Salt and Stone: seven storied seaside homes in the South West
The stretch of coast that meanders around the south-west of England is a varied, meandering landscape – the South West Coast Path is four times as long as Mount Everest is tall. From the fossil-laden shores of the Jurassic Coast, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, to the picturesque beaches in southern Cornwall, the region has opportunities for surfers, strollers, sand-dwellers and swimmers. Here’s our pick of some of the best coastal treasures
- Writer
- Sophie Sims
Chymder Farmhouse, Helston, Cornwall
Britain’s most southerly point, the Lizard Peninsula (and the surrounding heritage coast), is known for its remarkably diverse geology and wildlife. This cosy 18th-century farmhouse lies a short drive away from some of the area’s most enchanting seaside spots, from Church Cove, a hidden gem for surfing, to Dollar Cove, which takes its name from the silver dollars that washed up here from an ancient shipwreck. Built with traditional Cornish granite, Chymder Farmhouse is a characterful retreat deeply rooted in the mesmerising surrounding landscape.
South Town, Dartmouth, Devon
This handsome Grade II-listed Georgian house occupies a rather commanding spot above the romantic River Dart estuary, a stretch of water with a rich maritime history. It has been carefully and thoroughly restored in recent years, with a wealth of period details, including wide, canted bays that capture sea views. The four bedrooms are peaceful and atmospheric spaces, but for those seeking solitude on another level, a one-bedroom annexe in the garden (affectionately known as ‘The Donkey House’ by its current owners) is a private haven within striking distance of the main plan.
Eagle House, Lyme Regis, Dorset
Eagle House is an exquisite home in the centre of restorative Lyme Regis – known best, perhaps, for its fossils and association with author John Fowles. Its current owners (who we spoke to for our ‘A Private View’ series) have painstakingly restored the house, which presents an enchanting amalgamation of architectural periods. It has housed a variety of businesses through its time, from coffin-makers and a train station lost property store to a t-shirt business. For those looking to pursue artistic endeavours, amateur or otherwise, a bright three-storey outbuilding at the rear of the house has been well-used in recent years as a studio and workshop.
Chesil Gallery, Portland, Dorset
One of just three major shingle beach structures in the UK, Chesil Beach runs for 18 miles from West Bay to the Isle of Portland. Perched right on the beach, this house was transformed into a well-known art gallery before it was further extended into its current iteration, a spacious but cosy residence. With exposed timber and white-painted walls, its purposefully pared-back spaces manage to strike a balance between a comfortable, welcoming home and an elegant Kettles Yard-like effect – an homage perhaps to its recent past.
Plum Cottage, Padstow, Cornwall
New life has been breathed into Plum Cottage, a characterful home in Padstow, one of Cornwall’s best-loved towns on account of its stellar dining scene and picturesque harbour. Reclaimed and antique finds have been added across the house, including bespoke units, sensitive panelling and a wonderful roster of paint colours and wallpapers. What’s more, Plum Cottage is also available with all contents, furniture and art – all sourced specifically for the house – for an additional cost (more information can be provided on request). It’s the perfect turnkey bolthole on Cornwall’s northern coast.
Shipwrights, Plymouth, Devon
This Grade II-listed cottage on the estuary of the River Plym is thoroughly embedded in the area’s naval history. A shipyard has existed in the area (the Turnchapel part of Plymouth) since the 17th century. This house, converted to a pub, is believed to date to the early 1800s, serving the workers, troops and locals until the 1970s. Its pint-pulling days might be over, but this coastal cottage retains a sense of its earliest charm, with preserved period features and sympathetic newer installations.
The Old Chapel, Trewarmett, Cornwall
The Cornwall National Landscape (formerly known as the Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) covers almost a third of the county on its easterly coast. This house lies within it, in a particularly pretty pocket where the land begins to slope down to the sea at Trebarwith Strand. A sublimely converted chapel, its preserved ecclesiastic features include tall arched windows and especially tall proportions. The views are breathtaking: the line of sight to the sea is framed by a stately cypress tree, a species synonymous with this storied patch of the South West.
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