So, what’s it like living in Clovelly?
Ernie taking everything in his stride.
We both love living in such a special place. It’s not like a ‘normal’ village. There is a great mixture of people here. Some families have been here for years, others born here and are still here. There are also people even newer than us and lots of different people with interesting stories. Quite a few creative people too which is marvellous.
Also, what surprises people, and surprised me, is there are also a lot of kids in the village. What a fantastic place to grow up.
We’ve only lived here since August but I love chatting to people and telling them what it’s like. So in case you are wondering:
How do you get your shopping to your house?
We use sleds. When you move in you are expected to make your own sled. Most people use bakers baskets and wood. You grease the wood with butter to help it slide over the cobbles. It takes some getting used to but once you get it, it’s much better than carrying heavy bags! The secret is in the loading. Heaviest stuff at the back so that it doesn’t run into your ankles. You also need a flat sled for big items like furniture. This has 2 leads, one on the front and one on the back. The back one is held by someone taking the weight of the sled and steering and the front one pulls and also steers.
Are the houses expensive to buy?
Nobody owns their property in Clovelly. All properties are rented from the Clovelly Estate. It must be your primary residence so there are no second homes or holiday homes in the village. Everyone lives here, all the time. Yes - even in the depths of winter.
Can we go in all the houses?
In short. No. They are people’s homes. You can visit The Fisherman’s Cottage and the Kingsley Museum which is about a third of the way down the cobbles, but all the houses are people’s homes. It’s not unusual to find people in your garden…
Do the tourists get on your nerves?
Actually no, I enjoy seeing people in the village appreciating how beautiful it is, and you are fully aware that it is a tourist village before you move here. However, my one plea would be please keep dogs on a lead and clean up their poo. It’s surprising how many people don’t. There are a lot of cats in the village! And, as with everywhere, put rubbish in the bin or take it home.
How do you move your furniture in?
All furniture is moved in on sleds. Everything goes down the hill. You don’t drag stuff up! So basically you unload at the top onto the sled, make sure it is securely fastened and then slide it down. There were so many helpful people when we moved in giving us tips and hints on how to do it. Plus the amazing Bart who is a total legend and workhorse (and fuel delivery geezer)is the go-to removal man.
Do the Donkeys carry your food up and down?
No. The Donkeys (Alfred, Ernie, Bert and Rex) are living their best life at the stables and go for daily exercise up the cobbles. They love the visitors (and residents) - especially as they get treats when they stand still for fuss!
What’s it like in the snow?
Sadly, we don’t know yet, even though we are very excited for it to snow some time! Apart from looking absolutely beautiful, we do know that the village gets completely cut off! Heaven.
If there is no gas in the village how do you cook and heat your cottage?
Most cottages either have a solid fuel Rayburn or Stove and this does the hot water, and also cooking. Most cottages do also have conventional ovens as well. Heating is also either solid fuel or storage heating. Fuel is delivered once a week by Bart, you put your order in and as if by magic it’s there on a Thursday night by your door ready to use.
Who owns the village?
The village is owned by The Hon. John Rous, and it has been in his family for 300 years. Originally it was a gift from William the Conquerer to his wife and has passed into several families over that time. Mr Rous is the great grand-nephew of Christine Hamyln who inherited the estate in 1884 and married in 1889. She and her husband renovated many village cottages and made it popular with tourists in the Victorian and Edwardian era. By all accounts she was a formidable woman. I like her already.
