7 Nights from £345
Bedroom details
Bedroom 1
Super-kingIf you want different. If you want quirky. If you want an experience that you will remember forever, come and stay here. How about this for a holiday experience combination like no other - wild swimming in the deepest of pools in the River Exe and on-hand tastings at Hatherland Mill Farm's micro-brewery!
Swallows Nest, perfectly befitting its name, nestles at the heart of the farmstead which is home to rare breed cattle, sheep and goats, incredible wildlife and a free-spirited ethic that is infectious. This imaginatively created retreat for two has a cobbled floor, wood-burning stove and TV in the living area, a bespoke fitted kitchen-area which includes a dishwasher and has a breakfast-bar too. There is a small dining-table and a well-sized shower-room on the ground floor. Ladder stairs lead to a mezzanine bedroom - protected by a carved wooden panel, reclaimed long ago from a local church, with a super-king (6') bed and free-standing roll-top bath! You can lie in bed and see the river on its journey from the wilds of Exmoor to the east Devon Jurassic Coast.
Spot the medieval patterns engraved into the cob walls, carved to welcome in good fortune and fend off witchcraft. The more you look the more you see here - the extra width stable door to let the breeze flow though and to keep your dog safe. The industrial scale bi-fold doors open onto a private courtyard with not only a wood-fired pizza oven but a Kamado barbecue and ceramic smoker too. From the courtyard your own gate leads to the meadow that borders the river.
This traditional smallholding has earned conservation awards from Natural England and offers a wonderful opportunity to feel part of a sustainable and environmentally friendly way of living. The owners - who live in an historic thatched farmhouse on the other side of the farmyard, with a little holiday cottage attached to it that also welcomes guests to this unique environment - are happy to advise where the best riverside spots are for the chance to see an otter or a kingfisher. They are living the dream and hope to offer some of that back to their guests.
The nearby market town of Tiverton with its 12th Century castle is well worth a visit, as are the gothic mansion of Knightshayes Court and its beautiful formal gardens and the small town of Bampton, renowned for its prize-winning flower-lined streets and historic buildings. Exploring Exmoor National Park, with its unique landscape of moorland, woodland, valleys and farmland, is a must - the delightful village of Dulverton is home to one of the park's visitor centres and is a good place to start. For something totally different, why not take a trip on a horse-drawn narrowboat along the Grand Western Canal? It's now a nature reserve and home to numerous wildlife, from swans and otters to dragonflies and kingfishers.
Ground Floor
Open plan living-room with kitchen and dining areas. 2 ring electric hob, electric oven, kettle, toaster, slimline dishwasher, fridge (with ice-box), wood-burner and TV
Shower-room with shower, WC and wash-basin
Mezzanine
Bedroom with super-king double bed (6') and roll-top bath
Due to the rural location, the WiFi can be intermittent. Please take care with the narrow-treaded stairs and cobbled floor. *A baby under six months old (non-crawler) is welcome, please bring your own moses basket.
Features
- Dogs welcome
- Arrive/Depart Friday
- Short breaks available
- Wood-burner/Open fire
- Private parking for 1 car
- WiFi
- No smoking
- Pub 3 miles
- Courtyard furniture, ceramic smoker (Kamado BBQ) and wood-fired pizza oven
- Full LPG CH
- Logs for wood-burner
The bedroom is on a mezzanine level and boasts a gorgeous roll-top bath.
A delightful, quirky and cosy retreat for two.
A sumptuous super-king double bed to rest your heads on.
Sit back and relax in the roll-top bath - glass of wine and book on-hand, of course.
The perfect place to unwind after a day out and about exploring.
A welcoming space for a restorative break.
Looking down from the mezzanine level to the open plan living space and out into the courtyard.
The patio doors and surrounding windows allow the natural light to flood in.
Dine inside or out, the choice is yours.
Your four-legged friends are more than welcome to join you.
Welcome to Swallow's Nest!
The kitchen is small but perfectly formed, with all you could need provided.
The warming wood-burner ensures year-round cosiness and adds a lovely atmosphere to out-of-season breaks.
Switch off from modern life and reconnect with one another.
The super stylish shower-room.
With hot shower.
And equally stylish features.
A staircase leads up to the mezzanine level - please take care with the narrow-treaded steps.
The courtyard provides the perfect place to dine al fresco.
Enjoy a glass of your favourite tipple in the sunshine.
Not only is there a Kamado (barbecue and ceramic smoker) but there's a wood-fired pizza oven too!
Pizza or barbecue - decisions decisions!
Swallow's Nest nestles at the heart of the farmstead which is home to rare breed cattle, sheep and goats, incredible wildlife and a free-spirited ethic that is infectious.
Spot the medieval patterns engraved into the cob walls, carved to welcome in good fortune and fend off witchcraft.
Every little detail has been thoughtfully put-together.
The ladder stairs are protected by a carved wooden panel, reclaimed long ago from a local church (please take care when using them, as the steps have a narrow tread).
The cob wall is one of the many fantastically quirky features.
A fully stocked inventory.
Just gorgeous!
Hatherland Mill Farm has it's own micro-brewery, you must have a tasting!
From the courtyard your own gate leads to the meadow that borders the river - you are welcome to explore.
Rover will love his holiday!
The friendly owners are happy to advise where the best riverside spots are for the chance to see an otter or a kingfisher.
What an amazing location! Hatherland Mill Farm is shown here towards the middle of the shot - Swallow's Nest's courtyard backs onto the meadow in the foreground.
The owners' rare breed cattle are nearby - just look at the gorgeous calf!
One of your neighbours!
The River Exe runs through the farmland.
Just such a gorgeous setting for a back-to-nature break.
This traditional smallholding has earned conservation awards from Natural England and offers a wonderful opportunity to feel part of a sustainable and environmentally friendly way of living.
Looking back to Swallow's Nest from the meadow.
The main entrance to Swallow's Nest from the farmyard.
Wow! The wonderful setting of Hatherland Mill Farm - Swallow's Nest is the grey roof in front of the tree, near the middle of the farmstead.
Swallow's Nest is the jewel in the crown that is Hatherland Mill Farm.
The Exmoor National Park is well worth a visit. This is taken from Hadden Hill overlooking Wimbleball Lake.
Exmoor is a wonderful mixture of open moorland, deep valleys and tumbling rivers. Dulverton and Withypool are two lovely places with riverside walks and picnic spots.
You can be at the East Devon Jurassic coast in just under an hour. This is Sidmouth.
The rugged North Devon coast is also just under an hour's drive. For a sandy beach try Instow.