Richard bought Fingals as a run-down manor farmhouse in 1981 and created, over the years, a trendy hotel as an escape for city dwellers. Sheila joined him in 1993 with two young children and became his partner in every way. Every winter they would make changes, improvements and additions and, as Fingals evolved, the commitment to hosting house parties, weddings and generally entertaining each evening took its toll. We decided to convert Fingals into self-catering properties. Sheila’s background is book publishing and Richard’s is restaurants and modern furniture.

Luxurious self-catering accommodation with tons of creature comforts and dazzling eccentricity. Fingals is magical, a jumble of a place in a hidden valley in one of the loveliest parts of south Devon close to the River Dart estuary and the coast. It is run with charm, humour and a dash of idiosyncrasy by Richard and Sheila. A collection of six self-catering properties set in a rolling green valley, down narrow Devon country lanes. Fingals is hemmed in by high hedgerows and a world away from real life … just as you have given up chanting "nil desperandum" a cheery green sign informs you that you have indeed reached the land of Fingals! All dogs welcome of all shapes and sizes.