The Straight and Narrow in Dartmouth, Devon

The Straight and Narrow Self-Catering

Who could fail to fall in love with this unique home close to the centre of Dartmouth? Everything about it is charming and quirky, with its narrow 17th Century frontage having earned it the nickname 'the skinny house' locally. Set on one of Dartmouth's hillside roads, it also happens to have uninterrupted views over the town, the river and all the way to the sea.

With three main floors, guests enter through an ancient door surrounded by exquisite carvings dating back to 1629, when the town was known for its shipbuilding. Originally the entrance and annexe to Mount Galpine House, owned by the notable Holdsworth family, it's recently been modernised and converted into a delightful home away from home. Packed with character, there's also a contemporary feel, with a glossy galley kitchen and comfy modern furniture – there's not a hint of chintz in sight.

As you would expect, the rooms are narrow, so a living room on the first floor is home to a long, squashy sofa and all eyes are drawn to the window with its stunning view. But there are a few surprises in store too – like the tiny kitchen courtyard, designed to give light and ventilation, and the mezzanine bathroom tucked into the rafters of the vaulted master bedroom.

But nothing can prepare you for this home's biggest surprise. Newly opened to guests, its beautiful 'secret garden' is located down steep steps on the other side of the narrow road. Built into walls once used as a Second World War gun placement and artillery store, it looks out over the town to defend the river. Along with plenty of natural planting and a courtyard that feels almost magical, there's a wonderful slate-roofed conservatory built against the living wall of rock and moss. Tended by a gardener, it's a hidden gem of outdoor space, with a barbecue for summer evenings.


Home truths:
*A tall house with a lot of stairs, this home won't suit everyone
*There's a private parking space to the front of the house which could fit a large car but the road is quite narrow – there's further unrestricted street parking up the hill on Mount Boone
*Dogs are welcome although they will need to be exercised off-site – Coronation Park is a five-minute walk
*You'll need to leave the barbecue clean for the next guests if you use it
*There's laptop-friendly workspace here
*The main bathroom is on the first floor, along with the living room, while both bedrooms are on the second
*The secret garden is reached via steep steps – its use is restricted to daylight hours
*The gardener may pop in to maintain the garden from time to time