1, Clifton

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Cottage |5 bedrooms |Sleeps 8

Sidmouth in West Country

From £300 per week

7 nights minimum stay

Changeover Saturday

4.5 out of 5

5 reviews | Write a review

Key info  Beach or lakeside relaxation, car not necessary, pets welcome

About the home

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!

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.

Photos

 

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Sidmouth from the Connaught Gardens (public). 1, Clifton is adjacent to the end of the esplanade.

 

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The sea in front of 1, Clifton

 

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The forecourt and front door of 1, Clifton

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.

The 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

What's nearby: Attractions Restaurants Click map icons for more information

Map showing the Sidmouth areaReset Map

Lower down, you will see an automtically generated suggestion to fly from London to Sidmouth at almost £150, not only expensive but also somewhat inconvenient! Why not try the London Waterloo to Exeter railway line (if, like me, you posses a Network railcard, you can get a third off the fare), alighting at Honiton for a connecting bus? 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 the bus staion is at some distance from the railway stations (of which Exeter possesses three!).

If you're driving from London, some people prefer to take the M4 to Bristol and then take the M5 to Exeter Junction (30). Those coming from the north should also use the M5 and leave at this junction. In either case, after having left junction 30, turn left on to the A3052. After Newton Poppleford, ascend the steep hill to Bowd, and, opposite the Bowd Inn, look out for the right turn to Sidmouth on the B3176.

The other route from London is via the A303, which is dual carriageway for much of the time. Be warned, however, that on Summer Saturdays, there are often delays in the vicinity of Stonehenge. At the Devon-Somerset border, the road suddenly ceases to be the A303 and becomes the A30, and, shortly after that, the road reaches Honiton, at which point it is best to go into Honiton, through the main street, to the left turn to Sidmouth at the far end of the town.

Activities near Sidmouth

Reviews

Review: 1 to 3 of 5

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20 Jun 2011

“The best location for a seaside holiday” This June will be our fourth holiday here, we love it, I think this speaks for itself

02 Jun 2011

“A fantastic seaside location, in the heart of a beautiful and friendly town” My week at 1, Clifton cottage, was blissful. This well-maintained and beautifully restored, spacious house provided a superb base from which to walk the Dorset coastal paths, explore the small and... more

24 May 2011

“A delightful period property in a fabulous location” If you are looking for an imaculate showhome - don't come here. This is a well loved family holiday home and we return every year. A charming period property in an enviable location on the sea... more

Review: 1 to 3 of 5

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Review: 4 to 5 of 5

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23 May 2011

“A great holiday house - super location and excellent value for money” A group of us, old schoolfriends now in our 70s, have rented holiday houses over many years and are returning this year to this particular house for the second time. We stayed there very comfortably... more

23 May 2011

“Great Value, Perfect Location, Family and Dog Friendly Property” We love the place and have been twice before, booked again for this summer and next summer! The cottage is old fashioned but is full of character. It has all the basic amenities you need and is... more

Review: 4 to 5 of 5

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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

Rental prices

Prices for group size 8
Period	From	To	Weekly	Nightly rate		Minimum  stay
				Weekday	Weekend
Peak Season	23 Jul 11	27 Aug 11	800£ 800	0-	0-	1 Week
August Bank Holiday Week	27 Aug 11	3 Sep 11	600£ 600	0-	0-	1 Week
Early Autumn	3 Sep 11	10 Sep 11	500£ 500	0-	0-	1 Week
Early Autumn	10 Sep 11	17 Sep 11	400£ 400	0-	0-	1 Week
Late Autumn	17 Sep 11	23 Oct 11	300£ 300	0-	0-	1 Week
Autumn Half-Term	23 Oct 11	29 Oct 11	400£ 400	0-	0-	1 Week
Holy Week	31 Mar 12	7 Apr 12	400£ 400	0-	0-	1 Week
Easter Week	7 Apr 12	14 Apr 12	400£ 400	0-	0-	1 Week
Off-Season	14 Apr 12	30 Jun 12	300£ 300	0-	0-	1 Week
Early Summer	30 Jun 12	6 Jul 12	400£ 400	0-	0-	1 Week
Early Summer	14 Jul 12	21 Jul 12	600£ 600	0-	0-	1 Week
Peak Season	21 Jul 12	25 Aug 12	800£ 800	0-	0-	1 Week
Late Summer	25 Aug 12	1 Sep 12	600£ 600	0-	0-	1 Week
Early Autumn	1 Sep 12	8 Sep 12	500£ 500	0-	0-	1 Week
Early Autumn	8 Sep 12	15 Sep 12	400£ 400	0-	0-	1 Week
Late Autumn	15 Sep 12	20 Oct 12	300£ 300	0-	0-	1 Week
Autumn Half-Term	20 Oct 12	27 Oct 12	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".

Availability

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

Availability notes:

The house is available every year from Holy Week (the week before Easter and therefore of variable date) until the school half-term of the Autumn/Michaelmas term (usually the last week of October). It is not available in the winter, when it is kept free for house maintenance and for the owner's own use!

Contact the owner

* Required fields Please check the following errors: First name * Last name * Email *   Did you mean ""? Yes / No Phone number Arrival date Departure date   Ignore calendar - enquire anway No. of adults No. of children Message * Email me special offers and holiday ideas T&Cs

5 years listed You are contacting Peter Wilton Landline +44 01628 781901 Mobile n/a Languages spoken The owner is based in the United Kingdom and has advertised with Holiday Lettings since 2006. This cottage has received 5 reviews from previous guests.