Appletree Cottage at Cotmore Farm

Appletree Cottage at Cotmore Farm is a gorgeous oak-and-slate stable barn conversion in a quiet courtyard on a small farm just minutes from the sea: it will pamper you with its luxurious airy interiors and at the same time soothe your soul in the absolute peace and tranquility of rural South Devon, where miles of twisting footpaths and quiet sunken lanes lead to the many sandy coves and safe, award-winning beaches for which this part of England is justly famous. The space Appletree Cottage is our third and last farm building conversion at Cotmore Farm. It was once a stable barn, its origins betrayed by the spectacular beams that protrude from the ceiling and in the thickness of the stone and rubble walls shown in the depth of the upstairs window reveals. Into this wonderful geometric space we have introduced a very modern interior with every energy-saving comfort, from double insulated walls and ceilings to LED lighting and underfloor heating. Slate and oak are materials found in abundance in this part of Devon and we have used them liberally: all doors, furniture, and the upstairs floor are made of oak, while slate floors feature in all downstairs areas. Accessed from the ground floor, the master bedroom has a 6ft bed as its centrepiece, with ample space for a travel cot if required; next door is a luxuriously appointed limestone bathroom with curved bath and power shower. Painted wooden shutters in both rooms give precise control of light and, on hotter days, allow a cooling breeze to circulate while maintaining absolute privacy. Across the corridor, the spacious second bedroom can be configured with a super-kingsize bed or, for families with children, two or three single beds. Here, another ensuite bathroom boasts a huge walk-in enclosure with Grohe power-shower. All downstairs areas benefit from touch-sensitive underfloor heating, individually controllable in each room. Sleeping is not permitted outside of designated bedroom areas. The upstairs floor is reached via a glass balustraded staircase: here the architecture of the vaulted roof and exposed trusses of ancient pitch pine combine to create an airy sense of light and space. Windows to the south and east look over gently rolling hills towards the sea at Beesands, while to the north, a wall of glass invites the outdoors in. A compact but fully equipped kitchen and comfortable dining area mean you can cook with confidence if you don't fancy going out; while comfy leather sofas, a widescreen satellite TV, and a hi-tech woodburner provide a congenial atmosphere for an evening in, whatever the weather. Through the double French doors, and backed by a steep bank of wildflowers and roses, lies a totally secluded, glass-balustraded private sitting-out area, a suntrap from breakfast till sundown, with outdoor dining facilities and barbecue. Paved steps lead down to the front door, and a grassy path winds up past the dovecot to a sheltered orchard field with a trampoline, perfect for a game of football, badminton or croquet. Guest access Guests have a private garden and free access to the orchard with its giant trampoline. They are welcome to explore the farm and visit the animals in their homes: we keep horses, Shetland sheep, chickens, ducks and rare breed pigs, with very cute piglets! Other things to note We are always happy to accommodate one dog: check the "Pet" box on the booking page and the fee will be added to your booking. Two or more dogs may also be acceptable, but please ask first, and note that additional fees will be payable on arrival.