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.

"Devon’s best kept secret... Just inland from some of Devon’s loveliest and most natural beaches lies the village of Tuckenhay set along Bow Creek on the River Dart...."


In a setting of stunning natural beauty, Mill Bank (ref UK33902) is the latest addition to a superb choice of cottages at Tuckenhay Mill. An extremely spacious two-person cottage having a living, dining, kitchen area on the higher level with two south-facing balconies overlooking the stream towards the Mill. The master bedroom and en-suite shower room are on the lower level, together with the riverside day room. Your own footpath leads from the garden via a footbridge to the facilities at the Mill.
Tuckenhay Mill is the centrepiece of a cluster of country homes and cottages with superb leisure facilities including two indoor and one outdoor pools.
The Mill which once produced some of the finest paper in the land, nestles in the green and shady Bow Creek, a languid inlet of the River Dart where private yachts have replaced the old tall-masted ships and barges. Around the mill are all the buildings which once went to make up a small bustling village port. These listed buildings have been sympathetically restored and converted to a delightful range of holiday properties to suit larger family parties. Awards have been won for the conversion of buildings and the conservation of the area. With so much to do, many holidaymakers return year after year. There is golf nearby and a pub within 1 mile.



South Devon awaits you
Tuckenhay is only a 20-minute drive from the superb award-winning beach at Blackpool Sands and about 30 minutes from a surfing beach at Bantham, as well as some of the best natural beaches to be found anywhere in the UK.
There is also extensive access to the coastal footpath for walking and the wilderness that is Dartmoor for walking, climbing and riding.
This is a mecca for ramblers, bird-watchers, swimmers, surfers, horse riders, golfers and those interested in fishing, boating, sailing and windsurfing.
In addition, there are many historic NT houses to visit including Agatha Christies’s Greenway as well as a local vineyard.
Tuckenhay is only 5 miles inland from Dartmouth and 3 from the market town of Totnes. Village shop 3½ miles. Riverside inn and restaurant within walking distance.



A superb choice of cottages
Great care has been taken to retain the feel of the original buildings. Most have garden, terrace or patio. Many cottages have more than one bathroom and some have an en-suite bathroom to every bedroom. Kitchens are comprehensively equipped: most have dishwashers and all have microwave cookers.
Couples and honeymooners will feel snug and comfortable in the cottages: Mill Leat, Mill Stream, Mill Spring and now Mill Bank. Families can spread out in Papermaker’s or Turbine Cottages, while Mill Lodge, Edgecombe Barn and Tuckenhay Mill House will sleep larger parties in comfort. Of course, combinations of cottages can accommodate bigger gatherings of family or friends.

Big smart detached cottage converted from a barn. Farm to wander. Indoor swimming pool. Games room. Play area. Catering available. wood burning stove. Halwell 1 mile.

Oak and Ash are two lovely lower ground floor apartments which form part of the owner’s overall property which can be booked individually or alongside each other for larger groups. Oak has two bedrooms accommodating four people with super king zip and link beds which can be set up as twins on request. There’s a bathroom with bath and shower over and in the lounge there’s a large double sofa bed for two additional guests and from here you can enjoy the lovely views over the nature reserve. In Ash, both bedrooms accommodate three people with super king zip and link beds which can be set up as twins on request, an extra day bed in one and a single in the other. Both properties have kitchen/diners with everything you’ll need including a dishwasher and coffee machine. Outside you will find shared facilities such as paths for walks around the large garden area, a very large deck with seating and a dining table where you can enjoy the peaceful surroundings overlooking the nature reserve and then there’s the lovely swimming pool area which is open between May and September. There is also a covered hot tub which can be booked out for private use, only available for children aged 12 years and up. Access to both apartments is via stairs, therefore unsuitable for wheelchair use or those with difficulty walking.

Bideford is the second largest town in North Devon with plenty to see and do with a lovely river front and port, which was once Britain’s third largest. Beaches, such as Westward Ho! and Instow are firm favourites locally and are less than 3 and 4 miles away respectively and the South West Coastal Path is a must for keen walkers & runners as is the popular Tarka Trail, which stretches for 180 miles and can be accessed via the same side of the river. It provides the unique opportunity to follow a disused railway line by foot or bicycle, allowing you to enjoy some of Devon’s finest countryside and river views and enjoy various treats along the way through Instow, Fremington Quay and onto Barnstaple, North Devon’s historical regional centre. Swimming, surfing, canoeing and entertainment for all the family plus fishing are all close by and the for a day with a difference why not take a trip across to Lundy Island? With regular trips from Bideford, you can enjoy the home to England’s first statutory Marine Nature Reserve, due to its unique flora and fauna. Measuring just 3 miles by ¾ mile, this entire island has been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Westward Ho!, the nearest seaside village offers an array of seaside amenities including some fascinating curiosity shops and a range of restaurants and cafés. Within easy reach are two popular top attractions, The Big Sheep amusement farm park and if you fancy some high ropes, wall climbing, surfing or even a spot of coasteering, the Ultimate Adventure Centre is the place to visit! The beaches are a main attraction for many with surfer-friendly Westward Ho! and slightly further afield, award winning Saunton Sands, Woolacombe & Croyde are also a must for your itinerary. Being very close to the A39 Atlantic Highway, Bideford is conveniently located for day trips to other beautiful places such as Exmoor National Park with stunning dark skies for great star gazing & locations such as Clovelly, Hartland and North Cornwall.
These properties can be booked together to accommodate up to 12 guests.

A striking Grade II listed cottage lying at the heart of Teignmouth, Devon. Incredible sea views. Pet-friendly. Close to the coast. Heated outdoor swimming pool. Starcross 6.9 miles; Torquay 9.4 miles; Exeter 15.1 miles.

A superb ground floor apartment located at South Milton Sands, Thurlestone, Devon. Open-plan living. On-site facilities. Pet-friendly. Salcombe 7 miles; Bigbury-on-Sea 9 miles.

An exceptional property with stunning sea views in the village of Stoke Fleming, Devon. Outdoor heated plunge pool available from Easter till October half-term. WiFi. Close to amenities. Dartmouth 3.4 miles.

A delightful cottage located at Pillhead Farm on the outskirts of Bideford, Devon. Sun room. Lawned gardens. Perfect for a family. Shared outdoor heated swimming pool. Westward Ho! 3 miles.

A wonderful family-friendly lodge on a complex of holiday homes in the heart of South Devon. WiFi. Swimming pool and fishing lake. Kingsteignton 1.9 miles.

A magnificent country house, sleeping 38 with indoor and outdoor pools, snooker room and tennis courts. Battisborough Cross 1 mile.