NORTH DEVON - Helpful Holidays

. . . enchanting gardens . . . . . . birdwatching quay
NORTH DEVON
Swimbridge: valley-village with spired church, pub,
PO, 4 miles from Barnstaple (North Devon's 'capital'
on the estuary of the River Taw - birdwatching, good
shops, restaurants) and about 6 miles from Exmoor.
Splendid sandy beaches at Saunton (superb golf,
surfing, dunes) or Instow (Tarka Trail biking, lovely
cricket ground), 10 miles, or, slightly further,
Woolacombe, Croyde (see page 34).
... about a mile from Swimbridge at the end of a short
gravel drive, two single-storey cottages and games room
made from ancient barns in the owners' (nearby) 15 acres of
gardens, wildlife ponds, meadows and woodland. Good
walks from the cottages. Each has its own private gravelled
area in front (picnic table and barbecue) extending to a
communal grassed ball-kicking/playing garden (gated).
The owners enjoy sharing their enchanting 6 acre garden
(open to the public several days of the year under NGS) with
visitors. There is nothing formal here; the garden has been
created from meadow and old farmyard over the last 16
years, dove-tailing sympathetically with the environment.
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Both cottages have high
beamed ceilings, deep solid
oak sills and their own access
to the games room (table
tennis, darts and coin-operated
tumble drier). Excellent for the
garden/wildlife enthusiast, a
delightful spot. No smoking.
The Stables - steps (handrail)
up to entrance to fitted limed-oak
kitchen (microwave, freezer)
with breakfast bar separating living/dining room (open fire, CD
player, dimmer lights). Two bedrooms - a double and a twin.
Bathroom (suite plus bath-shower) and washing machine.
B/A
Extra
★ ★ ★
Bedrooms: 2
Sleeps: 4
Sat
Bath/shower: 1
Price:
FF
Ref:
J135
Fremington: large village (two pubs, awardwinning
quayside café, basic shops) beside the
River Taw estuary, 3 miles west of Barnstaple
(see page 32). Its ancient quay, which serviced
merchant vessels trading with Barnstaple, is now
a charming place to sit, eat and birdwatch over a
RSPB reserve. Tarka Trail cycle/walk way runs
through it. Good beach at Instow, 2 miles. Fine
beach and golf at Saunton, 7-8 miles.
… on the edge of Fremington, 150 yards along a farm track, one of two semidetached
cottages originally serving the farmhouse. It is now a completely
renovated, delightful cosy home, with long views to the estuary. In front and to the
side, a neat shrub/lawn enclosed garden with 2 steps down to a patio (table/chairs)
and the front door. Big flagstone floored porch with washing machine, tumble drier,
freezer and door to inner hall with old pine floor; pretty living room with view to
garden; large dining room with old Rayburn (not in use); fitted kitchen (dishwasher,
microwave). Stairs up to three attractive bedrooms – a double, a twin with pine
floor/rugs, limited clothes hanging space and lovely long estuary view, and a pretty
little single bedroom also with limited clothes hanging space; bathroom (suite plus
bath-shower). No smoking. Footpath down to the quay and café.
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★ ★ ★ ★
Bedrooms: 3
Appledore: village (church, pubs,
fish ‘n’ chip shop, shops, PO,
galleries, maritime museum) of old
cottages and narrow streets at the
mouth of the Taw and Torridge
estuary, with a long tradition of boat
building and fishing. Fresh fish
sometimes available from the quay.
Beach across the water at Instow
for watersports. Huge sandy beach
and golf at Westward Ho!, 2 miles.
Trout/salmon fishing along the
Torridge and, beside it, the excellent Tarka Trail cycle track.
Bideford and Barnstaple (see page 32), 2 and 10 miles.
Sleeps: 5
Sat
Bath/shower: 1
Price:
Ref:
F GG K16
The Shippon has steps (handrail) up to entrance to
fitted kitchen/diner (washing machine, microwave, fridge-freezer), archway to attractive living room (open fire, CD player,
dimmer lights). Two bedrooms - a double and a twin. Bathroom (suite plus bath-power-shower).
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B/A
Extra
★ ★ ★
Bedrooms: 2
Sleeps: 4
Sat
Bath/shower: 1
Price:
FF
Ref:
J134
… in the heart of Appledore, approached along 20 yards of private footpath between old cottages, a 200 year old end-ofterrace
house, with lovely, long views over the estuary and only 100 yards from good food pub and the quayside (boat
trips/crabbing). Immediately in front of it, on the other side of the footpath (leads to neighbour’s vegetable patch), a super little
sunny paved and shingled garden with summer house, play-fort, tables/chairs, barbecue and glimpse of estuary. Inside, recent
work has made the house modern and comfortable. Hall; large fitted kitchen (5’9” doorway, dishwasher, washing machine,
tumble drier, microwave, fridge-freezer, gas hob/electric oven) with tables/chairs in centre; cosy living room (books, card
games, 5’9” doorway, best for 6) looking to little garden; steepish stairs up to landing and three bedrooms – one double with 5’
bed and ornamental fireplace, one with 3’6” bed and views across rooftops and gardens to the estuary, and one with bunk beds;
bathroom (suite plus bath-shower). More stairs up to attractive attic bedroom with double bed, lovely old exposed roof timbers
(mind head!) and en suite shower-room (suite). No smoking. Loading and unloading from street. Public car park, 75 yards.
Street parking possible. Good family house in a popular village with regular public transport connections.
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Extra
★ ★ ★ 1 ⁄2
Bedrooms: 4
Sleeps: 7
Sat
Bath/shower: 2
Price:
Ref:
G HH K14
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