Rooms

Cast aside your expectations of what rural living should look like; this is country charm for the 21st century. Polished concrete floors run the length of the ground floors, mimicking the barns’ functional beginnings, while neutral white walls reflect light, enhancing a simple layout loyal to the barns' history. If this is all sounds a little too stark, worry not. Soft woven rugs compartmentalise the spaces, woollen blankets dress the beds, and underfloor heating warms every room. Ben masterminded the technology in the cottages, choosing individual temperature controls for each room, high-spec gadgets for the kitchen and Original BTC lights above the dining tables. Just don’t expect phones or flawless WiFi, people come here to escape all that business.

We stayed in Calfshed (sleeps 4), and loved the quartet of glass archways along the beautiful open-plan kitchen-diner, which floods the interiors with light. There's also a cosier raised living space with sofas and a wood-burner. Upstairs, two large ensuite bedrooms are dressed with organic super-kingsize beds, White Company linens, neutral drapes and smooth wood floorboards. The master has a shower room and a large square window where the original hay door would have been. The second has a bathtub with overhead shower and can be made up as a twin, with a wooden chest hiding Lego and toys for smaller guests.

The Lambshed (sleeps 6) is of a similar ilk but on a larger scale (and a bit darker inside). You get three ensuite bedrooms and a large kitchen leading into a vast single-story living space. The dining table seats 10, there’s an enormous corner sofa facing the woodburner. Every bedroom could be the master, but one is particularly lovely (though it lacks a bathtub to accompany the ensuite shower). The second can convert into a twin, and the third sits on the ground floor with direct access to the barn’s private courtyard.

All the monochrome bathrooms have heated towel rails, thick bath sheets and Somerset-made Bramley handwash; bring your own shower toiletries. Bedrooms have painted chests in muted shades of green and grey, as well as nooks with hooks for clothes (but no wardrobes). Look out for classy nods to the coastal setting - jars of shells, a vintage seascape above the bed.

Features include:

• Hairdryer
• Iron
• Tumble dryer
• Washing machine
• WiFi

Eating

You’ll arrive to find a delicious homemade cake waiting for you, as well as tea, coffee and fresh milk. After a two-hour drive, we tucked straight in.

Each cottage has a stunning, amazingly equipped kitchen - no scrambling around looking for a decent bread knife here. Expect a full quota of cutlery, crockery, glassware and cooking utensils - we even spotted mixing bowls. Again, modern and traditional elements have been beautifully merged. A Belfast sink and wooden surfaces sit atop sleek white cupboards, and there's plenty of high-spec equipment: a Smeg cooker, dishwasher and Dualit toaster and kettle. Ecover products (washing-up liquid, dishwasher tablets etc) are hidden under the sink.

This is the kind of place where a night in feels like a treat. Cook up a feast then allow the weather to dictate your dining room. If it’s warm you can dress a table (napkins and candles provided) outside; the Calfshed leads out to a large open courtyard with a table for six, while the Lambshed has an intimate courtyard garden (table for 10). If the weather’s less accommodating (this is England, after all) congregate the group around your indoor table.

You’re a mile outside the village of Braunton, where there are a few little delis and food shops, as well as a superstore. Basic ingredients like olive oil, salt and pepper are already in the kitchen. If you fancy a change of scene, follow the winding lanes an equal distance in the opposite direction to leafy Georgeham. This sleepy village has two lovely pubs, both of which serve up tasty suppers in welcoming surroundings.

Features include:

• Barbecue
• Dishwasher
• Food blender
• Fridge
• Full kitchen
• Hob or stove
• Microwave
• Oven
• Toaster
• Homemade cake

Activities

• The beautiful uncrowded beaches at Putsborough and Saunton are great for lounging in the sun and paddling in the shallows (especially lovely for families, with tiny natural seapools). For something a little more intimate, seek one of the smaller coves like Barracaine beach
  
• Hit the waves at Woolacombe and Croyde Bay; the latter has countless surf schools; the former an enormous sandy beach (busy and windy though)
  
• Have lunch in the charming Sandleigh Tea Rooms by Croyde, then walk the stunning coastal path to Baggy Point (two miles)
  
• Take the short drive to Exmoor and start exploring. It’s famous for pony trekking and popular with walkers, too
  
• Ilfracombe is a pretty seaside town with Damien Hurst’s dramatic Verity sculpture presiding over the harbour, and Tunnels Beaches offers a unique insight into Victorian life
  
• Broomhill Sculpture Garden is a hidden wonderland of contemporary sculptures
  
• Two of the region’s top golf courses are within a short drive of the cottages. Saunton East runs on the edge of Bideford Bay, and the Royal North Devon Golf Club on Northam Burrows
  
• Take a boat trip to Lundy Island; the largest island in the British Channel and a nature lover's paradise, with wild puffins
  
• If surfing’s your passion, you won’t want to miss the Museum of British Surfing, which is just a mile or so away in Braunton and includes photography exhibits and classic surf memorabilia
  
• Relax at Upcott Farm. Hidden in a quiet valley with only sheep to disturb the peace, it really is the perfect place to unwind: sit in the courtyard garden with a good book, explore the kitchen garden and let kids run wild in the meadow

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Birdwatching
• Boat trips
• Cycling
• Fishing
• Golf
• Hiking
• Historical sites
• Horse riding
• Kayaking
• Kitesurfing
• Plantlife / flora
• Sailing
• Shopping / markets
• Surfing
• Swimming
• Tennis
• Walking
• Wildlife
• Windsurfing

Best Time to go

Our Top Tips

Location

Upcott Farm sits just outside the village of Braunton, near the northern coast of Devon in southwest England.

By Air:
Exeter (98km) is the nearest airport, and there's also an airport at Bristol (150km). Click on the links below for a list of airlines serving these airports.

From the Airport
The journey from Exeter airport takes about an hour and 20 minutes. It is possible to take a taxi here but due to the farm's rural location it's essential to have a car (see below).

By Car:
The property is a 4-hour drive from London, and a 2-hour drive from Bristol. If you're not bringing your own car and want to hire one, see our car rental recommendations.

Off-street parking is available at the farm, and detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.

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