DEvoN'S rIvEr CoUNtrY - Helpful Holidays

. . . 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
Sleeps 6 Bedrooms 3
Friday Bathrooms 2
Price:
GG
CH
WB
T
HC
O
SHORT
BREAKS
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.
★★★★
Ref: J149
Sleeps 9 Bedrooms 4
Saturday Bathrooms 4
Price:
S
CH
WB
OF
D
2HC
O
SHORT
BREAKS
★★★
Ref: J152
Sleeps 6 Bedrooms 3
Saturday Bathrooms 2
Price:
E
CH
WB
T
HC
O
SHORT
BREAKS
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
43