Our latest blog puts the spotlight on Siskins Nook, a holiday cottage for 4 with a hot tub, tucked away on Stonehayes Farm in the Devon hills. This lovely little cottage used to be an apple store back in the day; now it offers a special place to stay for weekends and short breaks all year round.
Siskins Nook is one of 4 converted barns that formed part of the original farmyard here at Stonehayes Farm. Each has been sympathetically converted to retain much of the original rustic character; some of the thick stone walls have been left unplastered, chunky timbers still support the ceilings and roofs, and some of the quirky little windows remain. These charming features merge seamlessly with modern fixtures and fittings; plain white walls give a fresh and uncluttered look. It all works so well to give a restful backdrop to your holiday; as you unpack and put your things around it quickly starts to feel like home.
Siskins Nook sleeps 4 guests in two bedrooms and has room for a cot, so it’s the perfect hideaway for a small family or for 4 friends, or as a romantic retreat for a couple. Come for a walking break, to celebrate a birthday or an anniversary, or just because. A huge bonus is the private hot tub in the garden; it’s hard to beat whiling away the time with a soak – warm bubbles, perhaps a drink, trees swaying gently in the breeze, cotton wool clouds floating by above you. Relaxing out there in the evening is wonderful, quietly chatting as the stars come out one by one and the moon looks down from a dark night sky.
Slip into the hot tub whenever you like; get the sausages sizzling on the barbecue, bring out a big bowl of salad and you’ve got everything you need for a contented afternoon in the garden. If you fancy a wander, step out of the garden gate and explore the grounds at Stonehayes Farm – there are 15 acres for you to wander at your leisure. Stroll through the fields, saunter down to the river for a paddle, toast marshmallows on the campfire. If there’s a group of you get together in the barbecue area, let the kids loose in the play area where there are swings, a trampoline and football goals. The views are beautiful, with the hills softly rolling out across the Otter Valley, the open fields stretching on to meet the sky. It’s a different world here, one where life slows down and all is well.
Downstairs at Siskins Nook it’s all open plan; Shaker style kitchen to the right, living room area to the left, straight ahead are the stairs. In the corner of the living area there’s a wood-burner so if you stay at Siskins Nook in the colder months of the year, you can come back and light the fire after a walk in the hills. Cosy up on the sofas with a tray of hot buttery toast and a pot of tea, winter jumpers, knitted socks and woollen blankets to keep you snug. In the summer open the stable door and let the fresh country air drift in with the sunlight.
Upstairs are the two bedrooms and a bathroom with a bath and overhead shower; one of the bedrooms has a king size bed, the other can have a super king or twin beds and has room for a cot. The feels are restful and unfussy, with country pine and crisp white bed linen. It’s cottagey and it’s country, but it isn’t old-fashioned.
When you stay at Siskins Nook you’ll also have use of the shared games room where there’s table tennis, table football and a pool table, as well as games and toys for younger children. It’s nice, we like it, we’ve noticed that people make friends here, so it’s a good place to hang out.
But that’s Siskins Nook all over; a good place to hang out. You can keep yourselves to yourselves and enjoy every moment in this little country cottage, or you can go and wander, whether it’s off to the games room, down to the river, or further field. If you feel like venturing out to explore the local area you’ll find plenty to look at, plenty to do. There are family attractions (we love Heron Farm and Wildwood Escot), great places to eat, like Otter Valley Ice Cream and Field Kitchen and JK’s Bistro just down the road in Honiton, and to top it all, there are beaches within 30 minutes drive. Lyme Regis is a must; stroll along the harbour wall and the promenade, admire the coastal views from the town gardens, go for an exhilarating trip around the bay with Lyme Rib Rides. Beer is quieter, best enjoyed with a crab sandwich from Ducky’s Beach Café down by the shore; stroll over the cliffs on the South West Coast Path to Branscombe, have lunch at the Masons Arms and while away a few hours on the beach. If you prefer walking in the country, right on the doorstep at Siskins Nook is the Blackdown Hills AONB, with winding lanes, footpaths and bridleways to discover; you’ll find quiet villages with welcoming country pubs and the occasional tea room. Time is your own when you stay at Siskins Nook, you can rest, you can recouperate, but most of all, you can savour and remember. For holidays, for weekends, for all ages and all seasons. Come and stay, you’ll love it here!
