DEvoN'S rIvEr CoUNtrY - Helpful Holidays

DEVON’S RIVER COUNTRY 

Grand Western Canal 

Raddon Hill 

Devon’s River Country: Devon’s middle. This is farmers’ Devon. 

You come here to be amongst them: to walk and admire their 

beautiful, rich-soiled, hilly and wooded farmland and enjoy their excellent, 

proper pubs in usually hill-top, compact, unspoilt villages; and to fish for 

trout and perhaps salmon in the deep wooded and very beautiful valleys 

of the rivers Torridge, Taw, Tamar and Exe especially and for trout in 

reservoirs. Great, magnetic views of Dartmoor and Exmoor from most 

hill-tops, and it’s an easy drive to both. But don’t think a daily trip to the 

sea will be a doddle. Tiverton is the main town (you can go barging 

on its canal); Crediton, in its red-soil vale, Torrington, where glass is 

blown, and South Molton are the others. All have proper, individual, 

useful, and, in some cases unusual, shops, for the locals firstly. Cider is 

made at Winkleigh, and it’s a good place for lunch. Hatherleigh is good 

for several things, including its market. 

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Bickleigh 

Enquiries and bookings: 01647 433593, Mon-Thu 9am-9pm; Fri 9am-7.30pm; Sat 9am-5pm 

More photos, real-time availability and online booking: www.helpfulholidays.com

. . . a star-gazing haven . . . . . . bluebell woods to roam DEvoN’S rIvEr CoUNtrY 

Weare Giffard: village (pub, church, recreation ground with 

summer cricket and music events) on the banks of the river 

Torridge (fishing, birdwatching, Tarka Trail), surrounded by 

lush rolling farmland. Torrington (see below), 3½ miles; RHS 

Rosemoor Gardens, 4 miles. Bicycle/kayak hire in the port town 

of Bideford, 4 miles, and the sea at Westward Ho!, 6 miles. 

… 1½ miles from Weare Giffard, in a tranquil location on a bank of 

the river Torridge (a wildlife and star-gazing haven; owls, herons, 

egrets seen along the tidal shore), is this beautifully and carefully 

converted cottage, once a barn, neatly tucked behind and alongside 

the original farmhouse. Outside, private suntrap patio area and 

landscaped lawned garden (a great vantage spot for appreciating the 

celestial show); sheep in adjoining field. 

Inside, converted with a huge amount of love and attention to detail and 

beautifully finished. Door from patio to spacious kitchen/ 

dining room (dishwasher, washing machine, microwave, 

freezer) with granite worktops, tiled floor, dining table 

perfect for entertaining and, alongside huge windows, 

comfy seating for reading and dreaming. Two bedrooms – a 

double (zip-linked 6’ bed or twin), and a twin (zip-linkable 

to 6’ double); shower-room (wet-room suite) and very smart 

bathroom (suite with separate shower). Open tread stairs up 

to wonderful living room with beams to apex, woodburner, 

TV/DVD/Blu-ray and fantastic view from a huge window 

to the estuary and farmland beyond. Also on this level, a 

double bedroom and neatly fitted shower-room (suite). A 

fantastic, luxurious base in a great area for discovering 

the best of north Devon’s coast and country. 

Roborough: ancient village (church, pub, some fine cottages) deep in lush 

rolling farmland, 5 miles south-east of Torrington (see below left). RHS 

Rosemoor Gardens, 3½ miles. Nearest beach at Westward Ho!, 12 miles. 

Exmoor, 14 miles. 

… a mile from Roborough is an elegant, detached, single-storey cottage, recently 

converted from the cart shed and cow byre of a 16th cent., Grade II listed manor 

house. All is surrounded by sheep-grazed paddocks and 24 acres of bluebell woods 

which you are welcome to roam. To the front, a small, enclosed area with table/chairs. 

Large living room with woodburner, TV/DVD, lofty exposed roof trusses and serene 

views to the woods; kitchen at the far end (washing machine, microwave) with 

multi-fuel range (logs included) running radiators with clothes-airer over. From the 

living room, linked by a sunny glazed lobby, double bedroom with 5’ bed and view 

of woods; beautiful bathroom (suite plus bath-shower). No children. Very private, 

tranquil and relaxing. 

★★★★½ 

Ref: J25 

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Torrington: ancient small town above the river 

Torridge (fishing). Dartington Crystal factory (tours, 

glass-blowing). Just out of town are RHS Rosemoor 

Gardens and bicycle hire for the Tarka Trail to Bideford 

(Elizabethan port) and sea/sand at Instow, 10 miles. 

Golf and huge beach at Westward Ho!, and Appledore 

(see page 33), 10 miles. Dartmoor, 20. 

... about 3 miles south of Torrington, a pretty, south-facing, 

detached, thatched, Grade II listed cottage, sheltered in a 

wooded river valley (very private); 50 yards away is a stream 

and the Tarka Trail (30 miles of disused railway to walk/cycle) - a 

particularly lovely stretch of it. Majestic beech trees shelter the 

cottage and owls. To its front, a little cobbled garden (bench); to 

one side, terrace (table/chairs) and 6 steps up to a wild, sloping 

woodland garden and orchard - great for older children. 

Tiny porch for boots/coats; stable doors to living/dining/kitchen 

(dishwasher, microwave, fridge-freezer, 3-burner electric 

cooker) with big inglenook (woodburner), original beams, 

window seat with views of garden and woods, comfy chairs 

(no sofa), rocking chair, TV/DVD; small bathroom (bath, 

bath-shower, washbasin); separate loo/washbasin (washing 

machine, spin drier). Steep stairs up to three bedrooms – 

two double, one with washbasin, and a single with limited 

clothes-hanging space, all with wood floors/rugs (low beams 

in single and one double). Shed (lockable) for bicycles. Sweet 

little cottage in a beautiful valley with plenty of space for 

energetic older children, but not suitable for elderly people 

or children under 4. 

Kingscott: hamlet of some fine houses and cottages, deep in wooded lanes and lush rolling farmland. 

Torrington (see left), about 3 miles. The coast and beaches of north Devon, 14 miles. 

… in Kingscott, attached to Kingscott House (a thatched Georgian rectory), is the single-storey Garden Cottage with long 

and lovely serene rural views to Dartmoor. There are 2½ acres of mature garden over which you are welcome to roam and, 

beyond, wooded farmland. To the front, a patio (table/chairs). 

Inside, elegant, stylish and extremely comfortable. Glazed doors from patio into living/dining room (TV/DVD, piano); smart 

fitted kitchen (washer-drier, microwave); double doors from the living room into pretty double bedroom (5’ bed) with walk-in 

wardrobe; shower-room (suite). No children, except pre-crawling babies. 

★★★½ 

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Prices: pages 217 and 218 Symbols guide: page 208 Important points to note: page 215 Booking form: page 211 Electricity, heating, bed linen and duvets included unless stated otherwise 

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DEvoN’S rIvEr CoUNtrY: Nethercott 

Iddesleigh: little mainly thatched village (famous and excellent good food pub) in wooded farmland about 3½ 

miles from Hatherleigh (lively and attractive small farming town with good pubs and market). Lots of footpaths 

(including the Tarka Trail) round about. River Torridge (fishing), 1½ miles away; the sea at Bude (see page 

172), about 27 miles. 

... Farms for City Children is a well-known charity established by children’s writer, Michael Morpurgo, 36 years ago (it has 

been Helpful Holidays’ chosen charity for four years). Whilst very full during term time, its house is available to holidaymakers in 

the school holidays. Nethercott is a big Victorian house with substantial south-facing lawns, views to Dartmoor and gardens 

with easy access to the Okement and Torridge rivers and the Tarka Trail. At the back, a cobbled courtyard, stables and farm 

buildings, and large, productive walled vegetable garden – fresh veg and fruit in season can be selected and will be picked for 

you to order. 

The accommodation is basic, the house huge and spacious. 

At the back, overlooking the courtyard and stables: 

Langlands – twin room with en suite shower-room (suite) 

Okement – twin room 

Paradise – twin room 

Three shower-rooms (suites) 

Stairs up to the second floor: the whole of the top floor with, of course, the best views – the art/workroom – a bright modern 

room, pine floor, plenty of light and, leading off it, a double bedroom. Loo (washbasin) on landing. 

So that’s nine bedrooms, four shower-rooms, two bathrooms, four separate loos. No TV. Damages Deposit £300. This 

is a great place for large family gatherings and celebrations. Arrival after 4pm. 

Ground floor: large Victorian tiled hall, off which a quiet 

room; downstairs loo; bay-windowed living room with 

woodburner; large, wooden-floored, part-panelled, baywindowed 

dining room with plenty of tables/chairs; kitchen 

with 4-door Aga, electric cooker, microwave; pantry with 

slate shelves, worktops, freezers, storage space; side door 

to courtyard and back stairs to first/second floor; games 

room - formerly the ‘carriage house’ - with table tennis and 

table football; boot room; utility room outside with three 

washing machines. Back door to walled garden. 

Fine formal oak staircase to first floor and eight bedrooms 

(bunk beds are 2’6”): 

Burrow – four bunk beds with en suite bathroom (suite) 

Bridgetown – three bunk beds 

Parsonage – four bunk beds with en suite bathroom (suite) 

Torridge – four bunk beds 

Candlelight – five bunk beds 

All these five bedrooms have lovely views over the garden 

and fields as far as Dartmoor. 

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Enquiries and bookings: 01647 433593, Mon-thu 9am-9pm; Fri 9am-7.30pm; Sat 9am-5pm 


. . . lots to explore . . . . . . lake for watersports DEvoN’S rIvEr CoUNtrY 

… and on an ancient, Domesday-mentioned farm (owned and worked by the same 

family for fifteen generations) and a stone’s throw from Roadford Lake (400 yards 

from a bird hide and fabulous for walkers) is this attractive cottage, carefully converted 

from a barn. To the front, a patio (table/chairs), and enclosed, mainly lawned garden 

(barbecue area) with great long views over the surrounding countryside and lots of 

birds (lovely birdsong). Great for night sky watching. 

Roadford Lake: spectacular 730-acre reservoir and country park in beautiful, sparsely populated farmland. 

Big watersports centre: boats, kayaks and windsurf boards for hire (courses/instruction available); trout fishing; 

archery, high ropes, climbing wall. Visitors’ centre/café from which various walks (good birdwatching; disabled 

facilities), 3 miles; birdwatching hides, 1. Germansweek (church), 1 mile; shops and pubs, 5. The sea/beaches 

of north Cornwall (Bude, Boscastle, see pages 172 and 173), 20. 

... near the top end of Roadford Lake and at the end of a no through lane is this brilliantly renovated, mainly 17th cent. 

farmhouse. Set back and up a slope from the lane, so lovely views from all front windows. Lots of wildlife and lambs often 

(spring/summer) can be seen in surrounding fields. In front, superb large patio/terrace with flower tubs/hanging baskets, at the 

back much lawn space with ancient oak. A wing of the house is devoted to an indoor heated swimming pool (21’ x 10’ x 3’ to 

5’6” deep) with first floor viewing gallery, huge arched glazed doorway to second patio. Adjacent games/exercise room with 

sauna, rowing and cycling machines, pool table, table tennis, darts, shower and loo. 

Inside, nicely fitted with oak floors and local photos, all done to a high standard. Goodsized 

living/dining room (woodburner, TV/DVD) with leather sofas. Smart fitted kitchen 

(dishwasher, washing-machine, microwave, fridge-freezer, Belfast sink) with door to 

patio. Downstairs loo (washbasin). Upstairs, three bedrooms – a large double with en 

suite shower-room (suite, double shower), another double, and a twin with one bed under 

the eaves (reduced head height, best for children). Smart bathroom (suite with separate 

double shower). A really comfortable, friendly base in this lovely, timeless area; 

easily accessible with lots to explore within a half hour drive. 

★★★★ 

Ref: J24 



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Inside, the house is beautifully decorated and furnished, light and sunny: ceilings beamed, but not low; all slate floors/rugs 

downstairs. Entrance (stable doors) from the terrace to small hall; living/dining room with marvellous inglenook open fireplace, 

window seat, TV/DVD and French windows to patio (table/chairs); reading room (woodburner in ancient fireplace, window 

seat); excellent, bright, modern kitchen (dishwasher, washer-drier, microwave, fridge-freezer, double oven/halogen hob, 

pine table) with back door to garden and stairs (stairgate) down to the pool, sauna, etc; twin bedroom with door to pool 

viewing gallery and en suite bathroom (suite plus hand-shower); another downstairs loo (washbasin). Upstairs (stairgate), 

three bedrooms – a double plus single bed with ceiling open to the rafters and en suite bathroom (suite with separate shower), 

a double with en suite shower-room (suite), and a twin with en suite bathroom (suite plus hand-shower), both latter with wood 

floors/rugs. All have views of the lake and far beyond. 

This is a very high quality place in a very peaceful and beautiful setting. 

Petrockstowe: little far-from-beaten-track village 

(pub) in farmland a mile from the Tarka Trail. 

River Torridge (fishing), 2 miles; Fishleigh Estate 

(location of original ‘Springwatch’ series), 3 

miles; Sheepwash (famous fishermen’s pub), 3; 

Hatherleigh (market town), 4; Dartmoor, 11; sea/ 

beaches at Westward Ho! or Instow, about 15, 

or surfing at Bude (see page 172), 20. 

... in Petrockstowe, beside a no through lane close to the village centre and next to the church (chimes), a delightful, 300-yearold, 

detached, thatched cottage called Monks. Sunken suntrap patio with steps up to unfenced raised lawn (toddlers take 

care) with barbecue; shed for bicycles/surfboards. Elderly bicycles can be borrowed, but please mend punctures. Children’s 

playground, 100 yards. 

Well-equipped kitchen/dining room (dishwasher, washing machine, microwave, fridge-freezer); living room with exposed 

beams, inglenook fireplace (woodburner) with bread oven, TV/DVD, MP3 speaker system; lobby with tumble drier; downstairs 

bathroom (suite plus hand-shower, 6’ ceiling). Stairs from the living room up to three bedrooms – a pretty double with en suite 

shower-room (suite), a small bunk room (3’ beds), and one with two single beds. A light, welcoming cottage. 

★★★★ 

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DEvoN’S rIvEr CoUNtrY: walk the meadows . . . 

. . . and hear the elusive nightjar 

Combebow: hamlet in a wooded valley just 

north-west of Dartmoor. Bridestowe (pub, 

shop, church), 2 miles; Lewdown (see right), 

3 miles. Lydford (see page 135) and the open 

moor, 5 miles. Okehampton (small town, golf, 

tennis, indoor swimming pool, cinema), 8 miles. 

Launceston, 10 miles. Good base for touring 

Devon and Cornwall (easy access to A30). 

… in Combebow, a very private, detached little house (originally used for storing and bottling honey) in 54 acres of meadows 

and bluebell woods through which you are welcome to walk, with the river Lew tumbling past (private fishing). Also in the 

grounds are the owners’ house and a 12th cent. mill, registered with English Heritage - all the original machinery is still there. 

To its front, an enclosed garden, well-tended and much loved, with terrace (table/chairs, barbecue), wisteria arbour and willow 

‘igloo’, serene wooded views and abundant bird life. 

Inside, neat, modern and very well done with terracotta flooring in an open-plan living (TV/DVD)/dining/fitted kitchen 

(dishwasher, washer-drier, microwave, fridge-freezer); attractive downstairs bathroom (suite plus bath-shower). Open tread 

stairs up to two bedrooms – a double and a twin, both with Velux windows and sloping ceilings. An oasis of tranquillity. 

★★★½ 

Ref: J140 



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Lewdown: village (PO/shop, pub) in woodedvalley 

farmland: very peaceful with wonderful 

views of Dartmoor (6 miles). Lewtrenchard (hotel/ 

restaurant), ⅓ mile. Dramatic Lydford Gorge, 6 

miles. Launceston (shops, leisure centre), 7 miles; 

north coast, about 25 (good road). Roadford Lake 

(see page 43), 3. Easy access to Two Moors Way 

(walking) and Dingles Steam Village (seasonal). 

… a mile from the centre of Lewdown is this ‘chocolate box’ pretty, detached and thatched little cottage on the 750 acre 

Lewtrenchard estate. The cottage nestles behind a high hedge down a tranquil no through lane in the wooded Lewtrenchard 

valley. It overlooks its lovely garden (bench, table/chairs) and the valley of the river Lew which is close by. The renowned 

Lewtrenchard Manor Hotel (fine restaurant) is within easy walking distance. 

A little entrance porch leads into the beamed living room (open fire, TV/DVD), off which is the dining room. Also downstairs, a 

modern Shaker-style fitted kitchen (dishwasher, washer-drier, microwave), and bathroom (suite plus bath-shower). Upstairs, 

two bedrooms – a double (5’ bed) accessed through a twin - and loo (washbasin) with sloping ceiling. Some low beams and 

doorways. Shed for bicycle storage. No children under 5, except pre-crawling babies. A magical cottage in a peaceful 

location with lovely walks from the doorstep. 

★★★½ 

Ref: J101 



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… also in Combebow, on the road that runs through it, a superb conversion of a detached, single-storey ‘olde’ smithy, very 

smart and hugely convenient for touring Devon and Cornwall. At the back, a large, very private, mostly lawned, enclosed garden 

with patio (table/chairs, barbecue) and you are welcome to walk the owners’ 30 acres of bluebell woods with 12th cent. mill (see 

J140, above). 

The floors throughout the smithy are oak-effect. From the garden, steps and wheelchair access lead to stable doors to smart 

fitted kitchen (dishwasher, washer-drier, microwave, fridge-freezer), opening into spacious, light, stylish living/dining room 

with TV/DVD, soft leather sofas, French windows to garden, and woodburner where once the smithy’s furnace stood. Two 

pretty bedrooms – a double with en suite shower-room (suite), and a twin; bathroom (suite with whirlpool bath plus bathshower); 

both bathrooms are fully tiled with porcelain. Excellent place. 

Gulworthy: hamlet (Horn of Plenty restaurant), 3 miles west of Tavistock (see page 139), deep in an Area of 

Outstanding Natural Beauty, just on the Devon side of the river Tamar (canoe expeditions). Nat.Trust Cotehele 

House and Buckland Abbey, 4 and 6 miles. Plymouth with its shops, theatres, Nat. Marine Aquarium and 

historic Barbican, 11 miles. 

… about a mile from Gulworthy, set in 2 acres of Nat. Heritage Site woodland, a totally private, secluded little detached singlestorey 

house surrounded by a woodland garden (table/chairs, barbecue, 3 steps) – a fantastic spot for those seeking complete 

calm and oneness with the natural environment. The distinctive call of the elusive nightjar can be heard here, and don’t be surprised 

by deer walking through the garden. Once a drying house for miners’ working clothes, now an immaculate cosy cottage. 

From the garden, 3 shallow steps to door into living/dining/fitted kitchen (washer-drier, microwave) with inglenook (woodburner 

– logs included), TV/DVD and exposed high ceiling beams, through to roomy double bedroom (6’ zip-linked bed) with en suite 

shower-room (suite). Miles of woodland walking trails from your doorstep (maps provided). No children. Brilliant, romantic, 

chill-out place. 

★★★★½ 

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. . . pretty Sampford Courtenay . . . . . . for countryside or city DEvoN’S rIvEr CoUNtrY 

Sampford Courtenay: one of the prettiest villages in 

the middle of Devon with lots of thatched cottages, 

masses of flowers, fine church and good pub. Coarse 

fishing, 1½ miles. Dartmoor and Okehampton (small 

town, golf, tennis), 6 miles. Exeter, about 20; the sea 

(Bude, splendid beaches, see page 172), 28. 

… 1¼ miles from Sampford Courtenay and the pub (last 

½ mile farm track) and 4 miles from Okehampton, a large 

‘upside-down’ thatched detached cottage, renovated with 

care and attention to detail and made beautiful. Glorious, 

panoramic views to Dartmoor over the owners’ 205 wooded 

acres (walks in fields and woods); lots of wildlife (deer 

frequently seen). You have exclusive use of the indoor heated 

swimming pool (max. 28’ x 18’ x 4’ deep, closed Christmas 

and New Year period), about 50 yards away. Paddocks and 

covered yard available for horses, by arrangement. 

Steps up from lawned garden with shallow water feature. Lofty, 

beamed, open-plan living/dining/fitted kitchen (dishwasher, 

microwave, gas hob/electric oven) with woodburner, comfy 

sofas/chairs, TV/DVD and French windows to huge decked 

terrace (table/chairs, barbecue) – just right for sunbathing or 

outdoor meals. Loo (washbasin). Stairs (stairgates) down to 

three bedrooms – 2 steps up to master double (6’ zip-linked, 

6’6” long) with en suite bathroom (suite plus bath-shower), 

double with en suite bathroom (suite plus bath-shower), and a 

twin with en suite shower-room (suite with double shower tray). 

External access to laundry room (washing machine, tumble 

drier, fridge-freezer). An exceptional property. 

… right in the middle of Sampford Courtenay, a pretty, 17th cent., thatched, detached cottage within 350 yards of the pub. 

At the back, a well established secluded garden on two levels, with a few steps between the levels, bench, patio (table/chairs, 

barbecue) and little summer house. 

Inside, full of old beams, uneven walls and a great deal of charm. Front door to hall (coats/boots), open living/dining room with 

small step between the two areas, flagstone/slate floor with rugs, some lovely pieces of old furniture and huge granite inglenook 

(woodburner), TV/DVD/video, door to porch and garden; downstairs single bedroom with en suite bathroom (suite); kitchen 

with fitted handcrafted cupboards, butler sink, microwave, quarry tile floor. From kitchen, door to steepish stairs up to landing 

with lovely original uneven oak floorboards and two pretty bedrooms, both double, one with 5’4” door lintel; shower-room (suite), 

and a room with desk and a lot of wardrobe space serving both bedrooms – all upstairs rooms have some sloping ceiling area. 

Outhouse with washer-drier, additional fridge. A comfy cottage, central for moors, coast, touring. 

★★★½ 

Ref: J13 



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Tedburn St Mary: village (church, two pubs, PO/shop) dating 

back to the Domesday Book, in rolling countryside. Golf 

course/hotel. Very easy access to A30. Extremely convenient, 

central Devon location. Dartmoor (wonderful walking), 3 

miles. Exeter (shops, restaurants, cinemas, theatre, leisure 

centres), 7 miles. Castle Drogo (Nat.Trust), 6. South coast 

(Starcross), 18. Easy drive to Cornwall (32 miles). 

... 1½ miles east of Tedburn St Mary, amidst rolling fields and 

farmland, this converted milking parlour is now a smart and stylish 

cottage, attached to (but with privacy from) the 16th cent. farmhouse 

where the friendly owners and their young family live. Slate courtyard 

at the front and more or less exclusive (and considerate) use of an 

adjoining, flower-filled, lawned area of the garden (bench, table/chairs, 

barbecue) next to the farmhouse; also, off the drive, an enclosed 

orchard which you are free to roam (shared with owners, their two 

friendly dogs and several free-range chickens). 

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Long gravelled drive to gate into courtyard. Stable doors into open-plan 

living/dining/kitchen with oak floors (rugs) and handcrafted wooden 

interior, woodburner, TV/DVD and small, well-equipped kitchen area 

(slimline dishwasher, microwave, washing machine). Downstairs 

loo (washbasin). Upstairs, clever layout with two bedrooms – a roomy 

double (5’ locally handcrafted wooden bed, TV/DVD), high-ceilinged 

with Velux window and nicely retained roof timbers, and a smart twin 

– both with own door off landing, plus lockable interconnecting door. 

Bathroom (suite plus bath-power-shower). Ready meals and farm/local 

produce (seasonal) available. Stylish, comfortable and everything 

thought of. Great base for countryside or city. 

★★★½ 

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DEvoN’S rIvEr CoUNtrY: absolutely your own place . . . . . . rich meadows and wooded hedgerows 

Cheriton Bishop: village (shop, pub, church) in rolling farmland 11 miles west of Exeter. Dartmoor, 5 miles. 

Sea/sandy beaches at Exmouth (see page 62), Dawlish or Teignmouth (see page 65), 21 miles. 

… in a most beautiful situation, alone in the middle of a 300 acre farm (yours to wander) on a hillside of trees and fields above 

a deep wooded stream-valley with lakes 1½ miles north of Cheriton Bishop, is this excellently built, c1904 stone lodge. 

Marvellous long views from most of its windows over the valley, woods and a patchwork of fields to Dartmoor hills, and 

extremely peaceful. Own private lane to it. Farm buildings hidden 200 yards away; nearest other house, 400 yards. Foxes, 

badgers about; kingfishers seen. Rough/game shooting, by arrangement. 

Lawn (enclosed) with roses surrounds it; patio (table/chairs). Inside, much comfort, some lovely furniture. Porch; parquet-floored 

hall; comfortable living room (woodburner, TV/Sky/DVD/video) with hunting prints; dining room with Sheraton table, chairs; 

very good, big, slate-floored fitted kitchen (slimline dishwasher, washing machine, microwave, fridge-freezer) with big pine 

table, oak units, bar/stools looking to garden/view; downstairs single bedroom/sunroom (also sofa bed) with en suite showerroom 

(wet-room suite) suitable for wheelchair users, TV/DVD and doors to patio. Upstairs (stairgate), two good-sized bedrooms, 

both with lovely views – a double (5’ bed) with en suite bathroom (suite plus hand-shower), and a twin – and bathroom (suite). 

Absolutely its own and your own place. 

Crediton: ancient, busy, purposeful farmers’ small town (good shops) in a beautiful rich red-soil vale. On the 

railway. Exeter and the Dartmoor National Park, both about 8 miles. The sea/beaches at Exmouth (see page 

62), about 20 miles. 

… 1½ miles from Crediton, perched up looking out over seemingly endless rich meadows and wooded hedgerows, a gorgeous, 

Grade II listed, thatched, detached house with 16th cent. origins. At the back, sheltered patio (table/chairs, lighting), steps/ 

gate up to enclosed lawn and, at the front, a rough field for energetic ball games. There are three houses nearby. 

A great deal of time and energy has been spent recently (2011) transforming the house into a smart, stylish retreat from 

mainstream hustle and bustle. Entrance from back porch to large fitted kitchen (dishwasher, washing machine, microwave, 

fridge-freezer, electric range cooker) with table/chairs and glazed doors to garden; low lintel (5’9”) to big living room with huge 

inglenook (woodburner), TV/DVD and iPod dock; original hall (5’8” lintel) with ancient panelling, old front door and big games 

cupboard; stairs up to four bedrooms – two double (5’ beds), one with en suite shower-room (suite), and two twin, one with 2 

small steps down to it; bathroom (suite with separate shower). Ground floor loo (washbasin). Terrific house in a beautiful spot. 

★★★½ 

Ref: J144 

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★★★★½ 

Ref: J27 



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Rashleighayes 

DEvoN’S rIvEr CoUNtrY 

Bickleigh: thatched village (two riverside pubs), 3 miles 

south of Tiverton (good shops, canal barging, indoor 

swimming pool, sports centre, riding stables). Fishing 

(trout, salmon). M5, 11 miles; Exeter, 12. Dartmoor 

and Exmoor, about 15 miles; north Devon beaches 

(Woolacombe, see page 31) or south coast (Exmouth, 

see page 62, and Budleigh Salterton), about 21 miles. 

Upstairs: oak stairs from the hall to wide landing off which four bedrooms – splendid master double (5’ brass bed) with sofa, 

three large windows and en suite bathroom (suite plus hand-shower, big Victorian ball-and-claw footed bath), another double 

with en suite bathroom (suite plus separate shower), and a twin. All these have garden/valley views. Also a double (sleigh bed) 

facing the front, with jolly red bathroom next door (suite plus hand-shower). From the landing, cast iron Victorian spiral staircase 

up to two big children’s bedrooms with Velux windows – one huge with four single beds, one with three singles; bathroom (suite 

plus separate shower). Also a folding bed available. 

Professional catering and ready meals by arrangement. Damages Deposit £400. Arrival after 4pm. 

... here, 1½ miles from Bickleigh Bridge, is a house of 

tremendous charm. Half a mile of private drive descends 

steeply, giving thrilling views of the house/farm/buildings below. 

The original 17th cent. house has been sympathetically extended; 

gravelled forecourt, sheltered, south-facing patio and enclosed 

lawned garden (rare and lovely clematis) at the back (barbecue) 

leading to safely walled heated outdoor swimming pool (38’ x 

18’ x 6’6” to 3’ deep, available 4 May to 21 September). The 150 

acre working farm is home to a herd of rare White Park cattle (less 

than 500 in the world). The owner (farmer and environmentalist) 

is pleased to show you round the farm which has a Devon Wildlife 

Trust Silver Award and won Highly Commended in the 2008 

‘Britain’s Most Beautiful Farm’ awards. 

Inside, the house is full of light, fun, interest, comfort, welldecorated; 

a home. Front door to hall; big comfortable living room 

with open fireplace (logs included), rugs, interesting pictures, 

TV/DVD, two big windows (seats) and half-glazed door to garden. 

Next door, enormous, width-of-house/hub-of-house, delightful 

kitchen/dining room (27’ x 27’) with five big windows, dining table 

seating 16 plus kitchen table, huge mantelpiece with plates, two 

old pine dressers, two Belfast sinks, oil-fired Aga, electric oven/ 

four-burner halogen hob, larder fridge, door to patio (table/chairs, 

barbecue); two walk-in slate-shelved larders with dishwasher, 

microwave, freezer. Off the hall, cloakroom (loo/washbasin, 

washing machine, tumble drier); and, down a few steps, 

contemporary cinema room (45’ x 15’) with 10’ home-cinema/TV 

screen with digital projector, Sky/DVD, baby grand piano (tuned), 

half-sized snooker table, five comfy sofas and window seats - a 

fantastic room for all the family. 

★★★★½ 

Ref: J502 

Sleeps 15/16 Bedrooms 6 


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DEvoN'S rIvEr CoUNtrY - Helpful Holidays

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