Dog friendly holiday cottage, sleeps 4 - Brixham, Devon

Sitting in an elevated position with stunning views reaching over Brixham harbour and into Torbay, this holiday house is perfect for a couple or family looking for a peaceful retreat away from the bustling town centre. Entering the property from the road, it will be hard not to rush straight to the dual-aspect window in the lounge and drink in that sweeping view out to sea. Or perhaps head down the few steps to the kitchen/dining area, peek out of the real ship’s port hole, and open up the French doors to breathe in the sea air.

Step outside and you can relax in your own little patio garden and watch the comings and goings in the busy harbour with a cool drink or cup of tea. Another splendid corner window awaits up in the twin room on the first floor, with views out onto the horizon, and there’s an extra sitting area too, great for relaxing with a book. It’s a short 100-metre walk down some steep steps to the harbour, or less than half a mile along the road.

Take a boat trip out into Torbay, or visit the pirate ship The Golden Hind. A half-mile walk along the coast brings you to the seawater swimming pool and Breakwater Beach, where you can walk right to the end of the 0.5-mile breakwater that protects the historic harbour. The more energetic might prefer to carry on around the headland to Berry Lighthouse, 1.5 miles or St Mary’s Bay, 2 miles.

Shoppers can get their fix at Paignton, 6 miles away, where there is a great selection of kids’ attractions too, with a zoo, steam railway, water park and of course a quintessentially English pier.