Escape to the Country

Copingers Cottage takes its name from ’Cruel Copinger’, a notorious 18-century smuggler that once lived here. This delightful, spacious, semi-detached, ground floor cottage is the perfect romantic coastal retreat, nestled within an idyllic rural setting, just a mile from the coastal path. The cottage sits in a peaceful location at the head of the famous Spekes Valley with its majestic waterfall cascading down a shear rock face 60ft, through a series of four smaller falls before finally reaching the sea. There are beautiful views, countryside and walks from the doorstep with an abundance of birds and wildlife to be seen.

Copingers Cottage is beautifully presented and has a spacious living room and cosy wood burner to curl up beside on a cooler evening, along with a private patio to enjoy an al fresco supper on a summer evening. This pretty barn conversion sits within the Hartland Peninsula, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on the North Devon coast with many dog friendly, long sandy beaches and hidden coves to explore, where occasionally dolphins can be seen frolicking in the Atlantic surf.

This is an ideal location for touring, walking, beaches or just relaxing. The timeless village of Hartland is only 1½ miles away and has a good selection of village shops and pubs serving food along with a post office, general store, bakery and craft shops. The hamlet of Stoke and the church of St. Nectan, known as the ’Cathedral of North Devon’, is just a short walk and the view from the church tower shows Hartland Abbey set in this beautiful valley with its many enchanting and delightful walks. Bude, 13 miles, has a good selection of shops and restaurants, many specialising in locally caught seafood, along with a golf course, indoor ’splash’ pool, surf schools and bowling. The delightful port town of Bideford, 15 miles, has a good selection of town amenities, restaurants, a weekly market and boat trips to Lundy Island. Coastal walking, cycling, golf, horse riding, fishing, surfing and sailing are all available in this stunning area. Docton Mill, Hartland Quay and Hartland Abbey are close by, along with many pretty fishing villages to explore including nearby Clovelly, Instow and Appledore. Beach 1½ miles. Shop, pub and restaurant 1½ miles.

Hartland Holiday Barns are located in the perfect place to enjoy the peace of rural life but are just a short drive to stunning North Devon coastal villages such as Hartland and Clovelly, and slightly further to the broad sandy beaches in Bude, Cornwall. Being situated in one of North Devon’s finest rural and coastal areas, overlooking the meadows, these three barn conversions (refs UK12106, UK12107 and UK12108) are popular with those who enjoy walking holidays, want to relax and recharge their batteries, and those who wish to bring a four legged friend. With high vaulted ceilings and oak floors throughout, these impressive barns have been given contemporary interiors crafted from eco-friendly, and where possible, sustainable materials without compromising on comfort or modern facilities. Relax with your morning coffee on your courtyard seating area, or why not enjoy a barbecue in the shared area surrounded by a herb garden. Additional shared facilities include a large meadow, perfect for walking the dog or leisurely picnics.

The owner’s private smallholding adjacent includes a large organic vegetable plot and greenhouse, chickens, geese, ducks, cats and a dog. They have instituted a rolling management of hedges to encourage all kinds of wildlife and have positioned owl, bat, bird and nature boxes. They have also created covered shelters and small ponds for amphibians around the shared meadow. Guests are encouraged to use the owl observatory to enjoy the local wildlife and take advantage of the sunsets and dark skies to star gaze on clear evenings.

There are many lovely coastal villages to explore including nearby Bucks Mills, Peppercombe, Clovelly, with its donkey transport, and Hartland. Just a short drive from the secluded, dog friendly, sand and shingle beach in the tiny clifftop hamlet of Bucks Mills, one of the most beautiful villages in North Devon, a secluded hidden gem with pretty white washed cottages speckled along a wooded valley at the end of a no through road. Storage for cycles, surfboards and kayaks, and access to an outdoor water supply and a drying area, are provided at the properties to help those looking for more active holiday pursuits.

The pretty village of Woolfardisworthy (Woolsery) is just 2 miles away and has a well stocked village store and post office for your daily essentials. There is also a popular village inn and adjacent fish and chip shop which serves delicious home cooked food, perfect for an evening out or an evening in with fish and chips. The beach at Westward Ho! is just 13 miles away and is renowned for its beauty. It has 2 miles of sandy beach known as the Golden Bay and is popular with surfers. Nearby Bideford has restaurants and town amenities, along with boat trips to Lundy Island, or hire a bike and explore the Tarka Trail. RHS Rosemoor Gardens, Docton Mill and Hartland Quay are well worth a visit, along with many pretty fishing villages to explore including nearby Instow and Appledore. Beach 2½ miles. Shop, pub and restaurant 2 miles.

These properties can be booked together to accommodate up to 6 guests.