Welcome to Beehive cottage Beaford -
NOW WITH WIFI!
A quiet and simple retreat in the heart of rural Devon
Beehive cottage is a small, cosy traditional cob and thatch cottage in the charming village of Beaford, situated 10 miles from the stunning North Devon coast and within easy reach of Dartmoor and Exmoor. Close to the historic town of Great Torrington and just a few miles from RHS Rosemoor, the village has many lovely footpaths through woods, down to the river and Beaford Mill and to surrounding villages.
The cottage sleeps two to three in a double and single room. The ambience throughout is simple, homely and welcoming. Those who appreciate quiet, books, walking and the countryside will love a stay in my home.
I deliberately keep costs as modest as possible, to make this an affordable retreat for those who cannot afford the high costs in Devon, particularly in high season.
The cottage
The cottage has two bedrooms, a double and a single, and downstairs a living room with pull out dining table and easy chairs, a well equipped kitchen and a bathroom with bath and shower. Each of the bedrooms has a sink. Storage heaters provide heat in winter, supplemented by additional electric heaters. Although the cottage is on the main road through the village, the three foot thick cob walls and traffic calming measures ensure that traffic noise is unobtrusive. The cottage does not have a garden, but there is a beautiful meadow just across the way where it is fine to sit out (folding chairs provided), and there are ample other spaces in the village with lovely views and seating.
PLEASE NOTE The cottage now has excellent broadband/wifi, enabling you to listen to music, download films, use your favourite social media sites and communicate with the outside world. At the same time, those who want to enjoy the profound peace and quiet of the cottage don't need to avaial themselves of the wifi!
Places to go, things to do
Beaford is a charming village, worth exploring in its own right, with a lovely ancient church and churchyard, award winning pub and many footpaths down to the Mill and river, in the woods and fields and on lanes around the village.
Close to hand, just a few miles away, is RHS Rosemoor, a must for garden lovers, often hosting live music, craft fairs and sculpture exhibitions. Your nearest town, Great Torrington, is full of historic interest, as the site of the Battle of Torrington between Roundheads and Cavaliers. Set on a hill with the remains of its castle walls intact, it is a lovely old town with covered market, many independent shops and a fascinating museum. Down the hill, Taddiport was the site of a leper colony and the little leper church, dedicated to Mary Magdalene, can be visited by contacting local keyholders.
From Beaford, it is a short drive (or busride) to Bideford, a historic port (once second only to London as the largest port in England) on the river estuary. From Bideford it is a few miles to Westward Ho, Northam and the spectacular North Devon coast. Walks along the coastal path are gorgeous, or you can simply stroll the long sandy beach at Westward Ho or Northam Burrows and enjoy the local ice-cream. To the west of Bideford, the sweep of Bideford Bay offers many hidden villages and rugged coastal scenery. Clovelly, with its steep cobbled street and fishing cottages, is a magnet for tourists and well worth a visit, preferably out of season. From Hartland, the road out to Stoke and Hartland Quay provides access to the rugged, windswept cliffs and crashing waves of the Atlantic. Views of Lundy island abound, and a boat trip from Bideford or Ilfracombe is another possibility.
Both Dartmoor and Exmoor are easily accessible from the cottage, with fine views of the former vrom the village hall. Exeter is about 45 minutes' drive away, and there are many other smaller towns and villages within easy reach, as well as walks inland, along the Torridge river and on the coast. The Tarka trail follows the old railway and can be accessed at Torrington or various other places close to the cottage.
‘What a wonderful home this has been for me this week – no TV, no wifi, no Zoom – Bliss! As you say, Nicola, the peace is profound; time expands, everything slows, and the silence descends, or maybe ascends, but anyway settles!’ LW
‘Can anywhere hold a candle to Devon in spring?’ DD
‘The walks from the cottage across fields, down lanes, through woods and along streams and the River Torridge, all helped to begin to bring Sabbath rest, renewal and refreshment. The visits to the Globe and Hockings ice-cream also helped!’ SS
‘It is a wonderful place in which to read, reflect, rest and relax.’ SS
‘What joy!... Most important and wonderful was the quiet, the space and the opportunity to rest and dream and read.’ RM
‘…such a welcoming place to stay with so many thoughtful touches… It has been a deeply restful and restorative week.’ JW
‘Moody du Maurier mist and crisp, clean sun transform the same places, revealing different sides to their character. Alternating days inland up and down the intimate folds of the land, along Yeo, Torridge and Taw, then on the coast with elemental surf, humbling cliffs and brave dwellings clustered around small river mouths – we’ve glimpsed Devon’s riches…’ DW
What visitors say
Some pictures of the cottage and the village
PRICES
These range from £40 per night single occupancy in low season to £90 per night triple occupancy in high season. PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR FURTHER DETAILS AND HOW TO BOOK.
DISCOUNTS
I am always happy to offer discounts to return users, friends (including FaceBook friends) and colleagues, or to those on low income.
CONTACT ME
For further details about the cottage, prices, terms and conditions and how to book, PLEASE EMAIL ME ON THE EMAIL ADDRESS BELOW.
Please contact me for further information and to explore making a booking:
Email me directly on beehivecottagebeaford@gmail.com (preferred method) OR
text me on 07950 215217
OR use the form opposite
