North Tawton holiday cottage: North Tawton, Okehampton

We spent a long time researching possible places for our family gathering for a week over Easter 2009 – 11th to 18th April. We were looking for 4 separate cottages for three families and two grandparents - the group included 8 children aged between 5 and 11 years. The cottages needed to be close together, but the possibility of some independence was also important.
Granary Farm Cottages proved to be a wonderful choice. The whole set up – the cottages spread around the lovely courtyard, the games room for the children, the large heated pool (massive compared with other similar complexes visited), the area surrounding the cottages, green space with lots of nooks and crannies ideal for the kids to explore and no cars to worry about. In short stacks to do!
The cottages themselves were beautifully presented. They were just as described – clean, comfortably furnished and very cosy. Everything that you could possibly need was there.
Despite it being Easter in England, we were blessed with wonderful weather, to the extent that we were able to meet in the courtyard for morning coffees, evening drinks and a couple of BBQ’s – all in warm sunshine. In the evenings, we were all able to gather in one of the living rooms – we took it in turns – and the log burners added warmth and atmosphere.
We must also mention the magnificent countryside around N. Tawton, enhanced in early spring by the daffodils and other flowers along the hedge rows, plus the lambs out in the fields. Granary Farm really does have a great setting.
While Granary Farm was ideal for a group, the cottages, with their separate gardens, also enjoyed privacy and we would be very happy to return as individual families on another occasion.
Our week was one of many happy memories ranging from the walks across Dartmoor, the day at Bude with kite flying, picnic on the beach and dips in the sea! And then the dinner trips – one evening we took over the fish and chip shop in N. Tawton for a splendid meal, taking our own wine, and on another it was the turn of the pub down the bottom of the lane, which gave us a very warm welcome for dinner.
Simon and Piedy, the owners, were the perfect hosts. Always on hand for help and advice, but in no way intrusive or precious about their lovely holiday complex. It all made up to a perfect, relaxing holiday. We hope to return sometime as a group or just as separate families.
Thank you Simon and Piedy, - it was great and just as we had hoped!