What do you see when you imagine the West Country? Is it a pretty thatched holiday cottage to rent in Devon with a flowering garden, sandcastles and the seaside, or maybe contented cows chewing lazily in rolling green fields? Perhaps your favourite image of Devon is a pint of locally brewed ale and a roaring pub fire, or maybe you like the idea of getting lost in winding lanes that meander through ancient towns and villages to fishing boats bobbing in the water. Barnstaple has all of this, giving visitors the benefits of a thriving riverside market town and a location close to both the coast and the countryside. Read more
Experience the perfect getaway at Orchard View, a charming holiday cottage in North Devon. This fully accessible and pet-friendly retreat comfortably sleeps four in two stylish double bedrooms, each with an ensuite bathroom. It's great for couples, families and friends due to its layout and proximing to the coast and favourite North Devon attractions. Enjoy a private garden for relaxation and explore the nearby village of Goodleigh with the welcoming New Inn pub and a village shop. Just a short drive to Barnstaple and stunning beaches like Woolacombe, Orchard View is surrounded by beautiful walking and cycling routes, including the Tarka Trail.
The Old Piggery is a beautiful rural holiday home close to Barnstaple and within easy reach of the North Devon coast. You can walk from the cottage to Goodleigh village pub and it sleeps six people and includes level access to the garden and a fully-accessible bedroom and wetroom on the ground floor. It's an excellent choice for a family self-catering holiday as you're within a short drive of beaches, towns, attractions and Exmoor National Park. If you're craving the opportunity to unwind in beautiful surroundings, this lovely barn conversion will not disappoint.
This beautifully presented holiday cottage is in a quiet location next to Exmoor National Park and close to the North Devon coast and beaches like Croyde, Woolacombe, and Broadsands. The Shippon at Park View is in Kentisbury and sleeps four people in two bedrooms with features that include underfloor heating and an outdoor hot tub. It's perfect for couples or families in all seasons as there is a wide choice of sights and attractions within easy reach. Walking, cycling, surfing, and horseriding are all easily accessible.
Just a stone's throw from Exmoor National Park and long sandy beaches, Courtyard Cottage is set in gorgeous North Devon countryside on the outskirts of the market town of Barnstaple. Perfect for walking, cycling or surfing holidays, or simply enjoying some time out in a beautiful setting, this tastefully decorated holiday cottage is an ideal self-catering getaway for couples or small families. Sleeping four guests in two bedrooms with a wood burning stove and underfloor heating it is cosy all year round.
A charming period self-catering property located in the popular village of Braunton in North Devon. Located on an original farmer's estate, Diana's Cottage sits in a beautiful rural setting, yet is walking distance to the village shops, pubs and restaurants. There is a choice of fantastic beaches on your doorstep, or head inland to explore the wild beauty of Exmoor. Sleeping up to five guests in two bedrooms this pretty holiday cottage is perfect for families or couples looking for a seaside break at any time of the year.
Escape to the romance of The Shepherd's Shed, a charming glamping shepherd's hut within walking distance of The Castle Inn and village shop in Landkey, and close to Barnstaple, North Devon beaches and Exmoor National Park. Guests can sleep happily in the cute hut with a double bed and cosy log burner, surrounding themselves with stunning views and a garden that includes an outdoor hot tub and covered barbecue area. The Shepherd's Shed is ideal for a holiday in any season, being warm and welcoming to couples and solo travellers, including those with a dog.
Hen House is a spacious holiday home in a quiet location close to Exmoor National Park and only 10 minutes from Bideford. The dog-friendly, ground-floor property sleeps two people in one bedroom and has superb views from every room except the bathroom. It boasts a big sun deck with sun loungers and an outdoor hot tub, while indoors is kept cosy in winter with a log burner. North Devon beaches like Westward Ho! and Croyde are only half an hour away, and Ilfracombe, Appledore, and Lundy Island are also within easy reach.
Imagine yourself relaxing in an outdoor hot tub with far-reaching views over fields to the Taw and Torridge Estuary, or curling up with a good book or a box set in front of the log burner. Barnstaple, Croyde, Saunton and Woolacombe are all within easy reach, as is the Exmoor National Park and attractions like Marwood Gardens and Exmoor Zoo. The owners of Springfield Linney have transformed a former farm building into a stylish North Devon holiday cottage that sleeps up to four people in two bedrooms and offers a high standard of accommodation for couples, families and friends.
Sitting on the edge of the Exmoor National Park, this beautifully presented holiday cottage is an ideal choice for anyone wanting to explore the North Devon Coastline and its stunning sandy beaches with Combe Martin, Croyde and Woolacombe (amongst others) within easy reach.
Set against a scenic hillside, Barn Cottage offers a charming and tranquil countryside retreat. Offering accommodation for up to six people in three bedrooms, Barn Cottage has access to an onsite swimming pool and sauna as well as the estate's activities.
The charming stone façade of The Old Stables perfectly complements the glorious rolling hills that surround the property, offering unbeatable views from the courtyard garden. The three bedrooms highlight the building’s rich history with original oak beams and timber vaulted ceilings.
Orchard Cottage, set within a beautiful apple orchard, embodies sustainable living and serene comfort. Once an agricultural barn, this restored timber-framed retreat accommodates up to eight guests. Inside, rustic charm meets modern amenities, with rich timber beams, a cozy wood-burning stove, and inviting furnishings.
Mornacott Farmhouse is a beautifully refurbished property in the peaceful Devon countryside, accommodating up to 14 guests. Guests have access to an onsite swimming pool, sauna, games room and sports field, in addition to a network of footpaths which cross the wider estate.
Perfect for couples (one or two) and families, Corner Cottage has two en-suite bedrooms (one on the ground floor) and enjoys the benefits from being nicely tucked away from the other cottages on Corffe Estate, whilst having use of the excellent facilities including an indoor pool and tennis. Sitting on the outskirts of the Devon village of Tawstock, Barnstaple is a short car ride away and the glorious beaches of Woolacombe, Ilfracombe, Croyde and Westward Ho! are within easy reach, as is Exmoor National Park. The perfect self-catering retreat for a relaxing holiday in North Devon with an abundance of attractions within easy reach and excellent amenities on the doorstep.
Perfect for families, this welcoming self-catering retreat sleeps up to six guests in three bedrooms (the twin en-suite room is accessed off the double, plus there is a separate double bedroom) and is perfectly placed on Corffe Estate in a tranquil setting in North Devon. Guests have the use of excellent on-site facilities including a fabulous indoor pool, tennis court, five acres of grounds (including play areas for children) and a hot tub - all the right ingredients for the perfect holiday! Exmoor National Park and popular beaches are within easy driving distance including Woolacombe, Ilfracombe, Croyde and Westward Ho!
Sleeping up to ten guests, Number Six Corffe Cottages is perfect for friends or families who want to relax and unwind holidaying in North Devon. Located on the outskirts of Tawstock, the cottage is one of a collection of luxury holiday homes sitting on the Corffe Estate just a short drive from Barnstaple with excellent on-site facilities including a shared heated indoor pool, all weather tennis court and five acres of grounds. Within easy driving distance of the glorious beaches of Woolacombe, Ilfracombe, Croyde and Westward Ho!, along with Exmoor's stunning national park, you can be as lazy or active as you wish on your holiday at Corffe.
Just outside Tawstock and a short drive from Barnstaple, Corffe is a wonderful estate with nine holiday cottages and a magnificent Georgian country house which sleeps up to 22 people. Corffe House can be rented on its own or together with some or all of the cottages to accommodate larger parties for events like weddings. With beaches like Woolacombe, Ilfracombe, Croyde and Westward Ho! as well as the Exmoor National Park nearby, a holiday at Corffe is one of endless fun. The grounds have an all-weather tennis court and adventure play area, and there is also an indoor swimming pool and spa bath. Corffe House also has a cinema room with pool table for relaxed evenings watching films or challenging your friends and family to a game. Whether you're there for a long weekend to celebrate an occasion with your extended family and friends, or sneaking away for a romantic week in the beautiful North Devon countryside, Corffe has the perfect self-catering property for you.
Beautifully presented, this stylish barn conversion provides contemporary holiday accommodation and sits on the edge of the Exmoor National Park in the village of Goodleigh. Within easy reach of Barnstaple, Devon's stunning coastline and the areas many attractions.
Wootton Lodge is a newly refurbished holiday home found down a private lane with EV charging and a unique Tree House balcony in the large fully enclosed garden. Explore Wootton Manors 90 acres of fields and woodland with woodland walks and bike rides from the door. It sleeps eight people in four bedrooms and is ideal for families or friends planning a self-catering holiday in Devon. Nearby are great beaches and beautiful Exmoor. Alternatively you could easily spend your holiday sleeping late, lazing around the house and garden, walking through woodland and meadows, and enjoying having time together with the people you love.
A spacious luxurious large holiday home sitting on a private estate in the very heart of the beautiful rolling countryside of North Devon. Located near to Barnstaple and within easy driving distance of the coast, this is a superb retreat for large groups of friends and family who want to spend time together or celebrate a special occasion.
Popular towns in and around Devon:
AppledoreAxminsterAxmouthAylesbeareBabbacombeBamptonBarnstapleBeaworthyBeerBere AlstonBickingtonBidefordBlackdown HillsBradworthyBranscombeBratton FlemingBrauntonBrendonBridfordBrixhamBroadclystBroadwoodwidgerBuckfastleighBudeCadburyChagfordChallacombeChudleighChulmleighChumleighClayhidonClyst St LawrenceColytonCombe MartinCombe RaleighCreditonCroydeCullomptonDalwoodDartmoorDartmouthDawlishDevonDittishamDrewsteigntonDulvertonDunsterExeterExmoor National ParkExmouthGreat TorringtonHartlandHolsworthyHonitonHope CoveIlfracombeKingsbridgeLiftonLydfordLynmouthLyntonMaidencombeMemburyMineheadMoretonhampsteadMortehoeNewton AbbotNewton AbbottNoss MayoOakhamptonOkehamptonOkehampton HamletsPaigntonParkhamPlymouthPonsworthyPorlockPrincetownSalcombeSauntonSeatonShaldonSidmouthSimonsbathSlaptonSouth HamsSouth MoltonTavistockTeignmouthThrowleighThurlestoneTivertonTopshamTorbayTorcrossTorquayTotnesUmberleighUpotteryWelcombeWestward HoWidecombe in the MoorWinkleighWoolacombeWoolacombe BayYealmptonSome local suggestions:
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Barnstaple has everything on the doorstep. Self-catering holidays are simple thanks to the excellent array of shops and places to buy local produce to prepare yourself, as well as quality cafes, pubs and restaurants who serve seasonal menus for those meals when you want a break from cooking. There has been a market on the site of the famous Barnstaple Pannier Market since Saxon times, making the present early-Victorian building seem almost modern in comparison!
While in Barnstaple you can visit the Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon, Exmoor Zoo, and the beautiful gardens and magnificent collections at Arlington Court and the National Trust Carriage Museum. Other local attractions include the Cobbaton Combat Collection, Lynton and Barnstaple Railway, Hartland Abbey & Gardens, and Castle Hill Gardens.
Being one of the biggest towns in Devon, there is usually something interesting happening in terms of culture and music. Barnstaple is home to The Factory, one of the largest music venues in the county, and the town’s pubs frequently have live music on over the weekends.
Many visitors to Barnstaple come not only for the fun of the town but also for the beauty of the natural landscape. There is a beach for everyone nearby, whether you want to build sandcastles, surf and kiteboard, escape the summer crowds, or settle back in a deck chair to admire a fantastic view. Beaches close to Barnstaple include Combe Martin, Hele Bay, Instow, Lee Bay and Tunnels.
Exploring is simple thanks to wonderful waymarked trails that include the South West Coast Footpath and the Tarka Trail, the latter of which can be used by both cyclists and walkers. Cross the River Taw from Barnstaple to Tawstock along the medieval Grade I listed Long Bridge and climb Codden Hill for views that will take your breath away, or head inland to Exmoor National Park and lose yourself in the wonder of its big sky views. Slightly further afield but still well within easy reach for a day out are places like Clovelly, Minehead, Dunster Castle, Combe Martin, Bude and Tintagel.
Whether your idea of excitement is walking across beautiful terrain from sunrise to sunset, finding the best country pub and your favourite Devonshire ale, strolling through elegant gardens and magnificent country houses, celebrating music and culture, or finding new and exciting ways to get your adrenaline rush, you can make your holiday dreams a reality.
