Cupped high in the folds of the South Hams hills, 2 Holset Cottages is a delightful three bedroom terraced house with dramatic views inland towards South Pool and beyond and a short distance from some of the cleanest, safest and most beautiful beaches in Devon.  The hamlet of Holset is within walking distance of East Portlemouth where a regular foot ferry provides a service across the estuary to Salcombe.  The market town of Kingsbridge and the historic port of Dartmouth are within easy reach of this cosy South Devon outpost.

Accommodation
The property has three bedrooms, one double with fitted wardrobes and nightstore heater.  The second has a smaller, 4ft double bed and electric heater.  The third has bunk beds and electric heater.  Pillows and duvets are provided, and linen can be hired upon request.

The downstairs lounge has a homely wood burning stove (with a log supply) and an electric heater, Freeview TV/DVD and an adjacent dining area.  There are plenty of books and games together with information about the surrounding coast and countryside.  From the lounge the front door opens into the conservatory porch, well suited for sitting and soaking in the view.

The kitchen is fitted with cooker, cupboards and telephone for incoming calls.  The back door opens onto a small lobby with microwave, fridge, immersion heater tank and washing machine.  The bathroom has a bath with electric shower over, WC, heated towel rail, wall heater and shaver point.  Click on this link to see interior images of the cottage.

The cottage is reached over a private road behind the converted barns and farm buildings of Holset Court.  There are parking spaces for two cars.

Garden
There is an open garden at the front and rear of the cottage from where you can enjoy the splendid views out over the South Hams.  Steps lead down to the front garden which slopes down to a sheltered summer house.  The rear garden is to the right of the stone steps outside the back door and has a paved barbeque area at the top, with direct access to the footpath up the wooden steps.

Bookings:  after confirming availability with the proprietor, you can secure your booking by completing the Booking Form and returning it with a deposit of £50.  The balance of your holiday rental, please, six weeks before you are due to arrive.

2 Holset Cottages operates a no pets and a non-smoking policy.

Please check availability before making a booking.

Here is a printable booking form.

Cheques should be made payable to Chris & Liz Tizzard and sent to :-

Newfield Cottage,
Matfield,
Tonbridge,
Kent
TN12 7EQ.

All enquiries to the address above, or telephone us on :-   01892 723640

e-mail address :-   chris@tizz.tv
 

During the off-season we're happy to offer special long weekend rates.

There is a minimum charge of £75.

LOCAL INFORMATION

Footpaths and Walks
The wooden steps at the top of the back garden are an access point to the coast and countryside and will take you onto an established footpath.  Once up and over the steps, bear left and head up the edge of the field until you come to the gate in the corner, which will lead you to the road.  Heading right here will lead you along the road and into the village of East Portlemouth.  The road opposite heads through the lanes to Rickham and, taking the first lane left, will bring you to the dramatic spot of Gara Rock, which until recently was the site of the Gara Rock Hotel, converted from a weather-beaten terrace of old coastguard cottages.  Alternatively you can take a style on the right halfway down this lane, which will bring you into a field with sweeping views of the sea.  Across this the footpath runs down through the valley to Mill Bay. It follows an ancient track through the delightful woodland, and on a busy day is a scenic and enjoyable way of beating the cars to the beach.

Once at Gara Rock, you can join the coastal footpath for an invigorating walk.  It connects just below the lookout on the way down to the beach, and from here you walk along high above the waves, swinging back in up the estuary to Sunny Cove and Mill Bay.

Following the path down to Gara Rock beach itself you can cross over the stream and walk back up the opposite hill.  This heads east round the imposing headland towards Prawle Point and on to Start Point and its lighthouse if you are up to a days hike.

Car Parks
If you prefer a less strenuous way to get to the fabulous beaches, the field mentioned earlier to the right of the Gara approach road serves as a car park (with honesty box), and you can of course take the track down from here to Mill Bay as well as Gara Rock.  Mill Bay itself has a National Trust Car Park, though this can get congested at times so is worth arriving early.  You can park in East Portlemouth village overlooking the harbour.  From here there are steps (over 100!) down to the foot ferry to Salcombe.  During the high season you can follow the road down through the village and turn right at the T-junction at the bottom.  About 50 metres on the left parking is available in the field next to Port Waterhouse boatyard, along with an honesty box.  From here it is a short walk back along the road to Ditch End and the ferry with its handy cafe.

Beaches
All the beaches on the East Portlemouth side of the estuary are safe, sandy and sheltered - surrounded by the gentle hills.  Gara Rock is one of the few beaches on the Portlemouth side that face the open sea.  It is accessed by a long track that tumbles down the hill to the sand.  Sadly, nothing remains of the original hotel (a new hotel is planned) that stood at the top, except for the original thatched lookout point, the views from which are truly breathtaking in any weather.  The looming, rocky and rugged coastline here contrasts beautifully with the undulating hills of the countryside further inland and the beaches up the estuary.  Although popular it is rarely overcrowded.  Well worth the haul back up at the end of the day.

Mill Bay and Sunny Cove are connected by a footpath through National Trust woodland.  Mill Bay is the larger with a broad expanse of sand and a stream running down its side, practically made for damming and diverting.  Sunny cove is well named and at low tide it is possible to walk out onto the sandy bar at the mouth of the estuary, though be careful of the tides return!

Further away is Lannacombe Bay.  Parking is very limited so first come first served, but well worth a visit.  For a complete change, and if your prefer swimming to digging, Beesands has a steeply shelving shingle beach with ample parking and public toilets, and strewn with irresistibly skimable pebbles.

From Salcombe you can take the colourful bunting-waving ferry from Whitestrand Quay to South Sands, visit the old lifeboat shed, which now hires windsurf boards and sells ice cream, and look back across the water to Sunny Cove.

Pubs and eating places
The Millbrook Inn at South Pool is excellent, both food and beer.  There is a stream running at the back to watch the ducks.  Children are allowed in the top bar, but it does get very crowded at high tide as the boats come upstream from Salcombe.

The quirky Pigs Nose in East Prawle is a very short distance away and allows children, does good food and beer, and is equipped with pool table.  Very popular with groups of gaitered walkers doing the South West Coast Path.  A good spot for sitting outside on a pleasant evening with a good pint watching the flashes from Start Point lighthouse illuminate the clouds.

At Stokenham the Church House Inn is a very busy pub for lunches and suppers catering for children with a special menu and play area outside.

The Open Arms in Chillington has a games room with pool table and dartboard.  Basic but good pub food and well kept real ale.  For really excellent quality pub food and ale head out to The Tower (tel: 01548 580216) in Slapton near Torcross, nestled by the ruins of a medieval chantry.  The food is really first class and the array of well kept ales is well worth the trip.

Kingsbridge
Poised at head of this unique estuary, Kingsbridge is a bustling small town where you can find everything you need for entertainment, eating and shopping.

Although the creek here empties out at low tide when boats are stranded on the mud, regular boat trips depart from the quay for trips down the estuary during the season.  Or you can sit and watch the world go by on the quayside.

There is a sports centre with swimming pool, a small museum at the top of Fore Street and a small but character cinema (The Reel Cinema) in the old town hall up the hill, showing current films.  As well as many good shops on the main street, there is a large supermarket on the outer road.

Salcombe
Salcombe estuary is an idyllic stretch of sheltered water edged by sandy beaches and coves, making it a thriving boating and sailing centre.

The town itself, its streets circling the steep hill it is built on, like whitewashed contour lines, is a maze of narrow streets that are mainly traffic free.  It has art galleries, trendy shops and a wealth of pubs and restaurants.  At the working end of the town the big crabbing and fishing boats rub bows with all manner of smaller craft.  Boat chandlers abound along Island Street towards Batson creek.  Not to be missed is the small town museum and RNLI museum.

The foot ferry across to the sandy beaches goes from the bottom of the steps leading down to the Ferry Inn, where you can enjoy a pint if there is a queue for the boat!

If you're feeling adventurous, you can hire a boat at Whitestrand Quay and explore the estuary for yourself

Local Shopping
Frogmore: The small shop opposite the bridge has its own bakery at the back where you can buy fresh bread, cakes and pasties, as well as general groceries.

East Charlton: Ashby's Easy Stores is attached to the service station and is on route to the cottage coming from Kingsbridge.  A useful spot to stop at for supplies before you arrive.

Stokenham: On the A379 in between Stokenham and Torcross, Stokeley's Farm Shop is a superb establishment selling all manner of local produce imaginable, an interesting change from the usual supermarket fodder.

Both Ashby's and Stokeley's do £50 cashbacks with purchases.

Chillington: Has a butchers shop (rather discreetly tucked away!), a general stores and post office.

Kingsbridge: The nearest supermarket is Somerfields in Kingsbridge.