Piggy in the Middle

Why you'll love staying here

Piggy In The Middle is a beautifully converted barn on a working sheep farm in the heart of the Blackdown Hills, set amid the stunning East Devon countryside. Within easy reach of both the coast and the moors, it offers something for everyone, an idyllic rural escape with comfort at its core.

The barn has been thoughtfully restored to provide spacious open-plan living. The compact yet well-equipped kitchen has Shaker-style cabinets, butcher’s block worktops, and all the modern appliances you need to prepare delicious home-cooked meals. For an extra treat, the owner can provide breakfast hampers for a small additional cost, filled with croissants and pastries, homemade jam, homemade fruit granola, fresh seasonal fruit, bread, freshly laid eggs from the farm, butter, milk, and orange juice, everything you need to get your day off to a great start.

A large dining table and inviting corner sofa make the living area wonderfully sociable, the perfect place for the whole family to gather, whether you’re planning the day’s adventures or settling in for a relaxed evening with a film or board game.

Upstairs, the three well-presented bedrooms offer plenty of storage, comfortable bedding, and skylights that allow you to fall asleep beneath the stars and wake to birdsong or the gentle bleating of sheep. A contemporary family bathroom on this floor includes a sleek shower enclosure and stylish tiling, creating a spa-like ambience so you can start each day feeling refreshed.

Outside, an enclosed garden has a patio with dining furniture and a barbecue, ideal for leisurely al fresco lunches. As the day draws to a close, it’s a lovely place to unwind with a glass of wine while taking in views over the farm where you may see deer roaming across the fields or hear owls hooting as they hunt at dusk. With clear skies, this is also a superb spot for stargazing, and the owners are happy to supply a telescope to enhance your experience.

The nearby village of Dunkeswell has a shop, pub, and fish and chip shop, as well as the Dunkeswell Airfield Heritage Centre, where you can learn about its World War II history or try adrenaline-fuelled activities such as skydiving and wing-walking. Motorsports enthusiasts can enjoy the excitement of Mansell Raceway or Dunkeswell Raceway.

The Blackdown Hills National Landscape is renowned for its diverse habitats and rich wildlife, including chiffchaffs, cuckoos, kestrels, and buzzards, as well as numerous specie of butterflies and bats. The area is criss-crossed with footpaths and bridleways for walking, cycling, or horse riding, that pass through ancient woodlands and wildflower meadows. A climb to the top of Staple Hill, the highest point in the hills, rewards you with breathtaking views where, on a clear day, you can even see Wales.

You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to beaches along the South Devon coast. Exmouth is ideal for families, with two miles of golden sand and shallow waters perfect for safe bathing, while watersports enthusiasts can try kite surfing, windsurfing, paddleboarding, and sailing. Exmouth Local Nature Reserve, at the southern end of the Exe estuary, is a globally important area of tidal sand, mudflats, salt marsh, and wet meadows that attract huge numbers of overwintering waders and waterfowl.

Just inland along the River Exe lies the cathedral city of Exeter, home to a wealth of family-friendly attractions. Highlights include the Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery, with 16 galleries taking visitors on a journey from prehistory to the present day, Exeter’s Underground Passages, a fascinating network of medieval tunnels explored via guided tours, and the historic quayside, with its characterful architecture, lively events, and excellent selection of waterside pubs, restaurants, and cafés.