The Granary

Barnstaple sits at the heart of North Devon's countryside, within striking distance of Ilfracombe's harbour and the beaches at Saunton Sands, Croyde and Woolacombe. The Granary is a rural cottage on a working farm near Shirwell, offering three bedrooms and one bathroom in a whole property to yourself. A double and two single beds sleep four; there's a shower room downstairs alongside the living and dining space. The kitchen has an electric cooker, microwave and washing machine for the practicalities of self-catering.

Outside, a lawned garden with patio and seating looks out over the farm, and there's a barbecue for summer cooking. Two cars fit in the parking area. One well-behaved dog stays free. Electricity, bed linen and towels come as standard, and the woodburner has its initial fuel included. The property draws water from a natural spring supply. No smoking indoors.

This is good country for walking—the South West Coast Path lies within reach—and for families who want the real Devon: cream teas in village shops, local produce, the quiet of farmland rather than a town centre. Nearby Arlington Court, a National Trust house with gardens and lakeside grounds, offers a historical alternative to days at the beach or on the trails.