South Devon / South Cornwall holiday let

tiernsee

I've just migrated over from the house buying forum after having received some good advice.

Am looking to buy a holiday cottage in either South Devon or (more likely) South Cornwall - it will be for my family use and for letting. The advice I've got is to ask people who visit this area what they would be looking for in a holiday let to guide my property searching.

So if you are coming down to the West Country for a self catering holiday what sort of property would be of interest - old world charm vs new build, what facilities would be absolute must haves, what do you look for in location?

Any advice, suggestions or comments gratefully received. I know what I look for but this may not be the same as everyone else

Thanks in advance

p00hsticks

We use holiday cottages in the UK each year. Having decided on a general area the three key points that we probably look for is;

Location - somewhere scenic but reasonably built up - we don't want to be driving everywhere all the time , so we want the places to see to be nearby or on a convenient bus/rail route. And it's handy to have at least the the basic shops / a newsagents / takeaways / restaurants in walking distance.

Parking - off-road parking for the car (as above, we like to drive there but then leave the car as much as possible)

More than one toilet / bathroom ! (this often rules out older cottages).

Examples of places in the South / South West we've stayed at in the past that we've found fit the bill are Penzance, Torquay, Lyme Regis

davenport151

pOOhsticks - exactly that in regards to rail/bus links. This is what usually takes the longest when searching for somewhere for us. Distance being the main thing. We don't mind an easy fifteen minute walk to the station but that might not be so easy for others. Its also nice if the services run quiet late so we are not restricted on coming back early. Also making sure the main attractions that are nearby are reasonably in reach by said transport not by several train changes and a bus trip.

Again a shop or two within a few minutes is a must have.

We have always stayed in newer accomadation but thats just personal opinion.

We also tend to like somewhere quiet - no noisy neighbours. The smaller places near towns can sometimes offer quiet but with the convienience of good transport links.

Last two years we have stayed in Starcross then just outside Dawlish. From here we could access Torquay, Plymouth, Dartmouth (by ferry or rail & steam railway). To name just a few.
Two of theses require one change of train but that I feel is acceptable.

Once again but just personal preference is reasonable access to a beach within walking distance.

Hope this helps!

macman

You fail to mention budget. Properties in the most popular 'second home' holiday towns such as Dartmouth and Salcombe are beyond the reach of most people.

davenport151

Good point macman but like anywhere else i guess if you are looking in the area surrounding these main places the hit on your wallet may not be as bad.
The op was asking what criteria you would look for in regards to location, facilities etc.

kingfisherblue

I would agree with the points made above. Off road parking (with enough space to open the doors fully) is a definite need for many people. We have to open the door fully for my disabled son to get out.

Not too many steps, or no steps at all, is also useful, for both prams and wheelchairs.

A small, fenced garden for the kids to play safely.

Bedding included, gas and electricity included. I don't really want to take up valuable space in the car bringing bedding, and I don't want to be popping to the Post Office to top up the utilities (especially at the end of the week, just before we go home, when someone else will benefit). I prefer a price to include all.

From a personal point of view, details of who to hire a wheelchair from locally, especially if they will deliver the day you arrive, is very useful. My son uses a basic wheelchair, nothing fancy, but it takes up a heck of a lot of space in the boot. I'm happy to hire, but details of who to hire from makes life easier.

I also prefer to have a washing machine in a cottage if I'm staying a full week (and it wouldn't be any less for us, as it is a fair drive from the North West).

Somewhere with a decent signal for your mobile is also handy, in case your kids go off on their own and you want them to ring or text every now and then. Not always possible though, I know.

artichoke

hum - i think this is very difficult as i look for different types of holiday cottages for different occasions...

i love remote off the beaten track cottages with no neighbours, no shops nearby - just stock up before you go and enjoy the isolation - great at Christmas, or romantic weekends away... - old properties with log burners and lots of logs supplied, in walking distance of a beach would make it perfect..


art

tiernsee

Many thanks for these comments. Really useful. Definitely couldn't afford Salcombe or Dartmouth! Interesting about the station and will definitely bear that in mind. When I'm looking my initial screen is on what it looks like, then I go for parking, I always rule out the properties where utilities are not included and would intend to include these and bedding.

Lots of things to consider. Thanks for all the comments.

browneyedbazzi

We rent cottages a couple of times a year, usually us and another couple going. Must haves for us are:
* a decent kitchen (preferably kitchen/diner with a dishwasher)
* a decent lounge (with enough furniture for everyone to sit comfortably, so if a place has 2 double bedrooms the lounge needs seating for 4)
*two toilets
* stumbling distance to a nice pub or two and somewhere to pick up groceries.

A bit of character is nice but I don't think things have to be old/shabby/poky to be characterful.

osian

We've stayed in the Torbay area for years. Plus we self cater in other locations too.

Things I'd look for:

Within walking distance of a town/ village with restaurants, pubs and shops, wouldn't mind something within about 20-30 mins walk, but no more and preferably a fairly flat walk. If I am looking for something online, I normally would look at Torquay, Paignton, Brixham, Totnes, Dartmouth. Don't like anything too remote.

Don't mind modern or old buildings but would look for something clean - I instantly dismiss something which has old looking sofas, beds or carpets. I don't understand how someone can have a house or flat in a prime location and then fill it with furnishings which look like they come from an old nursing home.

I like a clean look - ideally like a plain neutral theme with cosy looking lighting. Ikea type stuff is fine. Look for comfy looking sofas in the pictures.

I like a view but it's not essential.

Parking - would prefer parking included, but if the rest is ok would compromise and use a nearby car park.

As for ground floor or not, we'd prefer ground floor as we've got a baby/ pram but recently stayed in one that was on a 3rd floor and used a sling as we liked the decor and location of the flat we stayed in.

As mentioned above, I always go for something with the electric and gas included. I am not so bothered about linen, but would prefer it. I also avoid ads with a deposit request, not because we wreck houses but just wary of the owner pulling a fast one later on.

We are a family of 4 - (2 adults, 1 child (4 year old) and a baby). As for bedrooms, I'd prefer two bedrooms but if something was otherwise fine I'd also consider one bedroom with a double and a single (or bunk later on) in the same room. I'd prefer this to a one bedroom place with a sofabed in the living room.

So for us, it basically comes down to location, decor, cleanliness and comfort for a reasonable price. I'm willing to compromise to get these things over anything else.