Austen boost for holiday cottage

The cottage made its first appearance on New Year's Day

The owners of a cottage which appeared in the BBC's version of Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility said they were bracing themselves for a busy year.

A 15th Century building in north Devon doubled for the Dashwood's home Barton Cottage, and is available for rent.

The screening of the first episode of the drama on New Year's Day led to a surge of interest.

"The phone has been ringing since the first programme went out," said Sir Hugh Stucley, who owns Blackpool Mill.

I'm not one for period dramas, but I liked it Sir Hugh Stucley

The cottage, which is on the Hartland Abbey Estate, was chosen after BBC location manager Rupert Bray contacted South West Screen, which champions the region in the TV and film industry.

The cottage is right beside the sea, with a beautiful green valley behind.

Before filming began a team of BBC designers worked on the cottage to get it to look as they wanted

Sir Hugh said the appearance of Blackpool Mill was "changed considerably" for the series, with a porch and dormers added, and an exterior paint job.

He said the four-bedroom property, which had been let as a holiday home as far back as World War II, was put back exactly as it was once the three-week shoot last May finished.

The cottage is in a valley right beside the sea

"During the filming, the weather was maddening - it rained all the time," said Sir Hugh.

"But Hartland has its moods, and every mood is different.

"It looks beautiful when it's fine, and dramatic when it's stormy. The actors didn't seem to mind all the rain. They just got on with it.

"The programme was excellent. I'm not one for period dramas, but I liked it - but then I suppose I'm biased."

Visitors to Hartland Abbey are able to walk to the cottage and the Atlantic cove which it overlooks.