Lower Contour Road, Kingswear

Introduction

Set above the River Dart with lovely views across the valley and the river towards Dartmouth, Kircum Park is a beautifully renovated Victorian hillside home in one of South Devon’s most atmospheric waterside villages.

Life here is shaped by the river, the coast and the easy rhythm of Kingswear. Mornings can begin with coffee on the deck as boats move across the Dart. Afternoons might be spent walking a section of the South West Coast Path, exploring the gardens at Coleton Fishacre, catching the ferry across to Dartmouth for lunch, down to Greenway and Dittisham, or heading out towards the beaches of the South Hams. Steam trains, sailing, river crossings, coastal walks and harbour life are all part of the everyday setting.

The house itself has been thoughtfully refurbished throughout, creating a stylish, easy-to-live-in home with uninterrupted water views, an open plan ground floor, three bedrooms and a front terrace designed to make the most of its position.

The Inside

Kircum Park has been extensively modernised while retaining the charm and proportions of its Victorian origins. The refurbishment includes a new roof, UPVC windows, updated wiring and plumbing, together with a smart, contemporary interior.

The ground floor is arranged around an open plan living, dining and kitchen space, giving the house a relaxed and sociable feel. At the front, the sitting area makes the most of the view, with bi-fold doors opening directly onto the decked terrace. It is an ideal spot for summer evenings, weekend breakfasts or simply watching the changing light across the river.

The dining area links naturally with the kitchen, which has been finished to a high standard. A roof lantern draws in natural light and the kitchen is fitted with a comprehensive range of units and integrated appliances, including Bosch appliances, an induction hob, oven, microwave, dishwasher, washing machine, fridge freezer and wine cooler. Underfloor heating adds to the comfort of the space.

There is also a welcoming entrance hall and a ground floor cloakroom/WC.

Upstairs, there are three well-proportioned double bedrooms. The principal bedroom is particularly impressive, with double doors opening to a Juliet balcony that frames the view across the River Dart towards Dartmouth. It also has its own en suite bathroom. The remaining bedrooms are served by a stylish family shower room.

Usage

Kircum Park would make a wonderful permanent residence, equally suited to those seeking a weekend retreat or second home in one of South Devon's most desirable waterside locations.

For buyers considering holiday letting, the property also presents an attractive investment opportunity. We have obtained indicative annual income projections from the highly regarded local specialists, Toad Hall Cottages, suggesting a potential gross holiday letting income of between £24,085 and £30,706 per annum.

If you would like further information on the projected income or holiday letting potential, we'd be delighted to discuss this with you.

The Outside

To the front of the house is a decked garden terrace, positioned to take full advantage of the elevated outlook. It is a low-maintenance space, but one that adds a great deal to the way the house lives.

From here, the view stretches across the river to Dartmouth, with boats, ferries and the surrounding hillside creating an ever-changing scene. It is easy to imagine this being used throughout the year, whether for a quiet morning coffee, a glass of wine in the evening, or relaxed entertaining with friends.

There is side access to the rear, and residents’ parking permits are available.

The Location

Kingswear is one of South Devon’s most distinctive waterside villages, set on the eastern bank of the River Dart directly opposite Dartmouth. It offers the best of both worlds: a vibrant riverside lifestyle with ferries, boats and marina life close by, together with a softer countryside backdrop of woodland, rolling hills and open fields.

From Kircum Park, the views are not just across the River Dart towards Dartmouth. They also take in the surrounding countryside, giving the house a wonderful feeling of space and greenery as well as that much-loved connection to the water.

The village itself has a strong year-round community and a useful range of amenities within walking distance. There are two well regarded pubs, The Ship and The Steam Packet, both known locally for good food, along with a post office, café, deli and convenience store. It means day-to-day life can be comfortably lived within the village, while Dartmouth is only a short ferry crossing away.

Dartmouth adds a further layer to the lifestyle, with its independent shops, galleries, restaurants, waterfront pubs and historic harbour. The Britannia Royal Naval College forms part of the view and is one of the town’s most recognisable landmarks.

For those who enjoy being on or near the water, this is a superb location. Kingswear has a strong maritime character, with sailing, deep-water moorings, marina facilities and the Royal Dart Yacht Club all close by. The passenger ferry and car ferry provide regular access across the river, while river trips can take you towards Greenway, Agatha Christie’s former holiday home.

Despite its tucked-away coastal feel, Kingswear is also one of the more accessible villages in the South Hams. Road links out towards Torbay are straightforward, while the steam railway connects Kingswear with Paignton, where there are onward mainline rail connections, including services towards London Paddington. It gives the village a level of connectivity that is not always easy to find in this part of the South Devon coast.

The surrounding coast and countryside are equally impressive. The South West Coast Path is close at hand, offering spectacular walks out towards cliffs, coves and open sea views, while Coleton Fishacre, with its celebrated house and gardens, is nearby. A choice of beaches can also be reached within a short drive, from sheltered coves to larger sandy bays along the South Hams coastline.

One of Kingswear’s great charms is the steam railway itself, which gives the village a sense of character and nostalgia that adds to the experience of living here. Ferries, steam trains, sailing, coastal walks, beaches, good food, countryside views and access to Dartmouth all come together here, creating a lifestyle that is relaxed, scenic and unmistakably South Devon.

Useful Information

Tenure: Freehold

Local Authority: South Hams District Council

Council Tax Band: C (£2317.52 for the 2026/27 tax year)

EPC Rating: E, with potential for C

Services: Mains electricity, water and drainage. Oil fired central heating

Parking: Resident parking permits available

Mobile Signal: Good outside to variable inside according to OFCOM mobile signal checker (EE - 82%, Vodafone - 78%, Three - 73%, O2 - 69%)

Broadband: 54 MBPS available via Superfast according to OFCOM broadband checker

Flood Risk: Very Low long term flood risk according to the government long term flood risk checker.

Property availability: Available immediately and with no onward chain.

Agent Note: Please note that we have used digital staging on some of the interior shots, to show the rooms with furniture. If you would like the original shots, please just let us know.