It’s not too late to book family holiday cottages in Devon for this summer, and that’s worth remembering when you read the news and see the sorry state of the travel industry right now; cancelled flights, strikes, long queues – it’s not good and we really feel for anyone who’s planned a holiday abroad. If you’d rather save yourselves the bother, take a look at availability for our pet friendly and family friendly holiday cottages here in the UK, be quick and book one with a private hot tub!
Interest in family holiday cottages in the UK for this summer is picking up – obviously because it’s looking like the travel industry is facing a whole lot of disruption this year, very frustrating if you’ve booked a holiday abroad and can’t wait to get away to warmer climes - mind you, look at the unprecedented temperatures we've all seen lately! With strikes, cancelled fights, ridiculously long queues and baggage piling up, we can’t help wondering if it’s really worth it – if you’re wanting to visit friends and family, of course it is, but it seems an awful lot of bother for a short spell of guaranteed sunshine. If topping up your tan is important, we get it, but if you’re not that bothered an easier option might be to holiday in the UK this summer.
The UK has so much going for it, so many reasons why holidaying at home isn’t such a bad idea. Down in Devon we’re blessed with some truly spectacular countryside; wide open fields, wooded hillsides, enormous skies and views that roll on and on for miles. There are quiet lanes that take you to villages where the streets are lined with centuries old cottages and you can stop at the local pub for hearty homemade food. The beaches are good too, and not so busy as the larger resorts; our family friendly cottages are close to the Jurassic Coast and picturesque coastal villages where you can feel the pace of life slow down. Branscombe is idyllic; flower hung cottages stand on the main street that slopes gently down to the sea where there’s a very good beach café serving local seasonal food. At Beer you can browse the art galleries and stop for a cream tea in a cosy tea shop; down on the beach you can tuck into crab sandwiches at Ducky’s Beach Café, up on the clifftop you can sit in the beer garden of The Anchor Inn and watch the sunset. Further up the hill are Beer Quarry Caves and Pecorama, both brilliant family attractions. Exmouth has a long stretch of sand and out in the estuary, a floating seafood café, Sidmouth has a quiet beach that’s great for families, and Lyme Regis is a lovely place to spend a day; go to the Marine Aquarium and Dinosaurland Fossil Museum, catch mackerel on a fishing trip or take an exhilarating rib ride around the bay, stroll along the clifftops on the South West Coast Path.
There’s plenty of scope for family days out in this neck of the woods; see all the happy donks at The Donkey Sanctuary, the wild boar and red squirrels at Wildwood Escot where you can experience life in a Saxon village, say hello to the animals at World of Country Life, and have a terrific time on the rides at Crealy Theme Park & Resort. Pop down to Exeter for the day, visit the glorious cathedral, tour the Underground Passages and see an Egyptian mummy in the RAM Museum. Hire kayaks from the quayside and paddle along the calm waters of the River Exe, or scale dizzy heights at Clip n Climb. Release your inner Tarzan at Go Ape in the beautiful Haldon Forest, or closer to our Stonehayes Farm Holiday Cottages, bimble around a tranquil nature reserve. Just up the road you can climb to the top of the Iron Age fort at Dumpdon Hill to enjoy a picnic, with breathtaking views across the Otter Valley. In our local town of Honiton you can join in a workshop at The Thelma Hulbert Gallery or paint your own pottery at The Honiton Pottery Workshop. Add to that all the fantastic places to eat and you’ve got all the ingredients for a happy family holiday in Devon! Try the unique steamed buns at The Yellow Deli, the authentic Italian food at Bella Pizza, and at Otter Valley Ice Cream & Field Kitchen, flavoursome ice creams made with milk from the cows you can see grazing in the fields.
It's a world away from the push and shove at the airports, it’s a place to come and make very special memories. The chances are it’ll save you money as well as travel time, but most of all, a stay at Stonehayes Farm is completely stress free, tucked away in the Blackdown Hills; think peace and quiet, fresh air and bird song. Take a look at our family holiday cottages in Devon for this summer and book your stay today; there’ll be a welcome hamper of local goodies waiting for you, 15 acres of private grounds, a games room and play area. Come on down to Devon, we can’t wait to meet you ❤️
