Unique self catering holidays

At Exmoor Cottage Holidays we provide much more than just accommodation - we offer a delightful place to stay with unique services normally only available in hotels and B&B’s so that you can get the very most from your stay. We live next door to the cottages, and are usually available 9am to 5pm to help with your enquiries. A free basket of logs and kindling is left in your cottage (more is usually available), and we are happy to light your log fire for you and show you how to keep it going, and can usually provide a BBQ, high-chair, safety-gate, fire-guard or cot (please bring your own cot bedding).

We’re sure you will enjoy watching the many the wild birds in the grounds (there are many nesting boxes, a dovecote, and each cottage has a bird-feeder filled daily) and your dogs will love the walk up and around Humphrey’s Hill and the wildflower meadows. Children like to explore the Delve, build dens, climb on the play equipment (inspected daily for safety), and search for wildlife in the pond. There are several picnic tables and benches in the grounds to enjoy the views and alfresco dining, and you may help yourself to any of our seasonal fruits, herbs and vegetables (not everything growing in the grounds is edible, if unsure please ask).

We know Exmoor and North Devon well and can advise you of things to see and do, the best walks and places to eat, and show you them on an Ordnance Survey map (which you may borrow). We are happy to help you arrange your days out and recommend local businesses such as taxi, guided tours, vehicle repairs, fishing trips, restaurants, etc. and we always have some special deals that we have arranged for our guests. There is lots of information in the black book and leaflets left in your cottage, and many useful links on our website which you can access through the free WiFi. We can pass on your telephone messages and post.

We also offer (charged extra) towel hire, additional bed linen, more logs and kindling, cottage cleaning and service wash and dry so that you don’t have to waste your precious holiday time while you are here.

Our services include, at no additional cost:

Cottages fully cleaned & beds made with fresh linen between stays
All kitchens fully equipped with electric oven & hob, cooker hood, crockery, cutlery, utensils, microwave, fridge, kettle, toaster, cafetiere & food mixer
All cottages have cleaning materials, mop & bucket, dustpan & brush and Henry hoover
Owners usually available on site for your enquiries from 9am-5pm
WiFi access in every cottage
Log stove in the living room
First basket of logs & kindling
Personal greeting & introduction from the owners when you arrive
Owners available 24 hours a day for emergencies
We are very happy to help you plan your days out
We can recommend local businesses for vehicle repairs, taxi, Exmoor safari, clay-pigeon shooting, horse-riding, restaurants, take-aways, etc.
We can show you how to light your log fire and keep it going
Borrow Ordnance Survey maps of the local area
Children's play area on site (with two towers, bridge, slide, swing, climbing wall & fireman's pole) inspected daily
Comprehensive & informative website
Facebook and Instagram accounts
Welcome pack on arrival with tea, coffee, sugar, fresh milk, shampoo, conditioner, hand-soap, tea towel, dishcloth, washing-up liquid, floor cloth, dustbin bag, toilet roll, bathroom cleaner
We can pass on post & telephone messages
Electricity for lighting, heating and cooking (no meters)
Use of electricity from solar photo-voltaic panels
Oil for the Rayburn in the Farmhouse
Fresh water
Freeview television (with CD/DVD player)
Personal processing of all enquiries & bookings
Fire-guard and safety-gate available on request
Tesco, Sainsburys and Asda in Barnstaple deliver to our postcode
Comprehensive information book in each cottage
Collection of attraction brochures in each cottage
Washing machine & tumble dryer in The Farmhouse, and Inglenook & Wisteria Cottages, detergent provided
Dishwasher in The Farmhouse and Gatehouse, and in Inglenook & Wisteria Cottages, detergent provided
Iron & ironing-board in The Farmhouse & Inglenook Cottages, and available on request
Logs are usually from our own trees on site or from a nearby forest, and we do everything ourselves; felling, transporting, chain-sawing into ‘rolos’, chopping into logs and seasoning
Kindling is cut or gathered on site and stored until dry
Private enclosed garden for each cottage
Three-acre grounds with wild-flower meadows & wildlife pond
Maintenance of many indigenous trees, shrubs, flowers, pond & gardens
Charming walks with banks of azaleas, primroses, cyclamen & daffodils
Dog-exercising area in the grounds
Regular lawn-mowing and weeding
Nesting boxes and a dovecote for wild birds
Parking on site for at least two cars per cottage
Local events information on our website links page
Reading and/or standard lamp in each cottage
Two hot water bottles provided in each cottage
Two folding chairs in each cottage
Wind-up torch for dark nights
Hair-dryer and slate for hair-tongs
Shaver point in each cottage
Flexible holiday start dates available
Short breaks usually available, even in school holidays
Flexible arrival times (special arrangements can be made for late arrivals)
We support & encourage wildlife including birds, butterflies, frogs, newts, hedgehogs and dragonflies
Each cottage has a bird-feeder that we fill every day
Each cottage has its own picnic table for alfresco dining
Benches and picnic tables in the grounds to enjoy the views
Each cottage has built-in BBQ (or a portable BBQ is available)
Fruit trees and bushes for guests use e.g. apples, plums, raspberries, blackberries & gooseberries
Herbs & vegetables for guests use e.g. bay, spearmint, fennel, asparagus
You are welcome to help yourself to our fruits, vegetables & herbs (not everything on site is edible, if unsure please ask)
We provide wildlife books and encourage guests to explore the wild flora & fauna on-site
Selection of books, playing cards & board games in each cottage
We are happy to help children pick free samples, or look for wildlife in the pond
Full recycling facilities for glass, paper, plastic, cardboard & metal
All household waste is disposed of
Ashes and kitchen waste are recycled on our compost heap
Spare dog blankets, leads and bowls are usually available for dog owners who forget these
We visit local attractions, places of interest, cafes and restaurants, etc. so that we can accurately advise you what they are like
We put questionnaires in each cottage and use them to determine improvements
We actively encourage reviews on Google & TripAdvisor
Christmas tree and decorations provided in each cottage over Christmas & New Year
Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors tested between every stay
All stoves, flues & chimneys serviced every year
Farmhouse Rayburn serviced every six months
Full risk assessments prepared every year
All portable electric appliances tested yearly
Yearly inspection of fire-fighting equipment in each cottage by independent BAFE (British Approvals for Fire Equipment) contractor
Yearly inspection of play equipment by RoSPA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents)
Periodic testing of all fixed electric wiring & appliances by NAPIT (National Association of Professional Inspectors & Testers) contractor
Reputable insurance including Public & Employers liability from NFU (National Farmers Union)
Staff undergo regular training (e.g. Welcome Host)
All certificates and test documents available for your inspection

Some services only available when we are on site

Other Services:

Pets usually welcome £20 each per stay
We usually accept more than one dog per cottage
Towel sets (bath and hand towel) £5 each set
Extra bed linen £5 per bed
Extra logs & kindling £5 per basket
Service wash & dry £5 per load
Cottage cleaning available £18 per hour
High-chair hire £5
Travel cot hire £5 (please bring bedding)

Some services require at least 24 hours notice

Extracts from our reviews:

“The accommodation was first class and to a high standard. Owners were on site every day and were very friendly and helpful”

“We arrived to a welcome pack with fresh milk, tea & coffee which was much appreciated after our long journey. There is a lovely walk set within the cottage grounds and John and Melanie were very kind and allowed us to help ourselves to the apples and blackberries. The cottage had a woodburner and wood and kindling is provided, very welcoming on a cold October evening”

“I enjoyed watching all the different birds, even a pheasant, that came to the bird feeder in the garden which was filled every day by the owners. The grounds surrounding the cottages were lovely and we had several walks round Humphry’s Hill, there is also play equipment for children... A really lovely cottage in a perfect location and very welcoming owners”

“The owners are very friendly and helpful. The children (aged 5 and 7) loved Humphrey's Hill and the play area”

“It had all you needed for a relaxing break in beautiful surroundings. 'Humphreys Hill' was a delight for our dog and the welcome we all received, (four-footed and two-footed), was warm and friendly. John gave us helpful advice on places to visit and even lent us a map which was invaluable”

“The children loved catching things in the pond and feeding Colin and the ducks”

“This was our second visit to The Gatehouse and we chose to spend Christmas there. We were not disappointed. Always warmly welcomed and John met us to help show us how to light the wood burner. Cottage warm and welcoming with a Christmas tree lit and decorated.... thank you for making our Christmas amazing!”

“This is our third stay in this cottage. The owners have thought of everything, the cottage is well appointed and very comfortable. You don't even need to cook”

“We also used the garden for stargazing which is superb around there. Thanks for a fab stay”

“We pre-order groceries which are delivered to our cottage, ready for our arrival. Melanie and John are excellent hosts, very friendly and knowledgeable about the area and will do anything to help. This is an excellent base for exploring North Devon, we can’t recommend it more highly. The countryside is breath-taking and the coast is a mere 20 minutes away. We want to move here!!!”

“The cottage was excellent, beautifully decorated, equipped with everything we needed. Even when we forgot our dog bowls they provided them! The grounds were lovely and the location of the cottage within the village was great. A very short stroll to an excellent pub”

“John and Melanie are fantastic owners and have created a lovely rural retreat. Also very knowledgeable re places to go etc, and it's so nice to find somewhere where we can take our dogs”

“From walking in the front door you know that John and Melanie have taken great care and pride in their business, all the little touches are there to make you feel at home (heating on, tea, milk etc.) the owners are lovely with extra ideas if you find yourself short of things to do and explore (they have an excellent knowledge of the areas close by)”

“Melanie and John are lovely hosts and are very accommodating at all times, nothing is too much for them to make your stay even more enjoyable. This is a must place if you want to explore the North Devon countryside and beaches, we love it!!!”

“Melanie and John were very friendly and approachable and obviously work very hard to maintain standards in and around the properties. It is so peaceful, yet within easy reach of the coast and the moorland's spectacular scenery. The cottage is very conveniently laid out for those who have mobility problems”

“The information supplied at the cottage is extensive suggesting walks and attractions within the surrounding area, there are even details of dog sitters should you not be able to take your furry friend out for the day. The owners John & Melanie are always cheerful they are on site each day more than happy to advise and help out as required”

“Our cottage was perfect and we had everything we could possibly have wanted. The setting is stunning and from living in a city we really appreciated the wonderful peace and quiet. The owners couldn't have been more helpful and gave us really useful suggestions for wonderful walks. I cant wait to go back again and I can’t recommend Exmoor Cottage Holidays highly enough”

“Amazing!! These wonderful people went way above & beyond & truly saved our trip”