BEACH huts and the South West coastline have been regular bedfellows since Victorian times.

But unless you had a particularly heavy night on the cider at a beach barbecue you’re unlikely to have woken up in one, with the waves lapping against the shore just yards away.

Now though you can do just that at a new resort in Devon which offers the chance to get as close to the sea as possible while not skimping on comfort.

Nestled in Hele Bay, just a mile away from the historic seaside town of Ilfracombe, Beach Cove offers the opportunity for a relaxing holiday enjoying the sea breeze and watching the waves crashing against the shore in a hot tub, or a base from which to explore this beautiful and remote corner of Devon.

The huts themselves, painted in suitable relaxed shades of pastel as opposed to the more gaudy bright colours most beach huts are decorated in, are arranged in rows above Hele Bay’s beach.

Far from being a mere hut though, inside they offer all the mod cons needed for a weekend break or something longer, with everything from what you would normally expect (a shower, television and bed) to more unusual items (an espresso machine and binoculars to watch the ships passing up and down the Bristol Channel).

Being a hut it’s cosy, but in the best sense of the word, for two people, and it offers plenty of room to enjoy a relaxing holiday.

Each one is equipped with a bedroom with a double bed, en suite and its own television, and a kitchen with all the necessary facilities that opens on to a small lounge where you can sit on a sofa with the beach straight in front of you.

Obviously being at the seaside you will probably want to be outside and enjoy the sea air and you can enjoy your dinner or a glass of wine sat at the table arranged outside the huts, while the hot tub is always an option.

North Devon is more remote than the county’s southern coastline but no less beautiful in a more rugged and sparse way.

Ilfracombe is a short drive away or you can walk to it from Beach Cove over the nearby headland which offers stunning views down over the town, its harbour and Damien Hirst’s statue Verity, guarding its entrance.

While the huts have all the facilities necessary for you to cook your own dinner Hele Bay is well served for food despite its small size, with the nearby Hele Bay pub offering pub grub and pints just a few yards away while Hele Billy’s restaurant has a wider selection of meals further up the road.

There is no shortage of decent eating destinations in Ilfracombe, with tastes from traditional seaside fish and chips to Italian food catered for.

The town’s eating hotspots are also sure to tempt the tastebuds of seafood lovers, with the day’s fresh catch transported mere yards from its famous harbour to its eateries, ranging from the seafood and shellfish Mecca of Espresso Seafood Bar and Grill to the recently-opened Blacksands Bistro with its quirky festivalesque vibe.

Whether it’s a fine summer day or a rather wetter one there will always be a host of activities to help work the appetite up.

Whether you are a dedicated rambler or just a part-time stroller the area around Ilfracombe offers some stunning locations for walking, such as the Heddon Valley trail about seven kilometres east along the coast, or the magical woodland world of the National Trust-managed Watersmeet.

Ilfracombe itself has an aquarium and museum and is the departure point for a number of cruises, including a sea safari and trips to Lundy Isle, which offer the chance to see rarely-seen creatures such as puffins, grey seals and even turtles.

Farther afield there is a plethora of daytrip opportunities, ranging from National Trust properties, castles and arts centres to adventure parks and zoos, meaning that whatever the weather or your own taste you will only ever be within a short drive of some attraction.

However in this particular part of Devon the real draw is the surroundings themselves – be they the dramatic swoop of the cliffs down to Ilfracombe or the Hangman cliffs at Combe Martin, England’s highest, or the more gentle surroundings of its beaches, Beach Cove offers an opportunity to truly get to know some of this rugged and beautiful part of the world with the benefits of home luxuries.

•Beach Cove has a range of selfcatering luxury beach huts sleeping two people, which range in price from £295 a night to £475 depending on their location and facilities.

•Ring 01271 863006 or go to www.darwinescapes.co.uk/