Coastal house with sea views near beach

Located in the centre of the charming village of Strete, right on the South West Coast Path between the beaches of Blackpool Sands and Strete Gate, this welcoming and stylish home combines the best of coastal, country and village life. With three bedrooms, patio and log fire, this is the ideal place to stay at home in or to go for adventures in the beautiful South Hams. The space Everything at Walpole House is designed for guests to have a comfortable stay, feeling completely at home. The house has a cottage-like feel, with the front garden left a little wild as a haven for the butterflies and bees, which love the lavender. The house sleeps five generously, with two double bedrooms and a third office/bedroom with a small double sofabed. There is also a travel cot, and a dog cushion-bed. Cosy and warm in the autumn and winter with central heating, a log fire and double glazing, and cool in the summer with double aspect windows, veranda and secluded patio, this is the perfect summer or winter base for exploring the area, or just staying home. Entering from the front steps, walk Into a small hallway with mirror and useful wardrobe for storage of coats and shoes. Here you'll find beach games and mats, umbrellas and pac-a-macs. The sitting room has two big sofas and an armchair and lots of room for relaxing in front of the TV or with one of the many board games or books. The French doors (note, these don't open) look out onto the front veranda and garden and the traditional phone box and postbox at the post office opposite, with distant views of the fields leading down to the 'secret beach', a quiet cove just 15 minutes walk away. The side window looks out onto the village and wonderful local community pub. Light a fire in the grand fireplace on a cool night - logs and fuel for a few nights' fires are left for guests - or just enjoy the warm glow of tealights. Through the curtained doorway is the kitchen-diner, with a traditional Rayburn for the central heating, hot water and cooking. The dining table has velvet upholstered dining chairs for comfortable leisurely meals. The kitchen is equipped with microwave, Smeg toaster, kettle and proper espresso coffee machine, and crockery, glassware, cookware and cutlery. There's also a washer dryer, dishwasher and under-counter fridge with small freezer compartment. This is a lovely sociable space for eating in, open plan to the kitchen. All the basic essentials are provided (teas, jams, oil, vinegar, salt & pepper), along with a welcome basket of coffee, milk and biscuits. A window seat looks out from the dining area onto the small patio, reached from a quirky stable door, with a table and chairs for alfresco drinks or meals. Battery candles add soft light as dusk falls on a warm evening with the scent of roses and rosemary, and Scottish woollen blankets offer extra warmth. One flight of stairs leads to the upper floor (note for accessibility the treads are fairly deep and there's no stair gate; the stairs are coated in non-slip paint but shoes or slippers are recommended.) Upstairs, the main front bedroom - the 'Pink Room' - with its velvet upholstered bed and feature fireplace, has wonderful dual aspect views of the village and the bay, and an armchair in the window corner for curling up in with a book or just for admiring the views or watching the sun rise in the East. The floor is the original wooden floorboards, with wool bedside rugs. Blackout blinds and curtains, and the velvet double bed with Italian linens all help with a good night's sleep. There's a dressing table and stool (hairdryer and styler are in the chest of drawers). The back 'Blue Bedroom' has views over the pretty nearby cottages, barns and fields. It's carpeted in a soft deep-pile, and has a French-style wooden double bed with Simba mattress, Italian linens, blackout blind and curtains, slipper chair and a dressing table and stool. From the front office/third bedroom are stunning views of the bay towards Dartmouth, and of the coastal path through the fields with visiting sheep or cows down to the secret beach. A desk and chair provide the perfect spot for catching up on work on the superfast internet. The small double sofa bed, with Simba mattress topper, is comfortable for one person (or fine for two smaller ones). In the upstairs hallway is a full length mirror, and a large wardrobe with hanging storage and beach towels, as well as a travel cot, ironing board and iron, baby bath and high chair. There's also a towel rail for hanging damp clothes or towels. At the top of the stairs is the bathroom, with pink onyx panels, slipper bath and overhead shower, and a valet for hanging clothes. The blacklit mirror has a toothbrush and shaving point. Soft fluffy towels and Noble Isle toiletries help make this a relaxing haven after a beach or country walk. Guest access Guest access to all areas in the house except for the cleaners' supplies cupboards and shed. Other things to note Free parking is available on the A379 towards Dartmouth, about 30 metres from the house by the bus stop, and also towards the bottom of Totnes Road, a few metres from the house. There are almost always spaces available here, but in high season and busiest times the nearest parking space may be slightly further up Totnes Road, still easy walking distance to the house. Loading and unloading can usually be done directly outside the house by pulling in safely to the right at the bottom of Totnes Road (but not from directly outside the Post Office opposite or in the drive to the left of the house as these spaces are reserved for the PO). There's a great dog walking field up Totnes Road to the right, 2 minutes' walk from the house.