Having grown up and lived in Membland for over 20 years, I knew it would only be a matter of time before this little hamlet would be out for the world to discover.
It is a glorious pocket of the south hams, close enough to the twinned villages of Newton Ferrers and Noss Mayo to enjoy the River Yealm and the pubs, yet perfectly situated just under a mile away so that when the August bank holiday chaos descends, you can feel smug knowing you are comfortably removed from the crowds — yet still within walking distance of the coast path and local beaches.
The area has barely changed over the years and properties like Dovecote House very rarely come up for sale.
On the market via Marchand Petit with a guide price of £1.25 million, the handsome house really has it all: Plenty of flexible accommodation space with large rooms and lots of lovely features — think aged oak floorboards, wood burners and sleek appliances.
Described as being part of buildings that were ‘formerly stables to Membland Hall’, Grade II-listed Dovecote House owes its existence to the banker Edward Baring, later Lord Revelstoke, who purchased the estate circa 1877.
The initials ‘ECB’ (Edward Charles Baring) are inscribed on many of the buildings within the hamlet, and each played a vital role in the running of the estate, from the laundry house and clock tower, to charming forge and former game keeper’s cottage.
Dovecote is situated down a quiet lane, within a sheltered, mature garden of about two-thirds of an acre. A large gravel pathway leads up to the substantial house, surrounding which are well-maintained lawns and two large patio areas that are perfect for al fresco gin and tonics.
It offers five bedrooms in total, two of which can be separated to form a self-contained annexe which provides lucrative holiday-letting potential. There’s also a wonderful attic space which could double up as a yoga/pilates studio.
The kitchen overlooks a private rear courtyard, off from which is a self-contained home office/studio.
Nearby Newton Ferrers and its twin Noss Mayo offer a range of amenities. In Newton Ferrers you’ll find a popular yacht club, The Dolphin Inn, a pharmacy, art gallery, post office, butchers, co-op and The Green — a new deli/café. There’s also a local primary school and parish church.
Over the water in Noss (which can be accessed at low tide via a walkway called the ‘voss’) are two great riverside pubs: The Swan Inn and the Ship Inn, plus another church.
In the summer, the village comes alive with the River Yealm Regatta which sees the whole community come together to compete in rowing, sailing, swimming and sporting events. The South West coast path wraps around the area providing many beautiful walks with lots of secret bays and coves to discover.
There are, naturally, lots of wonderful beaches and other delights to be found here, but everyone knows that the best-kept secrets are the ones that remain, well...just that.
Dovecote House is currently on the market via Marchand Petit with a guide price of £1.25 million — see more pictures or enquire with the agents for further details.
Spectacular Scottish castles and estates for sale
A look at the finest castles, country houses and estates for sale in Scotland today.
Credit: Strutt and Parker
Best country houses for sale this week
An irresistible West Country cottage and a magnificent Cumbrian country house make our pick of the finest country houses for
-
What the hedge can tell us about the countryside, with Richard NegusThe hedge is much more than just a barrier between one field and the next. Richard Negus joins the Country Life Podcast to discuss his work, his latest book and how he's being tapped up to switch cricket clubs.
-
Country Life August 20 2025Country Life August 20 2025 is the Scottish Issue, featuring glorious Glamis Castle, 47 pages of the best Scottish property for sale, John Buchan, and the Glasgow Boys
-
A 17th century farmhouse in Surrey with one of Britain's oldest squash courtsFords Farm is on the market for the first time in over half a century.
-
The 15 best-value commuter towns for people working in London, according to new research from one of Britain's top estate agentsSavills have released their list of the best-value commuter towns in Britain. But do the sums add up? Toby Keel takes a look.
-
What everyone is talking about this week: Where are the new Cotswolds?The appearance of American Vice President J. D. Vance in the Cotswolds is a sure sign that they're saturated, but where else can you escape to that has the same charm?
-
19 outstanding country homes, from £450,000 to £20 million, as seen in Country LifeA spectacular country house in Yorkshire and an enormously impressive Channel Islands retreat are among the stand-out homes on the market this week.
-
Three homes down by the Thames, perfect for those who love messing about on boatsThis summer’s scorching temperatures will no doubt have endorsed the perennial appeal of Thames-side houses with frontage and private access to the river. Penny Churchill and Toby Keel pick out some prime examples.
-
A pavilion, pool and pleasure gardens at this Devon country house 'with not another building in sight'Ebberly House is a majestic country house in Devon built by one of John Soane's pupils — and as it comes to the market, it's a place Penny Churchill knows well.
-
Take over the world or throw a great big party on this private fort for sale in PembrokeThorne Island, dubbed the British Alcatraz, has been a £2 million labour of love. Now it could be yours.
-
The perfect summer house? A country home, beach house and rural escape rolled into one in a prime spot in SussexIf there's a finer house than Grangewood House in which to enjoy the summer, we'd love to see it. Penny Churchill takes a look.
