Set in the heart of rolling Devon countryside, the privately owned Ashcombe country estate nestles in a quiet, beautiful valley filled with things to do and a short drive from the sandy beaches of Dawlish and Torquay. Enjoy walking around the estate’s hills and woodlands, swim in the heated indoor swimming pool, or relax in the sauna at Woodhouse Farm while children play in the indoor and outdoor playgrounds. Both The Cider Barn, a mile away and sleeping 16, and Nut Tree Farm, sleeping 28, have their own outdoor swimming pools for the summer.
The cottages are both comfortable and practical, with a wide range of Devon attractions right on the doorstep. All are maintained to very high standards with leather sofas, superfast Wi-Fi, flatscreen Smart TVs and very comfortable beds. Many retain original features, including oak beamed ceilings, and all have either Italian-tiled or wooden floors.
Sleeping from 4 to 22 people, and rated either 4 or 5 stars, the cottages can accommodate almost any party size, and an in-house chef (arranged direct with the owner) can be booked to take care of the catering.
The brilliant Ashcombe Adventure Centre for outdoor activities, is just under a mile down the lane. Available at extra cost for those 14 years and over, it offers quad bike safaris, clay pigeon shooting, archery, paintballing and more. Also located on the estate is ’A Touch of the Wild’, a camp-based forest activity club. Children can take part in bush-craft courses and activities ranging from camp fire cooking and toasting marshmallows to bug hunting and learning woodland skills – a day with the experienced staff will ensure youngsters come away with a new found love of the great outdoors. The Ashcombe Village Club opens on various evenings providing cheap beer in a cheerful atmosphere, event evenings, traditional summer fêtes and shows. Guests at Ashcombe can also enjoy foraged and wild walks that take place every Tuesday and last for around two hours. You can discover the simple pleasure of foraging from the abundance of wild foods in the Devon countryside, and also experience the perfect evening out dining under canopies in the Ashcombe Woodland at the Woodland Kitchen, open on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Both Dartmoor National Park and the historic city of Exeter are only a 20-minute drive away, while the famous South Devon Coast, with wonderful sandy beaches, is barely 3 miles. Exeter and Newton Abbot Racecourses, several golf courses, loads of family theme parks, zoos, sailing and fishing are all within easy reach, not to mention the many excellent pubs and restaurants that Devon is famous for. Walk in the wild beauty of Dartmoor with its abundance of wildlife and dramatic landscapes, or visit the numerous nearby National Trust properties including Agatha Christie’s house, Greenway. Steam trains travel from Kingswear to Paignton and Totnes to Buckfastleigh. Visit historic Dartmouth with bustling boat harbour, castle, contemporary art galleries and boutiques and brilliant Regatta Week and Air Show. Salcombe with its beaches, sailing and water sports is also easily accessible, as well as Blackpool Sands, Slapton and picturesque Dittisham. Slightly further afield, East Cornwall and the Eden Project are within an hour’s drive. Other activities of interest include Backwater Adventures to explore Devon’s rivers and countryside with professional guidance and supervision, or Rock Solid Coasteering to explore the Jurassic coastline.
All in all Ashcombe is an excellent base from which to explore, experience and enjoy ‘The Cream of Devon’. All big supermarkets deliver direct to your cottage. Main shops 3 miles.