The Long House successfully blends 21st Century comfort with the character of the original building providing superb accommodation for the most discerning of guests. A stunning Grade II listed house with sea views from upstairs, plenty of historical features dating back to the 15th Century, highlights of which include a beautiful inglenook fireplace in the drawing room complete with two bread ovens, a Tudor studded front door and an old smoke house with domed stone ceiling, whilst outside there are some remains of an ancient chapel and a delightful enclosed Elizabethan knot garden. This charming house is set in the middle of Strete, a hilltop village overlooking the panorama of Start Bay, with an excellent local pub, restaurant and village shop. The famous Blue Flag Blackpool Sands beach, is 5 minutes in one direction and Slapton Sands, a 3 mile shingle ridge flanked by freshwater Slapton Ley, a national nature reserve, 5 minutes in the other. This village is also a gateway to the coastal path that extends from Dartmouth, via Blackpool Sands, Strete Gate and on to Slapton Sands and beyond.

'Lovely cottage with lots of facilities. Nice pub down the road "Kings Arms", lovely food, recommend Sunday Roast. Thank you to Nigel Backwith for use of cottage, although we won the cottage in a draw we would not hesitate in paying for this cottage and would like to thank Tim and James at Toad Hall Cottages for this wonderful opportunity and for the goodies that were provided.' J. Rowland

Accommodation: A gate from the road leads along a cobbled path to a stable door and enclosed porch. A magnificent Tudor door opens to the slate hallway with exposed stone work and a splendid gothic arch and door opens to the delightful oak floored kitchen with exposed beams and large window over the garden. Bespoke units are topped by beech worktops with electric Aga with twin hobs and double ovens, microwave, dishwasher, freezer and Smeg fridge/freezer. The dining area is alongside the window with dining table and seating for 8 utilising the window seat. Partly divided by an oak wall from the kitchen is the snug sitting room, a most attractive room with two sofas, open fire, stable door to garden, wall mounted TV/DVD with Sky HD Plus with basic channels, sport and children's programmes, and a Bose iPod dock. The drawing room is very spacious, comfortably furnished with large sofas (one a double sofa bed), a music system and has a magnificent, very large stone inglenook fireplace with two bread ovens, and an Aga multi-fuel wood burner. Off the hallway is the utility room/cloakroom situated in the former smoke house with cobbled stone ceiling, sink, washer/dryer and WC. There are two sets of stairs. The first off the kitchen leads to the master bedroom, a spacious dual aspect room with a 6ft bed, polished wood floor that slopes in parts, a fine 15th century panelled wall, wardrobe, chaise longue and sea views. Superb adjacent bathroom with large double ended roll top bath, central taps with hand shower attachment. Separate walk in shower cubicle with power shower, basin and WC. Twin bedroom with 3ft beds, window seat with sea views, fitted cupboards and en-suite shower room with shower, basin and WC. Second stairs from the drawing room to a second double bedroom with 5ft bed, fitted cupboards, sea views and an ancient stone fireplace featuring 15th Century patterned mosaic plasterwork. En-suite bathroom with bath, hand shower attachment, basin, WC, separate electric shower cubicle and heated towel rail.

Outside: The garden is a particular feature of this lovely home. Enclosed by stone walls, the upper garden is arranged as an Elizabethan knot garden with the lower part lawned with a small foot deep pond, paved paths and a paved area provided with table, chairs and gas barbecue. There are the remains of an old chapel thought to predate the house and features a small triangular alms window.

Included:  Bed linen, towels, (guests must bring their own beach towels) standard cot, high chair, logs, summer electricity and heating.
Central heating (oil) and winter electricity from end September to Spring Bank Holiday £50 per week.
Security Deposit £250. £25 surcharge for failure to clear dog mess from the garden. 
Pets: Maximum of 2 small dogs only welcome. (No labrador size dogs or over). Pet charge £25 per pet per week .
Parking: One in front of the garage. Further on road parking available opposite property.
No smoking
Telephone: Telephone for incoming and outgoing local and 999 calls. Mobile reception adequate.
WiFi broadband.
Beaches at Blackpool Sands and Slapton Sands 1.5 miles.
Pub with AA Rosette, P/O village store and restaurant a few hundred yards.
Watersports facilities offering kayaking, zapcats, wake boarding and kite/wind surfing are available at either Blackpool Sands or Slapton Sands.
Dartmouth 5 miles. Kingsbridge 9 miles.
Property: Self catering holiday house