Coryton, Okehampton
A restored Victorian schoolhouse in the heart of rural Devon offering friends and family a relaxed country stay
Please note that the minimum stay for this property is 4 nights
The School House is owned and managed by Joanna Bird.
You can ask a question or make a booking request directly with Joanna Bird.
Retreat to this charming country idyll in the heart of rural Devon to discover a restored Victorian schoolhouse. Surrounded by whimsical wildflower meadows and vibrant, rolling pastures, The School House is a peaceful sanctuary where you can indulge in classic country endeavours. Ramble through the flourishing valleys and cycle through the lanes, picnicking in the long, wild grasses and watching the blissful sunsets fade. Children will love the sense of adventure and the enchanting rural gardens, while grown-ups will cherish the absolute luxury of time away with loved ones.
The School House is nestled in the sublime hamlet of Coryton, just a few miles from Okehampton on the northern edge of Dartmoor. Fusing two historic stone classrooms with a designer oak addition, it is a cultured and luxurious space for groups of up to six people. Enjoy the diverse selection of books and artistic presentation of every room, traditional furniture and original wooden floors throughout. Beautiful windows frame the captivating views and let the warm natural light flood into the depths of every room.
Socialise in its open spaces or slip away for a moment’s reflection, holding pre-dinner drinks in the drawing room or wandering off through the secret garden. There are two large living areas with roaring open fires, where you can curl up in the armchairs or play a concerto on the piano. Fill the pantries and larders with sumptuous local produce, cooking in the spacious, family kitchen with its mod-cons and traditional Aga cooker.
Three indulgent bedrooms finish the accommodation and include the master and two gorgeous doubles. Each has been furnished with plush beds and crisp, white linen and have an array of hand-carved bedsteads, rustic dressers and well-loved writing tables.The master bedroom is in the old part of the house, it has twin beds and its own en suite bathroom. The double rooms sit in the new part of the building, with one having an en suite shower, and the other having easy access to a bathroom with shower and bath.
Step out beyond the schoolhouse to listen to the tranquil sounds of nature, exploring your three private terraces and delightful tiered gardens. There’s an established orchard and open pastures just beyond your door, as well as exciting cycling tracks and dramatic walking trails. Visit nearby Dartmoor and its mysterious, craggy moors or head towards the coast to see Cornwall’s golden, sandy shores. There are magnificent gardens and striking castles to keep everyone entertained, including The Lost Gardens of Heligan and the famous Eden Project.
Please note that the minimum stay for this property is 4 nights
The School House is owned and managed by Joanna Bird.
You can ask a question or make a booking request directly with Joanna Bird.
2024
Jan to March - £150 per day
Easter (from 29th March to 2nd April) - £ 170 per day
April - £170 per day
May – £185 per day
June – £250 per day
July – £250 per day
August – £300 per day
September – £230 per day
October – £190per day
November – £160 per day
December – £160 per day
Special Christmas and New Year's – £300 per day
(All interior and some exterior photos by Ron Bushell Photography.)
Reviews
(This is what our guests think)
We had a wonderful stay in the School House over New Year – exactly what was needed after all the rushing around of Christmas. The location is beautifully remote, with rural views to the front, pretty garden to the side and a tiny, picturesque old church behind. There is convenient parking next to the house and the only people we saw outside in the lane were a posse of riders one breakfast time.
A couple of the nights were wild and windy outside whilst we were extremely cosy indoors, in the main sitting room reading and chatting beside a roaring log fire, in the extensively equipped kitchen warmed by the wonderful Aga and then tucked up in our huge and very comfortable bed. Our bathroom was spacious and luxurious, with nice lighting and underfloor heating. Our guest reported being equally delighted with her bedroom and bathroom in the other ‘wing’ of the house. She really enjoyed the private space the second living area and reading gallery gave her.
We loved walking on Dartmoor and on Bodmin Moor, visiting Tavistock and up to the north coast around Padstow and were delighted by the Strawberry Fields Farm shop at Lifton. There is absolutely everything you could need there, local produce and of marvellous quality. We didn’t do much eating out, as it was so delightful to be ‘at home’ in this special house, surrounded by interesting and lovely artworks, pottery, books, piano and so many personal touches.
-January 2020
The Old School House is an amazing, quiet and spacious home in a wonderful part of Devon. It has everything that a visitor would want. A caring owner who wants you to enjoy every part of your vacations in a perfect setting. All we can say is thank you.
-May 2019
There is nothing quite like dining outside under a grape arbour, and it is even better when that arbour is a temple paying homage to a valley of luscious green pastures segmented by wide, medieval hedge rows. During my visit, the ewes were accompanied by their lambs, still with tails on, and bluebells lined the narrow lanes and covered the woodland understory. The house and its lovely garden are a linear affair, wedged between a seldom-travelled lane and a churchyard, its rooms standing full front to the view. It was created out of an 1833, two-room school that has been augmented with a large addition. In its whole, it is a work of art: outside, three gables echo in a sidestep line, with new grey oak blending beautifully with old stone, granite and slate, all local and lichen-graced; inside, it is original and charming, fully and very comfortably appointed. The eat-in kitchen is atmospheric but top-of-the-line modern with beautiful countertops and appliances. There are two large living rooms with working fireplaces, and three bedrooms and three modern bathrooms, some rooms with high ceilings and high windows. The variety of volumes, flow of the spaces, and creativity of the fenestration made me feel that I was enjoying an inspired architectural sculpture from the inside. For cool weather, the house is well heated; on warm days, we left the windows and doors open and breezes wafted through. I would like to return again and again, to see it in all its seasons, enjoy the deep peace, and to use it as a home base for exploring England’s remarkable counties Devon and Cornwall.
-May
This exceptionally comfortable property combines the charm of the country with beautiful design. The accommodation comprises three cleverly-connected segments, 2 historic, one contemporary. The Aga-warmed kitchen quickly became our focal point, and we could choose from two comfortable living rooms for afternoon tea. Trips to Dartmoor, north Cornwall and a brace of historic towns enlivened our stay. Our abiding memory is of the tranquility of this hidden corner of Devon, the stillness and quality of our sleep and the dramatic sunset views from the garden across the valley.
-August
From Previous Guests
Have you stayed here?
Leave a reviewThe School House exceeded all my expectations. It was located in such a pretty rural area but was quick to get to fun pubs (loved the Bearslake Inn) as well as Tavistock and other points of interest. The owner was a delight to work with and our stay really couldn't have been more enjoyable. I loved sitting outside in the "temple" and feeling surrounded by tranquility and history. Don't hesitate to book this lovely property. I highly recommend it and hope I get a chance to return in the future.
Stayed May 2023
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