Pet Friendly Holidays Exmoor

Tucked away in the heart of the mid-Devon countryside lies Hazelnut Lodge. With views over surrounding fields to the countryside beyond, this is the perfect place to get away from it all and enjoy the peace and quiet. Located in the grounds of the owner’s smallholding, there is a private drive leading down to the property. Skirted by the private woods, there is a large garden and sitting-out area. The spacious open plan living space is complimented by an inviting bedroom with its super kingsize bed. Patio doors lead from the living area onto the patio giving further access to a decking area for dining al fresco. Hazelnut Lodge is a comfortable base from which to explore all that Devon has to offer. Exeter is easily reached, and has a wide variety of shops, restaurants and, of course, its historic cathedral. Dartmoor and Exmoor National Parks are accessible and provide walking for all abilities and stunning scenery. There are a number of National Trust properties in the area, most notably Castle Drogo and Arlington Court. Also within easy reach (20 miles) is Powderham Castle. This remarkable 14th century castle, set in a beautiful deer park on the banks of the River Exe, has been home to the same family since 1391. Visitors are encouraged to explore the picturesque gardens, discover the interior beauty of the castle and to take part in some of the events which are held throughout the year. The wonderful RHS gardens at Rosemoor and the Dartington Crystal Factory are worth a visit and both these attractions are based at Great Torrington. There is golf, fishing and horse riding available in the local area and cycle hire can be arranged on the Tarka Trail at various locations. Shop 3 miles, pub 1¼ miles and restaurant 5 miles.

This large half of a 150-year-old farmhouse stands in a lovely landscaped garden situated on the edge of the picturesque village of Porlock, with stunning uninterrupted views of the Bristol Channel. It is tastefully furnished with very spacious rooms and ideal for a two-family holiday. An excellent base for exploring the Exmoor National Park, where there is walking, riding and a wealth of wildlife, the superb Quantock Hills and the sandy beaches of North Devon to the west. Well worth a visit are the National Trust cottages at Bossington, the pretty packhorse bridge at Allerford or Selworthy - once described as the most attractive village in England. For the children, a visit to Lynch Farm Park, with its falcons, is sure to entertain. The seaside resort of Minehead, where sailing trips to Lundy Island are available, is nearby. West Somerset Steam Railway, Lorna Doone Valley and Dunster Castle and village are all within easy reach. Shops 200 yards, pub 100 yards.

A delectable holiday home settled on the outskirts of Wheddon Cross, Somerset. Woodburning stoves. Near a river. Countryside views. In Exmoor National Park. Minehead 6.6 miles; Dulverton 11.1 miles; Barnstaple 30.1 miles.

Dunster Castle Apartments, situated above the owner’s popular coffee shop, offer a very good level of first and second floor, self-catering accommodation. They are located within a Grade II listed building in the heart of the pretty, medieval village of Dunster. If you are looking for the perfect base whilst exploring this popular part of Somerset, then look no further. To add to their appeal, the owner is happy for you to bring your pets so you can really enjoy your holiday. There are shared grounds where you can sit out after a busy day of sightseeing, and the owners also provide a welcome pack/hamper.

All the delights of Dunster are on the doorstep. The apartments are almost next door to the entrance to Dunster’s imposing National Trust castle with a working water mill, deer park, and ancient priory. The bustling high street has a range of shops and plenty of places to enjoy an afternoon tea or an evening meal. Dunster is also host to the annual ’Dunster by Candlelight’ festival. Held in December, this really is a spectacular event, so book early.

Both apartments have an allocated parking space in the National Trust overflow car park which is just a short walk from the apartments. During your stay at Dunster Castle Apartments, there is much to see and do. There is superb scenery and walking on the South West Coastal Path or inland on Exmoor with highlights such as Dunkery Beacon, Tarr Steps, and Countisbury Head. Looking towards Minehead, there is a good range of shops and amenities. It is also home to the West Somerset Steam Railway which runs between Minehead and Bishop’s Lydeard. Further along the coast are the villages of Watchet, Porlock, and Porlock Weir. The Victorian villages of Lynmouth and Lynton, famous for the National Trust’s Watersmeet Gorge, Valley of the Rocks, and the funicular cliff railway, are well worth a visit. The nearest beaches are at Dunster and Blue Anchor. There is also fishing, golf, horse riding, and cycling all available locally. Beach 1 mile. Shop and restaurant 10 yards, pub 30 yards.

This beautiful, thatched barn conversion is the perfect choice for couples who are looking to relax in comfort and explore the hidden charms of Somerset. Adjoining the owners’ home, this property is set within the Exmoor National Park, in an area of natural beauty. The property has been furnished to a very good standard and certainly has the wow factor the moment you walk in. On the ground floor there is an open plan living area with a gas wood burner, perfect to snuggle up in front of and watch the TV. Heading upstairs you will find a spacious bedroom and bathroom with beautiful views across the countryside. Location wise, it couldn’t be more perfect with so much to do on your doorstep.

Watchet is less than a 10-minute drive away, a charming little coastal town with an old port, quaint shops and plenty of choice for dining out. You can also hop on the West Somerset Steam Train from Watchet, a very unique way of seeing the Somerset countryside. The next stop along is the medieval village of Dunster, where you can take a step back in time with its cobbled streets, quirky shops and castle, which is part of the National Trust. The Exmoor National Park is breathtaking to drive through, with its unique landscape of moorland, woodland and valleys. As well as exploring Somerset you are on the doorstep of the Devon boarder, and Cornwall can be reached within 2 hours. Heading north you can visit Bristol and Bath, so you really are spoilt for choice. The lovely beaches at Blue Anchor, Dunster, Minehead and Porlock are within easy reach, likewise in Devon, you will be spoilt for choice and you can even venture to Dorset in just over an hour. Beach 7 miles. Shops 3¼ miles, pub and restaurant 1½ miles.

This delightful cottage is nestled on a non-working farm which occupies an outstanding rural position in the sought after Blackdown Hills, between the villages of Hemyock and Culmstock. Designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, this is widely regarded as some of the most attractive countryside in Devon. The cottage is a single-storey barn conversion with a contemporary finish. There is a large living area and the bedroom has patio doors which open up onto the open countryside behind the property. There is a sunny sitting-out area to the front of the cottage. The property is reached by a 500 yard farm track ensuring your privacy. If you are looking for peace and quiet, and space to relax and unwind in an unspoilt rural setting, this is an ideal place for a getaway at any time of year. A network of public footpaths directly from the farm and quiet roads for cycling make for a perfect holiday. Lambs Cottage is also an ideal base from which to explore the surrounding delights of Devon and Somerset.

The farm sits on the edge of a scattered hamlet of cottages and farms, approximately 1¾ miles from Culmstock and approximately 2 miles from Hemyock. Both villages have a pub serving food, and a convenience store. The market towns of Wellington and Honiton (with nearby Ottery St Mary – the birthplace of Coleridge) offer a range of local independent shops, cafés and gift shops, and are within a 15-minute drive. Wellington has a farmers’ market twice a month and Honiton is particularly renowned for its antique shops and weekly market which runs the length of the High Street. Taunton with its County Cricket Ground, race course, museum and well regarded Brewhouse Theatre and Arts Centre, lies within 13 miles. The cathedral city of Exeter, with its beautiful historic quarter, quay, botanic gardens, cafés, restaurants and excellent shopping, is only 24 miles.

Within a 40-minute drive to the south you can discover the Jurassic Coast, a World Heritage Site, with pretty coastal towns and villages such as the acclaimed Lyme Regis, Seaton, Beer and Sidmouth with their family friendly beaches. Walk along the coastal path and take in the dramatic coastal scenery. At Seaton, a trip on the tramway is a must, visit the caves at Beer, or have a crab sandwich on the beach. For a classic seaside town, visit Sidmouth with its many shops, pubs, restaurants and award-winning ice cream parlours. Within a 40-minute drive to the west, discover the stunning Exmoor National Park with its hidden villages and beautiful hill walks. There are also many National Trust places close by to explore such as Knightshayes Court near Tiverton. Beach 23 miles. Shop, pub and restaurant within 1¾ miles.

The Linhay is a one-bedroom holiday home, newly renovated for 2023 and located just a 10-minute drive from the historic town of Bridgwater in Somerset, at the foot of the Quantock Hills, England’s first designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Ideally located for enjoying superb walking in the peaceful countryside of the Quantock Hills, this ground-floor property benefits from free parking, wheelchair access, electric gates at the entrance, an open plan living space, a comfortable kingsize bed with a deep sleep mattress and a beautiful bathroom with a spa bath and walk-in shower.
A shower seat with arms and adjustable height is also available on request. On entering The Linhay, guests will be greeted by the spacious open-plan kitchen, dining and living area which has a light and airy feel with patio doors opening out with views of the surrounding fields. The stylish kitchen is fully equipped with all the mod-cons, and the dining area is a great space to enjoy a family meal. After a fun-filled day exploring Somerset, you can kick back on the plush sofa and relax while watching your favourite movie on the Smart TV in front of the cosy electric fireplace.
The beautifully furnished bedroom has a kingsize bed, built-in wardrobes and a chest of drawers. The bathroom next door is fitted with a spa bathtub and walk-in shower for convenience. Stepping outside, the patio area isn’t enclosed but it’s a real suntrap and has a bistro table and chairs making it ideal for guests to unwind after a busy day exploring and walking the coastal paths. The Wi-Fi has been upgraded to a satellite high-speed internet connection with Starlink.
The local town of Bridgwater is 3 miles away, and it is home to many local attractions including Blake Museum which has exhibits on Bridgwater history, archaeology and naval commander Robert Blake in a 16th century home. Also nearby is Hestercombe House, a historic country house in the Quantock Hills.
To the north, 14 miles away is the fossil hunting beach at Kilve, and the seaside resorts of Dunster, Burnham-on-Sea, Minehead and Watchet are all within easy reach. To the south, there is Lyme Regis, Sidmouth and Seaton just to name a few all on the south coast. The lovely cathedral and Bishop’s Palace at Wells, Dunster Castle, the county town of Taunton, and Street with its Clarks Village shopping outlet, are a short drive as are the glories of Exmoor National Park. Here, as well as a spectacular coast, visitors will find Badgworthy Water, home to the legendary Doones, the unique cliff railway between Lynton and Lynmouth, Polock Weir’s harbour, and the popular beauty spot of Watersmeet. For retail therapy, visit the cities of Exeter, Bath and Bristol, all only a short drive away.
Set in a peaceful location you will find this lovely holiday home one to build memories all year round. Beach 14 miles.

Cobblers Cottage is situated in a perched position accessed up shared steps, where from the beautiful rocky river and sea views beyond can been enjoyed. There is a double bedroom on the lower ground floor with an adjacent shower room and upstairs you will find the living/dining room with a window seat with a view and a lovely wood burner. The kitchen has all that you’ll need for a home from home stay and outside is a small seating area directly by the entrance where you can enjoy a quiet evening drink or an al fresco meal.
Lynmouth is a beautiful coastal village on the northern edge of Exmoor. The village straddles the confluence of the West Lyn and East Lyn rivers and is located in a gorge 700 feet below the equally lovely twin town of Lynton which is also known as ’Little Switzerland’. Both Lynton and Lynmouth are in an area of incomparable beauty within Exmoor National Park. Sweeping hills and valleys nestle between both and spectacular cliffs surround the area. Rivers wind their way through deeply wooded valleys on their way to the sea, occasionally interrupted by tumbling waterfalls. The remarkable Valley of the Rocks, which is a must see, is a dry valley that runs parallel to the coast and is just over a mile to the west of Lynton above. There’s a Victorian fishing lodge at Watersmeet which is now run by the National Trust and the area which has dramatic waterfalls is worth a visit.
Inland there are numerous walks through the rugged scenery of the National Park with over 600 miles of marked footpaths. Exmoor itself has abundant wildlife, including ponies, sheep and red deer that graze the open moorland and overhead you might see falcons, buzzards and even the rare merlin. The surrounding coastline and countryside boast some of the most spectacular and awe-inspiring sea and hillside views you can find. There are some amazing walks that can be taken directly from the property and local restaurants, pubs, cafés, tea rooms and various craft, boutique, novelty and antique shops are all within easy reach. Lynmouth with its riverside walks, harbourside pubs, restaurants and large manor green overlooking the sea is linked by road, footpath and by the famous Victorian funicular cliff railway which opened in 1890 and is the highest and steepest totally water powered railway in the world. The location offers an ideal base to relax, enjoy invigorating outdoor pursuits or visit many famous beauty spots in this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and not to forget the magical night skies in Europe’s first ’Dark Sky Reserve’. Although Lynmouth has its own beach, further afield there are some of the best beaches in the UK to discover like Saunton Sands, Woolacombe, Westward Ho! and Croyde which are all easily reached by car and highly recommended. Beach ¼ mile.

Durcombe Water Annexe is a quality studio-style annexe located adjacent to the owners’ home and in a beautiful part of North Devon within Exmoor National Park.
The annexe has a high degree of privacy and benefits from a lovely small lawn and decked garden where you can enjoy an al fresco meal or a drink in peace and tranquillity while making the most of the valley views. Accessed via 13 wide steps from the drive where there is parking for one car, the accommodation comprises into one room with a kingsize bed, Smart TV and a kitchen area with a breakfast bar, electric oven & hob, a microwave, and a fridge. The bathroom has a large shower cubicle and there is also a handy entrance area with a washing machine. The annexe is located just 4 miles from the beautiful coastal village of Lynmouth and its beach which is on the northern edge of Exmoor National Park.
Rivers wind through deeply wooded valleys on their way to the sea, occasionally interrupted by tumbling waterfalls. Exmoor itself has abundant wildlife, including ponies, sheep and red deer that graze the open moorland; overhead you might see falcons, buzzards and even the rare merlin. The surrounding coastline and countryside boast some of the most spectacular and awe-inspiring sea and hillside views you can find. There are some amazing walks that can be taken and local restaurants, pubs, cafés, tea rooms, various craft, boutique, novelty, and antique shops are all within easy reach. There are two pubs within 3 miles. Lynton boasts one of the most characterful town hall buildings you’ll find anywhere showing the best of the Tudor Revival style and then there’s the local cinema in a former Grade II Listed chapel where you can relax and take in a movie.
Lynmouth with its riverside walks, harbourside pubs, restaurants and large manor green overlooking the sea is linked by road, footpath and by the famous Victorian funicular cliff railway which opened in 1890 and is the highest and steepest totally water powered railway in the world! The location offers an ideal base to relax, enjoy invigorating outdoor pursuits or visit many famous beauty spots in this area of outstanding natural beauty and not to forget the magical night skies in Europe’s first ’Dark Sky Reserve’. Beach 4 miles.