Town Mills is a historic, Grade II listed former Mill and Manor House situated on the banks of the River Torridge on the outskirts of Great Torrington in North Devon. Built by Lord Rolle in 1823 and made famous as ‘Tarka’s Mill’ in Henry Williamson’s book ‘Tarka The Otter’, Town Mills started life as a Grain Mill and a Saw Mill, both mills being powered by waterwheels. Now, almost 200 years later, Town Mills has been sympathetically converted into seven well-appointed holiday cottages all with their own charm and personality.
From a cosy holiday cottage that sleeps three people, to a larger six-bedroom holiday cottage that sleeps twelve, every cottage benefits from character and charm combined with modern convenience. Located in the beautiful North Devon countryside, Town Mills is ideally situated for visiting the North Devon Coast, Exmoor, travelling The Tarka Trail, or visiting our next-door neighbour, the RHS Gardens at Rosemoor.
Tarka is our largest three-storey cottage which sleeps 12. It was originally the Grain Mill at Town Mills and has the Waterwheel on the side. You enter Tarka from the main garden side of Town Mills, entering into a large open plan living/dining area complete with large Smart TV. The well-equipped kitchen, including a double toaster, an extra small fridge for drinks and high quality cooking pans/knives/utentsils is also on the ground floor, and windows to the rear of the cottage look out over the riverside garden/play area and across the river to the fields beyond. On each of the first and second floors is a double bedroom with en-suite shower room. There are also two twin rooms and a separate bathroom with toilet and wash basin. Please note the ceiling height is low on the second floor.
On-site, there is a indoor shared swimming pool which is kept warm between 31-32 degrees, so is suitable for even the smallest guests. The owners offer the opportunity to reserve the pool for your exclusive use, allowing you the chance for a session of family fun, or a quiet moment to relax. There is a games room with a free pool table and a classic table football, along with a dart board and fruit machine. Located by the riverside, but securely fenced, the children’s play area offers picnic bench seating with swings, slide and climbing frame, as well as an elevated playhouse, its the ideal spot to spend a lazy afternoon with a picnic whilst trying to spot an otter or some of the other many local wildlife visitors. For younger guests, there is a kids hideaway where they can escape to. On the opposite side of the Mill there is a garden where you can enjoy a few moments, maybe have a picnic or watch the peacocks as they wander around.
The countryside around Town Mills is dotted with sleepy villages nestled among the hills, while extensive woodlands, traversed by many footpaths, offer the chance to experience the area’s natural beauty. Local attractions include the renowned RHS gardens at Rosemoor (adjacent) and Dartington Crystal, offering a factory tour and visitor centre. Great Torrington is only a mile away with good shopping and amenities, and there is golf at nearby Hartland. Town Mills adjoins Torrington Common which extends to 365 acres, incorporating 20 miles of footpaths. The common is a haven for wildlife. The ‘Big Sheep’ and ‘Milky Way’ theme parks are each less than 10 miles away.
The River Torridge runs downstream to the ancient port of Bideford, still with a working quay offering boat trips to Lundy Island. Just around the corner is the attractive little town of Appledore with its colourful houses and narrow streets. To either side lies Devon’s most spectacular stretch of coastal scenery – a chain of magnificent cliffs and rocky promontories, interspersed here and there by long flat sandy beaches, where the Atlantic breakers roll in to create ideal surfing conditions. There are splendid beaches at Instow and Westward Ho!, the latter bordered by the Royal North Devon Golf Club, and the Northam Nature Reserve. Further west is the supremely picturesque Clovelly, with narrow, cobbled main street descending at a dizzying gradient to the little harbour below. The cathedral city of Exeter can be reached via a delightful drive through lush river valleys.
Town Mills offers very attractive accommodation set in 3 acres of beautiful gardens with streams, waterfalls and the water wheel which is still operational. This superb location makes a wonderful holiday base, especially for families, with sandy beaches on the North Devon coast only 10 miles away. Shop ½ mile.

Four Seasons Cottage is a beautiful cottage with a gorgeous, comfortable interior. There’s a living room with a wood burner and Smart TV, and the kitchen/diner is the hub of the cottage with all you’ll need for your holiday. Indulge in the cinema room with a 55” cinema-style Smart TV. Outside there is plenty to do from lounging on the patio and pebbled garden to having a soak in the hot tub! Between April and October, the outdoor above-ground pool (non-heated) will be available to use. Shared facilities include a sports/games lawn and access to 7.5 acres of land including free coarse fishing on the private lake. The owner will accept up to three/four horses on request, subject to availability. There are several resident horses on site, and you can arrange a grooming session at no cost during your stay, supervised by the owner and subject to availability. You are also welcome to collect eggs from the free-range chickens, proving great fun for everyone.
The property is a great base for exploring both North Devon and North Cornwall, boasting some of the best beaches in the country many of which are dog friendly and around 20-minute drive away. The famous Tarka trail walk is in easy reach just a few minutes’ drive away from the cottage, Along the way you will find many dog-friendly pubs and restaurants. Regularly used by walkers, runners and cyclists. There are many family attractions a short drive away including mini theme parks, farm parks, adventure centres for those adrenaline seekers, gardens, museums and stately homes. Just over 5 miles from Torrington or Great Torrington, a town built on the site of an ancient settlement at the top of a cliff with the river Torridge below. The town benefits from some great views and a regular pannier market. 18 miles from the capital town of Barnstaple with its Queens Theatre, cinema, leisure centre, tennis centre and indoor trampoline centre.
North Devon offers fantastic attractions such as Exmoor National Park with its ‘Dark Sky Reserve’. Explore coastal towns and villages such as Lynton and Lynmouth, Ilfracombe and Clovelly village all boasting breathtaking scenery. You’re spoilt for choice for beaches with Saunton, Woolacombe, Croyde and Westward Ho! all within easy reach by car. The Southwest Coastal Path runs through the rugged coastline offering stunning walks, and the Tarka Trail can be accessed locally, providing opportunities to follow a disused railway line and will take you through places like Fremington Quay and Yarde, Instow with its estuary beach and view towards the fishing village of Appledore through to Bideford, Barnstaple and beyond. And don’t forget Exmoor and Dartmoor National Parks, both within easy reach by car.

Cliff Lodge is an amazing house located in the beautiful village of Maidencombe. The house itself boasts uninterrupted panoramic sea views from the stunning glass balconies situated around the house. The property has been refurbished in 2020 to an exceptionally high standard which enhances the natural beauty of the surroundings. The house has something for everyone and is the perfect location for any sort of celebration or just a relaxing week with family or friends.

Cliff Lodge is set in substantial and beautiful grounds in the heart of the the village of Maidencombe. Neighbouring Teignmouth and Shaldon are only a 5-minute drive away. Cliff Lodge is only 3 miles away from the centre of Torquay, St Marychurch and Babbacombe which are just 1½ miles away. There are numerous beauty spots, pubs, restaurants and attractions all in close proximity to the house. Only a short walk from Cliff Lodge you’ll find the South West Coast path which follows the stunning coastline and beaches as far as you would wish to go.

This wonderful abode is made up of six individually decorated bedrooms, each with their own unique characteristic, dressed in high quality linen, and some of which boasting sea views, en-suite facilities and balconies. There is an indoor heated swimming pool complex that is close to the main house. This beautiful area also has an electric sauna and sun loungers to relax on. The pool house is surrounded by a decked area which has a sunken jacuzzi on one side and a large sun deck on the other. This whole area is surrounded by glass balconies which look directly across the sea. A Sonos sound system is available to enhance the whole experience. A perfect place to relax and enjoy a drink or listen to music with friends and family. Alternatively, head over to the games room where you can enjoy a game of table football or snooker on the full-size table while listening to a variety of music on the juke box. This spacious room has a bar area with a fridge and a 75? Sony TV on the wall.

Back inside the main house, whip up a treat in the fully-equipped kitchen, and dine in either the dining room or conservatory/breakfast room, complete with stunning views over the Jurassic coast.