Welcome to Otter's Holt, nestled at the end of a quaint country lane...
Finished to perfection, you will instantly feel at home in this gorgeous little hut.
Younger guests will absolutely love the quirky bunk-beds.
The snug fire-pit area is a magical feature.
This secluded spot oozes peace and tranquility.
The sumptuous king-size bed is snuggled to the left of the hideaway.
With a wood-burner to keep you cosy, no matter the season.
Serve up some delicious crispy-based pizzas with use of the DeliVita oven (please note this is shared with the other guests onsite).
The top bunk-bed folds up, creating extra living space during the day.
The super sweet kitchen area, complete with everything you'll need during your stay.
Idyllic breakfast moments await at Otter's Holt.
The shower-room is beautifully presented, perfect for freshening up after a countryside ramble.
Plenty of spots to relax, unwind and soak up your tranquil surroundings.
Day or night, this seating area is perfect.
Whip up some delicious pizzas and then dine al fresco!
A dreamy set up after a day of adventures.
One other hideaway is on-site, Rancher's Hut, which sits quietly behind Otter's Holt.
Follow the track to your peaceful paradise...
The breathtakingly beautiful Jurassic Coast is less than 15 minutes away!
Beer beach isn't far and is perfect for a family day out.
Unspoilt Budleigh Salterton is an idyllic spot for a sea swim and beach picnic.
The Blackdown Hills can be reached in 30- minutes. This is Otterhead Lakes walk, a lovely circular route which is dog-friendly.
For some retail therapy head into the Cathedral City of Exeter.
Otter's Holt Shepherd's Hut
3013Ottery St Mary | Sleeps 4 (no children under 3)
From £94 per night
The location of attractions is intended only as a guide. Distances are 'as the crow flies'.
Nearby pub
First registered as a public house in 1820, this is a traditional pub with restaurant area and roof terrace for alfresco drinks. Food is cooked fresh to order using high quality ingredients.
Nearby beach
This is a wide sandy and shingle beach with good access and parking nearby. Jacobs Ladder leads down to the beach from Connaught Gardens, a lovely place to take in the view. A great family beach, you'll find lots of facilities and cafes nearby. Dogs are allowed year round at the easterly end of the beach.
Nearby walk
Start at Newton Poppleford Church, between Exeter and Sidmouth, for quiet countryside and good views across the Otter Valley. A circular route of 6.25 miles starts towards the west of the village before linking with the East Devon Way and crossing the River Otter.
Nearby town
One of the oldest towns in Devon, Ottery St Mary pre-dates the Domesday Book by some margin. Nestling in the Otter Valley, Devon’s rolling countryside spreads in every direction. Just a few miles to the south are the beaches of the south coast, perfect for days out. Ottery St Mary has a number of mystifying annual celebrations that are always great fun to witness: Tar Barrel Rolling in November (the barrels are on fire!), the spectacular carnival and Pixie Day, when local bellringers are taken captive by ‘pixies’, with a fete, live entertainment and a fireworks display.
Also nearby
The focus here is on the animals, so there are no rides or play parks, just rescued donkeys to see and stroke. The Donkey Sanctuary is dog-friendly and admission is free.
April 2026
Free entry
As the Donkey Sanctuary was free we did not expect there to be much to do so we’re surprised at what was there. Of course the highlight were the lovely donkeys with lovely walks to pastures. A very informative talk. Lots of things for children to do including a trail at the time of year we visited, a maze and lots of interactive information. The cafe/restaurant is large with a lovely view of donkeys. Plenty of walks from the sanctuary, we took the path to Weston beach, very hilly but well worth the walk. And also, of course, the gift shop which had some reasonably priced pocket money items for the children. A great day out.
November 2024
Fun for all ages
Lovely day out, young and old thoroughly entertained and well worth a visit
October 2019
Liz Riley
Loved this place! So well-kept and loads of gorgeous donkeys to stroke. Good cafe too.
July 2016
Dinky Donks
Lovely to visit, and as it's free you can spend as little or as long as you like. Not just donkeys, there are some walks / trails to follow and a good cafe.
April 2012
A great family day out, free entry, free parking, all facilities on site are good - from eating to toilets, beautiful grounds. Only downside is reliant on reasonable weather as mostly outdoors.
June 2009
A wonderful day out for all the family - go on a fine day as you can walk a long way. A great bonus is that it is FREE to visit and there is no pressure on visitors to pay anything - but you will want to help this super charity.
February 2009
The donkey sanctuary is a brilliant day out for families. We have been here on numerous occasions and it is a joy to see the smiles on the childrens faces as they interact with the donkeys. We are always made to feel very welcome and the staff are very well informed.
January 2009
One of the largest in the world. Great for children and adults will enjoy it too.
- J M Wynne
17 wooden barrels are coated in tar, set alight and carted shoulder-high through the streets of the town. Yes, on fire. It’s been a tradition since 1605-ish and probably started to brace the town for the imminent invasion of the Spanish Armada.
January 2011
Amazing!
This really is a spectacular event. The atmosphere is electric as locals hurtle through the streets with the flaming barrels hoisted onto their backs. Thousands of people come to witness the tradition each year - if you don't like crowds, then this is probably not the event for you, but you can take refuge by the huge bonfire, which has to be one of the largest and most impressive in the South West, if not the country.
In the heart of the pretty village of Tipton St John, this pub offers a warm log fire in winter and plenty of outside seating in summer in the beer garden. The menu blends classic British with rustic French, courtesy of the French owners.
September 2019
Philip A. Wooster and Jean Wooster
We lunched at this pub. (We have eaten there previously).
Extensive menu to choose from. Food well prepared and presented.
Outside tables, some under cover. (Dogs allowed outside)
Excellent food and great pub atmosphere with plenty of outside seating for balmy summer evenings and a roaring open fire for cooler weather. Dogs are welcome.
August 2025
Great Sunday lunch
Lovely pub and recommended, food was great.
October 2023
Excellent food
A great country pub with such friendly staff and excellent food
October 2016
You have to visit here !
The Masons Arms, from the outside it looks stunning, charming thatch, honey stone, you expect so much from this first impression, well we were not disappointed, inside the atmosphere is spot on, and the food, local beers and especially the service from the ever attentive staff was brilliant. Welcomes dogs too, a truly British pub experience.
Glad we are not locals, we'd be in here every day !
August 2011
Great crab ploughman's!
Get there early at lunch time for a table outside in the summer. The famous crab ploughman's makes a wonderful lunch - washed down with the local Branscombe Bitter. For me the beer of the week!
March 2009
Chocclate box pub in a chocolate box village
The Mason Arms is a very popular pub in the heart of Branscombe village. It has lots of nooks and crannies and plenty of eating space, although it can get extremely busy in the summer months and at bank holidays - make sure you book ahead for a table. The food is fresh, great quality and very well cooked - a surefire winner!
A truly beautiful 10 acre garden with unusual plants and stunning views. You will also find a tearoom, gift shop and nursery here.
April 2026
Glorious
What a wonderful experience at Burrow Farm Gardens. We went on a sunny spring day and it was just like walking through beautiful woods and countryside, rather than a formal garden.
We also took advantage of the tea room and bought a couple of things from the nursery
April 2026
A world of peace and tranquility.
We visited Burrow Farm after picking up a leaflet at Musbury Chapel. What a wonderful day we had. Beautiful natural gardens with spectacular Devon views. Acers were stunning and every part of the garden was beautifully designed to enhance the views. A reasonable entry price and well worth the visit. A real haven of peace.
October 2025
Burrow Farm Gardens
We visited in middle of October so enjoyed the autumn foliage, also the peace. Many benches for sitting and reflecting on the foresight of the owner to start this garden in 1959. She is still gardening now! Also excellent cafe.
August 2022
A lovely walk.
This is a lovely place to visit whether you choose to pay and walk around the grounds, as we have done, or just have something to eat and browse the garden centre. The food is excellent and walks peaceful. We have never been without coming away with some plants for our garden.
June 2022
Burrow Farm Gardens
An unusual family designed garden in a stunning setting. The tea room served excellent food and was good value. Nursery had a good selection of well tended plants.
Staff were friendly and helpful making it a perfect place to visit
October 2020
Lovely garden
Pretty garden for an afternoon meander. Good tearoom and plant nursery.
August 2012
A gardeners paradise
A 10 acre garden which has been lovingly created by the family of an ex-dairy farmer. The garden has lots of interest, including the Millenium garden styled around a beautiful trickling stream and a large woodland garden including some of the biggest giant rhubarb we've ever seen. There is a great little tea room serving hard earned tea and cake after you've explored the gardens. There is a nursery selling plants reared at the gardens and other garden essentials. Everything we've bought from them has thrived, so they clearly take great care in what they produce. There is a large landscaping business run by their son attached to the gardens, with further stocks of shrubs and trees to explore.
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