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
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.
Surrounded by gorgeous countryside, fantastic walking and cycling routes and just a short drive to beaches such as Croyde, Woolacombe, Saunton and Westward Ho!, a holiday Lower Tallet really does have something for everyone. Located a ten minute drive from Barnstaple, this ground floor apartment sleeps four guests in two ensuite bedrooms and has a hot tub, patio for alfresco dining and wood burning stove for cosy nights in. Enjoy days on the beach, exploring Exmoor National Park or simply sit back and relax in beautiful surroundings.
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.
Rose Cottage is in a quiet location in rural Devon, 12 minutes from Barnstaple and within half an hour of beautiful beaches and Exmoor National Park. It's a charming holiday cottage with space for four people to sleep in two bedrooms (both with ensuite bathrooms) and a layout that suits families, couples and friends. The cottage is dog-friendly and benefits from gorgeous walks and bike rides easily accessible from the door. There's plenty to see and do in all seasons, from sunning yourself on Saunton Sands to climbing to the top of Dunkery Beacon, cycling the Tarka Trail and shopping in Barnstaple's historic Pannier Market.
Modern comforts meet rural charm in this lovely holiday cottage in the North Devon village of Goodleigh. Goodleigh Cottage sleeps six people in three beautifully decorated bedrooms and features an upstairs open-plan living area with a vaulted ceiling and stunning countryside views. It's only ten minutes from Barnstaple and within easy reach of beautiful beaches and Exmoor National Park. The three-bedroom, two-bathroom holiday home sleeps up to six people and is ideal for families, extended families, and friends. Bookings are available all year round, with guests able to enjoy fantastic walks and bike rides from the door.
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.
Whatever your perfect family holiday looks like, Northleigh House is the ideal setting. The beautiful 19th-Century home has lots of original features with six spacious bedrooms that sleep up to twelve people in two cottages, as well as ample living space indoors and out. It's on the edge of Goodleigh village, within walking distance of the New Inn Pub, and only three miles from Barnstaple. The fantastic North Devon coastline, with beaches like Croyde, Westward Ho! and Saunton, are within easy reach, as are favourite attractions such as Exmoor Zoo and The Milky Way.
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.
Magnolia View is a gorgeous 17th Century Grade-II listed holiday cottage which has been sensitively extended and updated to offer very comfortable accommodation for up to eight guests in four bedrooms. The dog-friendly property is within walking distance of the New Inn pub in Goodleigh, just a few miles from Barnstaple and around half an hour from beautiful beaches and the Exmoor National Park. The traditional Devon longhouse is ideal for families as there is plenty of room both inside and out, and always something fun to do nearby, no matter what time of year you stay.
With lots of extra special touches, The Garden Cottage is a wonderful bolt-hole for two available to rent for holidays from early spring through to November. A beautiful scenic countryside setting and convenient location make this an ideal retreat for exploring the many attractions of Devon (including the coast!), Somerset and even Cornwall.
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.
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.
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 couples (one or two) and 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 an 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 20 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.
This period farmhouse is perfect for big or extended families who want a relaxing holiday in North Devon. It is in the small village of Kentisbury, within walking distance of the village shop and pub and right on the border of the Exmoor National Park. Combe Martin, Croyde, Woolacombe and Saunton beaches are only a few miles away, as is the South West Coast Path and the Tarka Trail. There are loads of cycling and footpaths in the area, and the house is close to popular attractions like Barnstaple's pannier markets and the Combe Martine Wildlife and Dinosaur Park. The house has a securely fenced garden, gated driveway and an outdoor hot tub to make it even more appealing.
The Tallet offers the perfect combination of coast and countryside sitting on the edge of Exmoor and within easy reach of Devon's finest beaches. Nestling amongst 60-acres of tranquility where you will see deer and buzzards up above, this fabulous detached and secluded holiday home is just perfect for those looking for something extra special from a holiday. With plenty of space for seven guests, highlights include a large balcony off the master suite (or approached via an external staircase from the ground) for relaxing in the sunshine, outdoor table tennis, fabulous views and an incredibly social living space. It is so good, you may find it hard to tear yourself away and explore the many attractions of Devon on the doorstep.
Thatchers Cottage is one of seven holiday cottages located in extensive grounds close to Barnstaple and picturesque Instow. With excellent on-site facilities including an indoor pool, sauna and two games room, there is plenty to keep adults and children amused, and a host of attractions close by including glorious golden beaches, coastal walks and the Tarka Trail offering miles of traffic free cycling.
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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.
