A fine, stone-built period cottage in the Exmoor hamlet of Dean is a perfect location for dog lovers who believe their pets deserve a wonderful holiday too. The spacious property, sleeping eight guests and two canine companions, is ideal for a gathering of families or friends. Original features include an inglenook fireplace, while the beautiful gardens house a hot tub and games room. Exmoor National Park is on the doorstep, with a wealth of wild uplands, tumbling rivers and pretty villages for you and your four-legged buddies to explore.
This welcoming holiday home, comprising a wing of the neighbouring farmhouse, is comfortably furnished in traditional country style. Period features such as ceiling beams and a grandfather clock enhance its character and charm. A cosy wood burner in one of two living rooms is set within an original inglenook fireplace, and the wide staircase leads to three attractive bedrooms. These comprise two doubles, both with en-suites —one leading through to bunk beds—and a third, which houses twin beds. Outside is a games room, a small front garden and a patio with a hot tub, both enclosed. A large garden has tables, seating and lovely hillside views.
If exploring Exmoor on horseback appeals, the holiday property owners’ established riding stables next door offer lessons for all ages and abilities. Parracombe (2.5 miles), has a community shop and cafe offering fresh local produce, while the dog-friendly pub welcomes pups on leads in the bar and restaurant. Climb aboard the steam engine from nearby Woody Bay station for a short ride on the Lynton and Barnstaple narrow gauge railway through lovely countryside. The picturesque villages of Lynmouth and Lynton (10 miles) share a dog-friendly beach, while the golden sands of Woolacombe (11 miles), are a surfers’ paradise.