Sidmouth holiday cottage rental with walking, beach/lake nearby, telephone, rural retreat, TV

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1, Clifton (cottage)

Home description

This is a PERIOD HOUSE, on the cusp of REGENCY and VICTORIAN, and a much loved family holiday home. Because families with children book it for seaside holidays, it’s simply furnished with second-hand furniture, which may be cheaply replaced in the event of breakage, bought from the local auctioneers; that way, I can just about break even, and I have to!

My father bought the house in 1960, and changed very little. Most of the original fixtures and fittings which were there then are still present now. I have stayed in many B&Bs which have been advertised as period houses, but, particularly since the mid-1990s, I've been dismayed that, whatever the appearance on the outside, the style of the exterior is not reflected in the interior, and I find myself in a modern, minimalist building. Modernisation was also fashionable in the 1960s, but, where Barry Bucknell merely covered up an historic door with chipboard, the moderniser from the 1990s onward will probably remove both the door and the wall to which it was attached.

My father's lack of modernisation has provided me with an opportunity: NOT to remove all the period features of the house, but to RESTORE them. I've also reinstated some of the few features that he did remove. Many rooms are decorated with traditional wallpapers. I've removed the fitted kitchen sink, and replaced it with what was originally there: a Belfast sink with hand-carpented draining-board, and taps with rubber swirls mounted on the wall, in the traditional manner. Electrical fittings conform with modern regulations, but, externally, they are reproductions of Victorian and early-twentieth-century fittings. The floorboards are not the now-fashionable white wood, but traditional Victorian ebony black. The furniture is brown. Some rooms have free-standing carpets, rather than fitted ones.

I'm told that the fashion for over-modernisation has now created a shortage of houses with period features for those who continue to enjoy them. Many people visit this house, love it, and return. If your idea of an old house is that it has to be modernised inside according to the taste of daytime television makeover programmes, the chances are that you won't appreciate it!

The sea in front of 1, Clifton	The forecourt and front door of 1, Clifton
Sidmouth from the Connaught Gardens (public). 1, Clifton is adjacent to the end of the esplanade.

To see more photos please visit http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/12804

The West Country / Devon region

Although Devon has a lot of rainfall, Sidmouth is to a large extent protected because rain falls on Dartmoor before arriving, so the local microclimate is dryer.

Devon is associated with Britain's maritime history, Drake and the Royal Navy are associated with Plymouth. Sir Walter Raleigh was born not far from Sidmouth, just outside East Budleigh. The two used to meet in a refreshment house in Exeter Cathedral close. The coastal regions are naturally traditionally associated with fishing. Stephen Reynold's "A Poor Man's House" is one man's account of living with fishermen in Sidmouth. The East Devon Coast was particularly associated with "Honiton" lace-making. Just inland, Ottery St Mary boasts a miniature version of Exeter Cathedral.

Sidmouth area

Sidmouth was a Georgian/Regency town built when it became dangerous for the aristocracy to travel to France because of the French Revolution. When it became fashionable for all classes to enjoy seaside holidays, Sidmouth remained genteel, which is perhaps why it continues to thrive now that the Victorian seaside holiday has declined.

Close to official Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Cliffscapes owned by The National Trust. Nearest National Trust Properties: A la Ronde, Killerton.

Sidmouth has a cinema, Tourist Information Centre and public swimming pool. The theatre and Arts Centre runs a Summer Season, but is otherwise used mainly for amateur dramatics.

The beach at Sidmouth is sandy at low tide, but not at high tide, so the day's activities on the beach have to be varied according to tide times.

How to get there

Buses run hourly from Honiton Station forecourt (less frequent on Sundays). More frequent buses run between Sidmouth and Exeter from Paris Street Bus Station, Exeter, but this is at some distance from the railway stations (of which Exeter possesses three!).

Activities near Sidmouth

Facilities

Further details indoors:
• Duvets are provided, but not covers, sheets, or towels.

• Electricity meter (installed some years ago, and still set at a low rate!) takes £1 coins.

• For cold weather, there are night storage heaters in all rooms; these are not metered, so that the cost of such heating is included in the rent. These would not normally be switched on in the summer, however (though this is open to negotiation); for a heat boost in the summer, there are some electric fan and convector heaters.

• One of the single beds is in a "Dressing Room" on the way to the bathroom. It is obviously best not to use this bed if the size of your party is below the maximum number. If you use the bed, it's best to put the earliest riser in there!

Further details outdoors:
I would not describe the forecourt as a "garden", but it is suitable for sitting in for the cliffscape and sea-view, as well as for parking cars.

Conditions

A deposit will make your booking (£50 or £100), depending upon the season. The remainder of the rent is due one calendar month before occupation.

Rental rates

Period	From	To	Weekly	Nightly rate		Minimum  stay
				Weekday	Weekend
Holy Week/Easter	27 Mar 10	10 Apr 10	400£ 400	0-	0-	1 Week
Spring Off-Season	10 Apr 10	26 Jun 10	300£ 300	0-	0-	1 Week
Early Summer	3 Jul 10	10 Jul 10	500£ 500	0-	0-	1 Week
Early Summer	10 Jul 10	17 Jul 10	600£ 600	0-	0-	1 Week
Peak Season	17 Jul 10	28 Aug 10	800£ 800	0-	0-	1 Week
Late Summer	28 Aug 10	4 Sep 10	600£ 600	0-	0-	1 Week
Early Autumn	4 Sep 10	11 Sep 10	500£ 500	0-	0-	1 Week
Early Autumn	11 Sep 10	18 Sep 10	400£ 400	0-	0-	1 Week
Autumn	18 Sep 10	23 Oct 10	300£ 300	0-	0-	1 Week
Michaelmas half-term	23 Oct 10	30 Oct 10	400£ 400	0-	0-	1 Week

NB: Prices may be subject to change at the advertiser's discretion.

Easter-October only. Electricity meter (set low!) takes £1 coins. Unmetered background storage heating in cold seasons. Deposit of £50 or £100 according to season. Please make cheques payable to "Dr P J S Wilton".

Guestbook for 1, Clifton

"We like a house with character; it was homely and comfortable; we didn't want to leave". Liz Hollyhead
"Our friends Mr & Mrs Cassal recommended you" M A Hardy
"My friend Julie Protheroe stayed...last July and recommended it to me" Louise Pendlebury
"We absolutely fell in love with it and Sidmouth (in spite of the weather)" Julie Protheroe
"1 Clifton has to be the finest position in Sidmouth. The description was perhaps a little bit too honest and could have put some people off...1, Clifton is not modern...however, this should not be confused with dirty and unkempt" Richard Fake
""We thoroughly enjoyed Clifton Place; what a lovely old house" Mrs Footitt
"We enjoyed our stay very much" Juliet Childs
"We were so lucky to see your advert; the house has everything you need" Mrs Cassal
"My wife and I would have no hesitation in recommending your cottage" Andy Ross
"My family and I have been visiting...for the last six or seven years. It is a great house for family holidays. Being so near the beach, we have had no worries for the children's safety. The rental charge is low and affordable for people with large families...we have always found it clean, relaxing and comfortable." Mr & Mrs Harding

Availability

See below for next 9 months' availability - to see the next 24 months click here

Send Enquiry

To contact this advertiser please visit: http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/12804

Contact details for the advertiser of home 12804
Name:	Peter Wilton
Tel:	+44 (0)1628 781901
Be aware of time-zones Please mention Holiday Lettings when contacting this advertiser
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Advertiser joined: Jun 2006