Memory House

If you've ever been to Woolacombe before, you may well have noticed Memory House, which is one of the most distinctive properties amid a line of impressive houses on the village's seafront – a beautiful four-bedroom house in a fabulous location, with unforgettable sea views and some of the most comfortable accommodation on the North Devon coast.

Once owned by one Lady Chichester and apparently named after her dog, it's a super-elegant period property, with well-proportioned, high-ceilinged rooms and a wraparound terrace that is ideal for drinking in the excellent sea views. You couldn't be better placed for all the delights of Woolacombe, most obviously the beach, which is literally across the road, but also for the shops and pubs of the village itself. Despite its Victorian appearance, the spacious rooms of the interior have been very stylishly updated: there's a fantastic contemporary kitchen, a lovely light living room, beautifully and fairly minimally furnished, with a flatscreen Smart TV with Sky and a large corner sofa, which really makes the most of big bay windows that let the light flood in – much like the two master bedrooms above, where you can see the sea and the beach from your super-king-size bed. Both have large en-suite shower rooms, and there are a further two bedrooms and a family bathroom on the second floor. You can also relax in a hot tub on the house's wraparound terrace.

Most days you'll be happy to spend your time ambling between the house and the beach: there's an outdoor shower, for washing off wetsuits and boards, and frankly you could easily spend a fortnight sunbathing, swimming and just relaxing back at the ranch. If you fancy a walk, try the trek up to nearby Mortehoe, up above Woolacombe, where there are a couple of nice pubs and access to the the National Trust peninsula of Morte Point – a lovely walk at any time of year.  And of course there are more marvellous beaches at Croyde and Saunton Sands, as well as picturesque inland villages like Georgham and the nearby delights of Exmoor.