Dashel Cottage, Countisbury

Property Summary
Dashel Cottage, Countisbury is a converted former stable with 3 en-suite bedrooms. It is located in a secluded area of Exmoor on an organic farm on the Devon/Somerset border. The South West Coast Path and the Coleridge Way both run through the farm as well as a myriad of other paths to explore

Main Description
Dashel Cottage, Countisbury is located on an Exmoor hill farm at a high point near the coast. It is a working organic farm of 1200 acres, running 1000 ewes and a herd of pedigree beef cattle.

Sleeps up to 6 guests
Three bedrooms all with en-suite shower rooms
Two king-sized beds and one twin bedroom
Large open-plan living area with dining table for 6
Well-equipped kitchen with modern facilities
Wood-burning stove for that extra cosy feeling
Central heating throughout
Newly converted to a very high standard throughout
South-facing garden with patio and table and chairs
Bed linen and towels are provided
Wifi, heating and electricity is included
Arrive from 4 pm
Depart by 10 am

The farm has two large areas of moorland, designated as SSSIs (Sites of Special Scientific Interest), extensive semi-ancient woodland, and modern tree plantations. It even has its own beach (but it's rocky and not suitable for swimming) with cliffs designated as a geological site of Special Scientific Interest due to lovely exposures of Devonian rocks (350m years old) with interesting folded strata.

The farm also has it's our own Roman archaeology, the "Old Burrow" c 50 AD was built in the reign of Claudius. The earth works of an army encampment are clearly visible.

There nearest sandy beach is at Lee Abbey, a 15 drive minute drive away, and is lovely. The big surfing beaches at Saunton, Croyde and Woolacombe are about 45-60 minutes away by car.

Lynton is the nearest town (10 minute drive West) and Porlock and Minehead (10 and 20 minutes respectively to the East) have plenty of shops, restaurants, pubs, cafes and other amenities.

There are many walking routes on the farm and close by. Please feel free to explore wherever you want, but please leave gates either open or closed, whichever they were when you came to them.

Indoor Description
Dashel Cottage has a large open-plan living area featuring a wood-burning stove. The kitchen is well equipped, and includes a free-standing fridge-freezer, dishwasher, washing machine and dryer, microwave, and electric double oven plus hob. Other equipment includes toaster, kettle, cafetiere, a variety of cookware, kitchen utensils, cutlery, crockery and glasses. There is a dining area with seating for 6 guests, as well as and a comfortable sitting area with TV. The room is very bright as it faces south and has a lot of windows to make the most of the lovely views.

There is one downstairs bedroom, a king-sized double with en-suite shower room. Upstairs, are the other two bedrooms, one is a large twin room with en-suite shower room and this bedroom includes a cot. The third bedroom is a further king-sized double bedroom, also with en-suite shower room. Note, no bath in this property.

There is a stair gate provided in the cottage.

Electricity and heating costs are included in the price of your accommodation. The central heating is provided by Biomass Boiler and can be adjusted to suit your preferences and the seasons. A basket of logs and kindling will be provided for the wood-burner in the cooler months.

Bed linen, duvets, blankets and towels are provided for your convenience, but please bring your own beach towels if you wish to take towels with you on day trips. The bedding provided is non-feather.

There may be non-perishable items like a salt, pepper and a few herbs or spices available. Cleaning materials such as washing up liquid, and surface cleaner will be present in the property. One or two toilet rolls will be provided per toilet.

Dogs are welcome but not permitted to get onto the furniture or to go upstairs at all. Dogs are charged at £15 per dog per stay, maximum of 3 dogs per booking.

Outdoor Description
The cottage is detached and located on a farm so surrounded by fields the children can play in. The garden is enclosed and south-facing with a patio. Doors open from the living area into the garden, which provides a lovely flow to both the cottage and the garden.

The small building next to the property you may see in the images is a disused farm building (it is not occupied). There are no steps from parking spot to access the ground floor.

Access to the Coleridge Way is approx 100-150 metres from the cottage and you can walk through farm fields to access the South West Coast Path in about 10-15 minutes.

The farms has two large areas of moorland, designated as SSSIs (Sites of Special Scientific Interest), extensive semi-ancient woodland, and modern tree plantations. It even has its own beach (but it's rocky and not suitable for swimming) with cliffs designated as a geological site of Special Scientific Interest due to lovely exposures of Devonian rocks (350m years old) with interesting folded strata.

The farm also has its our own Roman archaeology, the "Old Burrow" c 50 AD was built in the reign of Claudius. The earth works of an army encampment are clearly visible.

The nearest sandy beach is at Lee Abbey, a 15 drive minute drive away, and is lovely. The big surfing beaches at Saunton, Croyde and Woolacombe are about 45-60 minutes away.

Lynton is the nearest town (10 minute drive West) and Porlock and Minehead (10 and 20 minutes respectively to the East) have plenty of shops, restaurants, pubs, cafes and other amenities.

There are a number of National Trust properties close by.

There are many walking routes on the farm and close by. Please feel free to explore wherever you want but please leave gates either open or closed, whichever they were when you came to them.



Parking
There is space for 2 cars immediately behind the property, which is good for loading and unloading the cars There is plenty of further space close-by if there are more cars requiring parking.
There is no EV charging point on site. The nearest 22v charging points are in Lynmouth or Porlock. If you do charge at the property, extra electricity costs are payable directly to the owners prior to your departure.

Pets Description
Well behaved dogs are welcome for a supplement of £15 each (max 3). Dogs are not allowed on the furniture or upstairs. They must be controlled around the livestock and not permitted to run free, no matter how well behaved, they can worry the animals.

4 dogs may be permitted on request, please get in touch to let us know the size/breeds of your dogs and we will check for you.

Restricted mobility
This has not been completed by the owner.

Exit in case of emergency
This has not been completed by the owner.

Christmas / New Year
At Christmas, a (realistic!) Christmas tree with led lights will be provided. You are welcome to provide your own decorations and enjoy the fun of dressing the tree. The property has two ovens so no matter how large your turkey, or catering ambitions, you should be OK!

The region

Countisbury is a tiny hamlet perched high on the Exmoor coast above Lynmouth, roughly two miles east along the A39. It has a 13th-century coaching inn, a historic church, and some of the most dramatic coastal views in Devon.

The hamlet sits at the top of the famous Countisbury Hill, where the road descends steeply into Lynmouth with gradients reaching 25%. This stretch of the A39 is one of the most spectacular drives in the country, with views across the Bristol Channel to Wales on clear days. The name Countisbury derives from a Saxon word meaning 'camp on the headland', referring to the Iron Age hill fort at Wind Hill nearby.

For everyday amenities, the twin villages of Lynton and Lynmouth are your nearest ports of call, just two miles away. Lynton sits on the cliff top and has a good range of shops, cafes, restaurants, a small supermarket, post office, chemist, and the Lyn and Exmoor Museum. The harbour village of Lynmouth sits below at sea level, connected by the famous water-powered cliff railway. Both villages have a welcoming selection of pubs, tea rooms, and independent shops.

The larger towns of Barnstaple (approximately 20 miles) and Minehead (approximately 20 miles) offer supermarkets and a wider range of services.