There's something so laid-back, so effortlessly cool about this place, that we fell in love immediately. A huge, five-bedroom bungalow with elegant 1930s bones, it's been recently restyled to bring more than a touch of eclectic chic. We're talking a mix of vintage and modern, colourful and neutral – basically, anything goes. From the squashy orange sofa in the sunroom to the candy-striped Smeg fridge, the stripped-back floorboards to the cowskin rug, the owners have put a lot of fun into this home by the sea. Set in large, private gardens just a five-minute walk from the village of Thurlestone, this is the ideal coastal escape for a large family or perhaps two sharing. With big bedrooms, each with its own bathroom, a sociable flow to the living spaces and a patio perfect for lazy barbecues, there's no room here for the day-to-day stresses of normal life. Every day feels like a Sunday. Head off on country walks, drive to the nearby beaches or head further afield to places like Salcombe, Plymouth or Dartmouth – all within a forty-minute drive. And if the kids are still full of energy at the end of the day, let them play on the lawn, with its sunken trampoline, for hours – while you pour a drink and raid the board game collection.