If you've never made it to Dartmouth, our advice is simple: go. This really is one of the pleasantest spots in the country, with the staggeringly scenic, steep-sided river estuary leading in from the sea to a town of incredible, unspoilt charm.
Obviously the best way to arrive in the town is via steam train followed by ferry, but if you can't wangle that then you'll have to bring the car. And that's fine too, for this entire area is well worth exploring — in particular the coastline to the south of Dartmouth itself, which is where we find today's featured property.
With far-reaching views of the Start Bay coastline, The Ark — for sale at £1.3 million — basks in glorious gardens in the small Devon village of Strete.
With four bedrooms and five bathrooms, there’s plenty of space for friends and family.
The contemporary home is light-filled and spacious — the double-height entrance hall is a particular highlight — and is a mere stone’s throw from Blackpool Sands and Slapton Sands, a shingle bar that stretches some three miles to Torcross.
The Ark has a swimming pool in its landscaped grounds, which fade away towards the shore, providing views that begin at Start Point and finish at the Dart Estuary.
The grounds offer a vegetable garden and greenhouse; outbuildings include a boathouse, summer house and pool house.
The village itself sounds rather lovely, with a post office/stores, restaurant and a church, while the coastal footpath runs nearby, giving access to the beautiful beaches at Blackpool Sands and Slapton Sands.
There is also Slapton Ley, a large freshwater lake and National Nature Reserve, which runs parallel to the beach.
For sale at £1.3m via Marchand Petit — see more details and pictures.
Credit: Strutt and Parker
Best country houses for sale this week
An irresistible West Country cottage and a magnificent Cumbrian country house make our pick of the finest country houses for
-
Dawn Chorus: A Blue Plaque for Marc Bolan, holidaying in the Caribbean with Francis Ford Coppola and a history of the National Gallery in 25 picturesPlus the best of the property pages, and how the railways will save the countryside.
-
Game, set, match: 12 of the world’s most beautiful tennis courtsFrom Italy to Indonesia, when it comes to hotel amenities, a picturesque tennis court will always trump a 24-hour gym. So, before you book your next holiday, take a look at our pick of the 12 best.
-
Five frankly enormous mansions, including one with its own private swimming lake, as seen in Country LifeSometimes bigger really is better.
-
Gaze over Cap Ferrat in this four-bedroom French villaIgnore the wind and the rain. Imagine yourself in this hillside home with some of the best views the Mediterranean can offer.
-
Classical style meets fun and flair in a seven-bedroom manor in CornwallAt Polstrong Manor, the current owners have combined period charm and elegant modern interiors to create a flamboyant country home 10-minutes from the beach.
-
Two halves make a sublime four-bedroom home in Kent's North DownsA contemporary extension to a traditional clapboard house brings light and life to Lavington House.
-
The week in property statistics: Service charges reach record highPlus, how first-time buyers prop up the mortgage market, why you need to move north if you want to live by yourself, and house-price growth slows
-
A seven-bedroom oast house for sale in East Sussex, where your dreams can run riotUnlisted, yet full of character, this property in the High Weald National Landscape is an eccentrically furnished family home that screams fun.
-
Character, history and comfort combine in a four-bedroom farmhouse in NorfolkWillow Farm near Southburgh is that rarest of things — a perfect combination of period charm and modern elegance in some of England's best countryside.
-
A Grade I-listed Georgian townhouse that's part of the fabric of Bath's historyWith 5,500sq ft set over six floors in the centre of Britain's most architecturally rich city, there is much to love here.
