The Old Cow Byre

Smallridge, Devon
Self-catering
Visit owner's website

From
£120 - £150
per night
From
£770 - £975
per week

A beautifully-restored old cow shed, light and airy, floating over a wildflower meadow in spring and summer. 20 mins from the Jurassic Coast

Bed

1 bed

Bedroom

1 bedroom

Sleeps

Sleeps 2

Children welcome
Babies welcome

£120 - £150 per night

£770 - £975 per week

The Experience

It’s deeply romantic. Loaf on the balcony admiring all the nature around you, smelling proper fresh air, listening to nothing but birdsong and the odd bee, watching the sun set over the valley. When darkness falls on clear nights you’ll see plenty of stars while you cook outdoors around the firepit, wrapped in a cosy blanket. Indoors is just as attractive with lovely old thick walls, an open-plan space and a cosy sofa and armchair around an Esse wood-burner – if it rains snuggle up here and watch the sheep through the glass doors.

A handmade kitchen has lots of kit, even for serious cooking, so head off to River Cottage or plenty of other foodie spots to stock up and bring your local organic food home to cook up a storm. You’ll find homemade flapjacks waiting for you.

Set off on gentle walks from the door or challenge yourself to a strenuous day on the South West Coast Path. Return to a gloriously good bed and deep peace.

The Old Cow Byre - Gallery

We think you'll love

  • The wildflower meadow in spring, the munching sheep, the fresh air and being in such a quiet part of the county
  • Going shopping for organic food and wine, bringing it back and cooking on the barbecue on fine nights
  • Feeling miles away from a city or town
The Old Cow Byre - Gallery

You should know

  • Sorry, no dogs
  • The grounds around are quite steep so not very easy for the wobbly

Essentials

  • EV charger
  • Self check-in
  • Swimming pool
  • Hot tub
  • Garden
  • Open fire / woodburner
  • Breakfast included
  • Breakfast available
  • Meals available
  • Vegetarian meals
  • Oven
  • Parking on premises
  • Free parking nearby
  • Accessible by public transport
  • WiFi
  • Television
  • Central heating
  • Limited mobility
  • Wheelchair access
  • Mobile reception
  • Hob
  • Barbecue
  • Paid parking nearby
  • Air conditioning
  • Relaxation areas
  • Washing machine
  • Tennis court
  • Microwave oven
  • No smoking
  • Credit cards
  • Working farm
  • Owner has pets
  • Electricity included
  • Dishwasher
  • Pets welcome

Family friendly

  • Baby monitor
  • Books and toys
  • Children welcome
  • Babies welcome
  • Stair gates
  • High chair
  • Fire guard
  • Cot available

Nearby

  • Pub/bar within 3 miles
  • Restaurant within 3 miles
  • Shop within 3 miles

Activities

  • Bikes available
  • Food courses
  • Kayaking
  • Other courses
  • Sailing
  • Surfing
  • Wild swimming

Pricing

Nightly price
from £120
Weekly price
from £770
1 Cottage for 2
From £1201 bed1 bedroom

Information

Booking information

Check in
4pm
Check out
10am
Other details
Minimum stay: 2 nights. 3 nights April-June. 7 nights in August.
Closed
Mid June – 31 July.
No smoking
Smoking not permitted anywhere in the property.

Reviews

We had such a lovely stay at The Old Cow Byre, from the beautiful fireplace to the stunning views. Everything was so nicely designed and the bed was exceptional! We had the best nights sleep we’ve had in a long time. We look forward to returning and will be recommending to friends.

Octavia, Bath

We had a wonderful winter stay at The Old Cow Byre. The views onto the rolling countryside are beautiful, and we had one very frosty, sunny day which was particularly magical to behold. Curling up in front of the log burner with a cup of coffee and soothing Nigel Slater cookbook (from the Byre's foodie-orientated bookshelves) was pure bliss. Rob was great to liaise with, and we appreciated the welcome basket and the recommendations for local eateries and walks. We'd love to come back again in a different season, as I'm sure each time of year has particular joys to experience.

Shona, Oxford

This is a superb place to stay. Cosy, well equipped, beautiful scenery, stunning views and everything very close. We love it.

Simon, London

Have stayed many times here and love it! Everything is always clean and and you really feel like you have a break with the peace and quiet and secluded location. Beautiful scenery, enjoy sitting out on the balcony at night and looking up at the sky. Town is a short drive, complete with a Tesco. Very nice Italian restaurant too. We drive all over, down to Teignmouth or Dartmoor or along to the Jurassic coast. Have stayed here mainly through Autumn and Winter months and enjoy the wood burner 🥰

Michelle, Biggleswade

Peaceful escape for two, with stunning views across the valley and sheep for neighbours. Very clean, comfortable and well-equipped, friendly and helpful hosts-all in all a perfect spot!

Cherrie, Bath

A delightfully secluded haven, if you are looking for total relaxation then you will find it here. From the moment you arrive you get a sense sense of peace, with one human neighbour (host) otherwise it’s rolling hills, sheep and wildlife. The property is decorated to a high standard and the wood burner made for cosy evening by the fire. There is a TV but how nice to leave the remote alone. Lyme Regis is only 20mins away where we found a couple of great restaurants. Already working out when to return.

Alan, Hampshire

Wonderful rural setting with views to loose yourself in. The building was clean, tidy and finished to a high standard. Will be come again; most definitely.

Alan, Hampshire

I loved it. The Old Cow Byre is tastefully decorated with floral artwork from local artists and with everything you would need. You're within a 20-minute car journey to the Jurassic coast and an ideal post for an rural break. Plus, River Cottage is also just round the corner.

Gwen, Sawday's Inspector

Read more reviews

Location

The neighbourhood

You're hidden away in the Blackdown Hills, an AONB. Tytherleigh is the nearest village (2.5 miles) so if you're feeling up to it you can walk. There's a farm shop for organic meat and veg and also a pub, the Tytherleigh Arms. River Cottage is 15 mins in the car for eating and buying wonderful food. Pack up a picnic and head to sandy or pebble beaches for a day of swimming and paddle boarding.

Local points of interest from Catherine & Robert Walker

  • Beaches: the wonderful Jurassic Coast is 20 minutes away with its great selection of local beaches - sandy ones, big empty pebble ones and fossil hunting ones. Learn to paddleboard at Charmouth, go on a fishing trip at Lyme Regis.
  • Food: Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s River Cottage is a couple of miles away. Many other great places to eat out, from fine dining to beach shacks. We can recommend farm shops, vineyards and other places selling the best of the local produce.
  • Walks: you’ll find Ordinance Survey maps in the house along with suggestions for walks from the front door and further afield. The South West Coast path is a favourite - options for gentle strolls or more challenging hikes - and stunning views.
  • Days out: plenty of local attractions - Crealy Theme Park, Pecorama, Wildwood Escot, Axe Valley Wildlife Park. Plus visit National Trust properties like Killerton and Branscombe. Or hire bikes to explore the country lanes and local pubs.
  • Local towns: nearby Lyme Regis is fun all year round – quirky shops, cafes, mini golf etc. Bridport is also great to wander round – including for antiques and art. Local markets in Axminster on Thursdays, Bridport on Saturdays.

Introducing

Catherine & Robert Walker

Catherine and Robert love living in the Blackdown Hills and walking the nearby Jurassic Coast - dipping in its waters whenever they have the chance. They arrived here after a gradual journey westwards from London. First to Dorset, then moving to this part of Devon after they bought their farmhouse. They've kept all the lovely old things but fixed all the broken stuff. Now they welcome visitors.