15th Century Thatched Cottage 21st Century Comfort

WELCOME TO OUR MUCH LOVED FAMILY HOLIDAY HOME HERE ON THE BEAUTIFUL NORTH DEVON COAST.

Vale Cottage is a 550 year old thatched-roof Devon longhouse. It is traditionally built of cob & lime render and is Grade II listed, to recognise and protect its historical significance.

It has recently been fully renovated, but in keeping with its age and character. So it now perfectly combines C15th charm with C21st comfort and amenity.

Vale Cottage is our home, designed & equipped as such, making it a lot more personal, better equipped and comfortable than your average holiday rental.
The space

LIVING & DINING ROOMS

The beamed living room has a very large, old stone fireplace, once a bread oven, with an electric log burner. There are comfy sofas and armchairs to seat 8 and a 50-inch smart TV plus Bose blue tooth speaker.

The dining room has a dining table and chairs for 8, with an inglenook fireplace and window seats. There is an opening into the kitchen, to keep the conversation, food and drink flowing while you eat. Both rooms have solid wood floors with underfloor heating and dimmable lighting for cosy evenings.

Just off the living room there is a work from home area, with a large, custom-made desk overlooking the quiet lane. This area can be closed off, so you can work in peace. We have Starlink WiFi and have found it be fast & reliable.

Upstairs, in The Den, there is a sofa, large TV, PlayStation and Wii: This is really useful for when the adults and kids each want their own space to do different things. So The Den doubles as both a family den and a fifth bedroom.

KITCHEN & UTILITY

The light and spacious kitchen is a perfect mix of old and new. It features a stable door and gorgeous old beams, alongside a newly installed range cooker with an induction hob. There is also a microwave and dishwasher, and in the utility room you will find a very large fridge, separate freezer, and large-capacity washer/dryer. In terms of kitchen equipment, there is absolutely everything you need and then some.

As well as all the essentials, we have a Nespresso machine and an ice-cream maker, which is great fun for the whole family. All the pots, pans, utensils, crockery, cutlery, and glassware are new and it all matches. There is at least sixteen of everything you use most often. Previous guests have commented on how well-equipped the kitchen is and, from personal experience, we can say that it really is a pleasure to cook in. We hope you enjoy it as much as we do and remember to check out some of the great local farm shops for amazing fresh produce.

The courtyard is just off the kitchen and is described below.

BEDROOMS & BATHROOMS

There are 5 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms across two floors. Within the 5 bedrooms there are 4 king/double beds and 2 singles. There are also 2 travel cots available.

There are 2 ground floor bathrooms and 1 ground floor bedroom, with no stairs to climb.

The rooms are all named and described below.

Pipit - The Pipit bedroom with king size bed and ensuite bath & shower room is upstairs. There is a newly installed roll top bath in the ensuite, perfect for a long soak. There is also a separate shower. The soundtrack to Pipit is the cows in the field opposite.

Dimpsy - Also upstairs, this is a second king size bedroom, with an ensuite shower room. The soundtrack to Dimpsy is the stream opposite. Please note that The Den bedroom is adjacent to Dimpsy, between it and the ensuite shower room. The Den has a single bed.

The Den - The single bedroom upstairs, adjacent to Dimpsy and sharing the bathroom.

Squinches - In this upstairs bedroom there is both a double and a single bed. Squinches is next to Dimpsy and there is a door between the two rooms. So this is an ideal set up for families with little ones, but this door can be locked for privacy and the bedroom can be accessed from another door, making it totally independent.

Pigsty - Downstairs, at the quiet end of the house, the Pigsty bedroom has a double bed and an ensuite shower room. Pigsty is ideal for those who prefer not to use stairs or who want to be close to the work from home area.

Also downstairs is the family bathroom with a loo, bath and overhead shower.

There is plenty of drawer and wardrobe or hanging space in every room, with plenty of hangers and a full length mirror & hairdryer in each of them. There is a 32 inch smart TV in every bedroom and a heated towel rail in every bathroom. All bedrooms will be made up for your arrival, with good quality professionally laundered bed linen and towels. But please bring your own beach and doggie towels.

OUTSIDE SPACES

Through the stable door at the back of the kitchen you will find a private and securely enclosed covered courtyard. This is great for alfresco dining, as it is just off the kitchen. There is a sturdy wooden table and seating for 8. The whole area is carpeted, so warm and soft underfoot. And you will stay shaded and dry, even in the rain.

85 metres up the lane - not attached to the house - you will find our garden. This is much larger than the courtyard and open. It is really peaceful and has a nice view... but is very much a work not yet in progress just now. There is a useful outdoor shower there, to wash salty and sandy surf boards (and children!), and also a drying line to hang wetsuits and towels. There is a charcoal BBQ there too, with a table and seating for eight.

Please note that we have plans to renovate the garden, but have not started yet. So it is fair to say that the garden is currently Vale Cottage's weakest link, certainly not star attraction.

PRIVATE PARKING

Beside the garden, there is dedicated private parking for 3-4 cars (depending on size) and a carport, so you can park under cover if you wish. There is an outdoor 3 pin 13 amp socket, suitable for EV charging, but please bring your own charger.

Please note that the parking is 85 metres up the lane from the cottage.