Philham Water Cottage

  The Detail...

Curl up beside a roaring fire or picnic in the grassy, open meadows, discovering the alluring coastal villages that inhabit the rugged Hartland Peninsula. Stroll through the overgrown forest trails and along craggy cliff faces, hunkering down in the old smugglers' inns and paddling on deserted, sandy beaches.

This bijou, two-storey cottage dates back to the early 16th century and according to local legend is the oldest of its kind in Devon. Hand-built from local cob and stone and with an iconic thatched rooftop, it is a picture-perfect haven hidden in a blissful country garden.

The interiors have a refreshing rustic simplicity and manage to blend modern comforts with Elizabethan history. Walls are uneven and thick; doorways are low with latching doors; there are flagstone floors and a massive fireplace containing a wood-burning stove.

Curl up in the cosy living room and read a book beside the crackling flames, or make use of the TV, WIFI and classic board games. Mismatched furnishings give it a warm and homely vibe and are joined by handpicked antiques that tell a story of simpler times. The family kitchen is traditional while well-equipped, and is ideal for rustling up some hearty, home-cooked dishes. Dine indoors or venture out into the flourishing garden to light up the BBQ and gaze out at star-lit vistas.

When you’re ready for bed, disappear to your tranquil double room, furnished with a sumptuous queen-size bed and thick, fluffy duvet. With views over the garden and stream and meadow beyond, it is a sublime hideout for those long morning lie-ins.

Spend your days exploring the garden dotted with foxgloves and roses. Pluck apples from the trees and pick blackberries in the lane, watching while horses gallop and cattle graze. An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty surrounds your secret hideaway and it is brimming with spectacular coastal scenery and country splendour. Walk along the Hartland Peninsula or the South West Coast Path, stopping off at chocolate-box Clovelly or Bude’s balmy, golden sands. Nearby Hartland village is less than two miles away and has a boutique collection of local potteries, three pubs and a charming tea room.