- A gorgeous, historic townhouse, Chain House dates back to the the 17th century and is situated in the heart of Modbury, in the beautiful South Hams area of Devon.
Lou's family have lived in Chain House for several generations, and in recent years we have restored the house to make it both extremely comfortable and easy to live in, while at the same time retaining all of its original character, features and architectural integrity.
At the back of the house, which overlooks a lovely walled garden and dates back to Tudor times, we have created for our guests a self contained three bedroomed wing which overlooks, and is immediately adjacent to the garden.
- The Space The guest wing is attached to the main body of the house but has its own entrance/front door giving onto the garden and its own private facilities such as a very well equipped kitchen/diner, an elegant and spacious drawing room, three comfortable double bedrooms, where altogether we can sleep up to eight people.
- On the top floor Bedroom One is a particularly gorgeous and huge room spanning the full length of the building. It has an ensuite bathroom, and a separate single bed as well as king size bed, should it be needed for 'family' accommodation.
NB Please note that due to architectural constraints this bedroom is not accessed via a conventional door, but has a heavy curtain at the bottom of its own staircase, separating it from the lower floor for privacy.
Bedrooms Two and Three are on the first floor below. Bedroom Two is slightly larger and has both a double and a single bed, once again allowing for extra sleeping space.
Bedroom Three has one double bed.
These two bedrooms share a very well appointed bath/shower room.
All of the rooms are comfortable and tastefully furnished.
- TV. WiFi, hairdryers, Tea/Coffee making facilities are provided in all bedrooms.
The private and beautiful garden is shared with the owners but offers plenty of room for everyone with two Terraced Seating areas. There is a Webber charcoal barbecue, and we also have a number of garden sun loungers for your use, which can be found in the garden shed. Guests may also have the use of an inflatable kayak to take to the beach, body boards, a windbreak etc.
Perfect for any guests - walking, sailing, surfing, paddle boarding, or for just relaxing.
Chain House offers space, warmth and comfort throughout the year, located in the heart of vibrant Modbury, yet providing a quiet haven of peace and tranquility.
The surrounding countryside is stunning, designated an area of outstanding natural beauty, and the views from the house open across the rooftops to meadows beyond. It is perfect for small family gatherings, or groups of friends to relax and explore the area.
Lying sandwiched in a hollow between the South Devon Coast and Dartmoor, rimmed by gently undulating hills and meadows, Modbury is a small and ancient market town. It has a long and interesting history. In the Civil War there were two battles in Modbury, and it has origins tracing back to the Saxons. The name Modbury derives from the Saxon 'Mootburgh' meaning 'meeting place.'
The Modbury of today is very much a 'living' and vibrant small town, with a real community spirit and feel. It offers visitors and locals alike an excellent range of amenities including a diverse and interesting range of unique shops, pubs and restaurants, take away restaurants and most importantly the convenience of the Co-Op open every day until 10.00pm.
We even boast a thriving art gallery, featuring many new exciting exhibitions throughout the year.
There are spectacular walks straight from the house, meandering through the surrounding hills and valleys. Within a short drive the splendours of Devon unfold. 300 miles of Devon coastline, with Modbury itself lying approximately four miles from the nearest beach and the South West Coast Path. A few miles to the North you can visit and enjoy the craggy beauty of Dartmoor National Park. This area is particularly attractive for those who enjoy the outdoors, where a myriad of activities are possible.
Culture and history are incredibly rich and diverse in Devon. There are more National Trust properties than any other county, ranging from medieval cottages to the Lutyens' Castle Drogo, the last castle to be built in Britain.
The South Hams has become a gastronomic destination in its own right, with local producers of cheeses, meat, fruit, vegetables and more recently wines as well, featuring prominently in our shops and restaurants. Visits to the Farmer's Market in Kingsbridge and the famous Markets in Totnes and Tavistock are a delight not to be missed.
The wider area also boasts a growing number of Artists and Artisans, and there are regular exhibitions throughout the year. The annual 'Artists Open Studio' - with events taking place during September across Devon - makes for a popular and often fascinating outing.
Guest Access -
PARKING - Unfortunately we do not have any of our own private parking however, there is some free parking on the street, quite competitive and on a first come basis. There are also very inexpensively priced Pay and Display car parks at the bottom of the street literally 2 minutes walk away. If you buy a 24 hour ticket (or less) in the Long Stay this ticket is also valid for use in other neighbouring South Hams Villages and towns.
Other Things to Note
PETS:
We would allow one well behaved dog but prefer it if he or she could be kept in the downstairs area of the house for the protection of the carpets and furniture (dog proof gates are fitted and in situ) and also because there may be later guests coming in who are allergic to pet hairs.
NB Also please be advised, the garden is shared and we ourselves own one (very friendly and benign) cocker spaniel Saba, and our rather magnificent and beautiful black cat, Rafiki.
Therefore if you do wish to bring your dog, please be honest about how used to other animals he or she is, and how well he/she would interact with our resident pets if/when they came into contact with each other.
A word to the wise, although our animals live entirely in our section of the house, Rafiki is a very friendly and "curious" cat so if you would rather he didn't take it upon himself to pay you a home visit, we recommend that you try to keep your front door into the garden closed!