The sea and the beach are so close, you can almost touch them. Blue Beach House sits in a prime position over looking Ilfracombe’s picturesque and bustling harbour. This terraced property has been thoughtfully designed to ensure you enjoy a comfortable and relaxing holiday. The large kitchen/dining room leads out onto the patio overlooking the beach and harbour, which is ideal to sit and watch the boats, and tide, come and go. Over the two upper floors you will find a further living room with views over the harbour and three comfortable bedrooms, two of which are en-suite, and one with access to its own bathroom. Located right in the heart of Ilfracombe, Blue Beach House is very conveniently located with all the local shops, restaurants and other local amenities within easy walking distance of the house. Seek out Damian Hirst’s ’Verity’ sculpture - a great topic of conversation. The Victorian Tunnels Beaches are worth a visit and are also a sought after wedding venue. A walk up to St Nicholas Chapel will give you a great view over the harbour and town. Enjoy a spot of crabbing from the pier and there a numerous sightseeing and fishing trips leaving from the harbour.
During your stay, there is plenty to see and do in the local area and slightly further afield. Good days out include Combe Martin Wildlife and Dinosaur Park, Watermouth Castle and the Lynton to Lynmouth cliff railway. At Croyde and Woolacombe you will find some of the best and cleanest surf beaches in the country as well as many smaller coves and bays. Exmoor is a short distance away and on a clear day the views can be spectacular. There are National Trust properties at Arlington and Knightshayes and the RHS gardens at Rosemoor, Great Torrington. You will also find golf, horse riding, jet ski safaris and quad biking locally. Beach 10 yards. Shop 50 yards, pub 10 yards, restaurant 20 yards.

The graceful spire of Holbeton church greets you first as you enter this tranquil Devon valley - along with a sign to let you know that you are now in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Then, almost immediately, you get your first glimpse of your stunningly beautiful detached property as you drive through the exquisite craftsman made metal gates. This unusual and much loved home is the perfect retreat. You will almost certainly take breakfast in the sun room as you plan your day, and, what could be a nicer start, than by feeding the koi carp in their 28 foot long, hand tiled water feature whilst sipping your first cuppa! The fully equipped kitchen opens onto the calm and inviting dining area that features a large marble top table. As you explore the house, you will first be delighted at the original art on the walls. Be prepared to have your breath taken away by the fabulous, handmade, wrought iron staircase and you’ll know that you are somewhere very special. The downstairs open plan living area is light and comfortable and perfect for relaxing, entertaining, and enjoying the spectacular views. Should the weather keep you indoors, simply settle back with Netflix, for a truly cosy evening. The totally private landscaped gardens are yours to enjoy, as are an extra two acres of pasture which are perfect for dog walking. You can spend your afternoons chilling on the sunny, south facing deck watching the wildlife of this peaceful Devon valley.

Alternatively, take a 2-mile walk to the coast through secluded woodland to laze on sandy Mothecombe beach. Totnes, a handsome market town in the South Hams, is easily reached and river cruises can be taken from here down to Dartmouth during the summer months. The owner lives close by and is on hand for help and local knowledge. Whatever you decide, you’ll certainly want to round off the evening with a soak under the stars in your private hot tub with its magically lit amphitheatre. Your stay here at Pentire will rejuvenate and delight you and when you leave you will probably be planning your next visit before you even drive out of the gates! Please note that the koi carp pond can be covered with secure netting on request. Parents with small children should also be aware that the garden has an unfenced drop. Bird watching, horse riding, golf and fishing can all be found locally. Beach 2¼ miles. Shop pub and restaurant 150 yards.

This ideally located, ground floor holiday apartment with peaceful, enclosed garden is set close to a sandy beach in the heart of the picturesque seaside village. Beadnell is situated on the heritage coast in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, ideal for couples, families and friends. Water sports, cycling, golf, walking, fishing and riding all available close by. Visits to Alnwick with its historic cobbled streets, majestic castle and water gardens, only 12 miles. Bamburgh 5 miles, Seahouses 2 miles. Shops, pubs and restaurants 100 yards.

A fantastic three-bedroom bungalow resting in Colwall, Worcestershire. Enclosed gardens. Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Pet-friendly. Worcester 12 miles; Hereford 19.8 miles.

The Old Guildhall, reputed to be the original meeting place of the ancient order of stone cutters and marblers, is a unique and individual property with contemporary and quirky design practically combined with many original period features. The house has many original works of art on display which adds to the ambiance, and has been featured in the House and Garden magazine. The owner thoughtfully provides a luxurious hamper. The stunning village of Corfe Castle stands at the gateway to the Isle of Purbeck, and is dominated by the ruined castle, which is a delight any time of year. Other family attractions include a model village and interactive exhibition, the village museum, a steam railway and many shops, and Corfe Common is found just on the edge of the village with the Purbeck Way walking route passing through it to reach Chapman’s Pool and the South West Coast Path. The village is constructed almost completely from the local grey Purbeck limestone and around the village square there are a small collection of shops clustered together. The UNESCO World Heritage Jurassic Coastline is a short drive away, with the famous Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door. Discover the town of Swanage with its beach, boat trips, Durlston Country Park and Steam Railway. Monkey World and the Tank Museum are also close by. Shop and pubs 100 yards.

Situated 300 metres from the beach, this holiday home lies close to the village of Elmer and within half a mile along the beach of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty which stretches several miles from Elmer to Littlehampton. The beaches in this area remain quiet, even during the busiest summer periods and with man made rock islands just off the shore and accessible at low tide, the beach is wonderful to explore and is ideal for swimming, fishing, windsurfing and walking. Elmer is an ideal location to explore many of the attractions of the south coast from bustling Brighton, 25 miles, to the east to historic Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight to the west. In between there are beautiful places such as Chichester with its cathedral and festival theatre, quaint Arundel, 5 miles to the north with its castle, river, antique shops and famous wetland bird centre, Goodwood and Fontwell race courses and the beautiful South Downs are all close by. Shop, pub and restaurant 200 yards.

Situated 300 yards from the beach this holiday home lies close to the village of Elmer and within half a mile along the beach of an area of outstanding natural beauty which stretches several miles from Elmer to Littlehampton. The beaches in this area remain quiet even during the busiest summer periods and with man made rock islands just off the shore and accessible at low tide, the beach is wonderful to explore and is ideal for swimming, fishing, windsurfing and walking. Elmer is an ideal location to explore many of the attractions of the south coast from bustling Brighton 25 miles to the east, to historic Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight to the west. In-between there are beautiful places such as Chichester with its cathedral and festival theatre, quaint Arundel, 5 miles to the north with its castle, river, antique shops, restaurants and famous wetland bird centre, Goodwood and Fontwell race courses and the beautiful South Downs are all close by. Shop, pub and restaurant 200 yards.

Nestling in the pretty Norfolk countryside close to the heart of the Norfolk Broads, Willow Barn (ref CZB) and single-storey Beech Barn (ref CZU) and Alderfen Barn (ref UK30458) are detached holiday properties dating back to the 1700s, situated in the grounds of the owner’s home. Providing a perfect retreat for discerning larger family groups, these converted barns offer spacious and comfortable accommodation boasting beamed interiors, wood-burning stoves and enclosed separate gardens with private hot tubs, and for a special meal or family celebration gourmet meals can be arranged with the owner.
For Beech Barn (ref CZU), between Easter and the 16th July, and the 1st September-1st November, for 7 night bookings the owner is offering free boat hire for one day.
Beech Farm Barns are ideally located for all the family and for nature lovers there is an abundance of bird life. Within walking distance is Alderfen Broad, which is situated in The Broads National Park, a bird watcher’s delight. For the children there is BeWILDerwood Adventure Park with its treehouses, zip wires, jungle bridges and boat trips, which all combined makes a great day out. Nearby is the attractive Broads village of Horning with its selection of tea shops, restaurants and pubs. A day boat can be hired directly from the owner, or book a trip on the Mississippi steamer. The sandy beaches of the North Norfolk Coast are only 10 miles away. Alternatively spend a day in the fine city of Norwich with its magnificent cathedrals, castle, museums, theatres, market and vast array of cafes and shops. There is a wealth of National Trust properties to visit in the area which include Felbrigg Hall, Garden and Park (one of the finest 17th-century country Jacobean houses in East Anglia), Blickling Hall (a magnificent house with woodlands and lakeside walks) and Sheringham Park (beautifully landscaped and renowned for its spectacular displays of azaleas and rhododendrons in late spring). Shops and pub 1½ miles.

Beech Barn (CZU), Willow Barn (CZB) and Alderfen Barn (UK30458) can be booked together to accommodate up to 32 guests.

Approached via a long drive overlooking daffodil fields, this comfortable, single-storey, detached bungalow is a lovely holiday home for families or couples, located on the doorstep to the Jurassic Coast. It has a large enclosed lawned garden and a spacious games room. West View is located within the owner’s country home and has direct access onto bridleways and footpaths, leading all the way to Wareham. Set in a convenient location for road links to the beaches of Poole and Bournemouth, Sandbanks, The Purbeck Coastline, historical maritime Southampton with historic ships, Salisbury Cathedral, Christchurch Harbour and Dorchester. Other attractions include Monkey World, Stone Henge, Marwell Zoo, Beaulieu Motor Museum, New Forest Otter and Owl Park, Kingston Lacy (NT) and Badbury Rings. The New Forest is also within easy driving distance with its heathlands, where ponies and cattle roam. Beach 6 miles. Shop, pub and restaurant ½ mile.

This beautifully presented, single-storey barn conversion sits within a peaceful barn development accessed by a tree-lined private lane. Just outside the village of Sculthorpe near the bustling market town of Fakenham, just under 9 miles from Wells-next-the-Sea, this holiday property provides the perfect base from which to explore North Norfolk. Shop 2 miles, pub and restaurant ½ mile.