"Have lunch overlooking the estuary, take buckets and spades to the sandy beach, or spend the afternoon in the magical walled garden: West Bay House is the perfect backdrop to seaside life."
Arguably the finest home in one of the country’s loveliest coastal villages, West Bay House is a very rare example of a substantial dwelling in a thriving seaside community. It provides the perfect combination of privacy and convenience, set in a charming walled garden adjacent to the sandy beach.
The plot is entered via wooden gates from the Strand, with an off-street parking area and a double garage. Through a further set of iron gates, a flagstone path leads to the porticoed front door.
The principal rooms on the ground floor all overlook the garden. The kitchen has a marble-topped island and walk-in larder, and leads through to the expansive dining room, which catches the sun for morning breakfasts and accommodates large groups for sociable dinners. The wonderful double-aspect reception room opens onto a sunny courtyard to the side. To the other side of the entrance hall is a boot room and WC, and a study with a large fireplace. Adjacent to the kitchen, and accessed from the garden, is a large boiler room with plenty of storage space.
On the first floor, the master bedroom has magnificent views across the River Teign and out to sea, and the adjoining bathroom has one of the best outlooks from a bathtub you could hope to find. There are four further bedrooms (two of which also have sea views), and two further bathrooms.
The house has high ceilings, elegant bay windows, a parquet floor and some other attractive period features, but it is not listed. It is semi-detached, but turns its back on the neighbouring property and feels very protected. The discovery of archive material suggests that it was originally one large house that belonged to a local sea captain, who traded goods between Devon, Newfoundland and Spain, including salt cod and oranges.
The beautiful garden is mainly laid to lawn, with mature trees, shrubs and climbers. A short set of steps leads up to the raised ‘poop deck’, which is a lovely spot for a summer lunch overlooking the water. A wooden gate in the old wall leads out to a quiet lane for easy access to the beach.
Shaldon is a true gem of a village nestled alongside an estuary, sheltered from the sea by the Ness headland. At its heart is a green surrounded by handsome Georgian houses. The village has five pubs, an award-winning butcher, a bakery, post office, chemist and grocery shop. There is also a primary school (rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted), a golf course, a zoo and botanical gardens.
The sandy beach, which is lined with rowing boats, has water that is perfect for children to paddle in. England’s oldest passenger ferry pootles across the water to Teignmouth, where the Crab Shack serves seafood straight out of the estuary. At the top of the village, the old smugglers’ tunnel leads down to Ness Cove Beach on the other side of the headland.
Shaldon was chosen as one of the country’s ‘Best Places to Live’ by the Sunday Times, which described it as follows:
“Shaldon likes to describe itself as a ‘quaint English drinking village with a fishing problem’, but finding the time for either when there is so much else going on must be difficult. Everyone volunteers or gets involved with something, from the riotous regatta to the giant beach bonfire on November 5 and the Boxing Day fancy-dress three-legged race. Pubs are at the centre of village life, and each one offers something different: the London Inn, on the green, does fine food and a regular quiz; there’s live music at the Ferry Boat Inn; and the Clifford Arms specialises in jazz. The Ness has panoramic views and hosts Ness Fest, a summer music festival. The real gem here, though, is Café Ode, Tim Bouget’s sustainable restaurant and café. This beautiful village has it all.”
Agent’s note: The seller has a family connection to an employee of The Modern House.
Please note that all areas, measurements and distances given in these particulars are approximate and rounded. The text, photographs and floor plans are for general guidance only. The Modern House has not tested any services, appliances or specific fittings — prospective purchasers are advised to inspect the property themselves. All fixtures, fittings and furniture not specifically itemised within these particulars are deemed removable by the vendor.
