Whether booking a summer holiday or looking for somewhere to stay whilst house hunting , it is not too late to book a summer property ...... yet
With miles of stunning coastline, beautiful award-winning beaches, unspoilt towns and villages and fabulous pubs and restaurants, not to mention the delicious ice-cream, it is easy to understand why so many choose the southernmost tip of Devon as the destination for their summer holiday or short break. Every year thousands of visitors flock to this special corner of Devon, the South Hams, which includes the picturesque sailing resort of Salcombe, the historic naval port of Dartmouth and the quaint town of Totnes, with pretty rivers, narrow green lanes, estuary and countryside between.
With a high percentage of visitors choosing to return to the area every year, a large number of properties are booked up months in advance. Such is the appeal of the area, that many of those who first stayed here as children, are now visiting with their own families - crabbing, rock-pooling and surfing proving as popular as ever with children and parents alike. Indeed, originally from Kent, I spent many happy childhood holidays staying in Devon hotels, before my parents purchased a holiday home on the River Dart. Several years ago, married and with a family of my own, I realised that we simply could not return to the daily commute plus the pressures of juggling corporate life with raising a family. We were then lucky enough to have the opportunity of moving permanently to the area with our children and we know of many others who initially came here as holidaymakers, then purchased a property for holiday use before deciding to settle here.
Indeed, throughout the course of our holiday letting year we find we regularly speak to holidaymakers staying in our properties who are seriously considering purchasing a property in the South Hams as a holiday home or an investment, often with the thought of moving permanently to the area at some time in the future, perhaps when they retire. Many will have considered this possibility prior to their holiday, booking estate agent visits in advance, having identified potential suitable properties themselves. For others, seduced by the beauty of the area and the market for holiday cottages, the process may be more impulsive, but a good number do go on to purchase a property at some time. All are looking for our advice regarding letting history, if applicable, number of letting weeks anticipated and the likely weekly rental. Others discuss the suitability of one property for letting versus another. Whilst we can advise that location, position, standard and certain key requirements such as parking are important, it is vital that the property suits the purchaser and their plans – is it a holiday home they will use themselves, can they envisage permanently moving there or is the purchase purely an investment?
We regularly find that, once on the South Hams property ladder, many owners will look to buy additional properties, maybe larger or in a more sought after location or with better views or indeed, adding to their portfolio of properties by purchasing additional property in the area. Often their original property is sold onto owners who, in turn, wish to let their property through us. If you are thinking of letting a property or considering purchasing one to let, beware of financial planning based on unrealistically high expectations of the number of letting weeks you will achieve in your property, particularly for the first year. A successful letting programme often does happen in the first year but building up repeat visits takes time to establish. Seek the opinions of several different holiday letting companies, look at their local profile, their marketing and the services they offer and, above all, go with the one you feel most comfortable with. A good relationship between owner and agent really contributes to success.
An area of outstanding natural beauty and with the mildest climate in mainland Britain, it’s easy to understand why the South Hams attracts visitors all year round, whether for a holiday, short break or to buy a property. Walkers and birdwatchers, sailors, couples looking for a romantic rural retreat, friends booking properties together for a break, surfers and water sports enthusiasts, families seeking fresh air and fun for their children during school holidays - there is something for everyone in the area and a different holiday experience on offer each season.
During the summer weeks the area comes alive with the colours and sounds of yacht regattas, country fayres and theatrical presentations, including performances of Shakespeare on the beach! Local attractions such as award-winning farms and National Trust gardens abound whilst the local Coast & Countryside Events sponsored by the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Unit include Family Bushcraft Days, Canoe Adventures and Whale and Dolphin Watching. Plus with over 25 different, unspoilt beaches and sandy coves to choose from, plenty of fresh air fun and exercise, there are lots of opportunities to burn off all the clotted cream, fudge and ice cream! For those who enjoy a spot of retail therapy, interesting individual shops line the narrow streets, a refreshing change from shopping centres and chainstores. Art galleries, surf clothing and antiques mingle with delicatessens, tearooms and bookshops, whilst the regular Farmers Markets are a good opportunity to try out some of the fabulous award-winning local produce for which the area is becoming well known.
Luckily for those looking to discover this beautiful area for themselves, it is not too late to snap up a perfect property for the peak weeks..... yet! Whilst bookings to date have come in faster and in larger number than in any previous year, and although many properties and particular weeks have been booked up for some time in advance , we are constantly taking on new properties and can often offer the later enquirer the ideal holiday solution even at the last minute. These past few weeks have seen the addition of some superb new apartments in Salcombe and Dartmouth, with more in the pipeline, together with some delightful cottages in the coastal villages that are sure to attract bookings throughout the year. Our New Property Supplement features properties taken on since the publication of our latest brochure and our website www.coastandcountry.co.uk provides the very latest information regarding all new properties and their availability –ideal for those who may have left it a little later!
So if you have not yet booked a summer break or are thinking of combining a holiday with a spot of property viewing and like the thought of an area boasting stunning scenery, beautiful unspoilt beaches and fabulous food, leave your passport at home! Avoid the queues and delays at the airport and perhaps choose to visit South Devon – once discovered you might not want to leave!
Coast & Country Cottages – Over 300 holiday properties throughout the beautiful South Hams coast and countryside. For Free Brochure or Owners Guide call 0870 40 50 530 or visit www.coastandcountry.co.uk. To arrange a free property visit with no obligation or ‘hard sell’, or for helpful advice before purchasing or redesigning a home for holiday rental, contact Andrew Jones via our local offices: Salcombe properties (01548 843773), Kingsbridge, Hope Cove & South Hams villages (01548 852572) or Dartmouth properties (01803) 839499.
With a high percentage of visitors choosing to return to the area every year, a large number of properties are booked up months in advance. Such is the appeal of the area, that many of those who first stayed here as children, are now visiting with their own families - crabbing, rock-pooling and surfing proving as popular as ever with children and parents alike. Indeed, originally from Kent, I spent many happy childhood holidays staying in Devon hotels, before my parents purchased a holiday home on the River Dart. Several years ago, married and with a family of my own, I realised that we simply could not return to the daily commute plus the pressures of juggling corporate life with raising a family. We were then lucky enough to have the opportunity of moving permanently to the area with our children and we know of many others who initially came here as holidaymakers, then purchased a property for holiday use before deciding to settle here.
Indeed, throughout the course of our holiday letting year we find we regularly speak to holidaymakers staying in our properties who are seriously considering purchasing a property in the South Hams as a holiday home or an investment, often with the thought of moving permanently to the area at some time in the future, perhaps when they retire. Many will have considered this possibility prior to their holiday, booking estate agent visits in advance, having identified potential suitable properties themselves. For others, seduced by the beauty of the area and the market for holiday cottages, the process may be more impulsive, but a good number do go on to purchase a property at some time. All are looking for our advice regarding letting history, if applicable, number of letting weeks anticipated and the likely weekly rental. Others discuss the suitability of one property for letting versus another. Whilst we can advise that location, position, standard and certain key requirements such as parking are important, it is vital that the property suits the purchaser and their plans – is it a holiday home they will use themselves, can they envisage permanently moving there or is the purchase purely an investment?
We regularly find that, once on the South Hams property ladder, many owners will look to buy additional properties, maybe larger or in a more sought after location or with better views or indeed, adding to their portfolio of properties by purchasing additional property in the area. Often their original property is sold onto owners who, in turn, wish to let their property through us. If you are thinking of letting a property or considering purchasing one to let, beware of financial planning based on unrealistically high expectations of the number of letting weeks you will achieve in your property, particularly for the first year. A successful letting programme often does happen in the first year but building up repeat visits takes time to establish. Seek the opinions of several different holiday letting companies, look at their local profile, their marketing and the services they offer and, above all, go with the one you feel most comfortable with. A good relationship between owner and agent really contributes to success.
An area of outstanding natural beauty and with the mildest climate in mainland Britain, it’s easy to understand why the South Hams attracts visitors all year round, whether for a holiday, short break or to buy a property. Walkers and birdwatchers, sailors, couples looking for a romantic rural retreat, friends booking properties together for a break, surfers and water sports enthusiasts, families seeking fresh air and fun for their children during school holidays - there is something for everyone in the area and a different holiday experience on offer each season.
During the summer weeks the area comes alive with the colours and sounds of yacht regattas, country fayres and theatrical presentations, including performances of Shakespeare on the beach! Local attractions such as award-winning farms and National Trust gardens abound whilst the local Coast & Countryside Events sponsored by the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Unit include Family Bushcraft Days, Canoe Adventures and Whale and Dolphin Watching. Plus with over 25 different, unspoilt beaches and sandy coves to choose from, plenty of fresh air fun and exercise, there are lots of opportunities to burn off all the clotted cream, fudge and ice cream! For those who enjoy a spot of retail therapy, interesting individual shops line the narrow streets, a refreshing change from shopping centres and chainstores. Art galleries, surf clothing and antiques mingle with delicatessens, tearooms and bookshops, whilst the regular Farmers Markets are a good opportunity to try out some of the fabulous award-winning local produce for which the area is becoming well known.
Luckily for those looking to discover this beautiful area for themselves, it is not too late to snap up a perfect property for the peak weeks..... yet! Whilst bookings to date have come in faster and in larger number than in any previous year, and although many properties and particular weeks have been booked up for some time in advance , we are constantly taking on new properties and can often offer the later enquirer the ideal holiday solution even at the last minute. These past few weeks have seen the addition of some superb new apartments in Salcombe and Dartmouth, with more in the pipeline, together with some delightful cottages in the coastal villages that are sure to attract bookings throughout the year. Our New Property Supplement features properties taken on since the publication of our latest brochure and our website www.coastandcountry.co.uk provides the very latest information regarding all new properties and their availability –ideal for those who may have left it a little later!
So if you have not yet booked a summer break or are thinking of combining a holiday with a spot of property viewing and like the thought of an area boasting stunning scenery, beautiful unspoilt beaches and fabulous food, leave your passport at home! Avoid the queues and delays at the airport and perhaps choose to visit South Devon – once discovered you might not want to leave!
Coast & Country Cottages – Over 300 holiday properties throughout the beautiful South Hams coast and countryside. For Free Brochure or Owners Guide call 0870 40 50 530 or visit www.coastandcountry.co.uk. To arrange a free property visit with no obligation or ‘hard sell’, or for helpful advice before purchasing or redesigning a home for holiday rental, contact Andrew Jones via our local offices: Salcombe properties (01548 843773), Kingsbridge, Hope Cove & South Hams villages (01548 852572) or Dartmouth properties (01803) 839499.
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