Behind the Scenes –Woodicombe House

When I had the idea for the Woodicombe House series, I already knew that I was going to set it in North Devon; I had based an earlier novel there and had plenty of research that would stand me in good stead. My problem was that for the era in question – 1914 to 1918 – no single real location entirely fitted the bill. At that time, North Devon had a few modest market towns serving sprawling rural areas dotted with villages and far-flung hamlets. Owing to their remoteness, and the general difficulties involved in reaching them, even the main coastal resorts were still low-key and largely under-developed.

As it was to turn out, the lack of a ready-made setting was a blessing; from the many, many locations that inspired me, I was able to create an entirely fictitious place. I was able to pick real beaches, harbours, villages and scenery and mould them into the places of Woodicombe and Westward Quay – while still being able to anchor them close to a town that was not only real, but familiar to locals, and fondly-remembered by holiday-makers. That was the town of Barnstaple.

So, when it comes to the manor house, the hamlet of Woodicombe, and the coastal village of Westward Quay, many, many locations have contributed to their character. Here are pictures of just a few of those places - and yes, I know that some of them are actually (gasp of horror!) in Cornwall.

Westward Quay:

Inspiration for the seaside village of Westward Quay came from the bustling harbours of Ilfracombe and Padstow, both of them, incidentally, well worth a visit for their restaurants and cafes.

Ilfracombe Harbour, North Devon

Padstow Harbour, Cornwall

Woodicombe House – The Gardens

A number of the scenes at Woodicombe House take place in the gardens. For the scenes on the lawns in The Housekeeper's Daughter and The Soldier's Return in particular, I recalled making a visit one July to Knightshayes House, a National Trust property in Mid-Devon that has extensive lawns, one with a particularly impressive cedar tree. The Kitchen Gardens were also a source of inspiration.

The cedar and lawns at Knightshayes, Devon

Kitchen Gardens, Knightshayes

The Woodlands around Woodicombe House

Occasionally, I will be struck by a sense that one of my characters has set foot where I am standing. This was particularly true of a walk through Brownsham Woods, close to the South West Coast Path on the Hartland Peninsula. It was a beautiful spring day, with sunlight dappling the greens and heavenly birdsong filling the air. It was a moment I drew upon when writing two particular scenes: in The Housekeeper's Daughter, when Kate is sitting with Ned and trying to get to know him, and, much later, in The Soldier's Return, when Kate is on her way to show Rowley the cove.

Brownsham Woods, Hartland Peninsula

View from Brownsham Woods

Woodicombe Cove and the Beach

In my books, this particular setting really is a mish-mash of many places I have visited over the years - in North Cornwall as well as North Devon. I knew that the cove had to be small and private, sheltered to the north and south by steep cliffs. Equally, I wanted it to be sandy. Thus, I drew inspiration from a number of locations, one of my all-time favourites being Sandymouth, which is just over the border in Cornwall.

Sandymouth Beach at Low Tide

Spectacular Cliffs at Sandymouth Beach

Finally, I'll leave you with some snaps of just a few of the many glorious and inspiring locations along the coastline of North Devon and North Cornwall, where I spend so many happy hours taking in the scenery and enjoying the fresh air. Fair wind or foul, it’s the finest sort of screen break and aid to creativity there can be.