Love North Devon

About

An idyllic 53 acre Organic estate in the heart of the North Devon countryside providing self catering holidays  in an amazing  setting for Families of all sizes, Larger Groups, Couples and Friends…

We are conveniently sited on the edge of Exmoor in North Devon and are completely surrounded by lush Devonshire countryside. Our valley borders with Exmoor National Park and contains an amazing variety of landscapes within its 267 square miles. Within a 10 mile radius of Down Farm, you can experience not just Exmoor’s beautiful moorland, but its majestic woodlands, its rolling valleys, its quaint thatched villages, rugged coastline and timeless traditional farmland, all shaped by people and nature over thousands of years.

Our holiday’s can be let week to week commencing on a Monday or Friday, Midweek Breaks & Weekend Breaks. During high season we only let Friday to Friday weekly lettings. We are also perfect to combine the properties to enable larger groups visiting, or contact us about a couples only rates out of high season.  Smaller groups wishing to hold an intimate celebration are also very welcome.  Please see our Weddings & Occasions listing.
 

But the real draw is the farm, you’re not just renting a holiday cottage, you’re exclusively renting a 53 Acre Playground. 

The farm is not a working farm, more like a glorious parkland Estate, surrounded by 100s of our neighbours, grazing Devon Longhair Sheep.  We are however still very proactive in the farming process at Down Farm.  We are active members of the Woodland Trust, the Countryside Stewardship and holders of a holding number to keep Piglets in the top wood, it enables us to participate in the management of our Farm.

We are blessed with 2 woodland areas at Down Farm. The smaller wood is about 3 acres, we refer to this wood as the Christmas tree plantation, and this is where the Buzzards live alongside the resident Deer and Hares.

This is a heavenly spot to sit, with glorious views over our Valley and North Devon.  A wonderful Devonshire stone wall encloses the wood; this is where we keep the pigs sheltered from the summer sun.  There is also a hay barn, which is resident to a Barn Owl, this you will hear in the distance at night calling his song... It really is magical.

 

Our Larger wood, about 15 acres, nestles to the south of the valley at Down Farm.  This is where you will find our tree house, a large wooden hide with windows and a red roof, built into the trees, with a small balcony and a rope walkway.  This has spectacular views into the canopy of the trees all around and down into the valley below. 

 

It’s not just for children; it makes an excellent vantage spot to sit and hideaway while you photograph the deer and other wildlife.  Pheasants live in our wood, and are always rustling around and ready to fly off as you approach them.  We have placed seats along the track; places that we think have the best views, along with freshly cut paths.  

 

We have a stunning setting around our “Secret” freshwater lake, with a large wooden lake house that is hidden away and can only be accessed along a magical woodland track, it’s not easy to find, secluded from the farm by the woods. 

As you walk down through the woods, you can catch a glimpse of the lake shimmering through the trees; the wooden clad lake house greets you first, sitting on the bank, enveloped with lush green meadows, and a triple tiered decking terrace.  The Lake House has 6 glazed floor to ceiling windows taking in all the views of the lake and the island.  The lake house has a pitched roof with beams and has been furnished with comfortable chairs, a writing desk and books. (a real readers retreat..) There is also an easel for the budding artist or creative types. There is no electricity, only solar powered lighting, but we can provide picnic hampers flasks and hip flasks for refreshment.  In the storage cupboard are life jackets, an assortment of junior wetsuits, waders and fishing rods. The lake is stocked with Carp and Sea Trout and budding fly fishers are welcome to cast their lines.

We also have a wonderful 40 foot long fibreglass slide that glides down the hillside into the lake... (The squeals of laughter from this activity are infectious.) Around the lake is a small pebbly stream, perfect for stream walks, under the canopy of trees. Last year, an area near the lake was cleared of fallen trees, and a bog garden has been created partially in one area. The other side has dried out and been left to grow wild iris’s cow parsley and other wetland flowers.. ideal for frog spotters!! Our sons collected stones from the area, and cleared an area to make an outdoor fire pit, it’s all been cemented in, and now there are log seats and benches, perfect for a night-time fire with stories. Don’t forget to take the torches for the walk back.

Fluffy Florence, the cat, resides mainly at the lake, she graces us with a visit once a day for her food, and then meanders back down to the Lake, so she is always on hand to greet you and for you to pet her. She is in good company, as there are geese, Ducks and Moor Hens down there, as well as the Deer, who frequently drink from the lake. In the winter we have a family of otters who feed from the lake, but we don’t mind. X

Also on the lake is a wooden jetty that juts out into the lake and is perfect for diving off for a “Wild Swim” using the ladder to climb out of the water, or perfect for boarding the rowing boat, or simply sit and dip your feet into the refreshing cool water. There is a small island that is fun to row around, and for the adventurous to climb onto.

Send us an email or telephone us to discuss your requirements.