Soak up the North Devon atmosphere at the best holiday cottages near Barnstaple, including dog-friendly and family-friendly options with features like hot tubs and woodburning stoves.
If you’re making your break into beautiful Barnstaple, North Devon’s largest town, a holiday cottage is a perfect match.
After strolling the ancient streets and browsing the traditional Pannier Market, you might return to your characterful abode for a typical Devonshire cream tea in front of the log burner. With Exmoor National Park to the east, another option is to soak your feet in your holiday home’s hot tub or bathtub while cradling a well-earned glass of red following the day’s hikes.
The town of Barnstaple is well-located for a number of different activities, whether it’s watersports on the north Devon coast, cycling on the 180-mile Tarka Trail or hiking over the heather moorlands and hills of Exmoor National Park. Local long, sandy beaches, which are often spotlessly clean, include Westward Ho, Saunton Sands and Combe Martin. They blend seamlessly into the north Devon countryside, which is packed with natural beauty and lovely people. None more so than the busy market town of Barnstaple, which lies along the scenic River Taw and has a myriad of little streets, alleys and the remains of a Norman castle wall. So, all that’s left is to handpick a Barnstaple cottage from some of the most conveniently-located cottages in Devon. The following options have features such as hot tubs, tennis courts, woodlands, woodburning stoves, barbecues and firepits, to name but a few.
The Top 8 Holiday Homes near Barnstaple
1. Watermouth Lodge, Kentisbury Grange (Barnstaple, Devon)
2. Honeysuckle Cottage (Barnstaple, Devon)
3. 1 Quayside (Appledore, Devon)
4. Top Meadow, March End Lodges (Georgeham, Devon)
5. Hallsannery House (Bideford, Devon)
6. Swanpool, Great Field Lodges (Braunton, Devon)
7. Little Acorn (Lake, near Tawstock, Devon)
8. Varley Lodge (Prixford, Devon)
Watermouth Lodge, Kentisbury Grange
Location: Barnstaple, Devon
Best for: A pet-friendly lodge 10 miles north of Barnstaple
It doesn’t get much more serene than staying around a gorgeous lily-strewn lake in the North Devon countryside. Located 10 miles north of the town of Barnstaple, Watermouth Lodge, Kentisbury Grange is a boutique lodge based on Kentisbury Grange, a site that has a restaurant, bar and a shared electric car charging point. Dig into fresh eggs for breakfast on the decking that wraps around the lodge. With a set of furniture and an electric hot tub, it’s likely that a large portion of your time might be spent relaxing in the open air, watching out for water birds and counting the sheep on the distant slopes.
When you’re well-rested and rejuvenated, Watermouth Lodge is handily situated on the edge of the Exmoor National Park and a short drive from a selection of gorgeous sandy beaches. Combe Martin, with its blue shallows and scenic coastal trails to Britain’s tallest sea cliff or the Golden Cove, is only a 10 minutes’ drive away from the holiday home. Ilfracombe and Lynton and Lynmouth, which between them have a cliff railway, a traditional Devon harbour and stunning beaches, are also within 20 minutes’ drive of the lodge.
Facilities: With skylights and wide sliding doors that open onto the decking, Watermouth Lodge is bright and welcoming, just as any holiday cottages in North Devon should be. It’s also extremely modern. There’s a glossy open-plan living space and outdoors, a luxurious hot tub takes centre stage. In addition to that, the excellent facilities include a dishwasher and washing machine, Smeg appliances, a smart TV, sound bar and a Blu-ray DVD player. If you want to avoid long waiting times for the bathroom in the morning – which can often be a hassle, even for groups of four – both bedrooms have ensuite bathrooms, and one of the bathrooms even has a waterproof TV over the bath. Four well-behaved dogs are welcome for an additional fee.
Honeysuckle Cottage
Location: Barnstaple, Devon
Best for: A traditional North Devon holiday cottage with rural surroundings
Pretty as a postcard, Honeysuckle Cottage is what one might consider to be a traditional North Devon holiday cottage. The patio overlooks miles of open, green slopes, and the stone exterior crawls with green vines and flowers. Make your way indoors and the fantasy continues. Exposed beams add character to a minimalistic living room, which has ocean-themed décor in keeping with the bedrooms and kitchen space. This is a great reminder that the four-bedroom holiday home is only a 25 minutes’ drive from the huge surfing beach of Saunton Sands.
If you’re wondering about Honeysuckle Cottage’s exact location, it’s handily situated on the northern outskirts of Barnstaple, just 10 minutes’ drive from the centre of the market town. This is prime west country. When you’re not tracking down Barnstaple’s best cream teas, you might want to drive 25 minutes north towards Combe Martin and its picturesque cove and harbour. There are more market towns just a short drive away, along with stunning trails along the North Devon coast.
Facilities: Take up a space in the two off-road parking spaces outside of Honeysuckle Cottage. As you approach the front door, you’ll notice that there’s a rattan set of furniture laid out to take in the sublime rural surroundings. That might convince you to head straight to the kitchen and rustle up a hot brew to take in the scenery immediately. The hungrier arrivals can set about cooking something using the electric oven and hob, microwave and fridge. Entertainment-wise, stick on the TV and the DVD player or connect to the limited wifi to check out what’s nearby.
1 Quayside
Location: Appledore, Devon
Best for: A cosy holiday cottage in Appledore on the North Devon Coast
1 Quayside isn’t at all short on home comforts. Situated in Appledore, a seaside village with a spectacular quay and pastel houses, the beautiful cottage rests down a narrow street within walking distance of the water. Appledore is a beautiful setting year-round, well-known for its Hocking’s Ice Cream exclusive to North Devon. Visiting the town of Barnstaple won’t be a problem either, as it’s only 20 minutes’ drive from 1 Quayside.
Frolic in the sea at nearby Westward Ho!, which is well-suited to swimming and surfing, before visiting The BIG Sheep theme park with any pint-sized family members. Bideford, a historic port town, is another stop on the way to Barnstaple, where you might want to sojourn for a pub meal or a peaceful town walk. 1 Quayside’s home comforts await after any short or long day out and include a woodburning stove, a freestanding bath and a paved courtyard.
Facilities: For those who value evenings in the open air, this courtyard cottage is ideal. Even when it’s chilly outside, guests can power up the outdoor heater and grab something hot to sip on from the kitchen. The courtyard is provided with atmospheric lighting, so you can continue to use the space late into the evening without squinting. Preparing any alfresco dinners should be easy in the kitchen, as it has a range cooker, fridge, freezer, dishwasher, washer-dryer and a Nespresso coffee machine. The living room is just as cosy as the courtyard and has a smart TV and a woodburning stove – just a taster of the comfort that continues in the three available bedrooms.
Top Meadow, March End Lodges
Location: Georgeham, Devon
Best for: A modern pet-friendly lodge surrounded by farm paddocks
If your highest priority is kicking back in a hot tub, and one overlooking peaceful farmlands sounds especially atmospheric, Top Meadow, March End Lodges is an excellent candidate for your cottage getaway in North Devon. Devon is well-known for its traditional working countryside, and the area around Top Meadow is no different. Based on a farm in the village of Georgeham, this two-bedroom holiday home is also dog-friendly. For added convenience, an outdoor shower has been provided so that guests can wash off their dogs’ paws after a day hiking in Exmoor National Park or exploring one of the stunning beaches across North Devon.
Top Meadow is easily accessible from Barnstaple too, which is good news for those who want to pick up some local specialities from the Pannier Market or rent a bike for peaceful pedals along the Tarka Trail towards Instow Beach and the Torridge Estuary. Georgeham village is conveniently placed between Woolacombe Beach and Saunton Sands, two large surf-friendly beaches where you can dive into watersports and other active pursuits. The village also has two pubs, which are handily within walking distance of the holiday home.
Facilities: The first part of Top Meadow that you might want to check out is the hot tub, which rests under a covered decking area for relaxing dips whatever the weather. Overlooking the paddocks and a gated lawn, this is a luxurious alternative to the cosy seating that’s also set up on the decking. With parking for two cars and wide, open windows that let in plenty of natural light throughout the day, the holiday home doesn’t just boast stunning views – it’s also incredibly modern. Set across one ground floor, there’s a master bedroom overlooking the countryside and an open-plan living space with kitchen appliances such as a dishwasher, refrigerator, stove and microwave.
Hallsannery House
Location: Bideford, Devon
Best for: An eleven-bedroom Grade II-listed Georgian manor for the extended family and friends
At Hallsannery House, the extended family or friends can live out their full royal fantasy. Hallsannery House isn’t your typical holiday home. It’s a Grade II-listed Georgian manor oozing with grandeur, old-world fashion and fine-tuned facilities for special occasions and long-awaited meetings. Eleven bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms are spread across the period property and include features like freestanding baths and fireplaces, but there’s also an equally as splendid set-up outdoors.
Based above Bideford, the house has five acres of parkland to its name. Whether you take a picnic-style lunch in a private corner, challenge the whole family to a friendly game of tennis or organise a weekend of outdoor activities, there are plenty of ways to make the most of the extensive green spaces. Kids can track down woodland swings and bamboo copses for den-building. Location-wise, Hallsannery House is only a short drive from Bideford and the coast, and it’s under a 20 minutes’ drive from beautiful Barnstaple too.
Facilities: Ditch any wellies or walking boots in the foyer, then tread through the entrance hall and to one of several relaxing rooms on the ground floor. The drawing room has a snug fireplace, sofas and a piano for the musically-inclined guests, while those who like to bury their head in a good-quality novel can gravitate towards the library. There’s a morning room equipped with board games and books, a kitchen with benches for 12 people and a complete set of appliances and a 22-person dining area lit by chandeliers. Later in the evening, gather around the firepit or the charcoal barbecue for grilled and flamed nibbles, which should be a treat after playing on the croquet lawn and tennis court.
Swanpool, Great Field Lodges
Location: Braunton, Devon
Best for: A beach lodge with a hot tub near Saunton Sands
Swanpool, Great Field Lodges looks like a beach house, with a wooden exterior painted in duck blue, a wooden terrace with rattan seating and a warm, lodge-style interior. It’s no wonder that it gives off beach lodge vibes, considering its location in Braunton, Devon, a short drive from the surfing beach of Saunton Sands. With Woolacombe and Ilfracombe to the north too, this is the ideal place to shack up for days of surfing, windsurfing and walking along the spectacular South West Coast Path.
Designed for two, Swanpool is ideal for a peaceful romantic retreat too. The open-plan layout invites couples to socialise day-long, and there’s also a hot tub on the wrap-around decking where guests can share a glass of wine or a beer in comfort. When the sun peeks out, guests can set themselves up on the two sunloungers, just as long as they haven’t already picked a sandy patch to lay down on at Saunton Sands or Woolacombe Beach nearby. The market town of Barnstaple is only a 15 minutes’ drive from the beach lodge too, making the location particularly convenient.
Facilities: Whether you’re planning a lazy or an active getaway, Swanpool, Great Field Lodges is well-designed for both. Sort out any sandy feet in the ensuite bathroom, which has a freestanding bath and a shower for good measure. Then, treat any sore muscles in the hot tub. With parking for two cars, it’s easy to get out across the Devon coast and its market towns. Preparing a packed lunch or picnic is just as easy, as there’s an electric oven and hob, fridge, ice box, dishwasher and a coffee machine in the kitchen.
Little Acorn
Location: Lake near Tawstock, Devon
Best for: A dainty two-person cottage with gorgeous rural surroundings
Little, dainty and thoroughly romantic, Little Acorn is a one-bedroom cottage with an impressive view. The balcony and back garden overlook lush green fields and undulating countryside scattered with small hamlets, just like the one it’s based in. Quiet and relaxing, couples can walk directly to Barnstaple’s many shops, boutiques, pubs and restaurants or take themselves on a more adventurous cycle down the nearby Tarka Trail. There’s a train station within walking distance of the property for those who aren’t taking advantage of the off-road parking in the courtyard too.
The North Devon cottage is also within easy driving distance of Codden Hill, an area that has excellent views over Barnstaple and the countryside. Drive west and it won’t be long until you reach Westward Ho! Beach and the Royal North Devon golf club. Drive east and you’ll stumble upon the quaint Quince Honey Farm. Northwards, the Exmoor National Park and its wild moors and beaches can be accessed within half an hour’s drive.
Facilities: Little Acorn is a little slice of peace in the North Devon countryside. Homely to its core, there’s a small living room with a TV and warm, bright furnishings. The master bedroom is bright and modern, lit by a skylight window above the bed, and it has access to a neat, modern ensuite bathroom. Given that there’s a raised wooden balcony with such a spectacular view of the local area, you might want to treat yourself to a cream tea with a view, which could be considered a Devon rite of passage.
Varley Lodge
Location: Prixford, Devon
Best for: A beautiful barn conversion just north of Barnstaple
Any visit to North Devon is well-spent at Varley Lodge, a barn conversion with eco-friendly credentials in the village of Prixford. As part of a working farm which uses eco-friendly techniques like rainwater collection to power the property’s underfloor heating, guests can be sure that they’re staying in a green-fingered environment. Another huge attraction at Varley Lodge is its period features. Exposed beams run across the length of the living spaces and the exterior is fashioned from mish-mashed stones.
As you might expect from a farm setting, the courtyard backs onto a stretch of far-reaching countryside. The Taw Estuary can be spotted in the distance, which is a reminder of the property’s location just 10 minutes’ drive from the town of Barnstaple. Saunton Sands is also only a 20 minutes’ drive to the west of the barn conversion, meaning that guests can explore both the coast and the countryside in one fell swoop.
Facilities: With three bedrooms and two bathrooms, Varley Lodge is very well-suited to families of six seeking somewhere to stay between the beaches and Barnstaple. Families with pint-sized members will be happy to find stair gates, a travel cot and a highchair available, along with simple entertainment such as Sky TV, a DVD player and WiFi. Recount the day’s activities around the barbecue on the patio. With other snug features such as underfloor heating, a woodburning stove and a hot tub, there’s also an element of luxury. Add to that the period features such as exposed beams, grand stone fireplaces and exposed stone walls, and there’s a very atmospheric getaway in store for the whole family.
Discover All the Best Self-Catering Holidays with Breakfree Holidays
The above cottages are just a taste of the many beautiful cottages in Devon featured on Breakfree Holidays. There’s a wide and varied selection, including properties with hot tubs or gardens, and those that accept families and dogs.
Please note that some of the images in this blog post have been provided by Sykes Cottages.