T

hey say that an Englishman’s home is his castle, well if you book yourself into this place it can be yours, too.

Built in 1502, Kingswear formed part of the country’s state-of-the-art defenses against sea invasion, equipped with heavy cannon capable of firing across the estuary. The guns have gone but the gun-holes are still here – along with many other original features.

As you might expect, the centuries-old stone is a bit weathered on the outside, having been lashed by over 500 years of wind, rain, sunshine and saltwater – but inside it’s as cosy as ever. The Landmark Trust has painstakingly restored it back to its 16th-century glory, with sturdy wood furniture, thick rugs and big cosy beds.

Watch strange shapes dancing on the thick, fortified walls, courtesy of the sunlight gleaming off the water outside and bouncing in through the gun-holes. Or head up to the roof terrace and peer through the battlements at the (now friendly) ships chugging past on the river – it’s great for a spot of star gazing, too.

Best get a good night’s sleep, though; tomorrow you’ve got all of Devon on your doorstep.