If you’ve been trailing the net trying to find the perfect place to stay where your mutt is welcome too, STOP RIGHT NOW! We can make it easy for you because at Stonehayes Farm we know how to do dog friendly holidays in Devon big time! We’re used to it you see, guests often bring the pet pooch when they stay at our holiday cottages in Devon and from what we see those little tail waggers love it here just as much as their human friends do!
That’s not surprising though considering what a lovely spot we have here; tucked away round the high hedged lanes, views that stretch over the beautiful Otter Valley and far across the Devon countryside, peace and quiet, bountiful fresh air, big open skies – and conveniently, the market town of Honiton with supermarkets, independent shops and several good places to eat, is less than a couple of miles down the road.
Whether you want your furry friend to join you for a family holiday, a walking holiday, a special celebration with your nearest and dearest, or just a few days snucked away in a gorgeous country cottage, you’ll find our Devon holiday cottages tick all the boxes. When it comes to snooze space, our cosiest cottage is Siskins Nook which sleeps 4 people in 2 bedrooms; the biggest is Pippinsands, a beautiful thatched farmhouse with beds for 14. In between are Pipits Retreat and Wagtail Corner, both sleeping 5 guests, and Dippers Rest with slumber quarters for 6. The great news is that two dogs are warmly welcomed in each of our Devon holiday houses.
Pippinsands has a big private garden where there’s plenty of room to play fetch on the lawn with your pet. The other cottages all have their own garden area right outside the doors but bear in mind that these are unfenced, so if your pooch is a bit of a scamp you might have to keep an eye on him. Best of all is that we have 15 glorious acres here at Stonehayes Farm, where you and your four legged friend can wander to your heart’s content. Stroll down across the fields and along the River Luv where you can stop for a doggie paddle, or amble up the lane to Dumpdon Hill, a former iron age fort with staggering views that roll on and on and on across the beautiful Blackdown Hills AONB.
Those hills are fantastic walking country, with high plateaus, deep valleys and pretty villages where you’ll more often than not find a pub where the door is open and the aroma of home cooked food tempts you in to a cosy nook, and of course, dogs are welcome. We’d recommend a climb to the top of Culm Beacon and lunch at The Culm Valley Inn afterwards, or head over to the bluebell woods at Blackberry Camp and then to the Hare and Hounds near Sidbury.
Another good idea is a stroll around the village at Broadhembury with its higgledy-piggledy thatched cottages; have a gander in the church whilst you’re there and wind up in The Drewe Arms. Wherever you go you’ll find little footpaths, bridleways and sunken lanes to discover, taking you through lush pastures, mature woodlands and the tiniest hamlets. That’s what’s so great about a holiday at Stonehayes Farm – it gives you an opportunity to really get off the beaten track, to sniff out all those tucked away places that are a world away from the push and shove of city life. You and your faithful friend, out in the country; one big happy.
The other advantage of staying in one of our dog friendly holiday cottages is that you’re not far from the beaches of the World Heritage Site Jurassic Coast which stretches from East Devon into Dorset. In less than half an hour you can be soaking up the relaxed ambience by the sea at Beer, watching the fishing boats come and go, spuddling about in the rockpools at low tide, tucking into fish and chips at Ducky’s Beach Café, or enjoying a pint of the local brew in the clifftop beer garden of The Anchor Inn.
You could be running along the sands at Sidmouth, your dog excitedly yapping beside you, happy to be by the sea. Or there’s Exmouth where you can round off a stroll along the shore by catching the water taxi out to the River Exe Café that floats on the estuary. Budleigh Salterton is nice too, with a distinctly quiet air and a pebbly beach with dramatic red sandstone cliffs; Branscombe is idyllic, though it does get busy in the summer which isn’t surprising – centuries old cottages line the lane that slopes down to the beach, there’s a working forge and an old bakery with a museum and tea room all in one. Pick up the South West Coast Path behind the church, or if you’re brave enough, venture down the zig-zagging cliff path to Littlecombe Shoot.
Further along the coast is Seaton where you can have a peaceful walk along the beach and back down to town via the woods, or along the shore at Axmouth harbour after bacon butties in the little café there. Just over the border in Lyme Regis there’s plenty to do; stroll along the historic harbour wall, bimble up through the town gardens, back down the main street and along the promenade, go and play with your pooch on Monmouth Beach or explore the Undercliff. Note that not all beaches are dog friendly all year round, so check for restrictions before you set off.
If you have younger folk with you they'll probably want to visit some of the exciting family attractions in these parts; not always easy if you’ve got your pet in tow but fortunately, several visitor places don’t mind at all, provided you keep him on a lead and pick up any poo! Babbacombe Model Village is a hoot, and whilst you’re there you can have a ride on the Babbacombe Cliff Railway too. In a similar vein, Seaton Tramway take dogs on board, as do Stuart Line Cruises, so how’s about that? A leisurely boat trip around the bays, for the whole family – and we mean THE WHOLE family! The Donkey Sanctuary at Sidmouth, Bicton Park, Devon Railway Centre and Burrow Farm Gardens are all dog friendly too, so there’s heaps of fun to be had for all!
Doggie smiles all round we reckon, so take a closer look at our fabulous dog friendly Devon holiday cottages and book your stay today! We are so looking forward to meeting you and your pet!