Rent Find self catering and cottages that sleep 12 in South West England

Orford Mill - Tarka, Great Torrington, Devon, South West England

Sleeps 12
Weekly prices from £1300

Self catering accommodation in Great Torrington sleeps 12.

Features include: • Pool • Short Breaks • Golf nearby • Detached • Sleeps 12

Accommodation overview: Deep in Tarka the Otter country where the river glides beneath the trees and time stands still...

Orford Mill lies alongside the River Torridge in a beautiful wooded valley, nestled below the historic town of Torrington. With its air of peace and tranquillity, abundant wildflowers and river life, it became the setting for Henry Williamson’s magical story of Tarka the Otter. Indeed, the mill wheel in which Tarka hid from the hound Deadlock was at Orford Mill. This superb location makes a wonderful holiday base, especially for families, with sandy beaches on the North Devon coast only 10 miles away.
The complex consists of a Grade II listed water mill and manor house, now converted into nine delightful cottages, all equipped to Visit Britain ‘4 Star’ standard. Most overlook the charming ornamental courtyard with its ponds and flowerbeds. Riverside is detached and overlooks the river. All cottages retain character features such as exposed beams and stonework, and each is furnished in an individual style to a very high standard. Guests can enjoy an indoor heated swimming pool, with lovely river views, as well as an all-weather tennis court, games room and fenced outdoor children’s play area. In addition, fishing rights are available on 200 yards of river (bring own licence, or avail locally at cost). All the waterways are safely fenced.
The countryside around Orford Mill is dotted with sleepy villages nestled among the hills, while extensive woodlands, traversed by many footpaths, offer the chance to experience the area’s natural beauty at close quarters. Adjacent to the grounds are the renowned RHS gardens at Rosemoor, and other local attractions include Dartington Crystal, offering a factory tour and visitor centre. Great Torrington is only a mile away with good shopping and amenities, and there is golf at nearby Hartland. Orford Mill adjoins Torrington Common which extends to 365 acres, incorporating 20 miles of footpaths. The common is a haven for wildlife. The ‘Big Sheep’ and ‘Milky Way’ theme parks are each less than 10 miles away.
The River Torridge runs downstream to the ancient port of Bideford, still with a working quay offering boat trips out to Lundy Island. Just around the corner is the attractive little town of Appledore with its colourful houses and narrow streets. To either side lies Devon’s most spectacular stretch of coastal scenery – a chain of magnificent cliffs and rocky promontories, interspersed here and there by long flat sandy beaches, where the Atlantic breakers roll in to create ideal surfing conditions. There are splendid beaches at Instow and Westward Ho!, the latter bordered by the Royal North Devon Golf Club, and the Northam Nature Reserve. Further west is the supremely picturesque Clovelly, whose narrow, cobbled main street descends at a dizzying gradient to the little harbour below. To the south, the cathedral city of Exeter can be reached via a delightful drive through lush river valleys.
Orford Mill offers very attractive accommodation set in 3 acres of beautiful gardens with streams, waterfalls and the water wheel which is still operational. Excellent as a touring base, it makes a good choice for a holiday whatever the weather. Shop ½ mile.

Grove Farm House, Chewton Mendip, Somerset, South West England

Sleeps 12
Weekly prices from £1300

Self catering accommodation in Chewton Mendip sleeps 12.

Features include: • Open Fire or Woodburner Stove • Short Breaks • Pets allowed • Detached • Sleeps 12

Accommodation overview: Grove Farm House is a former farmhouse located in an outstandingly beautiful part of the Mendip Hills, on the Waldegrave Estate. It is a large detached house surrounded by three old stone barns, forming an open landscaped courtyard, and is surrounded by hundreds of acres of rolling pasture land and woodland, all easily accessible as they are part of the Estate. It is a perfect retreat for walkers and nature lovers, and for enjoying total seclusion, tranquillity and the large variety of wildlife. The house has been fully modernised and renovated, but still retains many of its original features such as large open fireplaces, wood burning stoves, stone flagged floors and shuttered sash windows, and the ground floor bedroom contains the original wood burning bread oven. Enjoy visiting the historic cities of Wells with its magnificent cathedral and Bishop’s Palace, Bath with its Roman Spa and Georgian architecture, and the heritage maritime city of Bristol. Glastonbury is 8 miles away, famous for its festival, Tor and King Arthur legends, and there is a wealth of other nearby attractions such as Wookey Hole Caves, Cheddar Gorge, Clarks Village, Longleat Safari Park, and fishing and bird watching on Chew Valley Lake. Shops and pub 2 miles.

Hall with wood-burning stove. Steps up to large kitchen/dining room with wood-burning stove, living area, flagstone floor and double doors to garden. Sitting room with patio doors. Study with open fire and sash windows with shutters. Separate toilet. Three steps down to double bedroom. Wet room with toilet. First floor: Double bedroom. Double bedroom with decorative fireplace. Twin bedroom with decorative fireplace. Single bedroom with additional pull-out bed (for +1). Two bathrooms, each with separate shower cubicle and toilet. Separate very narrow, steep, open tread staircase to twin bedroom.

Coombe Farmhouse, Modbury, Devon, South West England

Sleeps 12
Weekly prices from £1300

Self catering accommodation in Modbury sleeps 12.

Features include: • Pool • Open Fire or Woodburner Stove • Pets allowed • Detached • Sleeps 12

Accommodation overview: Coombe Farmhouse is truly a property of grand design. The holiday location comprises not just one barn, but a cluster of old stone barns beautifully and carefully converted to high specification and nestling around a central courtyard which is planted with sweet-smelling lavender. They are set in a tranquil, rural location, a short drive from the little Edwardian town of Modbury and about 5 miles from sandy beaches. Coombe Farmhouse offers extensive accommodation and superb sound and vision equipment - ideal for a special family gathering. Holidays over Christmas and New Year would be wonderful spent here, as well as short breaks in the winter months - the location is truly rural, and offers complete peace and tranquillity. It is surrounded by fields and woodland and set in a slightly elevated position facing south. Facilities include a separate cinema room adjoining the living room (with an overhead projector, large screen and superb KEF sound equipment). There is also a small indoor heated swimming pool, with resistance wave action and patio doors which open on to the courtyard garden. The detached, main house comprises four very spacious en-suite bedrooms plus the detached guest annexe situated just across the courtyard. The guest annexe is a lovely two-storey barn - perfect for grandparents or a couple with a baby. Wall-mounted flatscreen TVs with DVD and full Sky package feature in all bedrooms. Modbury is a small town in the South Hams in Devon, surrounded by rolling hills, wooded glades and winding country lanes, where visitors will find a cluster of independent shops and locally produced Devon food and drink. There are some farms in the area selling fresh local produce, as well as a local vineyard and a chocolate maker. Modbury is a very attractive and convenient base for a holiday or short break to explore this area of South Devon. There are lovely sandy beaches to be found at Bigbury-on-Sea, just 3 miles to the south. Other popular beaches include Mothecombe, Bantham, Thurlestone and Challaborough, which are all popular with families, and all busy with watersports in the summer. Horse riding is available locally and, for golfers, there are two good golf clubs nearby. The A38 is just 10 minutes away, making travel to other areas easy. From this route, most of South Devon can be explored and on across the Tamar Bridge into Cornwall. The edge of Dartmoor - awesome, beautiful and mysterious - is only 5 miles to the north and has dramatic, open spaces; it always makes a popular tourist destination. There is much to do and see in this area, with something to suit family members of all ages. Alternatively, guests will be pleased to simply just stay put at Coombe Farmhouse and enjoy a totally relaxing holiday spending quality time together as a family. Shops 2 miles, pubs 3 miles.

Main house: Double bedroom with 6ft bed, walk-in wardrobe, teak floor and en-suite bathroom with separate shower cubicle, twin basins and toilet. Two twin bedrooms, each with fully-tiled en-suite bathroom with over-bath shower and toilet. Separate toilet. First floor: Large living room with teak floor and apex vaulted ceiling with A-frame beams. Spacious dining room with open fire (dual aspect with kitchen), teak floor, vaulted ceiling with exposed A-frame oak beams and French doors. Spacious, well-equipped, handmade Italian kitchen with gas/electric Smeg range and electric/gas cooker, polished granite worktops, central island/breakfast bar, teak floor and doors to decked area. Utility. Home cinema room with surround sound, overhead projector and 6ft x 4ft viewing screen. Glass walkway to spacious double bedroom with 5ft bed and en-suite bathroom with separate double shower cubicle and toilet. Annexe: Spacious living room. First floor: Large double bedroom with 5ft bed (for +2) and en-suite bathroom with separate shower cubicle and toilet. All bedrooms with wall-mounted flatscreen TV and DVD. Separate studio: Double bedroom (for +2) with en-suite bathroom with over-bath shower.

Coronation House, Rousden, Dorset, South West England

Sleeps 12
Weekly prices from £1300

Self catering accommodation in Rousden sleeps 12.

Features include: • Open Fire or Woodburner Stove • Short Breaks • Pets allowed • Detached • Garden • Sleeps 12

Accommodation overview: This Grade II listed property stands detached in the heart of the Rousdon Estate, one of the great Victorian rural estates in Britain. The main manor house , which stands adjacent to Coronation House, was most recently used as a public school. Renovated throughout to a very high standard, with distant sea views to be enjoyed from some rooms, the house offers spacious accommodation and its own pretty landscaped walled garden in addition to the recently completed cobbled courtyard garden. The estate itself lies in a cliff-top position, above some of the country’s most beautiful coastline, now designated a World Heritage Site; guests have access to some 300 acres of grounds and woodland, and a steep and sustained 20-minute walk along a footpath (subject to access if adverse conditions underfoot) leads to a half-mile stretch of private pebbled beach.
Awaiting visitation just along the coastline are the ever-popular seaside towns of Lyme Regis and Charmouth (Jane Austen’s favourite resort), where hours of fun can be spent scouring the fossil beaches for treasures. Lyme Regis also offers a good choice of shops, restaurants and museums, as well as some fine Georgian architecture and a colourful harbour sheltered by a large breakwater known as The Cobb. Exhilarating walks can be enjoyed from the doorstep; for spectacular views the climb to Golden Cap is well worth the effort – at 617ft high, this gorse-clad viewpoint is one of the highest cliffs on the south coast. Nearby Abbotsbury is a pretty village with an attractive shingle beach, with several attractions including a children’s farm, swannery, 15th-century hilltop chapel and the famous subtropical gardens. Bridport is a nice old town with several fine buildings; a medieval church, a Georgian town hall, a 14th-century chantry and a Tudor building housing the local museum. For sightseeing, Fforde Abbey, Cricket St Thomas and several NT properties all lie within a short drive. Shop ¼ mile.

Two steps down through garden to entrance. Large living room with open fire, rugs on oak floor and French door to garden. Spacious kitchen/dining room with oak floor. Separate utility with terracotta floor. Separate toilet. First floor: Two double bedrooms, each with 5ft bed and distant sea views. Bathroom with spa bath and power shower cubicle. Further double bedroom with en-suite steam room and shower. Twin bedroom. Bathroom with toilet. Second floor: Two twin bedrooms with sloping ceilings and Velux windows.

Coombe Hall - Gallant Fox, Drewsteignton, Devon, South West England

Sleeps 12
Weekly prices from £1300

Self catering accommodation in Drewsteignton sleeps 12.

Features include: • Pool • Short Breaks • Pets allowed • Sleeps 12

Accommodation overview: Down a half-mile of private drive, on a captivating corner of Dartmoor, lie Gallant Fox and Coombe Hall Manor House - both stunning properties. Pleasantly secluded yet centrally located, within easy reach of Devon’s beaches, minutes to the A30 and ten minutes into the cathedral city of Exeter. This is the perfect base for exploring Dartmoor, Devon and Cornwall.
Drewsteignton boasts Fingle Bridge pub overlooking the River Teign, Egon Ronay award winning Drewe Arms pub, NT’s Castle Drogo, the Mystic Sculpture Garden, and, situated in an AONB is the drama of Dartmoor, with rocky tors, wild ponies, exquisite walks, horseriding, fishing, cycling, falconry and golf at Bovey Castle’s award winning course. Within 6 miles are the two picturesque villages of Chagford and Moreton Hampstead, historic inns, excellent pubs, stunning five star hotels/restaurants, tea rooms, curiosity shops, tennis courts, and the Miniature Pony Centre. The sandy beaches/seaside resorts of Dawlish (13 miles), Torquay and Bude all within easy reach. Eden Project 1 hour away. Numerous NT houses/castles on the doorstep. Waitrose in Okehampton, 7 miles. Two shops 11/2 miles, pub 1/2 mile.

Woodyhyde Courtyard, Corfe Castle, Dorset, South West England

Sleeps 12
Weekly prices from £1300

Self catering accommodation in Corfe Castle sleeps 12.

Features include: • Pool • Short Breaks • Pets allowed • Sleeps 12

Accommodation overview: Occupying a secluded rural position within a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the heart of the Purbecks, Woodyhyde Courtyard is a large detached, single-storey holiday property with its own leisure facilities including heated indoor swimming pool and sauna with changing room, shower and toilet. In the games room there is table tennis, a pool table and table football. There is also a gym (adults only) and outside a large enclosed field ideal for ball games or a picnic.
This is excellent walking country – four footpaths lead from the grounds over open countryside, from where they link up with a magnificent network of paths, including the spectacular Dorset Coast Path just 3 miles away. The historic stone village of Corfe Castle is just 1½ miles away, where visitors will find the ruins of a National Trust castle, and a collection of shops, pubs and restaurants. The scenic Swanage Steam Railway passes through the valley close to the farm – a trip aboard is bound to be a memorable experience. Swanage Bay, with its sandy beach, is just 4½ miles away and the magnificent countryside and sandy beaches of the Studland Peninsula lie just 7 miles distant. Shops and pubs 1½ miles.

Large beamed living/dining room with wood-burning stove and vaulted ceiling. Well-equipped kitchen with dual fuel range (for cooking), vaulted ceiling and French doors to patio. Four steps down to utility leading to pool, sauna, gym and games room. Two double bedrooms, each with 5ft bed and day bed (for alternative sleeping only); one with en-suite bathroom with toilet, one with en-suite shower room with toilet. Two double bedrooms, each with en-suite shower room and toilet. Further double bedroom. Twin bedroom. Shower room with toilet.

Harriss Park, Halwill, Devon, South West England

Sleeps 12
Weekly prices from £1300

Self catering accommodation in Halwill sleeps 12.

Features include: • Pool • Short Breaks • Pub nearby • Detached • Sleeps 12

Accommodation overview: Set amidst 250 acres of rolling Devonshire countryside, this magnificent barn conversion affords views which stretch for miles. Enjoying peace and quiet, Harriss Park is approached by a private driveway, offering a beautiful rural location to stay. It is furnished, fitted and equipped to a very high standard, rooms are spacious, light and airy with vaulted ceilings and pitch pine floors. There is a large south-facing garden with patio area and barbecue which enjoys far reaching views over open countryside. Set near to a cluster of similar, carefully restored conversions, it shares the use of a wide range of facilities, such as an indoor heated swimming pool with a separate shallow heated toddlers’ pool, table tennis, skittle alley, snooker room, gym area, and badminton and squash courts, purpose-built to a very high specification. In the grounds there is a 9-hole golf course, trampolines and tennis court. The owners’ dairy farm is close by, offering families a chance to visit the animals. Set deep in the heart of the South Hams, the holiday property is just a 20-minute drive from several sandy beaches. The Dartmoor National Park is to the North, offering visitors excellent walking terrain, whilst sailing and fishing are offered in Dartmouth (8 miles), to the south. Conveniently situated for the whole family, attractions within 10 miles include Woodland Fun Park, Dartington Glass and Cider Press, and the zoo and steam train at Paignton. There are also many interesting towns and villages nearby – Kingsbridge, Salcombe, Dartmouth, Totnes, Torbay, Dittisham, Ashprington and Stoke Gabriel are all within driving distance. Shop, pub and restaurant in Moreleigh, 1 mile.

Ground floor: Two double bedrooms, each with TV and additional single bed (for +1), one with 5ft bed and en-suite bathroom with toilet, and one with en-suite shower room with toilet. Two twin bedrooms. Bathroom with toilet. First floor: Spacious living/dining room with rugs on wooden floor and well-equipped, Shaker-style kitchen area. Master double bedroom with 5ft bed, TV and en-suite shower room with toilet. Vaulted ceilings throughout first floor.

Greenwood Grange Cottages - Henchard, Higher Bockhampton, Dorset, South West England

Sleeps 12
Weekly prices from £1300

Self catering accommodation in Higher Bockhampton sleeps 12.

Features include: • Pool • Short Breaks • Pets allowed • Games Room • Easy Walking • Garden • Sleeps 12

Accommodation overview: Greenwood Grange offers the ideal holiday combination - premium quality accommodation, fine facilities all within a family-run friendly and welcoming atmosphere, and it has achieved a Green Tourism Business Scheme Silver Award in 2009

Set at Higher Bockhampton (which is Hardy’s ‘Upper Mellstock’), Greenwood Grange is a secret hideaway set in its own 4 acres of peaceful grounds and landscaped gardens. All the cottages have undergone a major refurbishment and offer the very highest quality accommodation and facilities, with each cottage having its own individually styled interior using natural and recycled materials where possible.
As well as offering plenty of space for strolling and relaxing, there are two en-tous-cas tennis courts, lawns for croquet and badminton, a children’s play area with swings and yurt (with toys and games) and a dogs’ exercise paddock, in addition to the newly established organic vegetable garden and pick your own fruit area, with free range chickens providing eggs, to be enjoyed by all the family. There is also a magnificent Roman-style indoor heated swimming pool (complete with mural!) with full changing facilities, a large sauna and sitting area.
At the entrance of Greenwood Grange is Thorncombe Wood - a wildlife sanctuary from which a nature trail leads through magnificent chestnuts, beeches and oaks, and through 70 acres of black heath, furze, birch, holly, heather and rhododendrons. This is just one of many walks directly from the door over some of the most beautiful countryside in Dorset, perfect for healthy walks for dog lovers and all the family. Greenwood Grange offers bicycles for hire and a drop-off and pick-up service by prior arrangement.
Those interested in the literary landscape can explore the locations of Hardy’s famous novels. Steeped in history, Greenwood Grange was built by Thomas Hardy’s father, whilst a short distance away is the thatched cottage where Hardy himself was born, built by his great-grandfather and little altered. At Lower Bockhampton, Hardy went to school and there is a lovely walk from there to the next village, Stinsford, where his heart is buried.
All around is a wealth of glorious National Trust countryside, pretty towns and villages as well as the beautiful coastline just 6 miles away. Excellent local village restaurants and pubs can be recommended. Kingston Maurward College with animal park, gardens, conference, function and education centre is within walking distance.
Dorchester (Roman Durnovaria and Hardy’s ‘Casterbridge’) is a pleasant walk away (2 miles) and a most attractive country town, with museums of the dinosaur and the military, swimming pool, golf (good golf can also be found at Weymouth and Charminster) and has plenty of good shops, restaurants and pubs. Also of interest is Prince Charles’s development at Poundbury, near Dorchester.
Weymouth is 8 miles with its Georgian seafront Blue Flag beach - ideal for castle building! It is overlooked by an elegant 3-mile level esplanade; there is swimming from the beach, and there are lots of traditional entertainments. Two nearby RSPB reserves are at Lodmoor and Radipole which has nature trails from which grebes, swans and warblers may be seen. Nearby Portland is set to hold Olympic sailing events in 2012.
The beach at Ringstead Bay (6 miles) is known for its geology, fossils and the vegetation and wildlife of its undercliff; nearby can be seen the outlines of a village abandoned in the Middle Ages.
The Dorset World Heritage Coastal Path offers magnificent views and surprising sights, such as the natural arch of Durdle Door, and the almost circular cove of Lulworth, about 7 miles away.
Further west dotted along the coastline towards West Bay and the market town of Bridport are the ‘chocolate box’ villages of Burton Bradstock and Abbotsbury (famous for its swannery and gardens).
The area offers abundant river stretches for coarse or trout fishing, and ...