A view on history

A 17th century holiday destination combining old world charm with stylish contemporary comfort offers a unique glimpse of the sea-going history and traditions of the South Devon coast.

- PHILIP DALLING

Holidaymakers fortunate enough to enjoy the delights of one of South Devon’s most characterful holiday homes enjoy a panoramic view of a stretch of water which has witnessed some of the greatest events in English history.

The four-storey Dragons Nest, which has accommodation for up to eight people, has gazed down on the ancient port of Brixham and Torbay since the 17th century, witnessing in 1688 the start of the Glorious Revolution, when William of Orange’s Dutch fleet anchored in the bay and he stepped on to the quayside to claim the throne of England.

The Dragons Nest again saw scenes of wild excitement when HMS Bellerophon anchored at Brixham with a special passenger – Napoleon Bonaparte, who had surrendered to the Royal Navy after defeat at Waterloo.

Memories of an earlier epoch in Devon’s maritime history are kept alive by the full-size replica of The Golden Hind, the vessel in which Sir Francis Drake circumnavigated the globe in 1588. Also on display in the harbour is The Vigilance, the oldest surviving Brixham trawler from the days of sail.