Wednesday 3 August 2016

Clifftop homes - Devon and Dorset


I'm doing clifftop today. You all know me and my thing about water, and the sea in particular, but if what you're looking for is to open the curtains every morning and see the sea, then we share brain cells.
Both of these properties are pricey - blame the view for that - and more in need of updating than a full renovation job. Having said that, clifftop properties come with their own challenges - like possibly no insurance and the cliff edge receding.
This first property, Midhills, in Devon. Overlooks Lynmouth Harbour and the Bristol Channel and does look rather close to the cliff edge. It's also got a look of holiday home, even holiday let, about it which presumably explains the slightly odd design decisions.
Like the fabric green 'terrace', pictured top, and this hot tub room decor:


The terrace actually sits on top of the spa room, plus a games room. The main house, the older part, has two reception rooms and a kitchen downstairs plus two good-size bedrooms and bathroom upstairs. Attached to it is a self-contained studio apartment. Plenty of scope for reconfiguring rooms.




Outside are large gardens of around three-quarters of an acre, with meandering pathways through woodland, plus the terrace, and outbuildings.



Access is complicated: there's only on-street parking and a path to the house - an issue for renovators bringing in trucks and building supplies, and you'll need to discuss this with the seller.
Midhills is on the market at £395k, via GTH. More details and pix here and here.
Midhills was sent to me by reader Melissa, this next one came via regular house-hunter DjC.
I know I don't generally 'do' terraced houses but, this one is absolutely stunning. Just look at the location:


Number 3 White Nothe Cottages is one of several former coastguard houses at Holworth, above the fishing village of Ringstead, on the Dorset cliffs.



It's unmodernised, no mains services, and access is via an unmade farmtrack.
The cottage is small - two rooms and a larder downstairs; two bedrooms and a washroom (not bathroom) upstairs. But so, so cute!



There's a walled garden around all the cottages (I love this picture - like an oasis, or something from the Game of Thrones map):


And No. 3 also  has its own private garden with parking area, lawn, courtyard and these potentially useful outbuildings.



On the pricey side for a two-bed terraced cottage with a guide price of £250k but, as with Midhills, it's the location that makes it.
On the market through Jackson-Stops & Staff. Details here and here.