Location
Beehive Cottage, Exeter Road, Beaford, Winkleigh, Devon EX19 8LR.
Nearest Town(s)
Great Torrington (5 miles), Bideford (12 miles), Barnstaple (14 miles), Exeter (30 miles).
How to get there:
It is possible to reach the cottage by public transport (train to Exeter St David’s and then a local bus from Exeter to Beaford which stops right opposite the cottage). However, ideally one needs a car to access the area easily.
Nearest Town:
Great Torrington (5 miles), Bideford (12 miles), Barnstaple (14 miles), Exeter (30 miles).
Local Area
Great Torrington is the nearest town with supermarkets (Lidl, Co-op, Morrisons, M&S at the garage) and local shops as well as pubs, cafes and restaurants. Most of the shops are small, independent outfits. Torrington is also home to Dartington Glass, with a large factory outlet. It also has a swimming pool with sauna.
Beaford itself has a good pub, The Globe, two doors down from the cottage. Many of the surrounding villages also have characterful pubs. The parish church at Beaford has services every Sunday.
Bideford and Barnstaple have a larger selection of shops, and Barnstaple has out-of-town stores.
The area is slightly off the beaten track, although the spectacular North Devon coast is easily accessible at Northam Burrows and Westward Ho, and the north Cornish coast is also not far away. The coastal path is one of the great attractions of the area, with Clovelly, Hartland Quay and Bude being particularly popular destinations. Both Dartmoor and Exmoor are easily accessibly from the cottage, and there are views of Dartmoor from the top end of the village.
Beaford is one of any number of small, hidden villages down quiet country lanes worth visiting. Torrington, Bideford and Exeter are full of historic interest. There are numerous footpaths from the village and in the area. Just a few miles from Beaford, Rosemoor RHS gardens are very fine, with a nice café and shop, selling a wide selection of plants as well as gifts and books. There are a couple of small nature reserves close to the village.
Facilities
The cottage is a ‘two-up two-down’ end of a large, 17th century thatched and cob house, possibly where the animals were originally housed. It is homely, cosy and comfortable, rather than plush. It’s well supplied with books, maps, walks and local information as well as works of art by local artists. It will particularly suit those who love walking and reading, and who appreciate the quiet and simplicity of the property, as well as those looking for cheaper rental (especially in the height of the season, when even small cottages can command large sums).
The cottage sleeps 2-3 in a double and single bedroom, both with sinks and electric heaters. Most visitors bring their own bedding and towels and clean the cottage before they go, but bedding and linen can be provided at a small extra cost. Similarly, the cottage can be cleaned for a small payment. Downstairs, there is a main living room, with a record-player and radio, plenty of games and good wifi. There is a table and chairs which can be pulled out for dining, a well-equipped kitchen and a bathroom with toilet, bath and shower. Storage heaters in the kitchen and living room provide the background heat, and there is an additional electric heater in the living room and a fan heater in the bathroom.
There is no garden but there is a meadow just across the way where visitors can sit out, and there are benches on the village green next to the churchyard.
Parking is on the street outside or a short distance away up the road by the school (it is possible to park to load and unload right by the cottage door).
By and large, I prefer not to have animals but a small, well-behaved dog may be permitted.
Due to the lack of parking, the property is not suitable for anyone with mobility issues.
Additional Photos
Click to enlarge
Costs
Charges are based on season (low, mid and high) and occupancy (single, double and three person), ranging from £25 per person per night for triple occupancy in low season to £50 per person per night single occupancy in high season. There is a discount for weekly bookings (which are preferred); weekly costs range from £250 in low season for single occupancy to £580 in high season for triple occupancy.
10 per cent discount is offered to clergy and church staff.
Cleaning: Note the arrangement described above under ‘Facilities’
Energy Provision:
Electricity (measured by metre) is in addition to rental costs.
Availability
Available all year round.
Arrival and Departure times:
Normally not before 3 pm and departure by 11 am.
Booking arrangements: Saturday to Saturday, except by special arrangement outside of main holiday seasons
Pets: One small dog – by negotiation
Contact the Owner
If you are interested in making a booking, or you would like further information, please get in touch using the following contact details:
Name: Nicola Slee
Phone Number: 07950 215217
Email Address: beehivecottagebeaford@gmail.com
Website: www.beehivecottagebeaford.com