Sleeps 8 | 4 bedrooms | Beachfront location | Panoramic sea views | Private balcony | 2 en-suite bedrooms

Overview of Shingle House

Shingle House occupies a beachfront position in Torcross, at the southern end of Slapton Sands. The property looks directly across Start Bay, while the kitchen and rear accommodation overlook Slapton Ley, one of South Devon's most important freshwater nature reserves. See all of our cottages in Slapton for large family holidays here.

The house has a particularly practical layout for families sharing. Two bedrooms occupy the first floor and another two are on the second, with each floor containing a king-size double and a twin room. Both king-size bedrooms have en-suite shower rooms, giving two couples private bathroom facilities.

On the ground floor, the spacious sitting room has two sofas, three armchairs and a wood-burning stove. Large windows frame the sea views, while the kitchen/diner overlooks Slapton Ley and has an extending table seating eight. This gives guests two very different coastal outlooks from the main living accommodation.

Outside, the front terrace has a picnic table and benches overlooking the seafront. The first-floor principal bedroom opens onto a full-width balcony, while a small rear deck provides seating with views across the nature reserve.

Torcross Beach is directly opposite the house, with village pubs and cafés nearby. The South West Coast Path also provides walking routes towards Beesands and the surrounding coastline.

For large families, the combination of a beachfront location, separate sleeping floors, three bathrooms and parking for two cars makes Shingle House particularly convenient.

Shingle House at a Glance

Who is Shingle House Best For?

Shingle House is especially suitable for two families sharing, as the bedroom arrangement is almost identical on the first and second floors. Each household could occupy one king-size bedroom and one twin, allowing four adults and four children to sleep on separate floors. The parents would each have an en-suite shower room, while the twin bedrooms could use the family bathroom.

For a multi-generational holiday, grandparents could occupy the first-floor king-size bedroom, with parents and children using the remaining rooms. However, all bedrooms are upstairs and the family bathroom is on a half landing, so the property requires guests to be comfortable using stairs.

Groups of friends can also use the accommodation, particularly where two couples and four individuals are travelling together. The two king-size beds and four separate singles provide a useful arrangement without relying on sofa beds or temporary sleeping spaces.

Families with children may appreciate the ground-floor boot room for beach equipment and the utility room for washing clothes after days outdoors. The beach is immediately opposite, although Torcross has a predominantly shingle shoreline, and swimming conditions should be assessed carefully.

Why Choose Shingle House for a Large Family or Group Holiday?

- Beach directly opposite: The front terrace overlooks Torcross Beach, allowing guests to enjoy the seafront without travelling from the property.

- Sea and nature reserve views: The house has views across Start Bay from the front and Slapton Ley from the rear, offering two distinctive landscapes.

- Separate accommodation for two families: Each sleeping floor has a king-size bedroom and a twin, making room allocation straightforward.

- Private sea-facing balcony: The first-floor king-size bedroom opens onto a full-width balcony overlooking the coastline.

- Spacious group living: The lounge has substantial seating, a wood burner and entertainment facilities, while the dining table accommodates all eight guests.

- Coastal walking from the doorstep: Torcross provides access to the South West Coast Path, with routes towards Beesands, Hallsands and the surrounding Start Bay coastline.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How many people can stay at Shingle House?

Shingle House sleeps eight guests across four bedrooms. There are two king-size bedrooms, two twins and three bathrooms, including two en-suite shower rooms.

2. Is Shingle House suitable for two families sharing?

Yes. Each family could use a king-size bedroom and a twin bedroom on the same floor. Both king-size bedrooms have en-suite showers, while a separate family bathroom provides additional facilities.

3. Is Shingle House directly on the beach?

The property stands on the Torcross seafront, with the beach immediately opposite. The front terrace overlooks Start Bay and has a gate towards the seafront.

4. Are dogs allowed at Shingle House?

Yes. Two well-behaved dogs are welcome, with a charge of £30 per dog per week. Guests should check local beach restrictions and keep dogs under control along the seafront.

5. How much parking is available?

There is private parking at the rear for two medium-sized cars. Additional council parking is available opposite the property or in a nearby car park, where charges apply.

6. Are there reduced rates for smaller groups?

A reduced occupancy discount may be available for parties of four or fewer outside peak season. Under this arrangement, only two bedrooms are prepared as standard. Using additional bedrooms requires payment of the full tariff.

Bedrooms & Bathrooms at Shingle House

Shingle House has four bedrooms arranged equally across the first and second floors. Each floor contains a five-foot king-size bedroom and a twin with two three-foot single beds.

The two king-size bedrooms have private en-suite shower rooms, while a separate family bathroom is situated on a half landing between the ground and first floors.

This balanced layout is particularly convenient for two families sharing, as each household can occupy a different sleeping floor.

Group Accommodation Layout

Bedroom 1: First-Floor King-Size with Sea-Facing Balcony

The first-floor principal bedroom has a five-foot king-size bed and patio doors opening onto a full-width private balcony.

The balcony overlooks Torcross Beach and Start Bay, giving guests uninterrupted views of the coastline.

An en-suite shower room contains a shower cubicle, washbasin and WC.

This bedroom is particularly suited to parents, grandparents or a couple who would appreciate their own bathroom and outdoor space.

Bedroom 2: First-Floor Twin

Bedroom 2 contains two three-foot single beds and occupies the same floor as the principal king-size bedroom.

Its location provides a convenient arrangement for children sleeping near their parents or two adults who prefer individual beds.

Guests use the separate family bathroom on the half landing.

Bedroom 3: Second-Floor King-Size with En-Suite

Bedroom 3 has a five-foot king-size bed and views across the sea.

Its position on the second floor provides another substantial double bedroom, separated from the first-floor sleeping accommodation.

The en-suite shower room has a shower cubicle, washbasin and WC.

This room is an obvious choice for a second set of parents or another couple sharing the property.

Bedroom 4: Second-Floor Twin

The fourth bedroom contains two three-foot single beds and occupies the second floor alongside Bedroom 3.

It provides accommodation for siblings, teenagers or adult friends requiring separate beds.

Guests use the family bathroom on the half landing.

How Does the Layout Work for a Group of 8?

For two families comprising four adults and four children, the arrangement is particularly straightforward. One family could occupy Bedrooms 1 and 2 on the first floor, while the other uses Bedrooms 3 and 4 on the second floor.

Each set of parents would have a private en-suite shower room, with the children using the twin bedrooms. The family bathroom provides a bath for younger children and an additional shower facility for everyone.

For a multi-generational holiday, grandparents could occupy the first-floor king-size bedroom, reducing the number of stairs they need to climb compared with the second-floor accommodation. Parents and children could occupy the upper bedrooms, although all guests would still need to use stairs.

A group of six adults and two children could allocate the two king-size bedrooms to two couples, with the remaining two adults using one twin and the children occupying the other.

For eight adult friends, the property would work best for two couples and four guests happy to sleep in twin rooms. A group of four couples requiring four double bedrooms would need to consider the available configuration, as only two king-size beds are provided.

The first-floor balcony is another factor when allocating bedrooms. Families with younger children should ensure appropriate supervision around elevated outdoor areas.

Bathroom Layout

Shingle House has three bathrooms.

The en-suites provide private facilities for the double bedrooms, while the family bathroom serves both twin bedrooms and gives guests access to a bath.

Facilities & Information at Shingle House

Shingle House combines a substantial ground-floor living area with practical facilities for beach holidays. The sea-facing lounge, well-equipped kitchen, separate utility room and dedicated boot room are especially useful for families staying together.

Spacious Lounge with Sea Views and Wood Burner

The large open-plan sitting room overlooks Start Bay and is furnished with two sofas and three armchairs.

Entertainment facilities include a 50-inch Samsung Smart TV with built-in Apple TV, DVD player and Sonos sound system.

A wood-burning stove provides an additional source of warmth during cooler months. An initial basket of logs is included for stays between the beginning of October and the end of March.

The lounge provides enough seating for the full party to gather for films, conversation or evenings together after exploring the coast.

Kitchen and Dining Overlooking Slapton Ley

The modern kitchen/diner is positioned at the rear of the house, with views across the freshwater lake and nature reserve.

Cooking facilities include a ceramic hob, eye-level oven and grill, microwave and large American-style fridge-freezer with a cold-water dispenser.

There is also a dishwasher, which is particularly useful when preparing meals for eight guests.

The extending dining table seats eight, allowing everyone to eat together while enjoying the outlook towards Slapton Ley.

Front Terrace Overlooking Start Bay

The front terrace has a picnic table and benches, with views directly across the seafront towards Start Bay.

A gate provides access towards the seafront, making it easy to reach the beach or join the coastal walking routes.

This terrace offers a place to enjoy breakfast outside, watch the changing sea conditions or sit together after a day exploring Torcross.

Private Balcony and Rear Deck

The first-floor principal bedroom opens onto a full-width balcony overlooking the beach.

At the rear, a small decked area has garden chairs and views towards Slapton Ley.

These two outdoor spaces provide different outlooks, with the open sea to the front and the freshwater nature reserve behind the house.

Utility Room and Beach Equipment Storage

A separate utility room next to the kitchen contains a washing machine, tumble dryer and sink.

The ground-floor boot room provides space for coats, walking boots and beach equipment. It also has a door leading to the front terrace.

These facilities are particularly useful for large families bringing swimming equipment, waterproof clothing or walking gear.

Facilities Table

Category	Facilities
Lounge	Two sofas and three armchairs
Television	50-inch Samsung Smart TV with Apple TV
Entertainment	DVD player and Sonos sound system
Fireplace	Wood-burning stove
Kitchen	Ceramic hob, eye-level oven and grill
Refrigeration	American-style fridge-freezer with water dispenser
Kitchen appliances	Dishwasher and microwave
Dining	Extending table seating eight
Bathrooms	Two en-suite showers and a family bathroom
Laundry	Washing machine, tumble dryer and sink
Heating	Central heating
Internet	WiFi
Boot room	Storage for coats and outdoor equipment
Front terrace	Picnic table, benches and seafront gate
Bedroom balcony	Full-width private balcony
Rear deck	Garden chairs and nature reserve views
Parking	Two medium-sized cars at the rear
Family equipment	Travel cot and highchair

Important Information

Information	Details
Maximum occupancy	8 guests
Bedrooms	4
Bed configuration	Two king-size doubles and two twins
Bathrooms	3, including 2 en-suites
Property layout	Three storeys
Bedroom floors	First and second floors
Family bathroom	On half landing
Dogs	Two well-behaved dogs welcome
Pet charge	£30 per dog per week
Parking	Two medium-sized cars
Additional parking	Council parking nearby, charges apply
Beach	Immediately opposite
Bed linen	Included
Bath towels	Included
Beach towels	Guests must bring their own
Heating and electricity	Included
Initial firewood	Included October to March
Travel cot	Provided
Highchair	Provided
WiFi	Available
Mobile reception	Described as good
Landline	Not available
Smoking	Not permitted
Reduced occupancy	Discount may apply for four guests or fewer outside peak season
Reduced occupancy bedrooms	Two prepared as standard unless an alternative two-room arrangement is requested
Additional bedrooms on discounted bookings	Full tariff applies
Accessibility	Stairs to all bedrooms and bathrooms
Preferred changeover	Saturday
Check-in	From 4pm
Check-out	By 10am
Short breaks	Available

Location & Things to Do Near Shingle House

Shingle House stands directly on the seafront at Torcross, a small coastal village at the southern end of Slapton Sands in South Devon. Its position between Start Bay and Slapton Ley is particularly distinctive, with the open sea immediately in front of the house and a freshwater nature reserve behind.

Torcross Beach forms part of the long shingle shoreline extending towards Strete Gate. The beach is popular for walking, fishing and enjoying views across Start Bay. The sea can become deep close to the shore, so families should take particular care when swimming and check local conditions.

Slapton Ley Nature Reserve is one of the area's most interesting attractions. Its freshwater lake, reedbeds and surrounding woodland support a variety of birds and other wildlife. The nearby nature trails offer a different outing from the beach, particularly for families interested in wildlife watching.

Torcross also has an important connection with the Second World War. The Exercise Tiger Memorial commemorates American servicemen who died during rehearsals for the D-Day landings. The memorial and surrounding coastline provide an opportunity to learn about this part of Devon's wartime history.

The South West Coast Path leads south towards Beesands, approximately a mile away on foot. The village has a shingle beach and places to eat, while continuing along the coast takes walkers towards Hallsands and Start Point Lighthouse.

For a sandy beach day, Blackpool Sands is approximately four miles away, with woodland-backed surroundings and seasonal beach facilities.

Kingsbridge offers supermarkets, independent shops and restaurants, while Dartmouth has a historic waterfront, boat trips and Dartmouth Castle.

Families can also visit East Portlemouth and take the passenger ferry across the estuary to Salcombe. Its sandy beaches, sailing activities and waterfront cafés provide a change from the shingle coastline around Torcross.

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