on the water.

Above: The Winking Prawn.

Also readying the grill is Port Waterhouse. Well-known to the South Hams boating community yet rarely over busy, the boathouse and its balcony with views across the estuary will open as a pop-up bar and barbecue spot between mid-July and early September. Booking is a must!

And finally, if you’re craving something sweet it has to be Cranch’s. Impossible to miss with its pink and white façade, this nostalgic nook will take you right back to the days of penny mixes. It has been serving up sugar rushes since 1986.

DRINK UP

Salcombe and gin goes together like buckets and spades or fish and chips. Salcombe Gin and Distillery appeals to fans of the spirit with a lengthy bar menu and the opportunity to blend your own personalised bottle. The experience also includes a tour of the waterside distillery tucked away just off Island Street.

If you favour a more laidback pub, The Fortescue is a favourite of locals. A good crowd, friendly staff and tasty traditional pub food all add to the ambience.

Above: East Portlemouth.

STAY HERE

A recent addition to the Harbour Hotel Group portfolio, the South Sands Beach Club has made waves since its arrival. The glass and cedar-fronted hotel brings a ‘luxe rustic’ vibe to South Sands beach. Despite being open just a year, the hotel is already being touted as the coolest beach club in the UK by those in the know and recently featured in a Sunday Times roundup of ‘the best luxury spas to visit in 2023.’

Set slightly along the coast in East Portlemouth, Gara Rock is another notable name. Lauded not only as an impressive South Hams hotel but also one of the very best in Britain, the clifftop abode lives up to every word of its claim to be ‘a world away from the everyday.

Above and left: Harbour Hotel’s South Sands Beach Club.

Salcombe and gin goes together like buckets and spades or fish and chips.

Above: Salcombe Distillery Co.

Rural RETREAT

Dovecote House stands regal in the hamlet of Membland, nestled into a secret garden and sitting within a mile of both the coast and the Newton Ferrers waterfront.

Opening the front door reveals aged oak floorboards in a generous hallway, marking the perfect entrance to a home whose interiors

The Grade II listed property has become a welcoming family home, laid out currently over two floors but with existing consent presenting an intriguing opportunity to develop the large attic studio room. Existing highlights include a workfrom-home facility and holiday letting annexe.

Opening the front door reveals aged oak floorboards in a generous hallway, marking the perfect entrance to a home whose interiors have been carefully and beautifully designed. A modern wood burner plays a starring role in the lounge, home too to high ceilings, a deep bay window seat and stylish retro radiators; features that appear constantly throughout the property. Across the hallway, a second wood burner warms a dining room with similarly impressive proportions. A brand new kitchen encourages leisurely Sunday roasts with all the trimmings, whilst the adjoining pantry and utility room offers the practicality needed from a busy family home. A private walled courtyard garden sits to the rear, complete with attractive outbuilding that currently serves as a peaceful home office setting.

have been carefully and beautifully designed.

Upstairs, a large main bedroom features fitted wardrobes and beautiful morning views. Two bathrooms - one with dressing room/nursing and walk-in show, the other with a sunken bath - accompany a second large bedroom in completing the second floor. The attic above Dovecote House once saw life as a yoga studio. Uniquely spacious, with handsome exposed beams and great views, the room has listed building consent granted to access and adapt to create a very special space.

A second front door leads up characterful stone steps and into the annexe; a sizeable space encompassing a large sitting and dining room with views over the main garden, a kitchen overlooking the courtyard garden, and two generously sized double bedrooms, storage room and bathroom.

The charm of Dovecote House extends to its gardens, an amalgamation of wild woodland, gravel driveway, immaculate terraces, secret seating spots and a delightfully rustic vegetable patch.

MEMBLAND, NEWTON FERRERS

5 bedrooms

3 bathrooms

3 reception rooms

EPC: Exempt

GUIDE PRICE £1,250,000

NEWTON FERRERS

01752 873311

A modern wood burner plays a starring role in the lounge, home too to high ceilings, a deep bay window seat and stylish retro radiators.

‘‘

Forging AHEAD

The history of the Old Forge begins 400 years ago and many stories have been told within its walls since.

Today, its only listed segment is the small Grade I listed jail, which still forms part of the building and is currently used as a cellar.

Originally workshops for the Duke of Somerset’s Berry Pomeroy Castle and Estates – home of the Seymour family to which Jane Seymour, one of the six wives of Henry VIII, belonged. This beautifully converted stone building once housed a blacksmith, wheelwright, carpenter, and coach builder, as well as having hay barns, apple stores and cider making facilities too. Today, its only listed segment is the small Grade I listed jail, which still forms part of the building and is currently used as a cellar. Retirement of the current owners puts this true gem located at the heart of one of Devon’s most desirable towns on the market. Located in a secluded and desirable area of Bridge Town, The Old Forge offers a variety of propositions for someone looking to make a lifestyle change, from B&B to boutique hotel, self-catering units, Airbnb, short term rentals or alternatively an exciting opportunity for those looking to create a family home for muti-generational living.

TOTNES

10 bedrooms

10 bathrooms

5 reception rooms

EPC: Exempt GUIDE PRICE £1,750,000

TOTNES 01803 847979

Drake Cottage teeters on the waterside, views across the Yealm estuary spilling from the windows of this former fisherman’s cottage.

On the WATERFRONT

That past character is retained despite the very special property having been stylishly modernised throughout, each room designed to encapsulate the charm of life by the water.

A kitchen/diner offers a generous place for cooking and dining, while a sitting room with log burner provides the perfect space to retreat to after a long day on the water. The first floor features two double bedrooms with estuary views, plus a luxurious shower room, while the top floor provides a light and spacious master bedroom with ensuite bathroom and captivating views out across the river.

Outside, an enchanting garden room with log burner creates a cosy hideaway in which to relax, read a book and watch life on the river unfold from the tranquillity of your very own waterside garden. A position right by the slipway means embarking on your own boat or kayak adventures right from the door can be enjoyed with ease, should it prove too tempting to resist.

NEWTON FERRERS

3 bedrooms

2 bathrooms

1 reception room

EPC: C

GUIDE PRICE £1,150,000

NEWTON FERRERS 01752 873311

The waterside garden has an enchanting garden room with log burner, creating a cosy hideaway to relax.

Our favourite four...

DOG-FRIENDLY BEACHES

Little beats a beach day with your fourlegged friend in tow, but as the seasons change, so too do the rules on where pups are permitted. In the name of letting them enjoy sea swims and sandy runs until their heart’s content this spring, here are four of our favourite dog-friendly beaches in the South Hams. Best of all, they almost all welcome pups year-round.

Slapton Sands

10,000 years ago, Slapton Sands was part of the Great Plains, where elephants and hyenas would’ve grazed. Today, you’re unlikely to see either, but what you will find is an abundance of four-legged friends roaming wild on a three-mile shingle beach which combines both Strete Gate and Torcross.

From July to September, lifeguards patrol the beach, so if you fancy braving the water with your dog you can do so safely. There’s also ample parking and a couple of dog-friendly refreshment stops for mid-walk ice creams and cold shandies in the sun.

Top: Slapton Sands, Strete Gate end. Above: Slapton Sands, Torcross end.

Bantham Beach gets some serious kudos as one of the best surfing beaches in South Devon, but it also makes a great playground for canine companions.

South Milton Sands

South Milton Sands offers a bit of something for everyone. Set in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, you’ll have sand, sea and sun (hopefully!). At low tide, you and your furry friend can join forces to investigate the rockpools for sea critters such as sea scorpions, Cornish sucker fish and various anemones.

All that exploring tends to work up an appetite best addressed at the Beachhouse, a laidback seafood shack just yards from the sand, perfectly poised for sipping wine as the sun sets and your faithful friend slumbers.

Top: South Milton Sands.

Bantham

Bantham Beach gets some serious kudos as one of the best surfing beaches in South Devon, but it also makes a great playground for canine companions, especially at low tide when a number of shallow pools become exposed, leaving space for them to frolic to their heart’s content. Although Bantham isn’t open to dogs all year round, at the south end of the beach is the ‘River Beach’ – a large stretch of sand located beside the estuary - which does allow dogs 354 days a year.

If you’re hitting the beach with teenagers in tow, you’ll score cool points galore by following up with lunch at Outside. The skate park meets surf club has quickly become of the hottest hangouts in the South Hams.

East Portlemouth

East Portlemouth isn’t a single beach, but is instead made up of a series of small beaches: Fishermans Cove, Smalls Cove and Mill Bay. The beauty of this is that it is a little quieter and more secluded, so perfectly suited perhaps to those dogs with a nervous disposition.

East Portlemouth is also well connected to the South West Coast Path, meaning you and your pooch can explore the area at your leisure, or pull on your hiking boots and embark on one of the more challenging walks if you want to test yourself.

Above: Bantham Beach.

Above: Bantham Beach.

Below: View of Salcombe from East Portlemouth.

Your questions answered:

DO BUNGALOWS SELL FASTER THAN ANY OTHER TYPE OF HOUSE?

Did you know bungalows tend to sell faster (and often for more!) than houses? Marchand Petit Consultant Roger Punch FRICS tells us why and explains how the world needs bungalows now more than ever.

Bungalows are a pet subject of mine - there are definitely not enough!

For reason of age or disability, stairs or flights of stairs don’t always work. At the same time external space makes for healthy living, so flats are often also just not suitable. For these people single storey dwellings are the only answer for accessibility.

Demand outstrips supply, pushing prices up. Good bungalows on level sites in rural South Devon sell for a premium, such that a bungalow can sell for 30% more, and sell much faster.

Bungalows take up more ground space than the equivalent

house, but will sell faster, often usually funded by cash.

However, despite all this, they are rarely incorporated into new developments like they used to be. Local Planning Authorities should impose a proportion of bungalows into new developments, such as they do with affordable housing. It should be a Strategic Objective in Local Plans as it keeps people in their communities when their needs change: currently there is often a need to move to a different area.

With an aging population and improving healthcare this problem is not going away. To provide choice and be inclusive we need bungalows!

Pole POSITION

Masses of character awaits at the top of 5 Fosse Road’s sweeping driveway.

Set in an elevated position overlooking the estuary town of Kingsbridge, the large family home features a melee of characterful features within its walls.

Space abounds in the living areas of 5 Fosse Road. In the sitting room, picture windows share a burst of the open countryside beyond town, while a wood burner warms the space. Following the steps down brings you to a dining room with equally impressive views across the garden. Patio doors open onto a large, decked balcony; the perfect place to sit, soak up the sun and just ‘be’ for a little while. Back inside, large Velux windows flood the space with natural light and make an already sizeable room feel vast. A Belfast sink and exposed brickwork bring character to the kitchen.

The property features four bedrooms, one occupying the first floor and featuring an en-suite shower room and fabulous views. Three double bedrooms sit off the hallway below, two with feature fireplaces and one with patio doors opening onto a balcony with views across the town and over the well-established garden of plants, flowers and shrubs below.

In the sitting room, picture windows share a burst of the open countryside beyond town, while a wood burner warms the space.

KINGSBRIDGE

4 bedrooms

2 bathrooms

2 reception rooms

EPC: D

GUIDE PRICE £795,000

KINGSBRIDGE 01548 857588

High FLYERS

Bird migration is one of the world’s natural wonders and species like swifts and cuckoos have begun to make their return to British skies. Both now sit on a red list of birds of extreme conservation concern, their numbers declining dramatically in recent years according to the British Trust for Ornithology.

Never has it been more important to make our gardens a safe space for feathered friends. With that in mind, we’ve put together some tips on creating a thriving bird community, as well as ways to help out the experts in protecting our high flyers for future generations.

GROW NATIVE PLANTS

Naturally growing plants can provide shelter and food for our birds. The more plants you have, the more likely the variety of insects available for the birds to feed on. Avoid using pesticides as they will kill off birds’ natural prey and poison the food chain. Instead, let the birds act as natural pest control.

PROVIDE FOOD

If enough gardens provide food, water and shelter it creates essential corridors for wildlife to move along and live in. It’s also a great way to get the kids thinking about how they can make life easier for furry and feathered friends.

You can feed birds right through the year. And in spring, when adults are busy trying to raise their young, a tendency to hunt all day to find the right food for youngsters can often mean there isn’t quite enough to go around for mum and dad. A well-fed parent is better able to gather food for its babies. In summer and autumn birds use energy moulting into their winter plumage and need to start building up their fat reserves ready for winter. Of course, winter conditions can make food hard to find, so supplementing a bird’s natural food can be essential to their survival.

There are many ways to feed birds. Bird tables can be freestanding or hung from a tree and become a platter for seeds, chopped apples (wash them first if bought), cereal, bacon rind, biscuit crumbs, raisins and cooked potato. Fatty balls or suet blocks are a valuable source of energy and especially popular with the tit family, however avoid netted fatty balls as birds have been known to get tangled!

Metal feeders are mainly used for dispensing peanuts and seed tubes will attract a wide range of birds when filled with sunflower hearts or mixed seed. Ensure the feeders are filled and cleaned regularly as the birds will begin to rely on them as one of their food sources.

Making our gardens a safe space for birds.

If enough gardens provide food, water and shelter it creates essential corridors for wildlife to move along and live in.

KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR CHICKS ON THE GROUND

It can be quite distressing to find a helpless bird outside of its nest. But you may be doing more harm than good if you try to interfere. If the bird is hopping about, it’s likely to be a fledgling, being fed and watched over by nearby parents until it has learned to fly.

If it looks too small for that then you could attempt to put it back in the nest if you can see it. The parents won’t abandon the chick if it smells of humans – that’s just a myth. But if all else fails, the only place it should be taken away to is to an expert wildlife rehabilitation centre – don’t try to raise it yourself as it is extremely unlikely to survive.

STOP YOUR CAT FROM CATCHING BIRDS!

A shocking 55 million birds are killed by cats each year. Cats are natural hunters, but there are a few things owners can do to try to curb their natural instinct.

The RSPB suggests putting a bell on your cat’s collar to act as a warning to unsuspecting birdlife, as well as making sure any feeders are placed away from dense planting that might provide a hiding spot for cats on the prowl. You can also try keeping your cat indoors when birds are most vulnerable: at least an hour before sunset and an hour after sunrise, especially during March to July and December to January, and also after bad weather, such as rain or a cold spell, to allow birds to come out and feed.

INSTALL BIRD BOXES

Modern buildings may be warmer and drier, but one thing they tend to lack is convenient nesting holes. Nest boxes are the perfect solution. They’re simple to construct, but remember never to paint the insides; paint is often toxic to animals and the painted surface may be too slippery for young birds to clamber out of when it’s time to fledge. And don’t forget to paint the outside light and bright so that it reflects the sun – nobody wants to live in an oven!

PROVIDE WATER

Birds need water for drinking and bathing, and it’s something you can help with at home year-round. Water is particularly important during the winter when natural supplies may be frozen and in dry, hot weather during the summer when water can be hard to find.

Ponds attract a great variety of wildlife, which in turn attract a wealth of fascinating bird species for you to enjoy from your window. That said, even a bird bath will work wonders. It only needs to be a few centimetres deep for the birds to drink and bathe – just make sure you keep it clean to prevent birds catching diseases. You can use dilute household disinfectants, but make sure that you rinse the bath out thoroughly to remove any traces of chemicals.

HELP TRACK BIRDS

At this time of year, you can assist the experts by logging the birds you see in your garden. Swifts, for example, pair for life and meet up at the same nest site in the UK each spring – usually in gaps under roof tiles and in the eaves of buildings. But as more and more old buildings are demolished or renovated, many swifts are returning to discover their nest site is gone. By telling the RSPB where you see nesting swifts via their website, you’ll help to build a picture of where their nest sites need to be protected and where it would be best to provide new nest sites.

FINALLY - WHAT IF YOU ARE MOVING HOUSE?

If you’ve been feeding and attracting birds into your garden, then it can be a sad thought that the new owners may not feel the same. There are two options: you can begin to scale down the food that you are putting out for them to encourage them to look for food elsewhere or you can leave all your feeders and some food for the new owners with instructions to encourage them to keep their new garden full of life.

On the TOWN

The South Hams encompasses some of the most astounding coastlines and countryside in the whole of England, but it also has its fair share of bustling towns. From historic Dartmouth and all its naval heritage to the traditional market town of Kingsbridge, the eclectic hive of activity that is Totnes and the seaside streets of Salcombe, these prime location properties put the area’s top towns on your doorstep.

PROSPECTS, CORONATION STREET, SALCOMBE

This three-bedroom apartment combines the beauty of water views with the convenience of a position just a short walking distance from Salcombe town. Tri-fold doors flood the kitchen, dining and sitting rooms with natural light, while a decked terrace encourages morning coffees with a view.

GUIDE PRICE £750,000

SALCOMBE

01548 844473

BRIDGE TERRACE, TOTNES

This iconic pink apartment building is perfectly positioned for taking in the scene of Totnes town below. Offered with no onward chain, the apartment has accommodation in excess of 1,000 sq.ft., the highlight of which are seven multi-aspect gallery windows overlooking the very heart of Totnes.

TOTNES 01803 847979

CHURCH STREET, MODBURY

This deceptively spacious period property brims with original character features, from its beautiful sash windows and original shutters to its flagstone flooring and feature fireplaces. Taking a seat in the landscaped garden outside offers views across neighbouring rooftops and to countryside beyond.

MODBURY 01548 831163

GUIDE PRICE £495,000

GUIDE PRICE £575,000

FORE STREET, PLYMPTON ST MAURICE

Dating back the late 1700s and set in Plympton St Maurice’s Conservation Area, this four-storey town house offers the best of both worlds – a peaceful hideaway with serene south facing walled garden and countryside views, yet sitting within walking distance of Plympton’s town centre amenities.

GUIDE PRICE

£550,000

NEWTON FERRERS 01752 873311

ESTUARY VIEW, KINGSBRIDGE

Spend your daytimes exploring the market town of Kingsbridge and its surrounding areas, and your evenings taking in water views from the balcony of this three-bedroom home. Sitting just steps from the estuary, the property also features a self-contained annexe with its own entrance, making it ideal for visitors or for us as a holiday let.

GUIDE PRICE £500,0000

KINGSBRIDGE 01548 857588

THE OLD COACH HOUSE, DARTMOUTH

Located just off the top of Mount Boone, just a short walk from the town, this charming detached house enjoys views across the River Dart and to the Britannia Royal Naval College. It sits in a secluded mature garden and has private driveway parking for two or three cars to.

GUIDE PRICE £695,000

DARTMOUTH 01803 839190