Solace, Combe Martin
Some houses are designed to sit within their surroundings. Solace was designed to engage with them.
Positioned high above the North Devon coast with uninterrupted views across Combe Martin Bay, this exceptional contemporary home was designed by award-winning architect Guy Greenfield to make the most of its extraordinary setting.
Completed in 2018, Solace is a home where architecture and landscape are deliberately intertwined. Extensive glazing draws the outside in, natural light moves through the house throughout the day, and the sea remains the constant backdrop.
But it is the way you live here that makes the house particularly special.
The principal living space is open, generous and filled with light, centred around a dramatic double-height volume and framed by glass on both sides. From here, doors open seamlessly onto the balcony and south-facing terrace, creating a natural connection between the house, the gardens and the sea beyond.
It is a home made for opening the doors.
Morning coffee overlooking the bay. Long lunches outside. An afternoon in the infinity pool with nothing but the horizon ahead. Drinks on the terrace as the light changes across the water.
The infinity pool is perhaps the defining feature of the setting. Positioned at the edge of the terrace, its design creates the illusion that the water continues directly into the sea beyond. It is an extraordinary place to swim, sit, entertain or simply stop for a moment and take in the view.
And the views are everywhere.
From the principal living spaces and bedrooms, across the terraces and gardens, the coastline provides a constantly changing backdrop. Calm blue mornings, shifting tides, dramatic skies and the evening light over the bay all become part of the experience of living at Solace.
There is a sense of privacy here too. Approached via a long private driveway and surrounded by its own landscaped grounds, the house feels removed from the everyday while remaining within easy reach of the coast and nearby communities.
The accommodation itself is equally well considered. Arranged across three levels, it provides six bedrooms, generous living and entertaining space, a substantial lower-ground games and cinema room, alongside an integral garage and additional practical space.
It is a house that can accommodate family and guests with ease, while still feeling intimate enough for everyday life.
The lower level adds another dimension to the home. A dedicated cinema and games space creates somewhere to retreat when the weather turns, while the main living areas remain firmly connected to the landscape outside.
This balance is important.
Solace feels impressive without feeling formal. Architectural without feeling cold. Contemporary without losing the warmth and comfort that make a house somewhere you actually want to live.
The design is undoubtedly the first thing that catches your eye. The lifestyle is what stays with you.
There is a particular freedom that comes with a home like this. The coast is not something you drive to on a Sunday afternoon. It is outside the window. The garden is not simply somewhere to look at. It becomes an extension of the living space. The pool is not an occasional luxury. It sits at the heart of the outdoor experience.
This is indoor-outdoor living in its truest sense.
Combe Martin & Berrynarbor
Solace occupies a prominent cliff-top position between Combe Martin and Berrynarbor, with Combe Martin Beach just a short distance away.
Combe Martin is a characterful coastal village stretching along a wooded valley from the beach inland towards the surrounding countryside. It has a strong year-round community, with local shops, cafés, pubs and everyday amenities, as well as easy access to the South West Coast Path and the wider North Devon coastline.
Berrynarbor offers a quieter village setting nearby, known for its attractive historic character and surrounding countryside. Together, the two villages provide a balance of coastal and rural living, while Ilfracombe is also within easy reach for a wider choice of restaurants, independent shops, galleries, cafés and harbour-side life.
With the coast on the doorstep and Exmoor close by, the location gives Solace an enviable position from which to enjoy both the sea and countryside that define this part of North Devon.
North Devon
North Devon is a place people tend to feel rather than just describe. Its appeal lies in the contrast, long sandy beaches, hidden coves, open moorland, wooded valleys and a coastline that can feel both dramatic and restorative within the same afternoon.
This is a landscape that naturally draws life outdoors. Walkers, swimmers, surfers, golfers, cyclists and those who simply value open space and sea air are well served here. The coastline offers some of the South West’s most loved beaches, including Woolacombe, Croyde, Putsborough, Saunton Sands, Instow and Westward Ho!, while quieter coves, cliff paths and estuary walks give the area a softer, more hidden character.
Inland, the scenery changes again. Exmoor National Park opens up a very different world of moorland, wooded combes, river valleys and far-reaching views. The Tarka Trail, the Torridge Valley and the wider network of footpaths and lanes make the countryside part of everyday life rather than something saved for weekends.
There is also something increasingly valuable about the pace of life here. North Devon still feels grounded. The communities are real, the landscape is close, and there is a sense of breathing room that many buyers are now actively seeking. Homes in this part of the world appeal because they offer more than bricks and mortar. They offer space, rhythm, connection and a different quality of life.
Barnstaple provides the main commercial hub for the region, with shops, schools, leisure facilities, healthcare and rail links, while the North Devon Link Road gives access towards the M5, Tiverton Parkway and Exeter. It means North Devon can feel tucked away without being cut off, which is an important part of its appeal.
For many, the decision to move here is not simply about changing address. It is about choosing a life with more landscape in it, more time outdoors, more room to breathe, and a stronger connection to coast, countryside and community.
By Design Homes North Devon & Exmoor is part of the wider By Design Homes network – a collective of experienced, premium estate agents delivering bespoke one-to-one service across the UK and internationally. Based here in the heart of North Devon, I combine local knowledge and personal attention with the strength and reach of a national brand. For discreet, expert advice, please feel free to contact me directly.
Important Notice: By Design North Devon & Exmoor, for themselves and for the vendors of this property, give notice that:
Particulars: These details are provided as a general outline for intending purchasers and do not constitute, nor form part of, any offer or contract. Descriptions: All descriptions, dimensions, references to condition, necessary permissions, and other details are given in good faith and believed to be correct. Purchasers must not rely on them as statements of fact and should verify accuracy by inspection or otherwise. Warranty: No person employed by By Design North Devon & Exmoor has authority to make or give any representation or warranty in relation to this property. Measurements: All measurements are approximate. Wayleaves and easements. The property is sold subject to any wayleaves or easements, whether or not they are referred to within these particulars. Floor plans are for illustrative identification only and may not be to scale. Photography: Photographs are provided for general information only and should not be assumed to include any items shown. Images are not materially altered but may be enhanced for marketing purposes (e.g. skies, twilight effects, digital staging). Services: Services, systems, and appliances have not been tested and no guarantee of condition or functionality is given. Purchasers should satisfy themselves as to suitability and working order. Due Diligence: Buyers are responsible for verifying matters such as flood risk, private drainage compliance, planning consents, covenants, and all other property-related details before viewing or incurring expense. Availability: Properties may be withdrawn or sold at any time. Buyers should confirm availability and up-to-date information prior to viewing. Money Laundering Regulations: In compliance with the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017 (as amended), all purchasers must provide proof of identity, address, source, and proof of funds before any sale can be agreed. By Design North Devon & Exmoor use Credas, an FCA-regulated provider, to complete these checks. A fee of £50 plus VAT per buyer applies. A secure link will be issued. The property status cannot be changed to Sold Subject to Contract or a Memorandum of Sale produced until all checks are satisfactorily completed.