Friends House

• Cottages that sleep 8
• Bideford cottages
• North Devon cottages

Full of charm and character, Friends House is a magnificent and wonderfully unique retreat. Built in the 1750s and previously named Frains Farmhouse after its owners (the Frains), the property is full of gorgeous period features that are beautifully complemented by the refurbished elements of the house, that ensure a luxurious getaway for eight people.

Despite the property being nearly 300 years old, there is a wonderful sense of home throughout the house. The excellently maintained exterior welcomes you with an understated charm that is continued as you enter the entrance hall, from which you can access the many beautifully furnished rooms on the ground floor. The house comes with two sitting-rooms, the first of which houses the beautiful period fireplace that has been a part of the house since its construction. Gorgeously rugged wooden beams lie across the ceiling, complementing the crisp white walls and lavish velvet sofas. The second sitting-room comes equipped with a fabulous Smart TV perfect for those snug evenings in and there are plenty of gorgeous little nooks to perch in and enjoy the beautiful stillness of this historic building. The thick walls and low ceilings give these rooms a delightfully cosy feel but guests who are on the taller side will need to be mindful of the small doorways into these rooms.

Further along the ground floor, you'll find the main kitchen and adjoining dining-room complete with a fabulous wooden dining-table that's perfect for those large family dinners with all of your loved ones. Natural light floods in through the windows to give this room a light and airy feel, while the elegant piano perched in the corner of the room provides a great source of entertainment in the evenings. The kitchen itself is beautifully finished with modern fittings and appliances that make cooking delicious meals an absolute dream. A delightful breakfast-bar provides a great place for your morning coffee.

There are two staircases in the house. The main staircase is lovely and wide (but means you won't be able to fit a stair-gate if you do bring dogs) while the characterful secondary staircase can be found in the main kitchen and leads straight up to bedroom one. Here you will find a brilliant 'zip and link' super-king bed accompanied by a charming sofa and a lavish en suite with a gorgeous bath and a modern shower. Down the hall, bedrooms two and four come with inviting double bed and king-size beds while bedroom three is the final room to house a 'zip and link' super-king. A spacious shower-room makes up the first floor with a large sky light, a double-sized cubicle and a modern shower finishes off the first floor.

Friends House comes complete with plenty of outside space to enjoy the Devonshire sunshine and take in far reaching views of the surrounding countryside. There is a beautiful lawn at the front of the house great for little ones and a small pond that has been made safe with a sturdy metal grill for the resident toads and holiday makers alike to enjoy. At the back, a superb patio is a perfect place to enjoy a spot of al fresco dining on the outside seating area. The house also comes with a garage but it is not open to guests.