With 80 acres of farmland for waggy-tailed walks plus access to a games room and swimming pool, this two-bedroomed cottage is perfect for an active family break. Located less than 20 miles from Exmoor National Park, the reverse-level property also comes with an enclosed garden where children and pets can let off steam.
Just 2.5 miles from the hilltop market town of Chulmleigh, this converted barn is set on a working farm surrounded by rolling hills, woods and fields. Featuring a quirky reverse-level layout, it’s ideal for a party of four and a couple of canine companions, its family-friendly features beginning with two bedrooms on the ground floor – one a double and the other with twin beds. Exposed beams and cottage-style windows add to the cosy atmosphere in these rooms; close by, the family bathroom is chic and contemporary. More original wooden beams are on show in the open-plan living space on the first floor, where there’s a welcoming sofa with room for all to stretch out before the TV for home-style together-time. A sleek kitchen area lines one side of the room and has all the essentials for effortless self-catering; gather around the rustic dining suite and the dogs can watch for tidbits without moving a muscle. Completing the ease of your stay, a separate utility room houses laundry equipment and a freezer. Step outside and you’ll get a real feel for your countryside setting – the enclosed private garden has a patio and lawn where children and pets can run free, plus garden furniture and a BBQ so you can unwind in the sunshine. Holiday here between mid-May and the end of September and you’ll have shared use of a heated, enclosed outdoor swimming pool, while other leisure facilities to enhance your stay include a play area, games room with table tennis and a pool table, and a grass tennis court. There’s plenty to entertain the pets too – they’ll be nose down, tail up as you follow the paths that criss-cross the 80 acres of wildlife-rich farmland on your doorstep.
Shop for essentials in the little farm store or explore the narrow streets of Chulmleigh, where you’ll find more than 200 listed buildings, family-run businesses and friendly inns. The Exmoor National Park Centre at Dulverton (17.5 miles) is a great starting point for adventures further afield, or you could join the Tarka Trail at Eggesford (7.5 miles) – the 180-mile, figure-of-eight loop is centred around the ancient market town of Barnstaple, 20 miles away.