Our Story
Hello! We’re Michaela and Brian, proud owners of Three Pound Cottage since 2010. Although we live and work on the South East Kent coast, our hearts are forever drawn to Dartmoor and Devon, where this special cottage resides.
Brian spent his childhood exploring the beautiful beaches of Torquay and Paignton, and though life took him away to London, France, and eventually Kent, Devon has always been home. Michaela, on the other hand, grew up enjoying long summers by the sea in Kent, where we eventually met and settled down.
With a shared love for travel and many years working in the travel industry, we’ve been fortunate to explore the world but no place has captured our hearts quite like Lustleigh and Dartmoor. Our dream of owning a little haven in Devon came true following the birth of our son. We wanted him to experience the joys of spending time with family in South Devon, just as Brian had.
It was by pure chance that we found Three Pound Cottage—a charming but neglected property that had been empty for several years. Despite its terrible state, we fell in love at first sight. What began as Michaela telling Brian “it just needs a lick of paint” did of course turn into three years of blood, sweat and quite a few tears to transform the cottage into the cosy retreat it is today.
Since opening our doors to guests in 2014, we’ve loved sharing this slice of heaven with like-minded people who appreciate the beauty of Dartmoor as much as we do. With the help of our dedicated housekeeping team, A Clean Pair, and our wonderful family, we keep the cottage in perfect shape for our guests to enjoy.
We hope you love this magical place as much as we do.
Michaela & Brian
About Three Pound Cottage
Three Pound Cottage, nestled within Dartmoor National Park, is a grade II listed building that presented us with a fair share of challenges. Right from the start we knew it would require a sensitive restoration to preserve its unique character and reinstate it to it’s former glory.
When we first viewed the cottage, many of its original features were hidden, covered over during the 1950s and 60s when styles were different. Behind walls and cupboards, however, lay treasures like the beautiful inglenook fireplace and original granite steps.
We were fortunate to meet local resident Jean Wills, who had played in the cottage as a child. She shared her childhood memories of the cottage and the rumours of it’s original features. Thanks to her insights, we uncovered the inglenook fireplace in the lounge and discovered the original granite steps leading upstairs.
We collaborated with a local architect and worked closely with Dartmoor National Park authorities to obtain permission, and guidance, for restoring these, and many more, original features including reinstated the original layout of the cottage. The two year restoration process was extensive, but we are thrilled to have preserved so much of the cottage’s 16th century charm while introducing modern comforts to make it a warm and inviting home fit for modern day living.
Three Pound Cottage carries with it a rich history, and we are proud to preserve some of its stories. The previous owner, Mrs. Williams, moved into the cottage at the tender age of 16 when she married her husband, the local Master Thatcher. In her 80s when we purchased the property, Mrs. Williams had lovingly tended the small front garden for decades, and we are delighted that some of her roses still bloom in the front garden of the cottage.
Mrs. Williams also fed the local badgers and their cubs. As a tribute to this piece of the cottage’s past, we’ve kept a small embroidered picture of a badger in the lounge—a nod to her connection with the wildlife and the special care she put into her life at Three Pound Cottage.
Today, Three Pound Cottage is a perfect blend of historic character and modern living, offering guests a unique stay in the heart of Dartmoor.
Meet the team
Michaela
Guest Services
Brian
Maintenance
Lora
Housekeeping