Old Barn

Why you'll love staying here

Set within a private country estate near Combe Martin, Old Barn is a beautifully presented holiday home, perfectly suited to extended families or groups of friends keen to explore the wild landscapes and rugged coastline of Exmoor National Park.

Thoughtfully restored, the barn retains a wealth of original character, with vaulted wooden ceilings, timber beams, exposed stone walls, and flagstone floors, that pair seamlessly with stylish rustic-chic interiors.

Guests are welcomed with a generous hamper of local produce, setting the tone for a memorable stay. As you enter, you’re immediately struck by the impressive triple-height drawing room, the heart of the open-plan living space. Elegant seating, dressed with soft furnishings, surrounds a cosy wood-burning stove set within a stone fireplace with its original mantel, an inviting spot for relaxed evenings together.

The adjoining kitchen is equally impressive, designed with sociable cooking in mind. Baby-blue cabinetry offers ample storage, complemented by butcher’s block worktops and a full range of modern appliances, including a coffee machine, a cherry-red four-door electric Aga, and an American-style fridge freezer. At its centre sits a farmhouse dining table, for long, laughter-filled meals over good food and wine.

On the ground floor, a comfortable bedroom with its own en-suite shower room is an ideal option for guests who prefer to avoid stairs. Just off this room is a charming Moroccan-inspired sunroom, opening onto a private terrace, an idyllic setting for a quiet morning tea with countryside views. A convenient cloakroom completes this level.

Upstairs, the first-floor bedrooms are accessed via a galleried mezzanine landing overlooking the drawing room. Here, you’ll find a cosy reading snug and a well-stocked library, offering quiet corners for relaxation. Both bedrooms have Juliet balconies with sweeping valley views and en-suite bathrooms, and the master bedroom also benefits from a dressing area. Each room is thoughtfully styled for a restful night’s sleep, with comfortable beds, hotel-quality mattresses, crisp linens, and distinctive contemporary artwork.

On the top floor, two twin bedrooms are tucked beneath the eaves. One is accessed via the master bedroom and overlooks it, creating an ideal family suite for those wishing to stay close together.

Back on the first floor, the mezzanine opens onto a spacious deck complete with garden furniture, sun loungers, a chiminea, and an outdoor dining area with a barbecue for leisurely al fresco meals. An indulgent hot tub offers a welcome retreat after a day of walking or cycling, and is perfectly placed for enjoying Exmoor’s famously dark, star-filled skies.

The wider estate offers an exceptional range of facilities set across 17 acres of beautifully maintained grounds, including gardens, winding sunken lanes, wildlife ponds, streams, meadows, an orchard, and a kitchen garden with a greenhouse, where guests can pick fresh vegetables and herbs. At the top of the estate, the Lookout field provides a decked seating area with panoramic views, ideal for drinks at sunset.

For entertainment, there’s a well-equipped games room with table football and table tennis, alongside a dedicated soft play area for younger children. Outdoors, a play area has a two-storey Wendy house, wooden tractor, trampoline, swings, slides, and climbing frame, for hours of imaginative play. There’s also a five-a-side football pitch, full-size tennis and badminton courts, and space for games such as croquet, boules, cricket, and pitch-and-putt golf. Dogs are warmly welcomed too, with a dedicated off-lead field.

The estate’s heated indoor swimming pool is a particular highlight, maintained at a constant depth with easy step access, non-slip surrounds, and a comfortable lounge area. Changing rooms, showers, and WC facilities are also provided. For those seeking further relaxation, yoga sessions, facials, and massages can be arranged.

Guests are invited to meet the estate’s friendly farm animals, including free-range chickens, ducks, alpacas, pygmy goats, hand-reared sheep, guinea pigs, and rabbits, many of which are always happy to be fed or cuddled.

Nearby, Combe Martin boasts one of the longest high streets in England, stretching nearly two miles from the hills down to a sandy bay with excellent rock pools at low tide. The village offers a good selection of shops, pubs, restaurants, and a traditional fish and chip shop. The market town of Barnstaple is also within easy reach, providing a full range of amenities.

Exmoor itself offers a wonderfully diverse landscape, from dramatic coastal cliffs and rugged moorland to chocolate-box villages. Highlights include the Valley of Rocks near Lynton, famous for its wild goats, and Dunkery Beacon, the highest point in the park with panoramic views stretching as far as Wales. Outdoor activities abound, from walking and cycling to paddleboarding, kayaking, and sailing at Wimbleball Lake, where you may spot herds of red deer and Exmoor’s iconic wild ponies roaming freely.