An English Coastal Estate With Its Own Sandy Cove Lists for $13.2 Million

A coastal estate outside Dartmouth, in what’s sometimes referred to as the British Riviera due to its long sandy beaches, offers something that’s increasingly rare along England’s shoreline: control of the coastline itself.

Known as Redlap House, the property spans more than 31 picturesque acres in South Devon, unfolding from formal gardens to thick woodlands down to a small sandy beach at the foot of a rocky cliff. With no public footpath crossing the land, the secluded cove is accessible only from the estate itself or by boat—an unusual level of privacy for this stretch of coast.

The setting may feel familiar. Blackpool Sands, the next cove over, served as a filming location for The Roses, starring Olivia Colman and Benedict Cumberbatch. In the 2025 film, South Devon convincingly stands in for Northern California, its clear waters and steep, green cliffs reflecting the same rugged coastal drama.

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The private cove is set below steep cliffs along the South Devon coast.

Blue Book Agency

Parts of the main house date to the late 18th century—it is thought to have originally been built for the governor of Dartmouth—and the property has long been linked to smuggling. Local stories point to hidden walls and a possible tunnel leading down to the cove, though none of it has been formally verified.

Redlap has also passed through a handful of notable owners. In the 1930s, it belonged to actor and theater manager Cyril Maude, whose circle included poet John Masefield. And, so the story goes, King George V visited the property during his time as Prince of Wales.

The six-bedroom residence measures about 8,500 square feet with both formal reception rooms and informal living spaces. Many of the principal rooms are oriented toward Start Bay, with large sash and French windows designed to take in the vistas. A 34-foot artist’s studio stands out, with vaulted ceilings, strong natural light, and views that pull in the surrounding landscape.

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A paneled sitting room is anchored by a round table and fireplace.

Blue Book Agency

A separate leisure complex adds approximately 7,300 square feet, including a 65-foot indoor pool, spa facilities, and guest accommodations that can function independently from the main residence. The estate is listed at £10 million (about $13.2 million).

“Redlap House is one of those places that are very difficult to describe without sounding overly romantic, because it genuinely has that kind of impact when you arrive,” said Lindsay Cuthill, co-founder of Blue Book Agency. “It is not just that it has history, it is that the history is part of how it feels to be there. There is a real sense that this is a place shaped over time rather than simply built.”

Click here to see more photos of this coastal home in the U.K.

Blue Book Agency

Authors

Abby Montanez

Abigail Montanez is a staff writer at Robb Report. She has worked in both print and digital publishing for over half a decade, covering everything from real estate, entertainment, dining, travel to…

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