Bed & Breakfast Number 5Ifty 8Ight (Tavistock, United Kingdom)

Number 5ifty 8ight is a Grade ll listed townhouse in Tavistock, built on behalf of the Duke of Bedford, circa 1850. There is no doubt that we bought an incredibly sturdy and well-built property – but one in need of significant refurbishment and lots of TLC. As a result, we have painstakingly and lovingly restored it to provide a modern family home whilst ever remaining sympathetic to its grand, period design. Many of the original features are still in place; from the sash windows, wooden floorboards, marble fireplace and decorative cornice work, to the beautiful stained glass window overlooking the stairs. We even found part of the original servants bell-call system in the walls and floors. Not in working order, alas, so Jan has to summon Mark using good old-fashioned voice projection… The period element of Number 5ifty 8ight is not at the expense of modern luxuries, however. The lighting is not powered by gas and we felt that constant hot running water in all the suites would be preferable to a tin bath in front of the fireplace.