Berry House

Berry House, in North Devon, is the perfect escape for a private holiday with family or friends.

The house sleeps 24 guests, in 10 bedrooms, with 8 bathrooms. There are two generous bedrooms on the ground floor (one of which can be a double bed, or two singles). They share a shower room and each have its own ornate fireplace (not in use). On the first floor, there are three large double bedrooms with a French day-bed, for younger guests, then a further double and a room with two singles. Two of the larger bedrooms are ensuite, as is the further double. The two remaining rooms share a generous bathroom.

There are three further bedrooms on the third floor, in the eaves. One of the bedrooms is a large double with a French day-bed, and its own bathroom. The remaining two bedrooms are set up with two single beds each, and share a bathroom.

As well as the bedrooms on the first floor, there is also a games room, leading through to a comfortable reading room (or perfect teenage hangout, as it has a giant squashy sofa and a telly). The games room has Table Football and a pool table.

The downstairs rooms are large and filled with light from the Georgian windows. The drawing room and dining room both open off the front hall, and are both elegant with panelled walls and crystal chandeliers. The drawing room has an open fire, and the dining room seats twenty. There is a large, modern kitchen, with a breakfast room beyond. The breakfast room seats around twelve, though a bench runs along one side of the table (so you can pack in the children like ravenous little sardines).

There is a big boot room opposite the kitchen, with a downstairs cloakroom, and space for dogs (and a door, straight to outside).

The walled garden has a hot tub (enquire for details) and you can wander the cobbled pathways, running your finger tips through the huge banks of lavender. There’s a BBQ area and seating, on a sun-trap terrace. The house is surrounded by open fields, occasionally adorned with the odd sheep.

Edmund’s Choice of Extraordinary Feature

“I really do love the North Devon coast, and staying in a house overlooking a good chunk of it is pretty blissful. The house feels very private and undisturbed.”

Location

Berry House is near the tiny hamlet of Stoke, near the village of Hartland, on the north Devon coast. The nearest train station is Barnstaple, about 40 minutes car ride away.

Things To Do

North Devon has lots to do for all ages of visitor. The coast is great for beach days, surfing or walking. The South West Coastal Path runs not far from the house. There’s also the Tarka Trail, which is great for cyclists of all ages (and is traffic free). The pebbly glory of small but perfectly-formed Berry Beach is within walking distance of the house.

There are some great traditional British seaside towns within easy reach, including Westward Ho! and  Bideford.

The managers of the house can help you arrange any sort of sporting activity you might fancy (such as clay shooting).