Offers in region of

£1,150,000

17 bed property for sale
Watermouth, Berrynarbor, Ilfracombe, Devon EX34

    • 17 beds

Freehold
Added on 02/10/2026

About this property

  • Located close to the natural harbour at Watermouth Cove

  • Courtyard of 8 cottages and apartments including a private 3 bedroom owner’s cottage

  • All adjoining the grounds of Watermouth Castle

  • Within 200 yards walking distance of the sea

  • Acquired by our clients some years ago as a thriving business, our clients stated the following: ‘Having inspected 18 businesses and cottages in the UK and overseas we purchased (truncated)

Location
In an area of outstanding national beauty, located on the dramatic North Devon coastline and within only 200 yards of the sea, the property is in a unique location within the shadow of Watermouth Castle and grounds, a family theme park and entertainment centre. The property is located just off the A399 between Ilfracombe and Combe Martin. Nearby is the awarding village of Berrynarbor with its village post office and pub called The Olde Globe Inn. Barnstaple the regional centre of North Devon is located 12 miles to the North; it has excellent transport connections via the North Devon link road and the M5 motorway at Junction 27 and the regional railway station connecting to the main network at Exeter.

EPC ratings:
Smugglers Cove – G,
Tidesreach Apartment – F,
Beachcomber Cottage – F,
Seaspray Cottage – E,
Sandpiper Cottage – E
Seadrift Cottage – F,
Seashell Cottage – F,
Driftwood Cottage – E
The property

A rare opportunity to acquire a successful courtyard complex of eight well-presented self-catering holiday cottages and apartments, converted from the former coach house and stabling of the adjoining Castle. The accommodation is arranged around an attractive lawned courtyard and includes the three-bedroom Smugglers Cove Cottage, which has previously been used as a holiday let but could equally provide comfortable owner’s accommodation.

The property is offered with the benefit of forward bookings, which will transfer to and be honoured by the new owner, providing an established income stream from the outset. Further advantages include valuable on-site parking, private and mature garden areas and fibre-to-the-premises broadband. The layout provides flexibility for owners wishing to live either on or off site, while there may also be potential for alternative uses or future redevelopment, subject to obtaining the necessary planning consents.
The business

Open throughout the year, the business has a long-established trade and reputation and will be offered for sale fully furnished and equipped with trade inventory (excluding those items of a personal nature). Comprising eight holiday cottages, the business benefits from multiple income streams and offers considerable earning potential for both owner-operators and investors alike. The scale of the operation provides the opportunity to generate substantial revenue across the year, supported by an established customer base, repeat bookings and the area's enduring appeal as a holiday destination. This represents a rare opportunity to acquire a proven hospitality business with significant income potential and scope for continued growth.

The accommodation briefly comprises:

The cottages have been converted from traditional buildings and provide self-contained holiday letting cottages. They include flat screen colour televisions with DVD players and are electrically heated with 6 of the cottages also having cast iron wood burning stoves. Each kitchen is equipped with a range of modern base cupboards, electric cookers, microwave ovens, dishwashers and fridge/freezers. Each of the holiday properties have an outside area with seating.

Smugglers cove – (sleeps 8)

Smugglers Cove is a well-presented three-bedroom holiday cottage sleeping up to eight guests, with additional sleeping accommodation provided by a double sofa bed in the lounge. The property is approached via an entrance porch overlooking the courtyard, leading into an entrance hall with a metre cupboard. The spacious lounge enjoys double-glazed windows to the front and rear, parquet flooring, and an attractive open stone hearth with a wood-burning stove set beneath a wood-beamed ceiling. The kitchen also overlooks the courtyard and is fitted with a range of wall and base units, roll-top work surfaces, a stainless-steel sink, electric cooker, fridge, dishwasher, wood-beamed ceiling and ceramic-tiled floor. An inner hall provides useful storage and leads to three bedrooms, two of which benefit from built-in wardrobes, while the third offers access from the kitchen, a rear-facing window and a built-in airing cupboard housing the factory-insulated hot water cylinder. There is also a cloakroom and a bathroom fitted with a pedestal wash hand basin, panelled bath with Mira shower over, electric heated towel rail and part-tiled walls. Outside, the property enjoys a front patio area with a brick barbecue overlooking the communal courtyard, together with allocated parking for the holiday cottages at the front of the complex and additional parking in a side concrete car park.

Beachcomber apartment
- (sleeps 4)

Beachcomber Apartment is an attractive first-floor apartment providing comfortable accommodation for up to four guests. The property features a welcoming entrance hall leading into a spacious open-plan sitting, dining and kitchen area, creating a sociable and practical living space enhanced by a charming cast-iron wood-burning stove. The accommodation is completed by two bedrooms and a family bathroom, making it an ideal holiday retreat for couples, families or small groups.

Seaspray cottage
- (sleeps 8)

Seaspray Cottage is a spacious ground-floor apartment providing comfortable accommodation for up to eight guests. The property features a generous open-plan sitting and dining room with an adjoining kitchen area, creating a bright and sociable living space. There are three bedrooms together with a double sofa bed providing additional sleeping accommodation, while a family bathroom completes this well-proportioned holiday property, making it ideal for families or larger groups.

Sandpiper cottage
- (sleeps 8)

Sandpiper Cottage is a spacious first-floor apartment, conveniently accessed from ground-floor level, providing comfortable accommodation for up to eight guests. The property features a generous open-plan sitting and dining room with an adjoining kitchen area, enhanced by a charming cast-iron wood-burning stove. There are three bedrooms together with a double sofa bed providing additional sleeping accommodation, while a shower room completes this well-arranged holiday property, making it ideal for families or larger groups.

Seadrift cottage
- (sleeps 4)

Seadrift Cottage is an attractive single-storey cottage providing comfortable accommodation for up to four guests. The property features a welcoming open-plan sitting and dining room with an adjoining kitchen area, creating a sociable living space complemented by a charming cast-iron wood-burning stove. There are two bedrooms together with a family bathroom, making this well-arranged cottage an ideal holiday retreat for couples, families or small groups.

Seashell cottage
- (sleeps 4)

Seashell Cottage is an attractive single-storey cottage providing comfortable accommodation for up to four guests. The property features a welcoming open-plan sitting and dining room with an adjoining kitchen area, creating a sociable and practical living space complemented by a charming cast-iron wood-burning stove. There are two bedrooms together with a family bathroom, making this well-arranged cottage an ideal holiday retreat for couples, families or small groups.

Driftwood cottage
- (sleeps 4)

Driftwood Cottage is a well-presented ground-floor apartment providing comfortable accommodation for up to four guests. The property is approached through an entrance hall leading into a spacious open-plan sitting and dining room with an adjoining kitchen area, creating a practical and sociable living space. There are two bedrooms, making this an ideal holiday retreat for couples, families or small groups.

Tidesreach apartment
- (sleeps 4)

Tidesreach Apartment is a well-presented first-floor apartment providing comfortable accommodation for up to four guests. The property features a spacious open-plan sitting and dining room with an adjoining kitchen area, creating a welcoming and sociable living space enhanced by a charming cast-iron wood-burning stove. There are two bedrooms together with a family bathroom, making this an ideal holiday retreat for couples, families or small groups.

We recognise that buying a property is a big commitment and, therefore, recommend that you visit the local authority website (contact the branch for details) and the following websites for more helpful information about the property and local area before proceeding.

Strictly by appointment through the selling agents.

When our clients took over the property they increased the turnover of the business, but they did not live onsite. However, recently, from choice the vendor has decided to live onsite in one of the cottages and to operate under the VAT threshold. Therefore a discerning buyer can determine the level of turnover they would like to generate. We advise that all interested parties should make their own enquiries of hmrc.

Council Tax: Smugglers Cove Cottage: Band C. The other 7 cottages are currently on business rates.

Services: Private drainage via two septic tanks. One septic tank is shared between the property and a neighbouring property, while the second solely serves Watermouth Cove Cottages. The property benefits from electric heating, mains electricity, and mains water.
The property is approached from the main A399 tourist route turning right towards the entrance of Watermouth Castle, take the right hand fork immediately in front of you and the property is within 50 yards on the left hand side. At the front of the property is an asphalt driveway with parking for 6 vehicles, there is also a side asphalt car park with parking for a further 5 vehicles plus bin storage. The rear of Seashell and Seadrift are lawned areas with mature gardens and the cottages overlook a central lawned courtyard. There is a large dry storage garage close to the cottage.

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£5,752 per month

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More information

  • Tenure

    Freehold

  • Council tax band

    A band has not yet been confirmed.

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