Albion Street, Shaldon, Devon

Dating to the early 19th century, this Grade II-listed house lies in Shaldon, a sought-after village on the expansive Devon coastline. It was cleverly transformed by its current architect owner, who extended its footprint and introduced a roster of refined materials, all the while upholding its period integrity. Gardens bookend the house: in the front, vibrant roses extend a warm welcome, while in the rear, an immersive planting scheme offers colour and texture year-round.

Setting the Scene

Shaldon rests on the banks of the River Teign, a favoured bathing spot along the Devon coast. Once a centre of shipbuilding, its yards contributed vessels to the fleet that sailed in the Napoleonic wars. The village is dotted with elegant Georgian architecture and is home to several listed buildings and sandy beaches. Among them is Ness Cove, a secluded stretch of shore, tucked beneath soaring cliffs and reached through the historic Smugglers Tunnel.

Albion Road lies in the heart of the village, just a short stroll from the shops, the river slipway and the local beach. The house is set back from the streets behind a leafy, well-tended front garden that lends it a postcard-like cottage feel. Its white painted roughcast façade is punctuated by classic six-over-six sash windows with black timber frames on the six-over-six sashes, neatly topped with a slate roof.

The Grand Tour

Past the front door, entry is to a generous hall connecting to three reception areas on the ground floor. A natural palette is adopted throughout, with white-painted walls and stone flooring that extends through to the kitchen and the rear extension. Large four-panelled doors are found across the ground floor.

To the right is the elegant dual-aspect sitting room, which receives both morning and soft sunset light from its east and west-facing shuttered sash windows. Warm-toned floorboards spread out underfoot, while ornate cornices and an arresting cast-iron fireplace nod to the home's period origins.

To the left of the hallway, the living spaces unfold in an L-shaped configuration, subtly delineated into a kitchen and dining/family room. Positioned at the front of the plan, the dining/family area has solid wood flooring underfoot and a shuttered sash window filtering in natural light. A marble-framed fireplace with painted timber surrounds and ornate cornices adds period character.

The airy kitchen is thoughtfully designed with bespoke, off-white farmhouse cabinets and elegant quartz worktops. Integrated appliances include an electric oven, induction hob and dishwasher. A breakfast bar provides the perfect spot for casual dining or entertaining guests while cooking. Natural light pours in from multiple angles, enhancing the open feel of the space, while underfoot, stone flooring adds texture and a natural finish. Above the Belfast sink, a large sash window overlooks the conservatory and the garden beyond it.

The adjacent utility room has built-in cupboards and an additional sink, ideal for easy maintenance of the house and gardens. It opens to a shower room that further leads to a secluded bedroom/office space, where a door with Georgian bars opens directly to the garden.

Reached from the kitchen, the contemporary rear extension takes the form of a versatile reception room with sliding doors to the garden. Bathed in natural light, it is wonderfully connected to the outside space, with wraparound floor-to-ceiling glazing and two large roof lights above. To one side, a circular glass window sits atop a well beneath the floor.

From the hall, a staircase leads to the first floor. The tranquil principal bedroom sits at the front and has dual aspect sash windows and generous built-in wardrobes. A well-appointed en suite has a walk-in shower.

The second room has the same pared-back scheme as the principal, along with more built-in cupboards. To the rear, a third smaller bedroom overlooks the garden and is currently arranged as a single; it would make for a brilliant study.

The shared bathroom is accessible from the landing, with a tiled finish and modern fittings.

The Great Outdoors

The front garden creates a welcoming first impression, with vibrant red and yellow climbing roses winding their way up along the façade and additional climbers framing the entrance door. A mix of flowering plants, shrubs, and a mature tree adds colour and texture throughout the year.

A plant-filled haven, the garden unfolds at the rear of the house, offering a serene escape. West-facing and bathed in afternoon light, its flowering shrubs and herbaceous perennials create a lush backdrop that shifts through the seasons.

At its heart, a paved and shingled patio provides space for outdoor dining, extending the living areas during the warmer months. A gently flowing man-made stream adds a calming presence that enhances the garden's tranquil mood. Mature trees line the boundaries, offering privacy and shade. There is also a tree house and an original pump.

Out and About

Shaldon is a gem of a village, nestled alongside an estuary and sheltered from the sea by the Ness headland. It was chosen by The Sunday Times as one of the country’s ‘Best Places to Live’.

At its heart is a green surrounded by a cluster of handsome Georgian houses. The village has several pubs, including The Ness, which serves hearty roasts and locally brewed beers in a 19th-century Georgian building, and The Ferry Boat Inn, a historic dog-friendly pub overlooking the beach. There is also an award-winning butcher, a bakery, a post office, a chemist and a grocery shop. Shaldon 18-hole golf course is a three-minute drive from the house, alongside the botanical gardens and the closest beach. The harbour offers moorings for boats and yachts.

England’s oldest passenger ferry pootles across the water to Teignmouth, where the Crab Shack serves fresh seafood straight out of the estuary. At the top of the village, an old smugglers’ tunnel leads down to Ness Cove Beach on the other side of the headland.

Shaldon has an excellent primary school just three minutes away on foot from the house. The all-through Trinity day and boarding school in Teignmouth can be reached in six minutes by car. Further schooling options are found in the surrounding region.

Teignmouth station is a six-minute drive from the house and offers railway connections reaching London in under three hours. Access to the M5 is within easy reach, connecting to the national motorway system.

Council Tax Band: E