English Country Cottage Complexes in Devon for Families -   Holiday Cottages in Devon with recreational facilities - page 3.

"Views over bays and cliffs from a castle stronghold - a unique holiday opportunity . . ."
Watermouth Castle offers a rare combination of opportunities - for not only do visitors have the chance to live in a castle, but they also enjoy unlimited, free entry to one of the West Country''s premier tourist attractions during their stay.

Within the splendid castle itself, there are six superb apartments, an indoor heated swimming-pool, a museum, a choice of theme attractions, and some fascinating water displays. Outside, the castle's 50-acre estate features wonderful landscaped gardens, with plenty of space for strolling and relaxing, and glorious woodland walks. There are ducks and waterfowl to admire on the lake outside the walls, and beautiful views from the castle over Watermouth Bay and its harbour, where there are slipway facilities for visitors'' boats, as well as moorings for larger craft (by arrangement with the harbourmaster).

The castle is a true example of a Victorian folly, completed in the mid 19th-century by the Bassett family. Now extensively restored by the current owner, its self-contained apartments are reached through an archway in the south court, where the indoor heated swimming-pool is available exclusively to apartment residents. All of the properties have been decorated and furnished to a comfortable standard throughout, in keeping with the style and ambience of the Castle, and all feature four-poster, half tester or brass beds. A separate part of the castle, open to the public, contains the fascinating museum collections, including a Victorian kitchen, animated displays, mechanical musical instruments, a large model railway and a unique arcade of pier slot machines, all in working order.

In the underground theatre is the Water Spectacular, reputedly one of the best fountain shows in the world, a thrilling mix of lights, music and water. Outside in the grounds are further family entertainments, including traditional rides and slides, fascinating water features, children's play areas, a `Gnome land', themed crazy-golf, and much, much more all of which earned Watermouth Castle a place in the finals of the South West Tourism `Large Visitor Attraction Of The Year' Award in 2005. Watermouth Castle enjoys an incomparable setting on rising ground, commanding views over the bays and cliffs of the magnificent coastline stretching away to the east.

Take a woodland walk through the estate to the picturesque, award-winning village of Berrynarbor, or visit the coastal village of Combe Martin (less than 3miles to the east) - famous not only for its sandy coves, inlets and majestic headlands but also as `the gateway to the Exmoor National Park'. Combe Martin offers a choice of shops and cafes, and one of Devon's oldest inns!

Ilfracombe is only a five minute drive away to the west, with a range of seaside attractions, good shops and a golf course, and visitors can enjoy miles of golden sand at nearby Woolacombe and Croyde Bay. Superb cliff-top scenery and beautiful wooded valleys make this one of North Devon''s most scenic areas - as well as a paradise for walkers. Note: Music may filter into the pool area from the antique Mortier organ between 10am and 6pm.

Shared covered swimming pool
These three holiday cottages are set in a designated AONB, with lovely views from the complex over the Sterridge Valley and the sea, 3 miles away, with wonderful beaches nearby. There are lots of facilities on site, including free children?s pony rides. The covered swimming pool (8.5m x 4.3m, depth 1m to 1.3m) is heated from Easter to November (no extra charge), and set in a sun-trap courtyard, whilst the children?s delightful play area has a two-storey tree house, slide, swings and Wendy house. Younger children can play in the inflatable bouncy castle (available twice weekly), and for the older ones there is a games room with a full-size pool table, football machine and table tennis equipment. The owners go to great lengths to ensure that you enjoy your stay and will give you a warm welcome, whatever the season. Guests are invited to wander over the 14-acres of fields adjoining the woods, and look out for badgers and deer. Or why not visit the beach at Combe Martin, with its rocks and coves, 3 miles. Ilfracombe, 5 miles, offering fishing trips and boat trips to Lundy Island, and there are miles of golden sands and rolling waves at Woolacombe, Saunton and Putsborough, ideal for surfing or sail-boarding. You can play golf at Saunton or Ilfracombe, explore Barnstaple, 9 miles, and see its famous Friday indoor pannier market, leisure centre, shops and night spots, or eat out at many good restaurants in the area. The picturesque village of Berrynarbor, 2 miles has a post office/shop, tea rooms and an old inn, which caters for children.