The Southwest, for those that already live or work here, is a magical region and for those seeking a great work-life balance, it is hard to beat either Cornwall or Devon. Please take the time to look at some of the great properties that Country & Waterside represent as well as some of the great local features we have also included to make this more than just a property magazine.
Welcome to the first digital edition of our magazine, Country & Waterside Prestige.
At Country & Waterside we have some truly inspirational properties, representing some of the best available in the region. We take great pride in offering our clients a bespoke and well considered service to help in your property move. Coupled with a UK wide network and our association with a leading London Agency, John D Wood & Co., Country & Waterside is the agent to choose.
We’re delighted to present the first digital edition of our magazine, Country & Waterside Prestige.
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Countrywide PLC excludes liability for any loss or damage resulting from errors or inaccuracies in the printing or omission of the whole or part of any advertisement. Further, views expressed within editorial content reflect those of the author, not those of Countrywide PLC, and are printed in good faith for informational purposes only. Liability for illegal, incorrect, misleading or incomplete information, and in particular for damages arising from the use of such information, rests exclusively with the author. Advertisement material may not be reproduced without prior written permission from Countrywide PLC. The contents of the publication, such as text, graphics, images and other material may be protected by copyright under both UK and foreign laws. Unauthorised use of the material may violate copyright, trademark and other laws. Note: Property details, images and artistic impressions are given on the understanding that they will not be construed as a part of a contract or conveyance. Whilst every care is taken in compiling the information, no guarantee can be given as to the accuracy thereof, therefore enquirers must satisfy themselves regarding the same. Please note: If you have instructed another agent on a Sole Agency basis, the terms of those instructions must be considered before contacting us. Commission is required in the event of a successful sale.
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NAVIGATION
Head of Department
Mark Price
Retail Director
John Hards
WELCOME TO PRESTIGE. With expertise in the sale of high-end properties in Devon and Cornwall, we provide a superior service allowing our clients to reach local, national and international buyers and helping them achieve the best possible outcome from their property sale. Select an option on this screen to discover more.
The glorious Southwest, and in particular Cornwall & Devon, are and will remain, a magnet for people looking for exceptional properties in a region blessed by a great environment, amazing landscapes and many life changing opportunities. So, whilst the political landscape has changed, the attractiveness of our region remains rock solid and our advice, like any property transaction, is to always seek professional guidance and the dedicated team at Country & Waterside are here to help if you’re thinking of buying, selling, renting or letting out your property.
So, whilst buyer sentiment may well display initial caution, particularly among discretionary buyers, we do expect to see sentiment improve as well as fluctuate as negotiations to leave the EU proceed. In relation to price, growth may well slacken as a result of weaker demand in the short to medium term but properties well priced and found within established and desirable locations like the ones we have on offer through Country & Waterside Prestige remain attractive to investors and those seeking secondary homes. Indeed, we have seen interest and viewing numbers increase throughout the period so activity outlooks remain positive.
Now that we are past the EU Referendum and have entered a period of more political certainty and the BoE have held rates, we also have the format of a more stable Government. From this we can see the potential to regain momentum in the property market across the spectrum, and in particular into prestige property type opportunities afforded within our much sought after region.
Lots of buyers and sellers have been holding off on the sale or purchase of property, due to political uncertainty and the fact that the Governor of the Bank of England (Mark Carney) signposted possible interest rate cuts.
3
The property features a delightful sunroom with large glass windows allowing the most wonderful views towards Polruan and out across the English Channel. The ground floor accommodation comprises a formal sitting room and separate dining room, bespoke kitchen / breakfast area, double bedroom and bathroom with separate double shower cubicle. At first floor level there are two bedrooms, both with en suite facilities. Externally there is a spacious workshop, ample driveway parking and double garage. Property has been furnished by Fully Furnished – www.fully.co.uk
A beautifully presented three bedroom home enjoying the most breathtaking views both out to sea and along the estuary towards Golant.
Hall Garden
Gardens
4
5
The sitting room is of particular note due to its dual aspect outlook together with feature wood burning stove and French doors opening onto the glorious rear garden. The master bedroom at first floor level also provides contemporary en suite bathroom facilities. The gardens and ground are mainly laid to lawn and include a vegetable garden, rear terrace, greenhouse, spacious timber shed and generous off-road driveway parking. Glimpses of the sea are enjoyed from the rear garden.
A beautifully presented Grade II listed character home situated in a highly favoured position in the ever popular village of Charlestown. The spacious accommodation provides four reception rooms, a delightful kitchen, five generous bedrooms and a well appointed family bathroom.
wheelswright
Large Gardens
fowey, £1,000,000
charlestown, £650,000
2
Finished to an exemplary standard this modern home provides all the luxuries one could wish for together with a spacious external balcony spanning the entire length of the property, providing the perfect spot to enjoy the view. There is a feature curved double height window together with an internal lift providing access from the entrance level to the middle floor.
Oriel View is a beautifully constructed and immaculately finished four bedroom architecturally designed coastal home providing the most outstanding sea views across Downderry following the coastline towards Looe in one direction and towards Rame Head in the other.
oriel view
The property offers extremely spacious living accommodation comprising a spacious sitting room, formal dining room and exceptional kitchen / breakfast room with all rooms providing exquisite views across either the immediate countryside or out across the Atlantic Ocean and coastline. From all rooms previously mentioned on the first floor there is access onto the generous balcony which wraps around two sides of the property and provides breathtaking views.
Penolva is a beautifully presented three/four bedroom coastal home offering spacious and versatile living accommodation arranged over two floors providing reverse level living.
penolva
0.5 Acre
The property has been extensively modernised to the highest standards throughout. There is generous driveway parking, detached double garage and spacious lawned gardens. There is also planning permission granted to extend the property at one end to create both additional living and bedroom space.
Downside is a superb detached three bedroom home enjoying outstanding views across the water towards Falmouth.
Downside
downderry, £575,000
harlyn bay, £1,250,000
flushing, £1,000,000
8 The Strand, Padstow, Cornwall, PL28 8AJ
email our branch manager
call us on 01841 410 119
Moira Hall, Branch manager
Padstow is a harbour town on the North Cornish coast, famed for its quaint streets, pretty cottages and watersport activities. Sandy beaches line the estuary and you can take a passenger ferry from the quay over to Rock. The Camel Trail, popular with walkers and cyclists runs alongside the estuary, up to Wadebridge and on to Bodmin. There is something for everyone here. The town appeals to a variety of people, including those wanting family holidays, walkers, fishermen, foodies and tourists from all over the world. Padstow offers a variety of world class restaurants, including Rick Stein’s Seafood Restaurant and the Michelin starred Paul Ainsworth’s Number 6. The town enjoys a ten month tourist season, and the surrounding area with its stunning cliff walks and scenery has been designated as an area of outstanding natural beauty. Our office is situated directly on the quayside and has been an estate agents for the last 40 years. We sell a wide range of properties from Mawgan Porth up the Cornish coast to Boscastle and cover the stunning bay areas which include Trevone, Harlyn, Constantine and Treyarnon.
The property has many design features similar to an arts and crafts property from the shaped rooflines to the large feature windows, decorative fire places and spacious rooms. The property is superbly presented throughout, updated to a very high standard and yet maintaining many wonderful original features and character.
Bosmorva is a charming detached five bedroom property presented to a high standard throughout. There are spacious character rooms with views to the estuary. Large mature garden. Ideal location close to St Ives and the many popular beaches.
Bosmorva
1
Set in a charming rural position, this property is very unique due to the convenience of the ever popular town of St Ives, the stunning Cornish coastline and award winning beaches within a mile walking distance. This distinctive three bedroom residence has been modernised by the present vendor with presentation and attention-to-detail to the highest standard that encompasses the essence of a property of this period whilst retaining an abundance of original character and charm.
This property is an outstanding example of an older character property believed to date back to the early 1900s, and has been brought into the 21st century with the seamless transition of restoration of parts of the property, and subtle and tasteful modernisation in other areas.
wheel an dour
Lawned Gardens
This beautifully presented barn conversion is located in a charming rural position and enjoys outstanding countryside views over the surrounding fields together with total privacy. The accommodation is extremely spacious and offers flexible living accommodation on both floors. In addition there is an unconverted barn which offers fantastic potential to create additional accommodation or convert into holiday or self contained accommodation, subject to the necessary permissions required.
A charming four bedroom barn conversion presented to the highest standards throughout with wonderful gardens and grounds.
Skibble barn
Generous
lelant, £750,000
st ives, £650,000
castallack, £595,000
6
The property is a very spacious two storey home which is currently arranged as two self contained apartments, one of which is the current owner’s accommodation while the other is presently being used as holiday letting accommodation. The spacious three bedroom holiday letting apartment, with its own entrances, has an open plan sitting/dining area with separate kitchen/breakfast room. All three bedrooms have en suite facilities. The first floor accommodation again is extremely spacious and provides outstanding sea and coastal views.
Carne Crest is a beautifully presented family home located in an outstanding south-facing location enjoying the most delightful sea and coastal views across Mawgan Porth Bay and the Atlantic Ocean towards St. Ives in the far distance.
Carne Crest
Garden
7
Providing the most outstanding sea and coastal views across the rugged North Cornish Coastline and Atlantic Ocean, this property has been successfully trading for the past 12 months and is presented to an immaculate standard throughout. There is owners’ accommodation on the ground floor together with private gardens and an option to purchase entire fixtures, fittings and furnishings.
A beautifully presented seven bedroom boutique bed and breakfast located in an inviting location within Newquay town centre.
cliff house
The castle is located in a frontline position enjoying the most outstanding views across Mounts Bay from Penzance to The Lizard. There are beautifully kept formal gardens and generous parking with both apartments. The Tower apartment is situated on the top floor encompassing two levels plus a spacious roof terrace and separate external terrace. The North Wing apartment provides a generous open plan living area which incorporates a sitting area, dining area and kitchen area. There are two bedrooms and a family bathroom.
We are delighted to offer for sale two apartments within this Grade II* listed castle.
the tower & the North WIng
V I E W F R O M P R O P E R T Y
mawgan porth £1,250,000
newquay £525,000
rosudgeon £350,000-£580,000
1 Marine Parade, St. Mawes, Cornwall, TR2 5DW
call us on 01326 460 198
john berry, Branch manager
Lying at the tip of the Roseland Peninsula, the elegant sailing resort of St Mawes has been described by The Guardian as ‘a bastion of British beach chic’. The area needs no introduction to the keen yachtsman, who will be fully aware that there are some of the finest day sailing waters available in the country, on the Percuil River, Carrick Roads and Falmouth Bay. At the tip of the Roseland Peninsula, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with golden beaches and stunning coastline, St Mawes also boasts three beaches and sub tropical Lamorran Gardens, and the village itself has a distinctive Mediterranean atmosphere. Our office stands proud on the quayside in the centre of the village and has been an established part of St Mawes for over 40 years. Covering the Roseland, we offer a wide range of properties, from waterside holiday cottages, country cottages, impressive period houses, prestigious residences and modest bungalows. With so many of our buyers living away, we play an active role in helping our clients move to the area, whether into their bolt hole or main home. All our sales team live in the Roseland and offer expert local knowledge and experience (over 75 years) of property in all price ranges on the Roseland Peninsula from St Mawes to Tregony.
01803 640 052
01872 830 217
Records indicate that it was the manor house of the Tredis estate. Various additions have been made over the centuries to create a beautiful family home in an idyllic setting full of period character and charm. There is a strong gothic influence in the design of many of the windows which make it exceptionally attractive. The house retains many period features including early doors and door furniture, fireplaces, ironmongery, shuttered windows, cornices, bread oven, well, priest hole, stone inset royal crest, etc. The attached stone barn has been converted and has full residential planning giving the option of multi-generation accommodation or rental property income.
Tredis house is a handsome listed period Cornish house of architectural and historical interest Grade II and formed part of the Tredis estate with origins dating back to the 13th Century.
tredis house
1.5 Acres
A number of high quality fixtures and fittings, including underfloor heating, attractive slate floors, spiral staircase to the gallery, wood burning fire and the hand crafted kitchen. Bi-folding doors open to a large decked area to the rear also with the large windows throughout bringing the lovely rural views into the house. Also to the ground floor is a family bathroom and three double bedrooms, two having en suite shower rooms. The first floor has a unique gallery area leading you to the master bedroom and further en suite bathroom.
Leggyfoot was built approximately 10 years ago to an extremely high standard offering superb open-plan living accommodation to the ground floor that sweeps from a sitting area through a dining space and into the kitchen.
Leggyfoot
Lawned Garden
Spindrift is a wonderful four bedroom detached property built in an elevated position that is perfectly situated upon the waters edge of Port Mellon, providing panoramic and picturesque sea and rural views. The property has a spacious wrap around balcony, from which to enjoy the view. Living accommodation is light and airy with rooms enjoying outstanding views through large picture windows.
This property offers a very quaint and idyllic four bedroom coastal home with some of Cornwall’s most outstanding sea and rural views in a popular coastal village.
Spindrift
sheviock £1,250,000
nr lerryn £795,000
port mellon £500,000
The property has an established cattery and a holiday letting static caravan. The clients also offer bed and breakfast accommodation in the main property. The property comes with the option to take over an existing very successful business with an established client base which creates a good income. This could be your opportunity to create a new lifestyle in Cornwall!
A delightful four bedroom detached home in an attractive sheltered valley setting.
pawton stream
1 Acre
A very charming three / four bedroom character cottage situated amongst outstanding gardens and grounds. The internal accommodation is spread over two floors and allows comfortable living spaces and generous bedrooms. Externally there are a number of outbuildings and paddock appealing to buyers seeking a “good life” purchase. Lovely cottage gardens, large vegetable and fruit garden plus a separate paddock.
This is a very pretty stone cottage located in a small rural hamlet. In addition there is a detached barn ideal to convert into a holiday let or annexe.
rosenannon cottage
1.7 Acres
Tre-Madoc is a stunning example of how to modernise an old property into a contemporary one. The current owners have extensively refurbished and carefully re-modelled the 1990s bungalow, creating a superb four bedroom home now arranged over two floors. The accommodation comprises a spacious versatile living space all completed to a high standard. The master bedroom provides a wonderful double height glass window enjoying far reaching views over the surrounding countryside. Gardens and grounds are also well maintained.
A superb four bedroom detached property with a high quality fitted kitchen, stunning master bedroom with rural and sea views. Extremely popular location close to Rock and Polzeath.
Tre-Madoc
st breock £925,000
rural wadebridge £545,000
st minver £615,000
n 20th August 2016, Outlaw’s Fish Kitchen will be celebrating its fourth year in Port Isaac.
O
Since opening in 2013, the small, 24-seat restaurant overlooking the harbour has grown in popularity and demand. Awarded 1 Michelin star in the UK and Ireland Michelin Guide 2014; it is now a must visit for those in search of the freshest fish prepared simply. The restaurant offers diners a chance to experience Nathan Outlaw’s approach to seafood in one of the oldest buildings in Port Isaac (15th Century) and is an alternative to his other, 2 Michelin starred restaurant, located at the top of the village.
The accommodation includes many period features including decorative ceiling cornices, parquet flooring, dado rails and hand crafted windows and doors. The bespoke kitchen has beautiful granite work surfaces with integrated appliances, and leads to a fantastic solid framed orangery overlooking the private southerly facing gardens which can be accessed via all principal rooms. The gardens enjoy a full length veranda with an expansive level area of lawn surrounded by a variety of attractive shrub, tree and plant borders.
This beautiful Grade II listed Regency apartment has been lovingly restored to an extremely high standard by the current owners.
Glenclose House
1/3 Acre
Views from both the decking and the balcony above, across the Teign estuary, to Shaldon and out to sea. Double garage and parking for multiple vehicles. Viewings are recommended. Decking extends the full rear length of the property overlooking the lawn area, and with views over the estuary. There is a summerhouse, shed and the log cabin which houses the heated indoor exercise pool, complete with changing room.
A beautifully presented detached family home with versatile accommodation, comprising five or six bedrooms, two reception rooms as well as a large kitchen breakfast room.
2 grace gardens
Sidmouth, £735,000
Teignmouth, £800,000
From Moorland retreats to the ever popular South Hams boating community water-fronted homes, we are delighted to present a range of properties on offer in Devon.
The property has been built to a high specification, to include contemporary fitted kitchen family room with fully integrated appliances and en suites to two bedrooms. In addition to this, the property enjoys good sized landscaped gardens and a detached double garage.
A superb and stunning four bedroom brand new detached house, situated in this very sought after area, on the edge of Sidmouth
upper heights
This most appealing three bedroom detached family residence stands within mature level gardens from where a lovely outlook towards Otter Head can be enjoyed. The property has been substantially improved within the last six years with a modern kitchen and replacement gas boiler and up-to-date bath and en suite shower rooms. The well proportioned accommodation has been enhanced with a double storey extension adding space to the sitting room and an en suite to the master bedroom. A clever use of space has also been made to provide breakfast and utility rooms adjacent to the kitchen.
A much improved late 1920s detached residence standing within mature gardens in a highly favoured residential area.
Granary Lane
Mature Gardens
LOWER APARTMENT • Two double bedrooms • Large open plan living/kitchen area • Bathroom • WC • Terrace providing access to the water
UPPER APARTMENT • Two double bedrooms • Large open plan living room • Balcony • Kitchen area • Bathroom • WC • Small paved sitting area
A charming, detached waterfront property configured as two apartments situated on the edge of the River Dart, close to the Dartmouth town centre.
Gullsway Boathouse
Terrace
Sidmouth, £650,000
Budleigh Salterton, £640,000
Dartmouth, REGION OF £1.1M
1124 High Street, Sidmouth, Devon, EX10 8EE
call us on 01395 320 160
ben morgan, Branch manager
Sidmouth is a thriving Regency seaside town which lies at the mouth of the River Sid in East Devon. 15 miles south east of Exeter, it is now renowned as a welcoming tourist resort and a gateway town on the Jurassic Coast World Heritage site. The town is nestled between red coloured cliffs in a wonderful valley on the South West Coastal Path which is in the East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The town flourishes with a vibrant business community of shops, restaurants, tea rooms and pubs. There are unlimited sporting facilities and numerous clubs to suit all requirements. Sidmouth, a frequent winner of the Britain in Bloom award, has a cinema and museum and is home to the Norman Lockyer Observatory and Planetarium, the Manor Pavillion houses local theatre and an arts centre. Sidmouth has all year round appeal. Our team offers honest advice, aiming to make moving home an enjoyable experience for all parties. We are honoured to be a recipient of the ‘Office of the Year’ for 2015, under the reins of branch manager Ben Morgan, who has also enjoyed many successes throughout his time here, including being awarded the ‘Sales Negotiator of the Year’ award in 2012 across our South West Division.
The accommodation comprises of a porch entrance to an open plan space with kitchen/dining area, sitting room with stone fireplace and original stone flag floor, snug, utility room, cloakroom, study and downstairs bathroom. Upstairs there are three double bedrooms and a family bathroom with a generous landing with many period features.
A detached grade II listed, thatched Tudor cottage, set in beautiful gardens of at least 1/3 acre, with two garages, outbuildings and potential to extend subject to planning.
Forder COttage
The developer has completed a sympathetic refurbishment on this beautiful home and offers a very high specification, including a contemporary fitted kitchen with stylish work-tops, integrated appliances and en suites to four bedrooms. The property is approached via a sweeping drive and enjoys some lovely views across the Sidmouth valley and to the sea.
An executive and exclusive five bedroom spacious detached family house, with lovely expansive and established gardens and ample parking.
Heights House
Lockwood House is a grand and imposing detached house oozing much character, typical of its era, including ornate timber panelling, picture rails, dado rails, feature fireplaces, parquet flooring, a recently restored well and an impressive vaulted ceiling to the en suite bathroom located in “The Tower”.
Fine sea and countryside views can be enjoyed from this detached 1930s residence of approximately 3500sq ft, boasting many character features and standing in 1.9 acres of secluded grounds including a small camp-site and two holiday cottages, all providing valuable income.
Lockwood House
1.9 Acres
The property has been finished to a very high standard with three reception rooms, all with French doors leading to the very private garden. There is also an indoor pool room with large heated swimming pool and changing room. Upstairs are four double bedrooms and a large bathroom. The property also benefits from enclosed gardens, double garage, triple glazing and oil central heating.
Individual residence of quality in secluded setting close to beautiful Newton Abbot.
The Downs
Enclosed
dartington, £575,000
Sidmouth, £795,000
Dawlish, £995,000
bovey tracy, £800,000
5-6 Fairfax Place, Dartmouth, Devon, TQ6 9AD
call us on 01803 640 310
jasper trumble, Branch manager
If you had your pick of anywhere to work, live or holiday, Dartmouth would come pretty high on the list for most people. Nestled into a valley located at the mouth of the most beautiful River Dart estuary, Dartmouth is a vibrant working fishing port, yachting haven and all year round destination with music, food, art and Christmas candlelit festivals as well as the famous Regatta which is second to none. People throng to a town that has a good selection of restaurants, galleries, shops and amenities that cater to the local owners and a high percentage of second home and holiday let properties, and it is fair to say that for the past couple of years the demand to buy property in the area has far outstripped the housing stock available for purchase. The Country and Waterside Dartmouth office is extremely well placed in the centre of the town on the corner of Fairfax Place and Smith Street. In addition to the local Dartmouth property market the office also covers Dittisham, Blackawton, Stoke Fleming, Strete and all hamlets between. With a vast knowledge of the area built up over many years by the Dartmouth staff, led by Branch Manager Jasper Trumble, you can be sure of receiving honest advice and achievable outcomes.
The Winking Prawn may have a humourous name but the staff are serious when it comes to seafood. It’s also in a lovely location - just walk along the coastal road keeping the estuary to your left and you will come across this little gem of a restaurant behind North Sands. You could spend the day here - from all-you-can-eat breakfasts to fruit de mer and BBQs by night. Another hotel that is adored by locals and tourists alike is the South Sands. Arguably offering the best crab meat in the entire South Hams, its stunning New England décor gives it a cosy feel. For estuary views and alfresco dining, Dick & Wills offers a romantic ambiance with superb customer service. Or for more casual dining, try Captain Flints for pizza, burgers, pasta and fun food for kids, including coloured pirate-themed drinks! Oysters from Bigbury Bay are served with a flourish at The Oyster Shack, which also offers alfresco dining all year round. Or, if you love a good sunset, head to The Beach House on South Milton Sands. Further afield, The Treby Arms in Sparkwell is a stunner of a pub run by Anton Piotrowski, winner of Master Chef 2012. For special occasions, book in for the tasting menu (10 courses £50 per head excluding wine) and prepare to be dazzled.
Both visit Salcombe regularly – in fact, just last month, they spent a week in a holiday cottage and strolled round the harbour daily. They both speak warmly of what sounds like an idyllic childhood, spent on the water or hiking round the fields, days on the beach, rock climbing and crabbing. Not much has changed in the past 50 years; kids of all ages love crabbing and The Salcombe Crabfest in May was opened by one Mary Berry MBE. The programme included talks and demos to encourage the next generation to keep the traditions of Salcombe alive. Run by the Rotary Club of Salcombe, all monies raised annually are donated to a number of local charities including The Salcombe Young Centre. The board aims to “help and educate young people through their leisure-time activities so to develop their physical, mental and spiritual capacities that they may grow to full maturity as individuals and as members of society”. So less time inside on the Xbox, more time out in the harbour! Also at the Crabfest, the Nautique foundation brought a 16ft pool full of fish, crabs and lobsters for children to dive into, while the South Devon & Channel Shellfishermen’s moored up a Heritage Crabber boat at the Town’s Normandy Quay for people to explore, paired with a modern day crabber to showcase how far the industry has come.
I have a very special reason for my love of the town, too. My grandfather was a regular winner in the rowing races at the popular annual Regatta as a child: he, in turn, inspired his three sons (including my Dad) to learn to row, as well as sail, go crabbing and help out on the boatyard. It was while working on the boatyard that my Dad met my mother, who lived at the time in nearby St Ann’s Chapel. So without Salcombe, I may not even have been born!
A Personal Favourite
So apart from enjoying this rich history what can visitors to Salcombe expect today? Of course, if you are a seafood lover you will be spoilt for choice but there are options to delight all types of taste buds; and all budgets. The Salcombe Harbour Hotel is one of my favourite places with stunning views. Perched on the edge of the estuary, it’s a mile and a half up from Salcombe North Sands beach so it’s cliff-side location gives it potentially the best vantage point of the entire town. The Jetty restaurant makes the most of its waterfront location, of course, with award-winning chef Alex Aitken perfectly placed to get creative with whatever is seasonal, including the catch of the day, of course.
In World War II, Salcombe played host to the Americans, fixing craft at Mill Bay and executing practice landing exercises on Slapton Beach. Without Salcombe, D-Day would have been a darn sight more difficult. Salcombe provided practical assistance (storing barrage balloons, for example) and also hundreds of years of experience of how to tame the seas when it matters the most. While war raged in France, Salcombe Harbour may have looked quiet and empty. But a floating dock was moored off Ditch End; shipbuilders worked tirelessly to fix American craft on the Mill Bay slipway; and, come D-Day, marines of the 7th Beach Battalion headed to the hell of Omaha beach in Normandy from Salcombe itself. The commanding officer was British - one Lt Cdr Geoffery Searle RN who, for the rest of his life, visited Salcombe every year to remember the heroes he took with him on that day. In 1994, the town council unveiled the memorial stone at Whitestrand car park to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice in France, to turn the tide in a war that looked un-winnable for many years.
While it now boasts fabulous hotels and fine homes, up until a century ago Salcombe was nothing more than a humble fishing village. Seafaring, boat-building, shipping and, of course, smuggling, pepper its history but the residents have also seen off invasion; and the town played its part in keeping Britain Great. The oldest homes are inland, as residents often feared overseas invaders or slavery. There are also sparse records between the Domesday book and 1244. Some Stone Age settlements on the clifftops have been found by archaeologists and, even more exciting, “a recently discovered shipwreck has demonstrated the existence of cross channel trade some 3500 years ago”, according to Tim Bass from salcombeinformation.co.uk Fast-forward to the last century and the sea is still respected as a deadly entity. There will never be a shortage of volunteers at Salcombe’s lifeboat station, established in 1869. Salcombe Sailing Club was launched in 1922 and, as Bass points out, the annual subscription back then was 5 shillings (25p). It’s slightly more than that today.
Modern Salcome
A Little History