Newton Ferrers/Noss Mayo: there is no more glowingly beautiful coastal scene in Devon than the lake-like estuary of the River Yealm, full of sailing boats and yachts, enclosed and sheltered by high, oak-wooded hillsides. These two adjoining villages are beside it; small, with riverside (and river view) good food (and children welcome) pubs, old fishermen’s cottages, essential shops. Very popular for sailing, especially dinghies; lovely, too, for walking (paths through the oak woods, brilliant views at every turn), or just sitting. Riding stables. Pedestrian ferry to coast walk to Wembury, and to secluded beach. Nearest sandy beach by car: Mothecombe (delightful), about 4 miles. Plymouth, 11; A38 road, about 7.

... high in farmland a mile from Noss Mayo and  mile from the sea at Stoke (splendid cliffs, coast path, cove beach), a number of cottages well converted from Grade II listed farm buildings, sharing a 1 acre garden (barbecue, picnic table), games/laundry room (table tennis, darts, washing machine, tumble drier extra), courtyards and hard tennis court. We let two of them.

... and another converted detached cottage, well-equipped and delightful.

On its own, close to the tennis court, the cottage is ‘upside down’. Three external steps lead up to the living/dining/neat fitted kitchen (microwave) a good-sized open-plan room, light (Velux windows) and pretty, with original beams (ceiling to the apex), stone walls, wooden floors (rugs), round pine table and fiddle-back chairs, bookshelves, CD player. Pine stairs (stairgates) down to two bedrooms one double, one twin, both with pine beds and fittings; internal tiled bathroom (suite plus bath-shower, corner bath). No smoking.