4 Star, open all year Attractive complex in 10 acres of grounds with outstanding views over North Devon countryside Perfect location for walkers and nature lovers Close to beaches and local attractions Indoor heated swimming pool and hot tub. Sauna and Solarium (at cost) Gym Games room and separate snooker room (at cost) with full sized table 9 hole pitch and putt One and a half acre well stocked coarse fishing lake. Carp over 20lb. Cots and high chairs available (request when booking) Bar and Eaterie (Seasonal)

This attractive complex of 16 individual apartments, which have been fitted and furnished to a good standard, is ideal for couples and families. The excellent on-site facilities cater for both adults and children alike, and with never more than 60 residents, access to the facilities is assured. (Bar and Eaterie, seasonal opening times).

Just 3 miles away is the stunning scenery of the North Devon coast, with the villages of Hartland, Clovelly and Bucks Mills tumbling down to the rocky shoreline. The breathtaking sandy beaches at Westward Ho!, Widemouth Bay and Bude with its splash park, are all within driving distance. Inland is rich farming country, dotted with little thatched hamlets and small market towns. Great Torrington, 10 miles, is the home of Dartington Crystal, where you can watch expert glass makers, or visit the lovely RHS gardens at Rosemoor. A mile away, the village of Woolfardisworthy (shortened to 'Woolsery' by the locals) has a local shop and pub. Bideford, 10 miles, renowned as a historic port and market town, has a pretty but steep town centre with a pannier market, and also offers boat trips or helicopter rides to Lundy Island.

Just on the outskirts of Bideford is the Atlantic shopping village, together with the 'Pirates' play area, complete with maze and crazy golf for children.Many other family attractions are all within 10 miles, including the Milky Way, The Big Sheep and Killarney Springs.

There is horse riding, golf and clay pigeon shooting nearby. Barnstaple, 20 miles, which holds weekly markets and antique fairs, offers good facilities such as cinema, theatre, leisure centre and shopping, along with a wide choice of restaurants and inns. Local Brannams pottery can be found on the outskirts of Barnstaple, the home of Royal Barum Ware.The coastal path and the famous Tarka Trail for cycling and walking enthusiasts can be picked up at Bideford and taken all the way to Braunton, taking you through the estuary, nature reserves and burrows along the way, a delightful way to take in the local scenery and spot many different birds en-route, and a great excuse to stop off at local inns or tea rooms along the way. At Braunton, Squires fish and chip shop is a must. Dartmoor and Exmoor, about 30 miles away, are both within easy driving distance.

ADDITIONAL FACILITIES * Indoor heated swimming-pool with changing rooms (available all year) 10am-7pm. * Club room with broadband connection and bar by arrangement. * Food deliveries arranged in advance. * Sun terrace with furniture (adjacent to pool). * Enclosed orchard with seating and barbecue area. * Enclosed children's playground with swings and slides. * Hard tennis court - 1 mile from Woodhouse Farm avail on request. ASHCOMBE ADVENTURE CENTRE - AVAILABLE ALL YEAR ROUND * Quad biking (woodland safaris) * Clay pigeon shooting * Paintball over streams and ravines * Licensed bar and restaurant

"Colourful gardens amidst acres of farmland - just a mile from South Devon's golden sands . . ."
Just a mile inland from the beach and sea at Man Sands, these five cottages enjoy a gloriously secluded rural situation on a 47-acre working farm, yet are convenient for the delights of picturesque Kingswear (1½miles) and historic Dartmouth. Imaginatively formed within acharming group of barns, they are set in superb landscaped shared gardens. An indoor heated swimming-pool and a sauna have been created in a separate building, and a further barn offers facilities for table tennis, pool table, `fun' netball and badminton.

A spacious play area within awalled garden is equipped with swings, a sand pit, Wendy house, adventure playground and a large lawned area; and here there is also an indoor playroom with ball pool, climbing frame, trampoline and a range of children's ride-on tractors and cars for outdoor use.

The gardens are a riot of colour, with flower beds, tubs, hanging baskets and an intriguing network of brick paths, courtyards and paved terraces. Further afield the estate includes a well-stocked one-acre fishing lake (rods not supplied). Children are welcome to help feed the animals; and there are kids, ponies, pigs, sheep, lambs, rabbits and guinea pigs to make friends with.

The taste of rural life at Nethway continues with walks through the fields - and the chance to enjoy the farm's own eggs (when available). The cottages themselves have been meticulously converted, with careful use of traditional stone and slate. All are tastefully furnished and decorated throughout, and comprehensively equipped (including automatic washing machine/tumble dryer, microwave, dishwasher and fridge/freezer). All of the properties have their own patios with furniture (Hyssop Cottage has its own paved garden), and all enjoy shared use of aseparate barbecue area.

They are ideal for holidays at any time of the year - all properties are cosily heated throughout and this region is especially beautiful in the quieter off-season months. For Christmas and New Year holidays, each cottage has a festively decorated Christmas tree and the roaring log fires in all living rooms are ideal for the Autumn and Winter months.

This peninsula is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is renowned for its coastline, which offers glorious coastal walks and a choice of footpaths leading to secluded beaches. The village of Kingswear itself is set on the Dart estuary opposite Dartmouth - which can be reached via ferry. Here you will find a wealth of things to do, including the Kingswear-Paignton steam railway, Paignton Zoo and Woodlands Leisure Park, to name but a few, and many Blue Flag beaches and hidden coves are within easy reach. Coleton Fishacre (NT) is 1mile away. Torquay, Brixham and Paignton offer a bustling array of seaside attractions and are within easy driving distance. Dittisham and Totnes make excellent river excursions from Dartmouth, and Dartmoor is only 45minutes by car. Golf, sailing and riding can all be enjoyed locally and the nearby coastline boasts a choice of excellent surfing beaches.

Shared landscaped gardens and farmland grounds *Shared barbecue *Indoor heated swimming-pool (30ft x 12ft x 4ft), open 24hours a day, all year round, except Saturday mornings *Sauna (coin-operated) *Games room with table tennis, pool table, `fun' netball and badminton *One-acre coarse fishing lake (rods not supplied) *Children's play area and playroom *Broadband avail for e-mail downloads by arr *Free-range eggs avail from neighbouring farm *Grocery and daily paper delivery by arr *

Situated on the edge of the Dartmoor Wildlife Trust Nature Reserve and within 16 acres of tranquil meadowland, Little Dunley Cottages have been carefully restored and finished to a very high standard.

Pristine and tastefully furnished they enjoy pleasant views overlooking the lakes and surrounding countryside. Guests can enjoy carp fishing within the grounds, as well as an indoor heated swimming-pool (from Dec 2007) and all-weather hard tennis court.

Just a few miles off the Devon Expressway, the properties are well situated for all attractions such as sandy beaches and tourist attractions. A haven for birdwatchers and walkers will enjoy the many stunning walks in the area. Pretty Bovey Tracey, one mile, with its numerous shops, pubs and cafes, is known as the Gateway to Dartmoor, which as one of the best known national parks, offers stunning scenery to ride, walk and fish in. A variety of golf clubs nearby.
 

"Secluded among the rolling South Hams - a tranquil retreat where the Dart nears the sea . . ."
Just 15minutes' drive from the superb beach at Blackpool Sands and enjoying unspoilt views north to Dartmoor, these outstanding cottages nestle in a peaceful wooded valley close to the River Dart, half a mile from public lanes and reached down a private drive. Fourteen acres of grounds and gardens offer glorious space for walking and relaxing, as well as two heated swimming-pools (one indoor, one outdoor), a championship-size, all-weather hard tennis court, a games room with pool table and a purpose built soft-cushioned toddlers' playroom together with a lovely outdoor timber play area.

Close to a fine Georgian manor house, (occupied by the owners), are five properties sensitively transformed from a splendid 18th-century long barn with every opportunity taken to make the most of its intriguing floor levels and original features, including terraces, balconies and galleries. A spacious coach house attached to the manor, with inglenook and Aga, offers an elegant setting for the sixth cottage; whilst Garden House, sleeping up to 8, is a skilfully converted detached barn with its own large private terrace, and the Hayloft is a first floor studio apartment. Interior design has ensured that all properties are tastefully furnished and fitted to high standards of workmanship. The contemporary kitchen appliances, granite worktops, stylish bathrooms, Jane Churchill soft furnishings, with DVD/satellite TV as standard, offer sophisticated comfort and style.

The wooded valleys and abundant wildlife in the immediate vicinity offers rich rewards for walkers and bird-watchers. Riding is available locally (the owners keep horses for their private use), plus golf at Dartmouth's 18 hole championship golf course with its own leisure and beauty centre (all at 25% discount to Gitcombe guests). River, sea and boat fishing are all nearby, together with boat trips and sailing readily available at Dartmouth and Salcombe. Good surfing can be found at Bantham. Just 4miles away, Dartmouth's ancient port offers good shops, inns and restaurants, and a fine castle (English Heritage), set on rocks at the river mouth. Four miles up river lies Totnes, a delightful old town with many 16th-century and timber-framed buildings, interesting shops and coffee houses.

A good walk from the cottage door will lead to a choice of two inns atTuckenhay and one in Cornworthy, all child friendly. On the coast, there are superb Blue Flag beaches, including Blackpool Sands and Bigbury Bay with its sea tractor service to Burgh Island's famous art deco hotel and Pilchard Inn. The National Trust offers several gardens to visit, including Agatha Christie's Greenway and Coleton Fishacre, where semi-tropical plants flourish in the wonderfully mild climate.

Woodlands Leisure Centre, Sharpham Vineyard, the National Marine Aquarium, Paignton's Enviromental Zoo and Torquay's living coasts are all within travelling distance.*Elec incl *Open fire/wood-burning stove (not The Hayloft. ref HEEB) - logs incl *Parking *Shop 3miles *Satellite TV (not satellite in HEEB) *DVD *CD *Auto wm/tumble dryer *M/wave *D/washer *American-style fridge/freezer (not HEEB)*T/cot *H/chair *Grounds of 14acres *Championship-size, all-weather hard tennis court *Children's soft-cushion playroom with pool table *Indoor heated swimming-pool open daily (unsupervised, access by card key) *Outdoor heated swimming-pool (mid-May to Sept, 9am-8pm) *Sauna, steam room and sun decking platform with outdoor hot tub *Boules court *Children's outdoor adventure playground *Food and wine deliveries plus private chef by arr *Visiting beauty therapist by prior arr*Duvets with linen and towels (excluding beach towels and cot linen) *Non-smokers only
SUPERB INDOOR AND OUTDOOR FACILITIES *Magnificent indoor heated swimming-pool (30ft x 18ft, with a constant depth of 3ft) with changing/W.C. facilities and Roman-style stepped `D' end. Open daily (9am to 8pm) all year round. Doors to front large deck with seating and outdoor hot tub spa. Doors to large deck with seating and outdoor hot tub spa. *Magnificent Klafs sauna and steam rooms with showers. *Outdoor heated swimming-pool (34ft x 22ft, depth range 3ft to 6ft) open daily from mid-May to Sept, 9am-8pm. *Championship-size, (resurfaced 2005) all-weather hard tennis court open daily all year round (tennis shoes only).

Tennis racquets and balls available. *Children's games and soft-cushion playroom featuring a ball pool and various play shapes, for children age 5and under. Also pool table - open daily. *Superb outside children's wood carved adventure playground with swings, tree house, pirate ship, bridge, tunnel and throne.

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" Between coast and country ... a collection of designer cottages enjoying the best of both worlds "
Situated in a quiet and peaceful rural location on the edge of the pretty hamlet of Tawstock, these four attractive cottages are only 7 miles from the nearest beach at Instow and conveniently close to facilities at Barnstaple. The properties have been carefully converted from a range of old stone barns and beautifully refurbished in a fresh contemporary style. Each cottage is individual in design, well equipped and comfortable, with attractive fabrics and great attention to detail. Each has patio doors from the living room leading to its own decked patio and lawned garden, perfect for al fresco meals while watching the sun set.
This is an excellent location for exploring the magnificent coastline of North Devon, from the 'Golden Coast' with fine sandy surfing beaches at Woolacombe, Croyde and Saunton to the ruggard cliffs of Harland Point. The coastal footpath offers superb walking with wonderful views of the dramatic shoreline, while inland the wild beauty of Exmoor waits to be discovered. Bideford Bay (also known as Barnstaple Bay) takes in its sweep Westward Ho!, Hartland Point and the beautiful village of Clovelly - much loved by photographers. Instow and the old ship building port of Appledore shelter in the mouth of the Torridge estuary, and the regular boat trips to Lundy (with its twenty or so full-time residents) can be taken from Bideford. Millcombe House on Lundy Island and the castle built by Henry III remain as testimonies of former inhabitants.
Casual cyclists who fancy a spin in the countryside under their own steam will appreciate the Tarka Trail, a popula flat route that is easy to manage and runs from the Meeth new Okehampton. Taking its name from Henry Williamson's Tarka the Otter - one of the finest pieces of English nature writing - it winds its way to Braunton and can be picked up at Barnstaple (just two miles from the cottages), which forms the centre of the figure-eight traced by the trail.
For visitors with an appreciation of skilled artisans, the famous royal-appointed Brannams Pottery can be found just one and a half miles away. Here the skill of the pot throwers can be admired, with the opportunity to purchase goods made on the premises. Definitely worth a visit, too, is the Dartington Crystal factory glass works (7 miles) where the mouton glass is expertly fashioned into unique works of art by glass blowers.
There are plenty of places to viit nearby, including a number of family attractions and the famous RHS gardens at Rosemoor, all within a few miles, The nearby town of Barnstaple offers good shops and restaurants, a weekly market and pannier market, theatre, cinema and sports facilities.
*Elec incl *Full gas CH incl *Ample parking *Shops 2½miles *TV *Video *Radio/cassette/CD *Auto wm/tumble dryer *M/wave *D/washer *Cot *H/chair *Garden with decked patio, and furniture *Large shared communal lawned area *Barbecue *Play area with swings *Tennis court *Games room *Cycle storage *Duvets with linen and towels