'The Cygnet' boasts exceptional and uninterrupted views over the beach, the whole of Lyme Bay and along the Jurassic coastline. The property enjoys a unique situation on one of the most desirable stretches of coastline throughout the UK. The house was built in 1895 and is not only one of the few remaining detached, period family houses on the seafront, but also the second largest. An opportunity to purchase an unlisted house of such quality and size in Budleigh Salterton is an extremely rare occurrence. It is typical of a prosperous family house of the late Victorian period and is built of rendered and painted brick under a Welsh slate roof with deep eaves.

The front of the house has twin, two storey bay windows with a first floor balcony between them and an enclosed ground floor veranda and side porch. The house has good-sized rooms with high ceilings and its south-facing position and tall windows combine to allow natural light to fill the interior. It has also retained many of its original architectural fittings. These include fireplaces, decorative glazing bars, extensive internal joinery and timber floors in many rooms including an elegant, pale coloured parquet floor in the drawing room.

The hall effectively divides the ground floor with the drawing and sitting rooms on one side and the study, dining room and kitchen on the other. The two main reception rooms overlook the beach and are connected by the enclosed veranda via French windows. The kitchen/breakfast room has a tiled floor and is fitted with range of units and built-in electric appliances and a two oven AGA.

The part-galleried landing on the first floor leads to all six bedrooms. The principal and guest bedrooms occupy pride of place above the drawing and sitting rooms below with completely unhindered views out to sea. The remaining bedrooms extend out towards the back of the house and, along with the guest bedroom, share the family bath and shower rooms between them. The house also has a very large attic with possibilities subject to consent.

Garden

The Cygnet is accessed directly from Marine Parade onto a brick-paved parking area with space for about four cars. Waist-high walls softened by hedging bound the parking area on either side.

The house itself lies behind and is partially screened by a richly planted raised border, with a flight of steps rising on one side to the side porch. Fringing the full width of the house is the front timber deck. Most of the garden is to the rear of the house.

The rear garden comprises a good-sized paved terrace that provides ample space for outside dining. Beyond it a steep slope planted with a wide variety of shrubs rises to a level area at the top of the garden that accommodates a timber summer house alongside a paved seating area and a small lawn. This serves as a superb vantage point with views looking out to sea across the rooftops of the houses along the parade.

The Cygnet is situated midway along Marine Parade in the small coastal town of Budleigh Salterton and has direct access onto the beach. The town lies within the East Devon AONB at the mouth of the River Otter, where the estuary forms a haven for migratory birds and is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest.