Sunnybrook - Carbon neutral Eco House near beach

Summary

Sunnybrook is a luxurious carbon neutral home. 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. The beautifully designed eco house provides comfort and convenience, including a wood-fired Swedish hot tub, EV charger and under floor heating.

Luxury that doesn't cost the earth!

Children and well behaved pets are welcome. Strictly no group parties such as hen and stag do’s.


The Space

You’ll enjoy year round warmth from under-floor heating heated with green electricity and an Air source heat pump, 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, Bose 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.

For those who prefer a more active holiday, there is ample space to store kayaks, bikes, and sports gear. There is parking for four cars. There is also one 7kwh electric car charging point available for EV owners – by request.

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.

The EV charger is available for guests with electric vehicles. Charging is between 00:00 and 05:00. Charging is set at £0.35/kwh or £12/night (35 kwh).

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.

There are a number of garden games available for guests: - The ancient Viking game of Kubb and French Boules.


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 2 days before arrival.


The Neighbourhood

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, with a selection of beaches, Pubs and restaurants, Shaldon is a popular destination for those wanting to experience the pewrfect Devon experience.


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.


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.


House rules

No use of the Spa after 10pm.

No music to be played outside at any time

Please keep noise, outside of the property to a minimum after 10pm. We have neighbours with young children.

Please remove your shoes on entering the property.

Please keep the front gate shut when onsite with dogs – there is livestock in surrounding fields. We have a perimeter fence to keep dogs in, however this will not stop a determined escape artist!

No smoking in the property.

The number of occupants is not to exceed the occupancy level set for this property as this will void the Owners house policy insurances.

Please do not leave pets unattended onsite during your stay.

When walking your dog along the lane please ensure it is kept on a lead.