Ringmore Village sits in a gentle dip of the surrounding hilly fields with the cliff top, beaches and the English Channel just half a mile away. The valley leads to the village's own Arymer Cove, now owned by the National Trust, and only accessible by foot. There are two, relatively gentle, paths to the cove from the village, and another more spectacular route that takes you out to the cliff at Toby's Point and then down the steep coastal path. There's a fresh water stream and thirsty dogs can use the sandy beach all year round!

Welcome to our old thatched cottage in Ringmore, one of the ancient and peaceful villages that make up Devon's fascinating South Hams. It is close to the sandy beaches of Bigbury Bay where the country's last remaining Sea Tractor will carry holiday makers to Burgh Island when the tide is too high to walk the causeway. It is 17 miles to Plymouth, 9 to Kingsbridge, where you can get a ferry to Salcombe, 5 to Modbury and 45 minutes to Dartmoor. The village pub is the 13C Journey's End (where Sheriff wrote his famous play set in the First World War) and the charming mediaeval church, All Hallows, once hid a rebel Royalist priest. A mile away at St. Anne's Chapel is an award-winning local store and down the road at Challaborough Beach you can even get fish and chips in season!

Rock Cottage is probably more than five centuries old and clearly more than one habitation over the years. It sits on a rocky outcrop which forms a small rock garden and parking. The view left fronts on to the road with the main door and kitchen door - the village pump used to be where the rock garden is now. In the summer the wall is a riot of white roses.



Below is a view of the side of the cottage and the door we mostly use to go in and out. The little lane is shared with our Rose Cottage neighbours and leads to our garden.

HOLIDAY RENTAL INFO

Rock Cottage can comfortably accommodate up to six but is quaint and intimate enough for couples wanting the ideal bolt hole. It has two double bedrooms, one en suite, and two single bedrooms, a spacious living room, pretty dining room, modern kitchen, a washroom and a downstairs toilet and shower. It is available all the year round from £350 - £500 per week all inclusive. Bed linen, tea towels and hand towels are provided.

Contacts: E-mail: iris.burton@hotmail.co.uk telephone: 0208 7781597 or 01752 783627

ROCK COTTAGE LIVING ROOM

Two views of this surprisingly spacious room with its traditional tiled floor and plenty of light from the three windows. The view above looks towards one of the two original fireplaces. Although the cottage has night storage heating, the solid fuel burning stove makes a great fire and keeps the cottage truly cosy on cooler days and nights. There's a comfortable three-seater sofa and armchair this end of the room and, just out of sight on the right, a small television.

The above view shows the other half of the living room with another comfortable sofa and a Victorian wood armchair. The side lane door enters directly into the room from the right and on the left are stairs to the bedrooms and a small passage to a downstairs toilet and walk-in shower. At the end of the passage is the door to the small enclosed patio (pictured later).

The little entrance hall of the front porch and the really ancient old wood door that leads into it from the living room. Beyond is the dining room and kitchen.

ARYMER COVE

This was taken from the rocks on the far side of the cove looking towards the steep, grassy coastal path leading up to Toby's Point. The South Devon coastal path runs for miles - providing some of the UK's most beautiful scenery. And strenuous exercise!

ROCK COTTAGE KITCHEN AND DINING ROOM

Our kitchen is small, modern and well-equipped. It is all-electric and the upstairs water tank provides plenty of really hot water. We have a Washing Machine and Tumble Dryer, Fridge with small ice-box, Microwave and slow cooker , toaster and sandwich maker. We are well stocked with crockery, cutlery, pots and pans and other utensils.

This pretty little room is our dining room leading directly from the hall and into the kitchen. It has a good-sized pine dining table and seating for six. The entire room is panelled with lovely old oak or dark wood panelling and the old carved mantelpiece is is dated 1648. It has the original hearth but we don't use it as an open fire.

There is a wonderful use of antique wood here and in the living room thanks to the passion of an earlier owner of Rock Cottage - including the pretty lead windows in the hall, below right.

BEDROOM ONE

Upstairs and off a small landing we have two fair-sized double bedrooms, one with an en suite bathroom, each with a 4' 6" bed and two single bedrooms, one of which has bunk beds. There is also a small washroom with a toilet and sink. The whole floor has been recently and newly carpeted.

Above and right are shots of the main bedroom with its Victorian iron and brass bedstead and old pine bedside tables with lamps. There is a Victorian pine dressing table and a modern hanging rail for clothes and a small wood cottage sofa and armchairs. The en suite bathroom, just off the little alcove to the left of the bed, has a bath, shower, sink and toilet.

This is Challaborough beach just l0 minutes walk from the cottage and popular with wind surfers. The view is from the Bigbury-on-Sea cliff walk (gentle1) looking towards Toby's point and, beyond it, Arymer Cove.

A spectacular ten minutes walk from Rock Cottage is Toby's Point. Here we're looking towards Burgh Island and it's famous Art Deco hotel (much loved by Agatha Christie's Poirot) and the very much older Pilchard Inn. You can reach the island by walking across the causeway or hitch a ride on the Sea Tractor at high tide.

BEDROOM TWO

This second double bedroom, left, has an interesting original fire surround with its little inset alcove and a traditional window. It has a modern pine bed, a Victorian pine chest of drawers with a large wall mirror and there is a pretty Ikea wardrobe.

BEDROOM THREE

Small but pretty, this bedroom, shown right, has a single divan bed, a dressing table and a small; Victorian armchair just out of sight on the right.

BEDROOM FOUR

Another cosy single but this small room, left, has space for Ikea pine bunk beds, a small modern wardrobe and a chest of drawers. Ideal for children.

ROCK COTTAGE GARDEN AND PATIO

Our garden, above, is just a few steps along the little private lane we share with our neighbours in Rose Cottage and is clearly marked on the gate 'Rock Cottage Garden'. It is mainly lawn with some shrubs, Holly and Apple trees and looks out to fields. We have a plastic table and chairs and, because the garden gets the sun most of the day, it is ideal for eating al fresco.

This pretty little stone-flagged patio, left, leads directly from the cottage, via a small passageway from the living-room and is completely enclosed. We have a pull-out clothes line attached to one of the walls.

We tend to go in and out of the cottage through this side door in our little private lane. Since this photo was taken we have attached a small key lock on the wall to the right of the door which can be accessed by a given code number. We keep two sets of keys in it - so there is always a spare just in case...

RINGMORE VILLAGE