Client's Stories: An Interview with Sweetcombe Cottage Holidays
- Amy
- Feb 24
- 3 min read
If you’re new here, my Client Stories blog is a regular ongoing series on sharing my talented photography client’s stories online. I have a regular chat with my loveliest clients and feature their business story along with the photos from our shoot together.
February's Client Story features The Sweetcombe Cottage Holidays team who I’ve worked with for a beach team shoot, capturing the family, whole team (and dogs) along the way!
Together we’ve built a collection of lifestyle imagery to showcase their team and the spot they call home in Sidmouth, Devon. I’ve had a good chat with the sisters, Polly & Alex, and asked them to tell me little more about Sweetcombe Cottage Holidays and highlights in their business journey so far.
Hi Polly & Alex, when and why did you decide to start your incredible business?
Our Mum, Tracy, had the opportunity to take on Sweetcombe Cottage Holidays over 35 years ago starting out with just a handful of cottages and a big passion for property and tourism. The business has evolved naturally over the years, growing alongside the community and coastline we love. In 2018, Polly returned home after living abroad and decided to take the reins, introducing new systems and a fresh energy to help the business thrive in an ever-changing market. Alex joined shortly after in 2020 to help grow and shape Sweetcombe together.
Although we’ve grown, our values remain the same - a genuine commitment to quality, care, and connection. Being family-run means we can still offer that personal touch and time for people, something we think is becoming increasingly rare in today’s fast-paced world.
What's your favourite thing about what you do & why?
The variety! No two days are ever the same - from welcoming guests and helping them create lasting memories, to nurturing relationships with our wonderful property owners. We also love the freedom to explore new ideas and make things happen quickly; it keeps the business fresh, creative, and true to us.
Tell us more about your family roots & connection to Sidmouth, Devon.
We grew up in Weston, just on the outskirts of Sidmouth, where Sweetcombe began quite literally in our family home - the office was originally in our front room before moving to a barn conversion on the drive! After university and several years working abroad, we both felt the pull back to Devon’s coast and community. Sidmouth has always been home, and now Polly is rediscovering it all over again through the eyes of her two-year-old son, Otto - from rock pooling to countryside adventures.
Do you have a favourite property?
It’s so hard to choose! We’re proud to represent such a wide range of properties, each with its own charm and story. But if we had to pick, Whitley Farm Cottage and Admiral’s Hard hold a special place for us- one rural and the other beach front, but they both capture the character and warmth that Sweetcombe is all about.
What's one piece of business advice you'd give to others?
Trust your gut. It’s easy to get caught up in trends or outside opinions, but staying true to your instincts- and your values- usually leads you in the right direction.
What's been a highlight in your business journey so far?
Honestly, the sheer variety of what we’ve learned and achieved! Running a small business means wearing many hats- from HR and accounts to web design, marketing, and operations. Over the years, we’ve built a fantastic team where everyone has their own area of expertise, from housekeeping and property management to guest relations. That said, there are still plenty of moments where we all muck in - whether that’s putting bins out at a cottage or helping with last-minute guest prep! It’s that mix of teamwork, hands-on effort, and big-picture strategy that makes what we do so rewarding.
What does the next year hold for Sweetcombe Cottage Holidays & the team?
Our motto for the year ahead is to ‘keep it simple’. We want to focus on what truly matters- strengthening our relationships with our team, our property owners, and our guests. By stripping things back and staying true to our values, we can continue to offer that personal, caring service that’s been at the heart of Sweetcombe since day one.
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