Peppercombe Coastguard Cottage 1

Nr. Bideford, Devon

Anyone with a hankering for a secret hideaway close to the beach and at the end of a twisty and bumpy track will love this whitewashed cottage. Reach it by slowly driving down into the lush, wooded valley gated off from the rest of the world. It has an interesting story too – it used to house officers who policed the wild seas for smugglers and later evolved into a life-saving Coastguard Service, hence the name. 

The cottage itself sits alongside Peppercombe Coastguard Cottages 2 and 3 and although it’s been refurbished with bright and modern interiors, it still retains its 18th-century character with slate floors and a large fireplace. Step just outside the cottage to your own picnic area under the leafy canopies that flourish with birds and butterflies in the summer. 

You’ll be nestled in a secluded woodland area in the Peppercombe Valley, only a few minutes’ stroll from the rocky foreshore and red cliffs of the nearby beach. There’s a sandy expanse at low tide, so don’t forget your bucket and spade. The lively old port of Bideford on the River Torridge is just four miles away, with an array of shops, pubs and restaurants.