A Cliffside Home With Rumours Of Secret Passages & Royal Residents

Commanding an elevated seat high above Start Bay in Devon, Redlap House enjoys views across the full sweep of this rugged, wind-carved stretch of coast. And down below sits its very own private cove, a sandy secluded beach straight out of a storybook. 

Inside Redlap House

The History Of Redlap House

Built in the late 18th century, Redlap House is believed to have been commissioned by the then Governor of Dartmouth. At the time, the coastline would have been heaving with the buzz of maritime trade, naval officers and, of course, smugglers. According to local legend, the Governor himself supplemented his income through the illicit trade. Though unproven, stories persist of concealed walls and an underground tunnel said to link the cove directly to Redlap House, through which smugglers would have once snuck in contraband. 

Following the Governor’s ownership, in the 1930s the property was taken over by actor and theatre manager Cyril Maude, whose circle included Poet Laureate John Masefield; his poem Sea Fever said to have been inspired by this strip of coastline. It is also thought that King George V (grandfather to Queen Elizabeth II) visited the estate during his time as Prince of Wales. 

Redlap House Today

Accessed through a winding woodland drive, this south-facing home is perched against the backdrop of the Devon sea, with tall sash and French windows framing the coastal views from inside. While the exteriors of this foliage-clad home feel surprisingly modern, the interiors (reconfigured and renovated by the current owner) are awash with period charm: think generous proportions, wood-panelling, marble fireplaces and plum-hued walls. 

The reception hall opens onto four reception rooms, each with an open fireplace and views out across either the gardens or the sea, as well as a kitchen/breakfast room with an AGA. The study, in particular, holds one of the house’s most mesmerising outlooks: the desk is set to gaze directly down the valley – across the ornate gardens – to the sea, and to the rolling South Hams hills rising on the far side of the bay.

Upstairs, the principal suite, with its large dressing room and bathroom, enjoys similarly panoramic views, as do the five further bedrooms, two en suite and two served by separate bathrooms. The highlight of the home? The 34ft artist’s studio completes Redlap House, its vaulted ceilings washing the space in streams of natural light. 

Step Outside

Spanning over 30 acres of gardens, terraces and wild coastal land, not a single public right of way crosses the estate – meaning that everything from the beach to the wooded valley belongs entirely to the house. A stream trickles through the valley’s centre en route to the sea, while the property boasts an array of lawns, mixed borders and woodland, alongside a kitchen garden, walled Italian garden and terraced cliff gardens where species thrive in the sheltered microclimate. Higher up, Redlap Warren forms a more rugged coastal landscape where cirl buntings, peregrine falcons, and other wildlife can be spotted.

Accessed via boat or the property’s private path, the secluded beach is sheltered beneath towering cliffs which form a tranquil inlet suitable for swimming or paddleboarding. And if the private beach doesn’t provide enough opportunity for year-round bathing, the on-site spa facilities should do the trick. The 20m indoor pool lies beneath a beamed ceiling which opens onto a broad terrace overlooking the gardens to the sea. Below are the spa rooms, which include a steam room and shower room, and above is a generous reception room with a gallery. Two en suite guest bedrooms, alongside the kitchen, living, dining and bathrooms, make this self-contained retreat ideal for guests. Elsewhere, sits a helipad, BBQ lodge, estate office, garage and on-site quarry. 

Located near Dartmouth in the clifftop village of Stoke Fleming on the South Hams coastline, the nearby town of Totnes provides direct rail connections to London Paddington in under three hours, while Exeter Airport is only 40 miles away. 

On the market for £10m, find out more at bluebookagency.com