Bowcombe Boathouse
Batman’s Summerhouse
TWO CABINS TWO STORIES
“AFTER A YEAR LONG TRIP AWAY, SPENDING MOST OF IT SLOWLY FOLLOWING THE PACIFIC RING OF FIRE, BACK HOME, ONE DARK DECEMBER EVENING, I STARTED LOOKING FOR A LITTLE LOCK UP BY THE SEA.”
This would hopefully be something that could be transformed into a barefoot bolt hole, like the kiwi bachs I had been inspired by on our travels.
Bowcombe Boathouse had a long history of being used for summer accommodation, going back to when it was a wooden chalet in the 1930s. Over the last century the building was rebuilt and then used as a boat store, for a locally handmade Salcombe Yawl. Now it’s been restored and gives reference to both it’s past histories. It’s a unique home from home, made from boat builders materials and is a place that you can escape away to and no one will find you…
The Batman’s Summerhouse is a rare survivor amongst traditional timber cabins from the 1930s and has been nestled by the river in an untouched valley in South Devon for nearly 100 years. It was originally built for a man servant, or Batman, who worked for a gentleman of the military and lived in the main house next door.
The Batman, must have loved fishing for Salmon and Sea Trout from the riverbank outside his cabin, walking in the ancient bluebell woods that surround it, listening to the sound of owls as he drifted off to sleep and he clearly had a passion for horticulture as he nurtured plants in his greenhouse and created the first Summerhouse garden.
