The minute we walked into Stoneborough House, we felt we had found our ideal home and a house that we could make into a perfect bed and breakfast. Walking from the large, beautifully tiled entry porch into the original hallway, we knew this was the house that we were going to buy. Dating from 1911, the house was solidly built with large rooms which still had many of the original period features. We bought the house in 2008 and have now pretty much completed the original round of improvements that we wanted to do. We have redecorated throughout, refitted bathrooms, built a beautiful conservatory for guests to enjoy and have re landscaped the garden to provide outdoor seating areas amongst other things. However with a beautiful property like this, you are never finished and we look forward to our next projects. One of our biggest joys in owning a period property is that we finally have the space to accommodate our beautiful antique furniture. We have had such fun furnishing our rooms to make them beautiful, comfortable for guests and in keeping with the house. It is an on-going labour of love!

For many years, I had said to my husband, 'When you retire, I'd like to have a bed and breakfast'. I don't think I actually thought it would happen! However, after a lifetime of living in foreign countries, and a two year search for our 'perfect house', we finally found Stoneborough House in Budleigh Salterton, Devon. We have really enjoyed setting up this Bed and breakfast and just love living here. In my spare time, I play lots of tennis. We are privileged to have fabulous grass courts here in Budleigh and I also play indoors at Exmouth when the weather is less good. My husband George, enjoys the garden, kayaking and fishing. He is currently learning about bee keeping and is a volunteer miller at Otterton Mill which is well worth a visit, if only for the cream tea! We love eating out and are lucky enough to have a wide variety of wonderful restaurants and pubs within range. I could talk about these ad infinitum but sadly haven't the space here.

We chose to 'retire' to East Devon for quality of life! We live very close to the sea. Close enough to wheel the kayaks down there, and if we see a Jolly Roger flying, it means that the local fishermen are selling their catch on the beach. For additional water sports, Exmouth, at the mouth of the River Exe, with its long sandy beach is only 4 miles away. The countryside around us is beautiful and there are lots of lovely walks either East or West along the South West Coastal Path which follows the Jurassic Coast. Alternatively one can walk inland along the River Otter, to the old mill at Otterton. The birdlife along the river is fascinating and you may even be lucky enough to spot an Otter. Slightly further inland a rare colony of beavers has been discovered. Further afield but within easy reach is Dartmoor with its spectacular scenery and country pubs. Sidmouth is another lovely coastal town nearby. Topsham is well worth a visit and the cathedral city of Exeter and Honiton are half an hour away. I do hope you you might be able to find the time to visit this beautiful part of England and if you do that you will love it as much as we do.