Brightworthy Farm

Why you'll love staying here

Brightworthy Farm is a secluded, white-washed farmhouse set above the scenic River Barle valley, in the heart of Exmoor National Park. Just two miles from the charming village of Withypool, the handsome farmhouse is within 137 acres of private grounds, offering a peaceful rural retreat for families and groups of friends alike.

The kitchen is fully equipped, with both an Aga and a conventional oven, along with a range of modern appliances, and everything you need to prepare hearty, home-cooked meals. An original pantry with flagstone floors provides excellent storage and keeps provisions cool. The adjoining dining room centres around a large farmhouse table and a beautiful inglenook fireplace with a wood-burning stove. A cosy seating area beside the stove makes the perfect spot to retire to after dinner with a cocktail or a good book.

Next door, the spacious sitting room is decorated in a gorgeous palette of sage green and mauve, with tartan accents and rustic touches. Comfortable sofas and an open fire make it a welcoming space for family film nights, board games, or simply relaxing after a day exploring the moors.

Upstairs, five thoughtfully designed bedrooms combine country-chic style with homely details, such as fresh flowers and soft Welsh blankets for cooler nights.

The extensive garden, mostly laid to lawn with mature trees and shrubs, enjoys sweeping views across the moors. There’s plenty of space for children to play and dogs to run around, along with an outdoor dining area and barbecue for leisurely summer meals. Guests are free to wander the surrounding fields, following paths down to the river for a picnic by the water’s edge. Keep an eye out for wildlife, from deer, foxes, and polecats to bats, butterflies, and a rich variety of birdlife.

Nearby Withypool is a picture-perfect village, with its red sandstone six-arch bridge, quaint cottages, a traditional pub, and a tearoom serving light lunches, cakes, and cream teas. Walkers are spoilt for choice; the Two Moors Way passes through the village, while a scenic nine-mile circular route follows the river to Tarr Steps before climbing back over Withypool Hill, rewarding you with superb views along the way. With stabling available at Brightworthy Farm, horse riders can also take advantage of the many local bridleways.

For a change of scenery, the beaches of North Somerset are within easy reach. Minehead is perfect for a family day at the seaside, with its wide sandy beach, calm waters for swimming, and rockpools teeming with marine life. It’s also the starting point of the South West Coast Path, which stretches all the way to Poole in Dorset via Land’s End in Cornwall. Thrill-seekers will find surfing, windsurfing, kitesurfing, and sailing at nearby Porlock Weir, while the cliffs and coves along this stretch of coastline are good for fossil-hunting.