Vane Tower is professionally managed by Fresh Escapes – a Devon-based, privately owned holiday letting and management company with years of experience in marketing, managing and owning holiday homes in and around Devon. We’re proud of our family roots and aim to give our guests the same home-from-home feel. We know many of you come on holiday to escape the world, so we won’t disturb you too much during your stay. We’ll check in with you after you’ve arrived, and we’ll be on hand if you need anything during your visit, but the house is yours to enjoy. We hope you’ll love it as much as we do.

Inhale the salty air and discover true relaxation in this grand coastal haven. With 360-degree views across Torbay and Dartmoor, a six-person hot tub, private gardens, an alfresco dining area and a sea-facing terrace, Vane Tower is no ordinary homestay. Recently renovated by award-winning Californian interior designer Bita De Laurentiis, this six-bedroom sanctuary pays homage to the tower’s Italian heritage and is ideal for a large family or group of friends yearning for effortless luxury. Inspired by a villa on Lake Lugano, Italy, Vane Tower has stood as a unique landmark at the top of Vane Hill in the seaside town of Torquay since 1872. Its fascinating history is intertwined with the town’s development from a small fishing hamlet to a fashionable resort. Commissioned by the Palk family, which played a significant role in Torquay’s growth, it was originally built as two semi-detached villas and inspired by Lawrence Palk’s Grand Tour of Europe. He brought back architectural ideas from Italy, which he incorporated into his villa designs. The property changed hands several times until World War II when the Home Guard used the tower as a lookout post for approaching enemy aircraft. Later, the government requisitioned the building and made it into a convalescent home for injured soldiers. Today, award-winning Californian interior designer Bita De Laurentiis has transformed this alluring property into a refined self-catering homestay, oozing Italian style and relaxed elegance. With its flexible layout of two connected apartments, Vane Tower will delight large families or groups seeking both privacy and togetherness. Each room in this luxurious house boasts its own unique design and character, adorned with exquisite furniture from high-end Italian brands such as Gallotti & Radice and Kartell, adorned with wallpapers from renowned British brand Designers Guild.

Vane Tower is an imposing presence above the harbourside and falls within the Torquay Harbour Conservation area, linked to the harbour and town by a series of steps and pathways that crisscross the hillside. Within an easy walk is the limestone plateau at Daddyhole Plain, where the award-winning South West Coast Path leads to the Blue Flag beach at Meadfoot. It is also conveniently located near local amenities, including the nearby village community of Wellswood with its church, school, pub, restaurants, cafés, and shops. Torquay retains the feel of a traditional seaside town with its stunning coastline, iconic palm trees, sandy beaches, and historic pier, all enhanced by the international marina and a delightful array of shops, galleries and cafes. Many bars and restaurants are dotted along the waterfront, offering the opportunity to eat and drink alfresco and sample some of the finest seafood from nearby Brixham, the heart of the seafood coast. The area has many beaches with an array of water sports and fishing also available. Torquay also hosts world-class sailing events, and boats can regularly be seen competing in the bay. Sporting opportunities such as golf, tennis, rugby, football, and cricket are available close by. The historic riverside towns of Dartmouth and Totnes are within easy reach, along with the popular sailing resort of Salcombe. Dartmoor National Park and both English Heritage and National Trust properties are nearby, including Agatha Christie’s holiday estate at Greenway.