Worcester Evening News

The Roe family used to spend many a happy summer on self-catering holidays throughout Britain. For years, while their four children were young, Jeremy and Lynda Roe – like thousands of families – would load the car and head for sun, sea and sand. But the accommodation at the end of the drive might vary from the sublime to the not-so-sublime. Many holiday-makers will also know the weary feeling of having to make beds after a drive of 200 miles, or the crushing sense of dismay when it turns out that the people next door are Status Quo fans, and if it’s peace and quiet you want, well… forget it.

Anyway, the vagaries of the holiday apartment world had a deep effect on the Roes. So much so that the couple made a vow that if ever the holiday business beckoned, they would follow a simple, but cardinal rule.

Maybe it was Jeremy’s training as a barrister, or his years as a successful London businessman. Perhaps it was Lynda’s attention to detail and quality. In the end, whatever provided the spark doesn’t really matter, but it initiated the determination to do it all properly.

“We wanted to create holiday cottages that we’d have wanted to visit when our children were young,” Jeremy said, leaning back in his chair and surveying the product of two years’ blood, sweat and tears.

Their dream was destined to come true. For in creating Downe Cottages, eight beautiful luxury units on the tip of the Hartland Peninsular in North Devon, the Roes have fulfilled a promise they made to themselves all those years ago.

Luxury might seem an easy term to describe the cottages, but that is exactly what is on offer. Each has views looking west over the wild Atlantic and north to Lundy island.

They’ve been painstakingly renovated using stone and slate from the area and furnished to the highest standards by local craftsmen. “I feel I’ve empowered local craftsmen by using their skills and great knowledge,” said Jeremy, a genial 50-something with a penchant for Indiana Jones style hats. It works. For Downe Cottage is a sensitive development based round the courtyard of a 15th Century farm. Much of the original stone and timbers have been used, and, to emphasise the sense of tranquillity, cars are banished to the cow shed. Once inside, the visitor is greeted by the glory of snow-white walls, pine furniture and log fires. Then, suddenly, another wonderful reality dawns – everything’s provided. That means everything. For each cottage has full central heating and is equipped with all the essential items found in the average home. These include colour TV, video recorder, hair dryer, ready-made beds, shower, board games, a collection of 200 videos, croquet set and all linen provided. There is also a baby-sitting service, if given notice. That’s only part of it. The fully fitted kitchen includes items such as dishwasher and microwave to a garlic press and salad spinner. Every possible cooking utensil will be found in the kitchen, plus baking foil, and, if you need to venture out in the darkness for more logs, a torch provided to light your way.

Nearby Hartland possesses all the amenities one would hope for in a traditional, rural village and is fiercely proud of its heritage. It has a very definite 1950s feel with a local shop, stores, post office and a fair selection of pubs. There are also later additions such as an antiques business, plus a couple of thriving pottery businesses. Jeremy has written a useful booklet, a copy of which is in each cottage. Sixty pages long, and spiced with humorous asides, it provides information on shops, public transport, gardens open the public, where to go with young children, and the best places to have a meal. “We only mention places that come up to the highest standards. We aim to provide a holiday that matches the best hotels. Everything – except the food – is provided at Downe Cottages”.

Jeremy and Lynda did their research well and have provided exacting attention to details in these beautiful holiday homes.