Holiday home for max. 6 persons
Shaldon, England, (Devon), Great Britain

Sunnybrook is unique. A family-sized country retreat in its own grounds within a small hamlet, situated at the end of a rural lane and only 5 mins from a beach. A beautifully designed eco house providing comfort and convenience, including a new wood-fired Swedish hot tub and EV charger. No same-sex groups, or pets, please. Children welcome. Groups restricted to 30 years and over.

The Space:
You’ll enjoy under-floor heating, a well-appointed kitchen and home entertainment system. As you explore the half-acre garden, you’ll feel you are in deepest Devon - yet you’re only a five minute drive (or 20 minute walk) from Shaldon village.

The house, attractively clad in UK grown cedar, is designed for every kind of holiday. The living area is welcoming, open and spacious, with large-screen television, home entertainment system, books and games. Doors open from three different sides onto a granite terrace that surrounds the entire side and rear of the property. From here you can watch the children play in the garden, or entertain family and friends beneath a covered open area with sink and other utilities. If you prefer a more active holiday, this provides ample space to store kayaks, bikes, and sports gear. There is parking for four cars – and a boat. There is also one electric car charging point available for use free of charge (overnight).

The kitchen appliances are state of the art, from an integrated filtered water tap to the induction hob with down draught extraction system. The ovens are top of the range Neff appliances. One is an integrated Combi Oven, Grill and Microwave and the other a combi oven with hide and slide door.

Each bedroom has a French door that opens onto the covered veranda and garden area. The larger super king room can also be configured into two single beds. The second bedroom has a king size bed. The third double futon bed is located on the mezzanine floor above the living room area. The bathroom is unique and is accessed from the hall way between both bedrooms. It has silent heat recovery ventilation with an integrated dual sink, a separate shower and double ended steel bath. There is also an additional toilet at the end of the hallway.

A high chair and travel cot can be made available upon request.

There is plenty of parking for at least 4 cars. An EV charger is available for guests with electric vehicles. Overnight charging is free between 00:30 and 04:30. Charging outside those times will incur a cost.

The garden has a (fenced off) brook running along its edge, creating a gentle, calming soundtrack to the idyllic countryside setting. Not overlooked by any houses, you will feel that you are in deepest Devon - yet only a few minutes drive from the coast, pubs and civilisation! To enhance the natural habitat, fruit bearing hedging and fruit trees have been planted to create a small orchard of apple, pear and plum trees at the bottom of the garden.

Guest Access:
The guests will have full private access to the house and the grounds in a picturesque setting in a quiet hamlet just outside of Shaldon village.

To access the property a code will be provided to the guests on the day before arrival.

Interaction with Guests:
Sunnybrook is professionally managed by Fresh Escapes. A Devon based privately owned vacation rental and management company who are here to ensure your stay runs as smoothly as possible.

The Neighborhood:
Sunnybrook is located in Shaldon, one of the most sought after areas of South Devon, which is located in an area of outstanding natural beauty, next to the Teign Estuary, and only 20 minutes to Dartmoor, Exeter and Torbay.

Because of the nature of the location and recent renovations, Shaldon is now often referred to as the new Salcombe.

Shaldon’s History

There is little to doubt that a settlement existed between the Ness and Ringmore as long ago as the Domesday Book. Shaldon itself was mentioned in Chancery proceedings during the reign of King James 1.

The original settlement was in Ringmore- the beautiful and sheltered valley, the Saxons built a wooden Church, not the stone built St Nicholas, and the Celtic name of Ringmore means ‘ a great enclosure or clearing’.

Silt has washed down the Estuary over the centuries, causing the river flow to slow down and the estuary to widen, to land has been reclaimed over time, and most of Shaldon has been built on reclaimed land. In the 1800s a retaining wall was built to prevent the water from returning to the silted areas.

Early man would have farmed and fished, and later sailed to far away places. Local names provide clues such as nearby Labrador Bay..along the coast.

Trade grew, and shipbuilders plied their trade in Ringmore & Shaldon. The deep-water channel was originally on the Shaldon side, and a flourishing Port was established. When the Shaldon side channel silted up, the channel deepened at Teignmouth, and trade was re established in Teignmouth Docks. It is no mean feat to bring in the large container ships used today over the shifting sands of the bar, to reach the port. The narrow channel is still 30m or so deep, even at low water.

Shipbuilding was very important to village life in Shaldon, there were several early shipyards –Ringmore had two. One located in the area of the King George playing fields and the other above Ringmore Towers-adjacent to the little area jutting into the water, where benches, trees and the sundial are located. Part of the fleet of ships used in the Napoleonic wars was built here. River Teign was also busy with with barge traffic, from both the Clay pits at Newton Abbot and the granite quarries at Haytor. Some Haytor granite is in the British Museum and the National gallery.

Before 1827, the only way across the river to Shaldon was fording at low tide, or a long journey around through Newton Abbot. The first bridge linking Teignmouth and Shaldon was a wooden one in 1827, and at that time was the longest wooden bridge in England. Part collapsed in 1838 after an attack of woodworm !. The structure was changed in 1931 to allow a portion to open, and was last updated and strengthened in the last 10 years.

Many parts of Shaldon and Ringmore are conservation areas, with listed buildings from the seventeenth and even some from the fifteenth century.

Today Shaldon welcomes holiday makers as part of its daily commerce, whilst still retaining its fishing heritage, boat trips and cottage industries thrive, and the village is lucky enough to have a full range of shops, pubs and restaurants. A complete transition from the Schooner and men-of-war building to a pleasure and fishing centre-now accessed by excellent transport links by both road and rail.

Things To Do

There are a wealth of attractions, sights, shopping, entertainment & many more activities in and around Shaldon to suit the whole family.

fresh escapes will provide a detailed guest manual that will detail all the things to do during your stay.

Getting Around:
A car is recommended. However, guests can comfortably walk to Shaldon or grab a 5 minute ferry (one of the oldest in the Country) from Shaldon over to Teignmouth.

Other Things to Note:
The hot tub that is provided will be empty when you arrive. A basic set of instructions will be provided prior to you arriving so ensure that you understand the process of filling the hot tub and preparing the wood burner.