Special Places to Stay - More than a bed for the night

Skip back from seaside rock pools to your giant Victorian house, built for an Admiral, now a fantastic place for messing around with friends and family. So much space: in the vast living room, find a huge dining table, log fire, bright paintings and cushions, funky lamps, 42-inch Sky TV, a trunk bursting with games. The kitchen has yellow walls and colourful Victorian tiles and is kitted out to cook up a feast: a two-oven Aga, separate cooker, heaps of pots and pans. On sunny days, spill out to the terrace, from which you can spy the sea. Seven simple, uncluttered bedrooms are scattered about the two upper floors, two with their own showers, others sharing big bathrooms with deep baths and sparkling showers. With mostly wooden or Victorian-tiled floors, no precious ornaments, a safe, fenced terrace and large natural garden (with Wendy house) you can let kids loose. Escape to the 'vine room' conservatory (dripping with grapes and nectarines in season) or a secluded garden halfway up the drive. The South West Coast Path runs right past; seasidey Ilfracombe is on your doorstep; vast and sandy Woolcombe beach is a ten-minute drive; the moors just a little further. There's no fuss and no bother, so don't hold back: this house was made for lazing about, mucking around and good old-fashioned fun.