Tor Church Road

This delightful Grade II-listed thatched cottage is located in the small hamlet of Widewell, near Kingsbridge, within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. From its elevated position, the house has enchanting and far-reaching views over rolling farmland and picturesque Start Bay. Recently renovated, it retains many of its 16th-century features, including beams and exposed stone walls. It comprises a plan of over 2,000 sq ft, with a generous farmhouse-style kitchen, four bedrooms, an expansive garden with wonderful vistas, and numerous outbuildings. With bracing cliff-top walks nearby and the seaside village of Torcross within a 20-minute amble, the house is in a fantastic spot for exploring South Devon’s breathtaking coastline.

Setting the Scene

The house was originally built in the 16th century and remodelled during the 18th and 20th centuries. At least the centre of the original house was likely open to the roof and heated from an uncontained hearth fire, with the remains of a smoke-blackened truss over the present staircase. The house would have been reroofed as part of the 18th-century scheme of works, at which point the floors and chimneys were likely inserted.

A short walk down the hill brings you to Torcross, nestled at the end of Slapton Sands, where the popular Start Bay Inn and the inviting beach await. The allure of Slapton Sands extends beyond its golden shores, as the surrounding area is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a haven for biodiversity. Just beyond is the tranquil Slapton Ley Nature Reserve, comprising around 490 acres of natural woodland, marshes and reedbed habitat, providing a wildlife haven for birds and vegetation.