Seclusion, restaurant dining, spectacular sea views, landscaped gardens, all wrapped up in the privacy and personal choice you only get with a self-catering holiday. Is that too much to ask?
Gara Rock is just that – a hidden spot of holiday cottage heaven. But, although this new development is well buffered from daily hustle and bustle by country landscapes and sea views, the site on south Devon’s rugged coast has been drawing visitors - including Sir John Betjeman and Margaret Rutherford - to witness its beauty since the early 1900s.
Gara Rock retains all the history and charm of a site that was first a coastguard station, a hotel, then an RAF wartime headquarters and then a hotel once again. The original cottages were transformed into a hotel in the early 1900s when guests had to travel by steam train, paddle steamers and horse and carriage to get to there. Now, it may be easier to reach but it still has no villages or buildings to detract from the scenery.
A mile and a half east along the coast from East Portlemouth, the twelve apartments and five cottages, along with an excellent restaurant and swimming pools, all have staggering panoramic views seaward and towards the wild headlands of Prawle Point and beyond Salcombe Estuary to Bolt Tail.
Coast Group bought the property in 2004, believing it a world class location. It strives to re-establish the important tradition of providing refreshment and a resting place for coastal walkers.
Helpful Holidays lets two holiday cottages and four apartments on the site. Sleeping four and five guests, the properties at Gara Rock have shared use of an excellent on-site restaurant, café, indoor and outdoor pools, jacuzzi, sauna, steam room and landscaped gardens.
It’s in a brilliant position to explore the South West Coast Path – which its first inhabitants had a role in developing and which runs alongside the development on the cliff top. There is also a 550 yard footpath giving easy access to the secluded coves of Seacombe Sands and Rickham Beach below for sunbathing, swimming and surfing.
Open daily from 9am until 11pm, the informal, contemporary restaurant has a glazed wall for watching the view all year round, plus a terrace for outdoor dining on warmer days.
To learn more about Gara Rock, go to the website. To see the six properties we have on offer or book a stay, click here or call us on 01647 434063.
