Notes from the host
Dairy Cottage
Property Summary
Dairy cottage is one of several farm buildings converted to holiday use and is surrounded by permanent pasture where Red Deer and Exmoor Ponies graze. In the valley below is the beautiful River Barle, at the top of the hill is open moorland, a delight for any nature lover.
Main Description
Dairy Cottage lies within Exmoor National Park high on the southern slopes of the beautiful Barle Valley, near the pretty little riverside town of Dulverton. (approx 2 miles). It is a single storey cottage comprising one double bedroom, a small triple bunk room, and a spacious bathroom at the rear of the property. The attractive living area and kitchen enjoy the views and southerly aspect at the front, and patio doors open out to an enclosed area with pleasant views and seating which catch the afternoon and evening sun. It is a privately owned cottage situated on a no through road. The access is steep and narrow in places, as is typical of much of Exmoor. The beautiful scenery and diversity of plant and animal life should delight any nature lover, as well as walkers, dog owners and those who just want to get away from it all.
Sleeps up to 4/5 guests
Main bedroom has a double bed with postureflex mattress.
Second bedroom with triple single adult bunk beds (standard 3ft wide mattresses)
A comfortable wider than average guest bed can be put up behind the sofa in the lounge on request.
Family bathroom with shower over bath
Open-plan living area with large dining table, settee, two armchairs, pouffe, wide screen TV, DVD player and a selection of books, DVDs, magazines, games, and walking and nature guides etc
Well-equipped kitchen including washing machine
Private garden with patio area and table and chairs, on the west side, there is also a small enclosed area at the front of the property on the east side.
Communal garden with picnic tables
Bed linen and towels are provided
Wifi, heating and electricity is included
Many essentials provided
Dogs welcome (2 max) at no extra charge
No Smoking
Designated parking space
Arrive from 3pm, refreshment provided for your arrival
Depart by 10 am
BOOKING
Saturday to Saturday bookings are preferred, if you are unable to travel until Sunday, please still leave on a Saturday, as we are unable to obtain servicing on a Sunday and not always early in the week, meaning that we miss out on that week. The website should automatically generate an offer to do that.
Prices given are generally for a week or any number of nights within it during the main season.
Note, the triple single adult bunks were put in by the owners so that their grandchildren could be accommodated, and bookings for five people will only be accepted on the understanding that this is a small room with limited storage lit by a sky light and although the dining table is large, the cottage as a whole is more suited to groups of up to 4 guests. A guest bed can be put up behind the sofa in the lounge on request.
The lack of light pollution gives a stunning night sky with a visible milky way. Dulverton and Exmoor in general are very dog friendly areas and most pubs and cafes will allow well-behaved dogs.
There is currently no extra charge for well-behaved pets and the owners would like to keep it that way - please make sure when you leave that there are no obvious signs that your pet has visited.
Indoor Description
Originally a traditional Exmoor farm building, the property has been carefully converted into a single-storey holiday cottage suitable for a couple or a family group of 4/5 guests.
The open-plan living area includes a large dining table, perfect for family meals or studying a map under the low level light.
The kitchen is well equipped and appliances include a tall fridge/freezer, washing machine, microwave, and electric oven and hob with extractor hood. Other equipment includes a toaster, kettle, a variety of cookware, kitchen utensils, cutlery, crockery and glasses.
The main bedroom has a double bed, and the second bedroom has triple single adult bunks which were put in by the owners to accommodate their grandchildren and bookings for five people will only be accepted on the understanding that this is a small room with limited storage, lit by a sky light and although the dining table is large, the cottage as a whole is more suited to groups of up to 4 guests. The main mattress at Dairy Cottage has been replaced with a new UK-made Postureflex model which is firm and supportive but not hard. There is also a comfortable guest bed that can be put up behind the sofa if required.
The family bathroom at the rear of the property comprises a bath with shower over, toilet and hand basin.
Wi-fi is included and the lounge is provided with a TV, DVD, books and games, a wall heater with flame effect, plus an extra heater and night storage heaters for background warmth.
Electricity and heating costs are included in the price of your accommodation. The property is fitted with night storage heaters. There is also a hot water booster, in case needed, which heats the water very quickly.
Bed linen, duvets, and towels are provided for your convenience, but please bring your own beach and dog towels.
Many essential items such as washing up liquid, shower gel, toilet roll, kitchen towels, salt. pepper, cooking oil etc. are provided, as well as milk and refreshment for your arrival.
A maximum of 2 dogs per booking are currently welcome at no extra cost. Please make sure that your pets flea treatment is up to date prior to your arrival. Since we do not charge for dogs, please make sure that there are no obvious signs that they have visited when you leave, and please do not leave them alone in the property at any time.
Outdoor Description
There are small enclosed areas to both sides of the property and the larger area on the western side of the property benefits from the afternoon and evening sun. There is also a communal garden with picnic tables and lovely views and the cottage has its own designated off road parking place behind an adjacent building.
Parking
Dairy Cottage has its own allocated parking off the road behind an adjacent building. It is acceptable to park on the grass opposite the gate for unloading/loading only, since the lane is narrow.
Pets Description
We welcome well-behaved pets at no extra charge and in return ask that any obvious signs that your pet has visited (hair, paw prints etc) are removed before you leave. Please make sure for the comfort of other guests and their pets that your pet's flea treatment is up to date, a preventative treatment for ticks is also highly recommended, Please bring your own dog towel and bedding/covers.
There are many lovely walks on the moor and by the rivers. A long lead is recommended for walking on the moor so that you can bring your dog back under control if it should chase after the animals that live there.
Dulverton and Exmoor in general are very dog friendly and most pubs and cafes allow them in. Withypool Tea Room is especially recommended.
Restricted mobility
This has not been completed by the owner.
Exit in case of emergency
Since the cottage is single storey, any of the doors or windows can be used to exit the property. The front door and patio doors are on opposite sides of the building.
Christmas / New Year
Please ask for owners to be contacted if your Christmas arrival/departure dates don't suit the straight weeks offered.
Unless otherwise instructed, a decorated Christmas tree will be provided.
The region
The cottage is within the Exmoor National Park and is just 2 miles from the pretty little riverside town of Dulverton. Just a few minutes from the cottage is a vantage point into the valley where red deer can be seen most days. Further up the hill is open moorland. Both the immediate surroundings of the cottage and wider area are home to a diversity of plants, animals and birds to delight any nature lover, as well as walkers and dog owners and those who just want to get away from it all. Walkers are spoilt for choice up on the moor.
The ancient clapper bridge of Tarr Steps is only a short drive or for walkers three miles directly from the cottage, where the no through lane turns into a footpath. Have lunch at the Tarr Steps Inn and either return the same way, or up over the open moorland of Varle Hill. The Exmoor Pony Centre is very close and free to just visit but also offers a variety of activities for pony loving children and adults. Discover Caratacus Stone, the pretty villages of Winsford, Exford and the ancient town of Dunster. The beautiful rugged Exmoor coast is only half an hour away and more traditional seaside entertainment is available at Minehead. Further west there is surfing at Woolacombe and adjoining bays. Wimbleball Lake Country Park is nearby and its outdoor activity centre caters for watersports such as canoeing and kayaking as well as a variety of activities to keep the younger ones happy.
A feature of the region are the large "Pannier Markets" held every week in the market towns of South Molton, Barnstaple and Bideford.
Dairy Cottage is likely to delight anyone who loves animals and the countryside.
