When the purchase of a seaside home in Sussex fell through, the Banburys were devastated. It had been their dream to buy a house by the water. ‘Rather than putting us off, it refuelled our determination,’ says Jane. ‘We started looking further afield.’
So, when a one-time smugglers’ cottage came up for sale online, they took a five-hour drive from Kent to Lee Beach, a tiny hamlet near Ilfracombe in Devon, famed for its historical links with smugglers.
‘We already knew the house from a previous visit – the pretty façade of the cottage had stuck in our minds for years,’ Jane says. ‘It was a beautiful summer’s day when we arrived to view it. Our girls went off to explore the rock pools and I took a photo of them, which turned out to be the best one I’ve ever taken. That proved to me that we were destined to live here. We were intensely aware of being offered a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and we grabbed it.’
The property had been used in different ways over the centuries. The most recent owners had run a tearoom, while others had a shop and a tiny museum devoted to memorabilia featuring stories of local smugglers. ‘I fell in love with the beautiful views, then the historic connections and cosy proportions of the rooms,’ says Jane. The bones of the house were fine, although there were two modern bathrooms and laminate floors, which didn’t sit happily with its historic origins. Outside, a long, covered loggia divided into three provided sheltered alfresco living space.
This story is from the August 2020 edition of Country Homes & Interiors.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the August 2020 edition of Country Homes & Interiors.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
A day in the country
The TV presenter and author stays close to home in the Wye Valley, walking at dawn and ending the day making supper for friends
MINIATURE MARVELS
Tiny but mighty mini bulbs bring sparks of colour to springtime garden borders and containers
UP THE GARDEN PATH
Affordable and easy to lay, these DIY path ideas will add form and purpose to your garden, providing a fast track to planting, focal points and outdoor rooms
Bring the family
Rediscover the simple life with these gloriously back to nature staycations that kids and adults will adore
'Handmade glass looks watery and beautiful'
As anyone who surfs will know, despite the crash, chaos and roar of the ocean, there is a strange moment of peacefulness when you ride a wave.
Knock on wood
Transform damaged and dingy wooden flooring with expert techniques to return its structure and shine
COLOUR CONFIDENT
Breathe new life into your kitchen with a colourful design from Magnet
STOCK UP
The best ideas for maximising food storage in the kitchen, from walk in pantries to woven baskets-and everything in between
STORAGE STORIES
Faced with cluttered rooms and overflowing cupboards, four homeowners found smart solutions to help them get more organised
Installing fitted wardrobes
Everything you need to know about integrating built-in storage into your bedroom