Old Coastguard Cottages were built in 1850 as part of the Coastguard/Customs network together with Rocket Cottage on the top of the Wembury peninsula above them. They have a commanding view over the Yealm pool, river up to Steer point and the creek to Newton and Noss from the front rooms and particularly the terrace. Indeed nothing moves on the river without being observed from the cottages and they were undoubtedly built to deter smuggling. The Yealm river runs down off Dartmoor and is a well protected drowned river valley with oak trees to the waterline and deep water moorings and visitor pontoons and is beloved of West country sailors. The Cottage has access to the river at all states of the tide by use of a running mooring from its own quay and a deep water mooring could be available by discussion with us and the harbour master.