Ripples in the Sea

Ripples in the Sea: Devon

One glance at those panoramic views and it's love at first sight. Perched just above Woolacombe Beach, if you're anything like us, you'll spend nearly every moment here on the expansive deck, watching the tide rise and fall – except when you're sunbathing on the sand or surfing the waves, of course. Wake up to the ocean vistas each morning, then following an alfresco breakfast, stroll down to the beach for an afternoon picnic and a dip in the water. End the evening with a barbecue and a glass of wine, watching as the sun slowly sinks below the horizon. Sounds heavenly, doesn't it?

You can even make the most of the scenery inside, thanks to the floor-to-ceiling sliding doors that drench the entire home in natural light. Contemporary and cool, we love how the coastal colour scheme reflects the backdrop – and all the mod-cons are accounted for. The rainfall showers in the en-suite bathrooms are hotel-worthy, a high-spec kitchen stocked with culinary gear (including a wine chiller) is a dream to cook in and Netflix, Now TV, books and board games will keep you entertained on rainy days.

Location-wise, you can follow the South West Coastal Path into Woolacombe for eateries and pubs (about a fifteen-minute walk), or head in the opposite direction and check out the views from Morte Point (twenty-five minutes away). There's also some great golfing at Saunton if you fancy a day on the fairway, while many of North Devon's gems are within driving distance.

Home truths:
*A cot and high chair can be provided on request
*Two of the single beds can convert into one king-sized bed on request
*The fourth single bed is a pull-out, more suitable for children rather than adults
*One dog is welcome to join you – if you'd like to bring another, please ask the host
*The roads leading to this home are steep and narrow
*This home has a private entrance – guests will be able to check themselves in with a lockbox on arrival
*The supermarket in Woolacombe is small, so we suggest stocking up on supplies in Barnstaple – it's a half-hour drive away
*Your host provides an initial supply of toiletries, but you might want to bring your own to top this up