Boasting an elevated position overlooking the pretty coastal town of Teignmouth, Duncombe invites all to enjoy contemporary luxury amidst beautiful Victorian features, in a location that offers adventure aplenty.
Duncombe
Seated on a quiet road just outside the waterside town’s centre, Duncombe is chock with sea views, charming features, and homely spaces that make it difficult to leave its embrace.
After parking on the electric-gated drive, the grand property immediately beckons visitors to run around excitedly discovering room after room (while also keeping an eye out for the secret door that cleverly joins two of them!). The family who owns Duncombe have done a wonderful job of updating this beautiful Victorian villa (which was their home growing up), sympathetically retaining its character while modernising its interiors to create a fresh and welcoming space. As part of the renovation, solar panels, a heat pump and electric vehicle charging point were installed at the property, giving it some impressive eco credentials.
As a big fan of vintage and unique pieces with a story to tell, I love the antique furniture that sits gracefully in each room, eclectic artwork adorning the walls and interesting books in the reading room. It’s a real treasure trove of personal relics and influences throughout, from Mediterranean hanging plates in the kitchen to Afghan rugs across original wooden floors - all combining to create a fascinating house that truly feels like a home.
Whether you're a couple or family looking for a relaxing break, or a large group gathering for a celebration, with so much to offer, Duncombe appeals to a wide span of visitors. You can easily lose an afternoon in the games room, battling it out on the foosball table, table tennis, or dart board, while the open-plan kitchen and large dining room is perfect for cooking up a feast and socialising with family and friends. After dinner, the living room offers a blissful retreat to curl up in front of the fire for a movie marathon, or, alternatively, the reading room is a bookworm’s paradise with a comfy sofa for snuggling up.
Sleeping up to 12, each bedroom is as inviting as the next, making it difficult to call dibs! Spoiled with five bathrooms, a wetroom and utilities room, muddy paws and muddy socks are equally well catered for. Outdoors, generous gardens encompass the house, with a large patio out front where you can enjoy a tipple while gazing at the water, and the pooch can happily potter too.
A special feature I can’t fail to mention is the very beautiful red geranium in the conservatory, which has been in flower since the family moved into the house several decades ago!
The Area
Located on the South West Coast Path, Teignmouth is a popular spot for walking holidays and offers English coastal charm by the bucketload. A mere amble from the front door of Duncombe and you’ll find yourself in the centre of town, perfect for perusing shops and cafés, before taking a stroll along the promenade for a heady dose of seaside air. Carry on across the bridge to Shaldon for more pretty views of the River Teign along an easy 4-mile walk, and make a trip to The Ferry Boat Inn for a cosy pitstop. Alternatively you can hop on the foot ferry for more leisurely exploration.
And if the moors are calling, Templer Way is an 18-mile walk connecting Teignmouth with Dartmoor, where you can partake in the whole challenge and take the bus back, or pick sections and gradually work your way through. If driving, Haytor Rocks is just half an hour away and the pretty Devonshire village Widecombe-In-The-Moor is a few moments on.
We find autumn and winter the best seasons to visit Dartmoor with the dog because it’s lovely and cool for daytime adventures, and we particularly love the aptly named Haytor Rocks to Hound Tor 7-mile circular walk in this part of the national park. This route gives you a bit of everything: tors, moors, woodland, farmland, lakes and ponies! Finished off with a hearty lunch at one of Dartmoor’s dog-friendly pubs, for the ultimate day out in Devon.
Booking Duncombe
There’s something for everyone at Duncombe, and couples, friends, and multigenerational groups will all feel at home here. Whether you’re looking for a quiet weekend on the coast with the pooch, or a celebration with loved ones, filled with good food, good views and good stomps across the moors, Duncombe is at your service!
