POPES COTTAGE

Shillingford, Nr. Bampton, Devon. EX16 9BP

On the edge of Exmoor, this charming stone cottage just for two has been  thoughtfully converted from a small barn, featuring the original beams, timbers and stonework. It is across the courtyard from the owners’ home, Popes, which had a long history of being a small Devon farm –  where a Mr. Pope lived in1334. It is approached by a lane and track, surrounded by grassfields grazed by sheep, with Popes Copse behind us.

The Cottage, all on the ground floor, has an open plan sitting room/dining room with a woodburner stove, actually very efficiently run by gas for instant heat, television, CD/radio, and books.  Some of the furniture is handmade by the owner who is a designer and furniture maker. The kitchen area has a terracotta floor, rush matting, electric cooker, fridge freezer,  microwave and washing machine. French windows open on to your own small patio and private garden overlooking pastures and trees;  the morning sunshine makes this patio a suntrap for breakfast in the garden. The beamed bedroom with double bed and duvet leads through to the en-suite bathroom [shower room]. We provide all linen.   

This is a peaceful, comfortable place from which to set off and explore – or just read books.   The area is little known and particularly beautiful, being between the Quantocks, Brendon Hills, Blackdown Hills and Exmoor;  it is designated an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty - charming Devon/ Somerset villages, country lanes, wild flowers; we frequently see red deer, foxes, badgers, buzzards and a host of hedgerow birds here. National Trust houses at Killerton and Knightshayes, Exeter and its Cathedral, the tiny barrel roofed churches typical of the area, the coast [Porlock, Lynton, Bideford, Barnstaple] are all within easy reach, with local walks along footpaths and byways where it is unusual to meet anyone.  

Beautifully secluded, but not at all isolated, we are 3 miles from Bampton [early Celtic settlement, now known for the annual October Fair where Exmoor ponies are sold] where excellent vegetable, butchers and baker shops and two small country stores provide everything you need, and some local inns offering excellent food. Tiverton is 7 miles away and Dulverton 5 miles for cream teas, river walks and the moors.

Unfortunately we cannot accept dogs. By popular demand, this is a non-smoking cottage.

 

Further enquiries and bookings

Michael and Tricia Scott

Telephone: 01398 331999
Email:  mss.scott@btinternet.com
OS. Sheet. 181 – 989 249

Cottage availability.    May to October.     £220 - £375

Please Note: Arrival after 3.00 pm
Departure by 10.00 am.  SATURDAY

Payment.
A deposit of £100 per week, please, when booking.  The remainder payable two weeks before arrival.  Please make cheques payable to M. Scott