Two bedrooms: 1 x king-size, 1 x ground-floor king-size. Ground-floor en-suite bathroom with freestanding bath, handheld shower, walk-in shower, basin and WC. Shower room with walk-in shower, basin and WC. First-floor open-plan living space with kitchen, dining area and sitting area
A village and civil parish sitting within the South Hams district of Devon, Stoke Fleming is a wonderful base for those seeking to explore both the coast and countryside of the South of England. Lying on the shores of Start Bay, this picturesque village offers a wonderful array of amenities, as well as being within easy reach of the many wonders of Devon. The village itself benefits from a Post Office with a village shop where you can gather all of your self-catered necessities, as well as two pubs to choose from whether you’re seeking a rewarding beverage after a day of rambling or a tasty treat in the form of a traditional pub lunch. Positioned within the South Hams district, you can expect to find unspoilt coastline, rolling hills and plenty of adventure no matter where you’re positioned. Spend a day on the award-winning sands of Blackpool Sands, or simply soak in your surroundings of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with its abundance of river valleys, moorland and coast to explore by foot, bike or even boat. Close by is Dartmouth with its enticing history in the form of a 14th century castle and fortress offering views over the estuary and Bayard’s Cove Fort, as well as an art gallery and museum providing culture and excitement for all ages. Further along the coast you can find both Paignton and Torquay, providing plenty of attractions all-year-round including zoos, even more history and culture and plenty of delicious eateries to choose from, or spend a day in Salcombe for a truly traditional day out in Devon with its maritime museum and quaint aura. Stoke Fleming is perfectly positioned for exploring all of the delights that Devon has to offer.
With wide sandy beaches, remote moors, and chocolate-box villages, Devon is a stunning holiday destination at any time of year. It’s also a haven for bird watchers, offering a rich variety of landscapes and habitats, with dozens of nature reserves and over 200 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs).
One of the county’s highlights is the Exe Estuary, a vital breeding and feeding ground for thousands of wildfowl and waders, including avocets, redshanks, snipes, little stints, and sandpipers. Surrounding the estuary are several nature reserves, such as Dawlish Warren National Nature Reserve, where reedbeds, meadows, ponds, and saltmarshes support large populations of black-tailed godwits, dunlins, grey plovers, red-breasted mergansers, and wigeons. With its family-friendly sandy beach backed by dunes, it’s a fantastic spot for a day out.
Just 15 minutes from Exeter, Haldon Forest is a vast conifer plantation that supports five species of breeding birds of prey: goshawks, hobbies, sparrowhawks, buzzards, and kestrels. A bird hide and viewing point, managed by Forestry England, offer the chance to see these impressive raptors up close. The forest is also home to nightjars, crossbills, and a variety of butterflies. Walking and cycling trails, play areas, treetop rope courses, and picnic spots make it an excellent destination for families and nature lovers alike.
Owned by the National Trust, Lundy, an island in the Bristol Channel, is easily reached by boat from Ilfracombe or Bideford. From April to July, thousands of seabirds arrive to breed, including puffins, razorbills, guillemots, fulmars, kittiwakes, and Manx shearwaters. The island is also a magnet for migrating birds, with rare visitors from as far afield as North America and Siberia recorded annually.
Slapton Ley, the largest freshwater lagoon in southwest England, is separated from the sea by a narrow shingle ridge known as Slapton Sands. Surrounded by reedbeds, marshes, and woodland, it provides a rich habitat for birds such as Cetti’s warblers, reed warblers, sedge warblers, and grasshopper warblers. On the water, look out for great crested grebes, gadwalls, and water rails. Other wildlife in the area includes otters, badgers, dormice, and several bat species.
Exmoor National Park offers a remarkable diversity of habitats, from moorland and farmland to ancient woodland, rivers, and dramatic coastline. The open moors are home to Dartford warblers, linnets, and whinchats, while the woodlands host pied flycatchers, tree pipits, redstarts, and all three British woodpecker species. Along the rivers, look for grey wagtails, dippers, and kingfishers. The coastal edges are frequented by curlews, ringed plovers, turnstones, and occasionally knots, ruffs, and curlew sandpipers. Visitors can also enjoy walking and cycling routes, canoeing and kayaking, charming historic villages, Dunster Castle, and of course, Exmoor’s iconic wild ponies.
Located in the heart of the county, Dartmoor National Park is more rugged and wild, with dramatic granite tors and deep river valleys, perfect for a day of exploration. Bird watchers should look out for ground-nesting species like meadow pipits, skylarks, and stonechats. The moor also supports ring ouzels and red grouse, and is one of the best places in the UK to hear the distinctive call of the cuckoo in spring. For those wanting to cool off after a hike, Dartmoor has some of the finest wild swimming spots in the country.
