Messing About in Boats
Summer! Warm, balmy evenings, long weekends and time to get out on the water. As an island race there is a natural affinity and draw to the seas surrounding us and for those further inland, the rivers and reservoirs. For the active preferring to be on the water the lure of a boat is too much to resist. So motor or sail? Those preferring the calmness of the sailing boat cast angry eyes at the motor cruisers and vice versa - I could say “horses for courses” in the absence of an aquatic comparable analogy!
No matter what the preference, water has a huge attraction, and boats can be an integral part of the purchase of a house - inland or coastal. Canals built for commercial transportation in the Victorian era, disused quarries and man-made reservoirs are havens for those keen to get on the water but live too far from the coast.
Devon - and I must include Cornwall in this- are the luckiest counties in England when it comes to the coastline - from steep rocky cliffs in the north to hills gently rolling down to hidden harbours in the south. Here the commercial fishing harbours are interspersed with the prolific and varied pleasure craft.
A water view adds to the value of any property - a designated mooring takes the value to another level. Moorings are subject to harbour masters’ regulations and appropriate licences are required. In the more favoured estuaries moorings come at a premium and are often subject to a waiting list.
There is no doubt the idyllic sailing along the south coast has fuelled the property market with Salcombe one of the most expensive waterside towns in the country- the current level of renovation and building is unprecedented – in turn this augments the “designer” led high street shops. All good for those able to invest but not so good for the locals to get into the property market. A difficult balance of job creation against capital growth.
Lifestyle and budget dictate where is best to buy. Any property with a water view has a magical quality, so a glimpse of what is available:
Knight Frank (01392 423111) are selling The Custom House, sitting right on the harbour in Salcombe. The 19th century listed house was, as the name suggests, the Custom House, positioned to see every craft coming and going. It has the benefit of a running mooring and has to be the idyllic holiday home for the keen sailor.
Strutt and Parker (01392 215631) offer Newstead, way up on the stunning north coast at Bideford with views across the Taw River. A substantial Edwardian family home with period features standing in an acre of gardens.
For those with a smaller budget Wilkinson Grant (01392 875000) are selling a first floor two bedroom apartment in Topsham with direct estuary view, garage, boat store and communal slipway access. The perfect lock up and leave.
As ever, we are spoilt for choice, so “it’s all about coming home”.
Nigel Bishop
Founder & Managing Director of Recoco Property Search