Christian Holiday Barn, South Hams | Perfect Coastal Base, Sleeps 4

Christian Holiday Barn, South Hams — Near a Seven-Century-Old Coastal Church

10 Courtyard Cottages sits at Waye Farm near Yealmpton, in the heart of the South Hams, one of Devon’s most cherished stretches of countryside and coastline. Beyond the immediate pleasures of the AONB and the South West Coast Path already on the doorstep, this part of Devon holds a genuinely moving piece of Christian history just a few miles away, along the coast near Noss Mayo — well worth a detour on any longer stay here.

Perched dramatically above the sea near Stoke Beach are the ruins of the Church of St Peter the Poor Fisherman, Revelstoke, a Grade I listed building dating back to 1226. For over six centuries this small stone church served the scattered coastal parish of Revelstoke, its aisle and porch still roofed with beautifully carved medieval “wagon roof” timberwork, even though the rest of the building has long since lost its roof to the weather. The unusual dedication — “the Poor Fisherman” — reflects the humble fishing community it once served, tucked into a sheltered dell within sight and sound of the sea. Reachable on foot along the South West Coast Path, or down a steep lane from a small car park above, it’s the kind of place where, as one visitor put it, “the past seems very close at hand.”

The church’s story took an unexpected turn in the nineteenth century. Storm damage in the 1840s left the building slowly deteriorating, and by 1869 it was judged unsafe for regular worship, with parishioners facing a hard mile-and-a-half trudge from Noss Mayo for every service, baptism and funeral. Rather than repair such a remote and weather-battered site, the newly arrived local landowner, Edward Baring of Barings Bank, funded a completely new St Peter’s Church within Noss Mayo village itself, consecrated in 1882 with fine carved woodwork and stained glass by local craftsmen. The old church at Revelstoke was quietly abandoned by its parishioners, but rather than disappearing entirely, it survived as a beautiful ruin, and is now cared for by the Churches Conservation Trust. It remains consecrated ground, with occasional summer services still held among its walls.

Together, the two churches of St Peter make for a wonderful little pilgrimage of their own: the atmospheric medieval ruin looking out over the sea at Revelstoke, and its ornate Victorian successor tucked into the heart of pretty, pastel-painted Noss Mayo, a short walk or drive apart and both easily combined with a stretch of the coast path already recommended nearby. Between the two, visitors get a rare, tangible sense of how a single Christian community has adapted and endured across nearly eight hundred years, even as the building it worshipped in changed completely.

10 Courtyard Cottages makes a comfortable, recently refurbished base for exploring all of this, alongside the wider beaches, trails and villages of the South Hams. For more options nearby, HolyHols lists further Christian holiday accommodation across the South West of England.

Perfect for:

Couples and small families, 4 people maximum, wanting a peaceful, refurbished barn conversion
Walkers keen to combine the South West Coast Path with local history
Christian visitors interested in Devon’s ancient and Victorian churches alike
Anyone drawn to the beaches, trails and villages of the South Hams
Longer stays, with flexible arrival by arrangement and a week’s minimum

Location

10, Courtyard Cottages, Waye Farm, Yealmpton, South Devon. PL21 9NU

How to get there:

Best by car. A 379 to Plymouth & A38 Expressway linking to M5.

Nearest railway stations: Ivybridge 5 miles; Plymouth 10 miles.

Nearest Towns:

Modbury 3 miles; Ivybridge 5 miles; Plymouth 10 miles; Kingsbridge 13 miles; Totnes 16 miles; Salcombe 17 miles;

Local Area

Post Office/General Stores, Medical Centre, Yealmpton 2 miles.

Small Co-op Modbury 3 miles.

Nearest Supermarket Tesco Extra Lee Mill Ivybridge 5 miles. Also at Ivybridge Tesco Express & large Co-op. Kingsbridge has a Tesco Express & Morrisons.

Restaurants – The Rose & Crown, Yealmpton. The Ship & The Swan, Noss Mayo.

Fish & Chips – Brixton. Award Winning Fish & Chips at Kingfishers, Plympton (5 miles).

Our barn is in South Hams overlooking South Devon AONB. Close to the Erme Plym Trail & South West Coastal Path.

Beaches at Mothecombe as part of the Fleet Estate, Wembury, Bigbury-On-Sea, Bantham Beach & Salcombe.

Noss Mayo, Dartmoor National Park. Slapton Sands, Paignton Zoo & Eden Project.

Facilities

Our cosy reverse-living cottage is set in a peaceful courtyard of nine converted cottages in the heart of South Devon. Surrounded by open fields and adjacent to an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), it’s the perfect spot for a relaxing break with fresh air, stunning views, and easy access to the coast. Mothecombe beach is just 4 miles away, and Bigbury-on-Sea is 10 miles — where you can ride the famous sea tractor to Burgh Island, or walk the causeway at low tide (just watch the tides on the way back!).

The cottage was once owned by the National Trust and sits near the historic Fleet Estate. It has been recently refurbished throughout, carefully maintaining its barn-like character while providing all the modern conveniences you need.

The front door is accessed from the shared courtyard lobby. The open-plan living space is a few steps up from the entrance, featuring a lounge, dining area, and kitchen with vaulted ceilings and large east-facing windows that flood the room with morning sunshine.

The kitchen is fully equipped with luxury oak units and granite worktops, an induction hob, oven, grill, microwave, fridge, freezer, dishwasher, and washing machine. Evenings are made for unwinding by the wood-burning stove, with games, books, puzzles, Smart TV, and WiFi all provided.

Downstairs are two bedrooms — one with a king-size bed and one with two single beds — both with storage, garden access, and views over the AONB. The bathroom has an electric corner shower, electric towel rail, large basin, and toilet.

Outside, a small private garden with seating and a table is ideal for al fresco meals, and there is private parking for one car within the courtyard. (Note: there’s an unwritten rule in the courtyard that everyone reverses in — it keeps exits smooth and safe for all!)

Please note: the property has two flights of stairs — a short set from the entrance and a full flight down to the bedrooms and bathroom — so it may not suit guests with limited mobility.

Bedding is provided, but please bring your own towels, beach towels, and tea towels. All electricity and logs for the wood-burning stove are included.