The Goyle

Walk through the door and you're in an open-plan living space that stretches across the ground floor, with the kitchen, dining and sitting areas flowing into one another. A woodburner is already laid with logs, and the fridge, dishwasher and electric cooker make cooking straightforward. Three double beds are upstairs—one with its own shower room—plus a single in the third bedroom, and a second full bathroom with bath and shower. Everything from bed linen to towels is provided, so you arrive to an already-made bed.

The real draw is outside. The Goyle sits on five acres of shared grounds, with your own enclosed garden, decking and barbecue. A hot tub sits on the terrace from January through September. There's parking on site, and a country setting with views across meadows and a small lake—dark skies at night, quiet during the day. Children's swings are dotted around the grounds. One well-behaved dog stays free. The property doesn't allow smoking.

Mid Devon places you within easy reach of Exmoor, Dartmoor, the Grand Western Canal for walking and cycling, and National Trust properties like Knighthayes. The nearest pub is a mile away; shops and a post office are two miles. For larger groups, the owners can arrange access to the neighbouring lodge, which is separated by hedging but connected by a path.