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Torridge House
Cottages |
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Prices & Availability 2010/11 |
In the Devon countryside, truly child, toddler and baby friendly. Join us on the farm; watch the animals, enjoy the animals, help feed them. Holidays with hands on farm action for young
families! Nine cottages and luxury houses
around the green, and Southwood
at Five Lane End.
Cottages available
this weekend at autumn prices.
This page was last updated
on 3rd September 2010.
We hold weeks for next year for a £30 part
deposit.
"We have just returned from our weeks holiday at Torridge House Cottages. I am not usually one to write feedback but we had such an excellent stay that I feel the need to congratulate you and your staff on providing such a friendly, welcoming and well thought out holiday destination.
This really was the ideal holiday for our 2 year old who had an absolute whale of a time helping with the animals and playing in the gardens. The cottages were brilliantly equipped and the area is lovely and well situated for various days outs.
Before our little boy arrived we used to holiday all around the world but I have to say that last week was one of the best holidays we have ever had. We will definitely be coming back soon and have also told all our family and friends about the place, some of which will hopefully come with us when we look to book again next year.
Once again many thanks for the perfect holiday."
by
email July 2010
So much has been happening that I am going to take you on a tour of our top Rabbit House!
As you come in the door, you will see on the right in a hutch to keep them safe, a mother hen with 4 chicks. They are tiny. We'll let them out in a few days time, but will put them away safely at night.
Next the Mrs Hen is a family of young guinea pigs , and above her is Mrs Peter Rabbit, who has a wonderful nest made from her own fur and in the nest are five 2-day old baby bunnies.
Turn left to Yellow Pen and there are a couple of Dwarf Lionhead Rabbits with Sandie's special "golden" baby guinea pig with her mother, brothers, sisters and aunty.
Next door in Blue Pen is Mrs Cee and her beautiful white Rex X babies - they are a perfect size for us to watch on the table and cuddle in our special pocket pouch apron
Turn right and next to a family of Lionheads are a group of guinea pigs watched over by a very special Lionhead, rex x rabbit.
More guinea pigs and big rabbits are in the next pen, and then third along is our 3 week old Indian Runner duckling. He (we hope she), has no mummy and daddy here nor any brothers or sisters. He hatched all alone, but was adopted by two young guinea pigs. They now have 2 golden bantam chicks for companions in the fond hope that Young Duck will come to identify with feathers rather than fur. He cuddles up with the chicks now - has become disillusioned trying to hide under the hay now that he is so tall! So the tactic seems to be working. Above this pen, under a heat lamp is a tiny, tiny, bantam chick that the broody hen has rejected, but joy today! another singleton chick has arrived to keep him company. Big Little Chick has taken beautifully well to New Little Chick. Despite New Little Chick pushing him almost over as he tries to cuddle underneath him, Big Little Chick is manfully showing NLC how to eat - he pecks up grains of fod and drops them - over and over again.
Turn again and you are by the 2 mouse houses - we have the most adorable mice ever - beautiful colours, big ones, little ones and middle sized ones - they love playing on the tractor and sawdust table. All the other animals go on the great big table surrounded by little chairs in the middle of the room.
Next to the mice is the tap for changing the water in all the pens and hutches and next along are the sinks for washing our hands. That takes us back to the door. On the way we pass the hay bale and bins, the tub of straw, the bale of shavings and the colourful baskets that we use to carry our baby animal to the table.
Must go for a little while as it is nearly bedtime and Aunty will be needing her hot chocolate ............
Oh also we found the little black kitten with the tuft of white hair on her chest locked in the nursery shed!!! She's happily reunited with her Mum and sister now!!
~ Tomorrow perhaps we can have a walk around Rabbit World ...........................!
What a lot to catch up on since June!! Working backwards........ 12th August Twiglet had 9 beautiful piglets, all a good even size. Almost everyone gathered around to watch, which Twiglet thought was very cosy. Her mother, Amber, though muttered at us for disturbing her sleep!!
The little white lion head had 4 babies on 3rd August. The other baby rabbits - Californian and Rexes are all going all well, and the two new little guinea pigs are growing fast. And the rabbit teenagers are good fun, happy to hop on our laps still in Rabbit World.
The one and only Indian Runner Duck is enjoying being out in the field as long as he can see his little white duck friend (yes, luckily he has come to accept himself as a duck and no longer seems to yearn for his adoptive guinea pig family. He did have a bad experience though the other morning when he hid behind the duck house door and couldn't work out how to turn round to get out - much concern from his little white duck friend as well. Luckily the children were able to re-unite them.
Lots of families went to the North Devon Show on the 4th August, which was excellent. It's the Okehampton Show today - 12th August, so folk are there now. There's always lots to see and the shows are a great way to get a true country feel. It's a good counterpoint, like the markets, from beaches, forest walks, the wonderful Tarka Trail (did a section - short one with the WI Tuesday, it was thoroughly relaxing and invigorating, the water, the blue and red sails on the boats, the sand, signal boxes, the sun through the palms as we took our drinks at the Commodore Hotel - how brave they were to take in ("outside not inside ladies, we're rather busy" - which they were, but they were wise as we looked a right bunch!), Rosemoor Gardens (did that today, they've a William Morris exhibition on this month), The Milky Way, Big Sheep, Dartington and hunting cottage cream teas - found a lovely one on Sunday.....................
June Barry has hatched the first of the next batch of chicks and there are more eggs pipping - the chicks beaks have made a little hole in the egg - the start of their journey to hatching... And a special also - 5 beautiful guinea pigs were born during feeding this morning... 31st May - The grey Lionhead rabbit has had her babies!! 30th May - we've had 4 little pigs arrive today, 2 girls and 2 boys! Kit has had her kittens, they were born on 27th April. Barry is working away with his incubator.... he's hatched fluffy chicks and ducklings, with lots more eggs on their way. Update 19th May - 17 bantam chicks hatched and now out in the rabbit room. More on their way ... and more baby rabbits born today!!
The kittens 2 girls and 1 boy (we think!) are having lots of cuddles. One of the kittens has a poorly paw and is receiving special treatment with regular massages. An improvement can be seen all ready.
Hello I'm Barbara, I hope you find our web page interesting. Below are details of our cottages and little farm.
Over the past
23 years the farm and cottages have
become a "very special place", bringing together a wide variety of
those things that provide an idyllic backdrop to family holidays. The whole
place, cottages, grounds, facilities and people are friendly, welcoming and easy going. At the same time the commitment to high quality accommodation, attention to the needs of our visitors and the care of
our animals are our foremost considerations.
"A most relaxed yet
professional service". "A most amazing place, we are going to
come here year after year after year."
"We look forward to seeing you again next year for my yearly wind down and full on fun for the kids. Unusual to get both in the same place at the same time! I leave so relaxed and the kids so full of excitement and talk."
We are on the edge of the tiny village of Little Torrington. Our gardens and our cottages are mostly surrounded by fields and private woodland to which there is no public access. The grounds and gardens around the cottages are therefore very private. Little Torrington is a very small village of some houses, the church and village hall. It is 8 miles south of Bideford, 20 minutes from the beaches of Westward Ho! and Instow and some 30 minutes from Dartmoor. The historic town of Great Torrington is two miles away.
All the cottages are either quality VisitBritain Three Stars or Four Stars.
Linked to this page are the current availability details.
Many school holidays dates book up as soon as they become available (just under a year ahead), but cancellations (often due to pregnancies!) do happen from time to time. There is usually a good choice of term time dates available at much shorter notice
Whatever time of year that you choose to visit, there is always animal interest, great scenery, comfortable warm accommodation, many first class attractions and places to visit and lots of places to eat out.
We look forward very much to welcoming you to our cottages.
ps Please to note that our country roads have no pavements and are bendy and hilly, so a car a car is essential here for young families.
Tucked away in the Devon countryside, with unspoilt panoramic views of wooded valleys, rolling hills and distant farms, we are a small farm with lots of space for relaxing or playing, lots of animals to help feed, ten lovely truly child friendly self catering cottages and a great big welcome for everybody - from babies and toddlers to grandparents and all stops in between and aside!
We
are truly child friendly providing full size cots, highchairs,
stairgates, crb checked babysitters, nursery bowls, plates and cups, and other
nursery needs, children's videos and dvds, children's duvet covers, washing
machines, tumble driers and laundry tablets indoors. And in the extensive
private grounds a play room, games room, library, baby pool section in the
outdoor pool, garden push along and
toddler toys and an animal feeding and watching routine which is thoroughly
geared to youngsters and their families.
Involvement with the animal care and feeding is a rewarding, stimulating and exciting time for youngsters (and grown ups!). Children grow in confidence, relishing the interaction and routine of the twice daily feeding times. The environment and the activity encourages communication and youngsters extend their language skills as well as their confidence and social abilities. The glorious thing about children is they take their enjoyment with a complete lack of concern about what the weather throws at them! Puddles are for splashing in, mud is for squelching in, grassy banks are better for rolling down when they are wet! The cottages are warm and cosy with central heating and either log fires (or log burning stoves) or focal point electric fires. Kitchens are newly fitted out with full electric cookers, microwaves and so on.
There are an amazing number of first class child friendly attractions, pubs, cycling and sandy beaches within easy reach.
"We
just wanted to say a big thank you for
the past week, the girls absolutely loved it!!!
Your whole set up is absolutely fantastic
and the past two years have been the best holidays I have ever been on!!"
JN May 06
"Finding a holiday that everyone can enjoy is very rare, but that is
exactly what you have it here. We have had a wonderful time"
"I never thought it could be so good"
"Comfort
zone!"
"We
have been lucky enough to have been to some beautiful places such as the
Maldives and Barbados, but we have both agreed that for the 'feel good' factor,
this was the best holiday we have ever had."
"When I got your details we said "if this is as child friendly as it says then it will be great". It is even more child friendly than we thought it would be. We will be back soon and will bring friends with us."
"This
is ten times better than we thought it would be." 
"Everything is just as you say on your web page and brochure."
" This is our first visit to Torridge House . I only wish I had found it years ago."
"
....thanks again to you all for providing such an excellent haven."
"The children feel so included and helpful and appreciated. It adds so much to their self esteem and sense of value. Sandie is a marvel with them and they love hearing her stories."
"We all love it so much and the kids are already talking about all the things we can do next year and how much they are missing you all. Paul thought it was a wonderful place and especially loved Captain. He couldn't decide whether he wanted to bring home a pig or a mouse! (Thankfully neither)"
Dave
Elliott has some wonderful local photographs on his web page. Here's the link www.northdevonphotography.co.uk
And here is a small selection of
his pictures showing
a wind surfer, Black Tor on Dartmoor, the Kathleen and May at Bideford,
North Devon lanes and Clovelly
See more of Dave's take on the local area on www.northdevonphotography.co.uk
Our News and Some Extracts from Past News
April - Easter has come and gone, it was such a lively time. Lots of jobs being done at feeding times, a real buzz of activity. Action in all the animal houses was at full speed. The Easter Bunny visited, leaving egg hunts for us all. All but 2 or 3 of the cottages are taken again for the main school 2 week Spring holiday in 2011. After Easter "a quiet time" as we prepare for Laura and Andy's wedding in the village church and back here to the house. It was a wonderful day, full of happiness and friends and sunshine, and a lovely couple. Kit Cat very pregnant, will she deliver again on Barry's mother's birthday (how do cat's know? Marje never liked furry animals....). Twiglet has had to go back in with Captain. Things did not work our very well with their family plans over the winter ....... too cold I think......
March - Sandie and I have discovered that we can manage and enjoy selling at Hatherleigh market - either we have become more sensible or the market more user friendly!! Whichever it is, it is just as well as we have lots of baby rabbits, ducklings and guinea pigs here or on the way!! Now that friends Colin and Ellen have sold their smallholding, we have taken on their BIG rabbits, chickens and guinea pig families to add to our own, so are bursting at the seams. It really did make sense to open up a large room where children with their grownups can sit quietly with the rabbits climbing over the children, happy to be cuddled. We are keeping does with their young families in there. More excitement here as we look forward to Easter and lots of helpers.
February - time to catch up with the jobs left undone because of the icy weather and to look forward to families being here for half term. It was a very good week, with lots of helpers and Rabbit World well underway in the lower rabbit barn. Most of the February half term weeks are taken now for 2011, there are just 2 cottages left for the week.
January - The snow has gone, the sun is shining, Amy and her family have started lambing, the buds are filling and Sandie and I are stretching our legs again and jumping (sort of) into pig sties. What a joy - I never thought I would be pleased to see the back of snow! But it was difficult under foot and dealing with so many frozen taps and drinking bowls.
A truly memorable start to 2010! Sandie and I are teetering around on the snow chipping ice out of drinkers and waiting for Twiglet and Captain to finish their jug of warm water before we top up their drinker - again!! All the water containers are frozen solid in the mornings and some re-freeze by the afternoon. Luckily we never fixed the little pigs' drinker which leaks, so with some nudging in the mornings that keeps flowing - amazing really. Last night when it was really very cold - gloves and clothes stuck to gates and walls - the trough part of the drinker had iced up but the leak kept spraying and made the most amazing cubist sculpture. Amber and hers have the run of a couple of pens so we can fill up their granite trough - tricky though down that slope. Fingers and feet - ours - remarkably the animals don't seem to be troubled at all - feel the cold pretty quickly. Thankfully we have running water - hot and cold in the food room, and the hand drier to warm hands and feet.......... But it's quite a marathon defrosting drinkers and re-filling them. Can't muck out the pigs or birds though - stuff's stuck to the floors, but you wouldn't want to go in at the moment, far too icy. Still with plenty of hay and straw - thank goodness that we have lots, especially the hay - the animals are all comfortable. All very pretty, but we'd be happy to see some green grass and taps running again.
December - you wouldn't believe it that we have had the most beautiful baby bunnies and guinea pigs this month and last. And some great baby mice!! It must be the mild weather!!
We go into "quiet
time" on the farm now until the week of 16th/17th October when the farm
will be again be the focus of our attention. In the meantime Sandie and I
(with a lot of help from our friends) will be looking after the animals
alone!
Here's some of the things
that have been happening throughout the year! It's
September now - where has the time gone? it has flown by - like the Spitfire we
saw going over towards Langtree a week or so ago.. The kittens are
on the move now, playing and exploring - and beginning to enjoy food. Kit
is bringing them "treats" (ugh!). The little Rex rabbits are at
that very special "minature bunny" stage. The smaller Lionhead
babies are just a little too small for joining us on the table. The older
Lionheads are really delightful; sitting up on their back legs like Scottie
dogs, looking at all that is going on. The baby guinea pigs are going
along very well, they like being in the high up pen. The pinky mice have
got their fur (hair?) now and are very sweet. They love being held and
coming out to play on the mouse village table. The chicks are still small enough
to be in the rabbit room, growing fast now, so soon they will have tojoin the
outside chickens.
August!!
The pure white slim guinea pig has had two all white babies and the big, big
guinea pig with the half ginger face has had 3, 2 whites and one white with
ginger bands round her middle and tail end. Very lovely, growing up
fast! Kit has had four lovely kittens. 2 greys, a black just like Meg and a two tone
tabby. Kit's other kittens have gone to their new home, all except little
Buttons. Mrs Orange the Rex has had her babies, so we have lots of little
ones all at slightly different stages. The little pigs are growing on
well. They're all sturdy little chaps. June
already? My we are nearly through July now!! Sandie has been up all
night waiting for the foal to be born - and again with the dawn he
arrived. Very pretty. He doesn't live with us but is a couple of
fields down at Sandie's place. Here we have lots of baby lionhead rabbits
with a litter of rex rabbits due very soon. Amber has had her
piggies - 6 of them, 4 boys and 2 girls. They were born last week and it has
taken her this whole week to start feeling her old self again. While we
are waiting for the eggs in the incubator to hatch next week we have two hens
with their chicks to look after as well as Barry's 6 Rhode lsland reds he
hatched a few weeks ago - a sentimental journey there, a touch of retro
bird!
Is it June already?!!! Where has the time gone. June - Chocolate Lionhead has had 6 beautiful babies. They are delightful on the table now. There are also ducklings and chicks as well as the baby mice. Fluffy bantam has moved outside now that she is almost grown up, but she still comes to us for food - and for cuddles. Sandie's daughter got married at the beginning of May - lovely day; Gemma and Sandie looked wonderful. I'll get pictures in here soon. Kit's kittens are all over the place, extremely lively, all with happy outgoing personalities. Twiglet has had 10 piggies!! They are all bonny and mostly look just like their dad - his tusks are coming along very nicely , you can almost see them outside of his mouth now. They certainly look good when he yawns. April - Kit has 4 beautiful kittens; 2 like her, a grey and a tabby. Mrs Orange Rex has had 5 babies!! Lucy had 3 piglets.
March - It's Spring Time! Pandora has had her first litter. We haven't looked too much, but think she has 3 or 4 - our first baby lion head rabbits. They will be quite small. Barry is hatching ducklings at a super rate. The ducks are well into lay at the moment - much more prolific that last year. The same with the hens. We are getting a good number of lovely eggs.
February - the snow is so beautiful. Amber, as you can see, is enjoying the snow.
January - the ducks and the hens have started laying, obviously they have picked up on something we have missed - they think it is Spring already! We have had two baby guinea pigs. December - How the countryside and the animals melt your heart. The sights never cease to amaze, especially on these crisp mornings. The velvety distant fields, the branches bare of leaves, the puffs of mist over the river and up the hills, the sky turning by the minute into a dozen shades of exquisite blues against soft bands of cloud or dramatically offset by great slate ledges of cloud. And then at sunset perhaps the fierce orange that flames around the church tower and treetops with turquoise just out of its reach, or the gentle swathes of pink to delight the shepherds! And what has caused me to wax poetical today? This morning there was a little wren in the duck run, I watched him for some time while he gathered goodies from the wood and wire. What joy. Perhaps its something about birds that make big impressions? Last week there was a brilliant pheasant in the full glow of the morning sun watching me from his perch on the field gate ..... so that was what reminded me that I ought to write down more often all the overwhelming wonder the world around us brings.
Last November - Some of the rabbits are getting ready to have some Christmas babies. October has been gentle; lots of little animals to be cared for. The piglets have grown on very well. There has been lots of mucking out to do............ September - 2 of our rabbits have had very pretty babies. We are still waiting for the baby guinea pigs to be born - and for the straw to be brought in. August. Amber is a grandma. ... and so is Barbara!!... and Barry ...well he's a Grandad
Last July. Meg has had 4 lovely kittens. We have 2 beautiful black kittens who will need new homes in a week or so!! We have brought in the hay! It is wonderful, good, sweet hay - what a difference to last year. There's a good 130 bales in the lamb shed now. The rest has been baled as haylage and there's still some more to pick up with the small baler. So all in all very pleasing indeed, and everybody helped and the job was quickly done. Looking around at all the fields there is an amazing sense - and the gentle and sometimes not so gentle rumbling of tractors and machinery - of the winter feed being brought in. The fields are clipped right down and everywhere has turned from green to a golden colour. An incredible sense of orchestrated industry, and very pretty too. Barry has hatched 4 chicks. They follow on from the hatching of "Mr Duck", a singleton duck who enjoys being with people and who now also has guinea pig and rabbit friends.
We now have a pc with wireless internet connection freely available in our library.
Last June. Bay Bunny is making a lovely nest............. her babies have arrived now, 5 and lots of colours including white! There have been a lot of "magic" (as in "out of the hat" magic) baby bunnies this year - most unusual. Ginger Guinea Pig who has waited a long time for a family has had a baby - and it looks just like her!
Mr & Mrs Orange-Rex are now the proud parents of 4 beautiful baby bunnies. 3 are white!! The other is orange.
Amber has done a brilliant job!! She is now the doting mother of 8 lovely piggies. From day 1 they have taken to sleeping under the heat lamp - which sounds obvious, but it always surprises us how long it usually takes new piggies to find the warmth of the lamp. When they are in their nest she spends the time, with her head on her paws, looking at them lovingly. The second good thing is that Amber feels very well. After her last 2 deliveries she has been quite poorly and we have had to tempt her back to health with all sorts of titbits - like banana smoothies and honey! So all in all it has been an especially joyful event. I've got some pictures but I pressed the wrong button on the camera and took some movie pictures instead of stills. Will try again shortly but need to charge the battery first - too much movie footage!!
Last May. Kitt has had 5 pretty kittens. She is a superb and very happy mum.
..... and from 07 diary. Great Excitement -
apart from piggies, lambs and all ....... and getting the hay and straw in ...
phew, such an amazing relief! ..... - The Quality In Tourism
Assessor called for the annual inspection and to look at the new cottages for
the first time. He was very kind and gave us and the cottages a big pat
on the back! The new cottages were rated "easily 4 Star".
Congratulations to everyone; the girls who make the cottages ready - "a
very high standard of housekeeping", the girls who do the laundry
"very good", the "very good" maintenance man - Barry!, the
painter and decorator, Debbie and - eh me - well it was complimented, Sandie
and the visitors who look after the animals - all very well received
indeed.
June 07. An Incredible Journey - an amazing story...... Meg, our black cat went missing the Monday of the big rain - 25th June, or possibly the day before. We were really worried as she had left behind her 4 week old kitten, and that was so unlike her; she's a doting mother. Cat Search, neighbours, local haunts, the vet provided no clue to her whereabouts. By chance and a very circuitous route information about a "found black cat" reached a neighbour. We couldn't imagine it would be Meg as this cat was found a good 6 miles away in a cottage tucked away alongside the River Torridge and the Tarka Trail. The information received was patchy with no telephone number, but it was enough for us to identify the family as people we know. Incredible as it was it was indeed Meg they had taken in!! After a day or so back here she took again to her kitten - provided he had his formula milk. Her energies are spent teaching him to hunt and play games. It is so wonderful..........
9th August 07 Kitten
update - Meg's kitten has gone to a lovely new home.
11th August 07 Meg update: - Meg had 4 kittens, born in a cottage (Emily,
Alice, Laura and Rosie won't be surprised to hear that is was in their
cottage!)
Bay Bunny Bunbay's 5 babies! (14th January) are growing up fast now. And Golden Girl 1st February,has had 5 beautiful bunnies who will all be golden or even lighter!!
Amber's beautiful piglets have grown up now; they were lovely. We have kept the caramel one with black spots. Amber is a clever girl!! Sandie was midwife - she's a clever girl as well. They played (the piglets not Sandie - well not often) in their little mud playfield. We must get the wall built up a bit so the next piggies can roll about in the muddy bits and turn over the soil for longer. This earthy patch is just ideal and is great for Amber's poorly foot, so it will good when she and the other girls can be in there more often.
Barry will be setting up the incubators towards the end of January. Last year he hatched ducklings, chicks and quails. The quails lay their own eggs in no time at all - they grow up quickly! There's no more eggs in the incubator for the moment, but there are lots of hens and ducks trotting around; the duck who was sitting for 7 weeks are been persuaded to leave her eggs and hope for a better batch next year! The pet mice have babies of all different sizes and colours. The baby rabbits have grown up now; the guinea pigs are waiting for a week or so before becoming pregnant, some of them will have to wait a little longer. Lucky's piglets are really special - she has been such a good mum, which has been a real surprise. Well done Captain ... - and Lucky.
From the diary earlier this year - "A magical evening. I AIed Amber and would love to think it was a success because it was one of those lovely evenings. Had AIed her on Friday as well but this was special - still and colourful and quite quiet. The sun was setting with a lovely golden orange colour - amber perhaps? We - pig and I - finished the works and were standing there quite still, taking the air. First of all some errant chickens squeezed in through the sty outlet to the field. They came straight over to Amber and stayed for a peck around her nose; pig and chickens very happy together; they left. In hopped the big grey rabbit also straight to Amber's nose; pig and rabbit very happy together. He stayed a while before hopping off. Next appears a little white mouse rolling along like clockwork; he was shy, scuttling off but all the same peeping out at us; he wouldn't come close, still lovely though. All the while the sky was sunset bright and clear with the moon bright in the sky.
.... And more lovely moments as when the robin who lives up by the hen
and eight watches very closely as I let them out; you can feel so close to him,
almost that he will sit on the food pot in my hand.
.........Robin hopped in with Amber this time - right up to her nose - to share
her dinner."
Captain the the
father of Lucky's piglets is a lovely chap, sweet natured and gentle.
She's not so sure about having her peace and quiet disturbed and about sharing
the food - even if there is twice as much of it. They seem to be a couple
now!!
The white hen has
gone back to join her friends in the chicken house at night, but her 8
youngsters - 7 white and 1 creamy brown - growing fast won't join the other
girls and boys! - They've had to move
on now - the new young chickens have taken their place in the ark!
We are told by our visitors - and visitors are always right - that our cottages are very good value. The prices are pretty well all inclusive - as well as the usual - electricity, beds made up, towels, heating and so on, we also include all sorts of little things like the tablets for the washing machines and dishwashers, cleaning materials and so on.
Click Things to do in North Devon for holiday action ideas
Now available from our freezer - home cooked delicious ready meals and puddings. Priced at £4.50 a serving, these generous meals are cooked by a local chef. Ask us in advance and we will have your dinner ready for you to pop in the oven when you arrive.
Southwood,
Five Lane End, views below
THE COTTAGES
Set in delightful, peaceful farmland surroundings, our cottages and apartments are fully equipped for all your family holiday needs.
They are comfortable, relaxing and enjoyable with full central
heating and a careful attention to detail, yet are practically presented for
visitor's "peace of mind".
Duck's living room
Lin, Hay, Tithe, Barn, The Drawing Room, Stag, Hen and Duck all open directly on to the gardens.
Some of these pictures were taken with a wide angle lens. The kitchen is smaller than it looks here and the bedrooms are bigger.
These friendly and popular cottages are, like all the cottages, attractively furnished & well decorated. They have double glazed windows and doors and full central heating under visitors own control and real flame effect electric stoves.
They have views over the gardens and beyond to Exmoor.
Each has two bedrooms, one double with hand basin, one twin room.
The bathroom is downstairs, they
have over the bath showers.
They sleep four plus cot (either bedroom).
VisitBritain 3 Stars. Prices & Availability 2010
Prices for a week range from £342 to £696
TITHE AND BARN COTTAGES
Inside Tithe
and inside Barn
wide angle lens views; the sitting room looks wider here than it
is.
These welcoming and
popular cottages are south facing with countryside and garden views. They have
double glazed windows and doors and full central heating under visitors own
control. Tithe cottage has a log burning stove and an additional electric
convector heater. Barn Cottage has a flame effect electric stove.
Tithe has four bedrooms, a double and a twin downstairs with a shower room and the same upstairs but with a bathroom rather than a shower room.
There is an extra downstairs wc.
The large living room has a log burning stove.
Barn has a double bedroom and a second
bedroom with a single bed and bunk beds (2'6").
In both cottages the cot does not fit elegantly in the upstairs second bedroom (a bed has to be pushed along and out of the way).
Tithe sleeps eight & Barn five plus
cot. VisitBritain 3 Stars.
Prices & Availability 2010
Prices for Tithe for a week range from £522 to £1146,
and for Barn £381 to £780
COURTYARD COTTAGE
This large three bedroom cottage is much appreciated by visitors
as the oldest of our cottages. It has a large character living room with oak
beamed ceiling and open fireplace. This is a warm and cosy cottage with full
central heating. There are radiator thermostats to give visitors heat control.
Courtyard's heating is first in the heating run of a larger radiator system.
Electric fires are also in the cottage. Windows have curtains lined, mainly
with heavy thermal linings.
It is the west (village) end of Torridge House and has its own small high walled paved and landscaped courtyard.
From the cottage it is a short
step through a cobbled yard to the gardens, animals & swimming pool.
It has a double bedroom and two twin rooms, a downstairs shower room and an upstairs bathroom.
Prices for a week range from £423 to £819 It sleeps 6 + cot. VisitBritain 3 Stars. Prices & Availability 2010
DRAWING ROOM APARTMENT
Entered from the gardens this sought after apartment has garden and country views.
The accommodation, originally the east wing of the rectory is now a spacious one bedroom home sleeping 4/6 plus cot. There is full central heating, electric fires and heavy lined curtains and shutters. The large drawing room bay windows are double glazed. The old house retains heat in it's metre thick walls!
The bedroom has a double and two single beds, the drawing room has a further double bed in four poster style as well as plenty of room for dining table & chairs and for easy chairs and settees.
Dining in either the drawing room or the kitchen. Kitchen with dishwasher.
The bathroom has a corner
bath and a walk-in electric shower.
Prices for a week range between £453 and £780 VisitBritain 3 Stars. prices & availability 2010
STAG, HEN AND DUCK COTTAGES
2,3 and 4
bedroom highly acclaimed luxury barn conversions in prime position
Lots of space, lovely light, very warm, good heating, wonderful views.
·
Duck – Four bedrooms; 2 king size, one with
shower en-suite; 2 twin rooms, one downstairs.
Family bath and shower room upstairs.
Family shower room downstairs.
Farmhouse style open plan kitchen dining room with range cooker cosy
sitting room. Open plan upstairs
sitting area.
· Hen – Three bedrooms; 1 king size with shower en-suite and 2 twin
rooms, one of which can interconnect with the master bedroom, making bedrooms 1
and 3 best suited for “family”. Bedroom
1 & 3 have velux windows. Family bath
and shower room downstairs. Farmhouse
style open plan kitchen dining room with range cooker cosy sitting room with
log burner. Open plan upstairs sitting
area.
· Stag – Two bedrooms; 1 double aspect king size and 1 twin
room. Family shower room upstairs. Family bath and shower room downstairs. Large
living room/dining room with fireplace and focal point electric fire. Large kitchen/breakfast room.
· All 3 – dishwasher, freezer, washing machine, tumble dryer, digibox, dvd, video player, cd/radio, king-sized pocket sprung double beds, 2 tvs in Duck and Hen, lots of space, flexible controllable heating, high specification insulation, access to gardens front and back.
1 bath/shower room, 2 shower rooms in Duck - 1 en-suite. 1 bath/shower room and 1 en-suite shower rooms in Hen, 1 bath/shower room and 1 shower room in Stag. Generous upper landings in Stag, Upstairs open plan sitting areas with tv in Duck and Hen. CD/radio/dvd, video, digibox.
The
next 4 pictures are of Hen ................. 
prices for a week in - Stag range from £438 to £873,
in Hen - £504 - £984
in Duck - £630 - £1434
VisitBritain Four Stars - Prices & Availability 2010
SOUTHWOOD
A lovely house in beautiful North Devon countryside:
Five
bedrooms, four bath or shower rooms, two sitting rooms and a large conservatory.
Sleeps 9/11 + 2 cots
Southwood is surrounded by fields and rolling open countryside. It is on a Devon lane (tiny road), with only two other cottages and these are on the other side of the road. Southwood is in a very private, yet open setting.
For larger groups and those looking for a private setting
I asked a
holiday-maker how she found out about Southwood. Her friend had found it on the
Internet......
"Hey! Just look at this web page, it just gets better and better - I don't
believe it. Its too good to be true."
"And were you disappointed?"
"Far from it. It has all been wonderful."
Southwood enjoys a very rural situation at Five Lane End, just outside the small village of Little Torrington, yet it is only two miles from the historic town of Great Torrington, with its many pubs, pannier market, shops, Civil War Sealed Knot events and 1646 Experience, Dartington Crystal and Rosemoor RHS Gardens.
The magnificent beaches of Westward Ho! and Instow are a short twenty minute drive from Southwood, The Tarka Trail Countryside foot and cycle path is accessible half a mile from Southwood.
There are in the area a very great many excellent attractions to suit all tastes and ages.
Southwood is a very pleasing, attractive and spacious house with a half-acre garden and a lovely countryside setting. For over 29 years it has been a happy holiday home for very many families and groups of friends . It is truly child friendly and at the same time also very well suited to older families and groups of friends holidaying together.
Southwood is great for families, for groups of all ages, and for those looking for a quiet relaxing retreat."We had such a marvellous time in Southwood and couldn’t fault it at all ........................"
The upstairs sitting room faces south and has wonderful views over the nearby wooded valleys and on over Dartmoor.
There is lots of room and privacy in both the house and the gardens.
more of the gardens . . . . . . . . . .
................... and winter scenes
- some through the window views
Lots of places to explore, by foot, bike or car - or a wonderful place just to sit and relax and meditate in the country air, with lovely views over beautiful wooded valleys and the rolling Devon countryside.
The dining room: - Southwood has a large
dining room, ideal for gatherings of families and friends from lazy breakfasts
to dinner parties. It has a
wood burning stove and television. There are
more dining options if the conservatory tables and chairs are used.
The downstairs sitting room:- has television, video and dvd. It leads onto a large, immensely versatile carpeted conservatory which enjoys a south facing aspect overlooking garden and countryside. Leading off from the conservatory is a sauna room with a good size sauna cabin, shower and wc.
There are three double bedrooms, two on the ground floor with en-suite facilities (one with bath and shower room & the other with a shower room, showers are electric), the third double bedroom is upstairs with a large balcony that has wonderful views. Also upstairs is a twin bedroom
All other facilities are on the ground floor including the fifth bedroom with a single bed and bunk beds, the kitchen and a further bathroom and separate wc, as well as the shower and wc in the sauna room
The inside of the
sauna cabin and the sauna lobby, shower to the right, loo straight ahead.
Southwood is a fine old stone building, warm and comfortable - a welcoming house.
The large garden is secluded, with garden
furniture, a barbecue and a small play house
Southwood is, the wood burner apart, all electric, with
electricity and logs included. Heating is by night storage heaters, with
electric heaters in the bathrooms.
Southwood is
a ten minute
walk fromTorridge House with the
swimming pool, animals to visit and
facilities freely available for your use.
Summary: 5 bedrooms, 4 bath/shower rooms,
sitting room, dining room, upstairs picture window sitting room, kitchen, large
conservatory, sauna, large garden, 2 televisions, video, full kitchen
equip inc. dishwasher, 1000 range cooker, microwave, fridge-freezer, toaster etc., auto
washing machine, tumble drier (in play room), cots, highchairs, baby gates, telephone (in & local out). Plenty of private parking. Towels
provided. Shared use of facilities at Torridge House including out door heated
swimming pool. Electricity, logs, bed linen, dvd, video and video
library included. The beds are made
up ready for your arrival.
Southwood
is really good value! It is a lovely house in a lovely setting. A great holiday
setting. Smaller groups can book Southwood outside of school holidays as a 3
or 4 bedroom house, rather than all 5 bedrooms. This will gives flexibility for booking -
bedrooms can be added if you wish to add numbers to your party.
"I've always wanted to stay in a house in the country" "We are have had a wonderful time"
Prices for a week range from £685 - £1434
All the sitting rooms plus the dining room mean that living space is more than well balanced with the 5 large bedrooms and all the bath/shower rooms.
Prices include electricity,
night storage heaters, sauna, logs, dvd, video, beds made up and cottage towels.
Thank you for looking at
our web page. Please
let me know if there is any more information you would like. Barbara
Below
is Southwood
in the winter. Behind me as I take the photo, are fields and there are fields to
either side as well. Opposite are just two cottages.
Return to top of Southwood's
details
Lovely 5 bedroom house, beautiful countryside setting, comfortably private, a short ten minute walk or quick drive from us. Sleeps up to 11 plus cots. 4 bath/shower rooms - 2 en-suite. 2 sitting rooms, dining room, conservatory, sauna, large gardens. Ample parking. Ideal for those seeking a private holiday home or lots of space. Also perfect for 2 or 3 couples and their children. Stay at Southwood, use the facilities of Torridge House. more information on Southwood
ALL COTTAGES
The cottages are VisitBritain "3-Star" and "4-Star". They
all have:
televisions, video
players, dvds and kitchens (equipment inc: cooker, microwave, fridge, iron, coffee
maker, toaster etc. , freezer or freezer space), beds made up ready for your
arrival, towels provided, cots, high chairs, nursery plates and cutlery, other
nursery requirements,
central heating, additional heating and private car parking space.
Visitors have shared use of the swimming pool, extensive library of books, games, maps and more; play room, games room, pc with wireless broadband access, football or tennis play area, gardens and garden furniture, barbecues, laundry and telephone.
Advance orders of groceries can be made through Tescos or Sainsburys on line. Deliveries of local produce from local shops. Excellent baby-sitting available
No Smoking indoors. One dog is accepted in Courtyard Cottage. No pets in the other cottages.
Lucky
enjoying a scratch! Lady - one of our
Rex rabbits. Some of the birds clucking around the garden
Hello from one of the lambs and Hello from piggies..........
The gardens and grounds are home to a variety of animals.
Everyone is very welcome to help and for most guests the animals are a very special highlight of their holiday.
There are the pigs, May and Amber, often with their piglets, who all enjoy feeding time.
There are baby rabbits and lambs, as well as ducks and hens, ducklings and chicks
At the morning feeding times we feed the animals, let out the birds, collect eggs and do whatever jobs are needed that we can manage - sometimes mucking out or hay moving.
In the evening we feed all the animals again and get the birds to bed.
Click here for photos - I have some more really super new photos but haven't got them on yet!! Soon.
Twice
a day we get together to feed the pigs, rabbits, guinea pigs and other small
animals, let out or put to bed and feed the birds, watch and cuddle baby
rabbits, guinea pigs, chicks, ducklings. That happens generally at 9am and
5pm - earlier in term time when Barbara and the little ones need more leeway
before tea time! In between time we have here :-
The heated swimming
pool, 36' x 18' including baby pool, open from the beginning of May to mid/end
of September as weather allows; it is within a walled area.
A grass tennis and/or
football area, lots of play space in the gardens,
A games room with table tennis and pool, junior air hockey,
table football etc.,
A play room with indoor sand pit and home area, a
selection of push along toys etc.,
Barbecues, a good selection of books, games, toys, videos,
dvds and more............
Things to do in the
village................
Marina offers amazing massages,
relaxation and health treatments, including Reiki. She is highly recommended, highly
talented and offers excellent value.
Her farmhouse is a few minutes drive form Torridge House - or a quiet walk
down country lanes.
At the farmhouse next door to Torridge House Jax and her family have a ceramic
painting studio. Great fun for all the family.
Skittles games can be arranged at the village hall. There is also a short mat bowling group who meet at the village hall.
Further a field..............
There are all sorts of activities to suit both grown ups and children in the immediate area and a little further a field. There are exciting and impressive family attractions, and wonder,ful countryside with fishing villages to explore - Appledore and Clovelly, hidden away valleys to walk down to the sea, countryside cycle and foot paths to follow. Market towns and bigger shopping centres. Wonderful coastal and estuary scenery. Special seaside towns and beaches and inspiring moorland scenery. Woodland walks and priceless peace and tranquility, an age old charm and quietness that tells of close association with the land and its creatures.
For outdoor activities, Skern Lodge is
nearby and is one of the UK's "premier" outdoor centres, running
activity day courses eg Abseiling, Surfing,
Archery, High Ropes, Assault Course, Canoeing.
Also available in the area is sea fishing, coarse fishing, river - game - fishing (these last 2 need
the appropriate licences) and trout lake fishing.
There are a number of Golf
courses, horse riding for youngsters and adults; also Paint Ball, Go-Carts, quad
bike and tank driving.............
Here are some whole web pages on information on things to do in North Devon , www.lotstodo.co.uk and www.westcountrynow.com.
BIRD SPOTTING!
A wide variety of birds are spotted in the
grounds by our visitors.
The birds seen include: buzzard, sparrow hawk, herring gull, black headed gull,
tawny owl, green woodpecker, great spotted woodpecker, pied wagtail, starling,
magpie, jackdaw, carrion crow, dunnock, wren, chiffchaff, goldcrest, robin,
blackbird, song thrush, willow tit, blue tit, coal tit, great tit, long- tailed
tit, treecreeper, house sparrow, chaffinch , green finch, yellow hammer,
swallow, housemartin, wood pigeon and collared dove.
I can now add to this list having seen at dusk recently a beautiful Hedwig Barn
Owl.
I have also got a list of butterflies including some unusual ones, but I have
left it by the photocopier.
LOCAL ATTRACTIONS
Sandie (who Baby Sits) and I went down to Rosemoor - and more recently we were amazed at the winter colour there - it is fabulous, and just at the bottom of the hill.
Here is a list of some of
the so many excellent attractions around and about the area.
There are so many that you
would need weeks and weeks and plenty of stamina to do justice to them all!
The Gnome Reserve
The
Big Sheep,
Brocklands,
Rosemoor
RHS Gardens and other gardens,
1646
Civil War Experience,
(Torrington by the way, is where a lot of fiming of "Down To Earth"
with Pauline Quirk took place),
Brannans Pottery,
Milky Way,
Eden Project*,
Lost Gardens of Heligan*,
Lots of lovely gardens, like Docton Mill
Morwellham Quay*,
Hartland Abbey,
Watermouth Castle,
Exmoor Zoo,
Atlantic (Factory outlet)
Village
Tapely House
and many...many...more (* star marked attractions are 1 and halfish
hours away). More links can be found here
or here.
A family have just come back from a lovely visit to The Donkey
Sanctuary* in South Devon - "a must" they said,
a good number of National Trust properties within reach,
golf,
fishing and more and more.
LITTLE TORRINGTON AND TORRINGTON
are in the heart of "Tarka the Otter" country. The "Tarka Trail" Countryside cycle/walk route can be joined a mile from the cottages.
The historic Town of Great Torrington is 2 miles away. The whole area is of outstanding natural beauty.
Last August - Torrington Cavaliers charity bonfire - the
burning of the half size HMS Victory on Torrington Commons. Over 18 months in
the making, The Victory was a spectacular sight before and during the fire.
They are building a new bonfire now ready for August bank holiday Saturday 2010
- great excitment!!
We believe our cottages are a great holiday setting. The
activities and facilities we offer and the gentle companionship of being able
to be with, but yet quite private from, other young families on holiday is an
exciting, unusual and comfortable combination. Families return regularly, and
new families find us through recommendation, advertisements in child orientated
publications and the web.
Out of season the cottages are ideal for couples and Southwood at Five Lane End across the village is very well suited to groups of friends as well as to large family groups.
I cherish a large collection of drawings and letters that visitors of all ages have given us over the years.
"Another fantastic holiday....." "A paradise for children" "Wonderful again ......" "Just perfect" "Our best holiday ever" "Picture book" ........ and more ..... and more
Contact
us by e-mail 
Our
old Boxer dog Tick has a new friend Rageh!
Or
Telephone: +44 (0)1805 622 542
Fax: +44 (0)1805 622 360
Hatherleigh market is
open for the sale of hens, ducks, geese, rabbits and so on, and local produce
and the usual stalls.
The pubs, villages, towns all around are all very, very welcoming. Many
offer good food. Some offer extremely good food.
From earlier diaries
From winter 04/5 "The kittens, Meg and Fern, are growing well. They are such a pair!! With no visitors at the moment , they are taking themselves off around the village, off to farms a good way away looking for cuddles and love. They could purr for Europe. Amazing they are; they get brought back by van, car, on foot. I see them in the village sitting outside other people's front doors looking very well fed! They pop into the village hall to chase the bowls at short mat bowling, charge after the shuttle cocks at badminton; they got thrown off helping park the cars arriving for the village hall Christmas dinner dance, they surprise returning drivers by sitting unnoticed in their car seats, they sit in the church porch ready to welcome the congregation. Mrs Taylor's cat has been visiting so she and I might be in laws soon! Must find out whether he is a Tom or just another imposter."
The new play room is lovely and Rosie is painting scenes on the wall. I had to go into Farmer Michael's field which is next to ours. Ours is a bit lower than his; they both have fantastic countryside views for miles around. In Michael's field you can also see parts of Rosemoor RHS gardens and Torrington nestling in the green hilly fields that enclose it. They are both lovely and we are able to enjoy Michael's views from the field gate as well as our own. But this morning the difference was exciting. The day was was exhilarating - the air sweet, the sky blue and the sunshine was cheerful but gentle. The beet crop was looking vigorous - it was all exciting!
I still have too many pigs at the moment. They are lovely, but will have to move some of them on to new homes soon.
Egg production is steady now at about 5 a day; hen and bantam eggs, with the odd duck egg at the moment.
The rabbits are all very cosy in their big runs, except the brown rex with the white spots on her front escaped into the swimming pool enclosure (it is well covered at this time of year) and I have had to leave her there in case she has a family. So she is having a great time there and the lovely blue grey rex buck has free run of the whole rabbit room outside the pens and in addition to him, there are a good dozen guinea pigs running in and out of all the pens, making houses in the bags of hay. It is a real delight to stand there and watch then all. I only wish I am able to recreate this voyeuristic enjoyment, especially of the guinea pigs, for the children, but by definition, with the little ones running around, the guinea pigs wont! Must work on it.
From 2004, another wonderful year, our visitors, as always, have been extra special. We have all had a good time together looking after the animals. Many have booked to come back this year. Typical reports and comments are that they had a really good (or even better than that!) time, "a paradise for children", "just perfect", "picture book", "wonderful", "we'll be back again soon", "So much to do around", "the best holiday we have had with children", and how about this one "as good as Disneyworld" and much, much more. I was tickled with this comment from a youngster "I like it at Barbara's farm. You don't just go for the day, she lets you sleep there as well" It is very special to have such a reference. "
Some chaotically ordered diary excerpts below, from here there and everywhere!!
9th September: Another lovely litter of baby rabbits born today! More little ones for our meet and greet table. The little 2 week old rex rabbits are really delightful - 2 orange, 1 brown and 1 black. We have 3 yellow chicks as well. The ducklings have moved outside to join the big birds, as they were rather large for the table and wanted to "play" with the baby mice!
Here we are at 18th August. Lots has happened in the meantime. Lots of baby guinea pigs and baby rabbits, as well as more chicks and ducklings. We always have lots to do looking after all the animals! The kittens are very playful and running and skipping around all over the place.
12th July - we have 9 day-old ducklings who come onto our care and socialize table at feeding times. They join chicks, baby rabbits, baby guinea pigs and the friendly white mice. Can't think why the diary is blank for the last few weeks - have been as busy as ever
27th June - I see that I haven't added to the diary here for a while! We have lots of new baby rabbits - silver greys, browns and blacks. Also new baby guinea pigs - chestnut, browns, whites and black. The latest ducklings are enjoying meeting us all to eat out of our hands and for a fun water splash. We have a special table that we can sit round to watch and touch the little ones. There are some new Lavender chicks in the incubator. Some of Amber's piggies - they are 6 weeks old now - come to meet us at feeding time. They bound up to us. skid to a halt, look bemused, turn tail and rush back to mum. We have to watch them though - they have discovered the nest boxes and are helping themselves.
From the diary: 9th May: 9pm. Amber has just had her piggies. They are suckling and she is grunting comfortably. She started in labour just as she finished her tea this evening - she tackled the piggy pudding lying down - stretching out to snuffle through it! It's got v cold tonight - clear sky - so we have boarded up the outside openings. Will get photos soon. 10th May - Mrs White Mouse has had 5 baby mice. Wednesday 11th May - Snowy Rabbit has had 6 baby bunnies - they all look like Daddy Rabbit
BOOKING DETAILS
Weeks in Courtyard Cottage, The Drawing
Room and The Nursery start on Fridays, the other cottages on
Saturdays.
Please phone to make a reservation and to get a booking form. A deposit of one
third is taken on booking. The balance is due 6 weeks before arrival.
AVAILABILITY (AND PRICES) Prices & Availability
2010
FOR MORE
INFORMATION
PLEASE TELEPHONE
+44 (0)1805 622 542
I hope that this web page has given you
something of the feel of a holiday with us at Torridge House
Cottages.
Thank you for looking at this page. I am amazed I have got this far
with it, but apparently this is the easy bit! Or so I was told when I enrolled
for the web page evening class. I shall keep working on it, but it goes slowly.
The cutting edge of technology hits Little Torrington but slowly, slowly!!
However even our WI ladies are faxing each other now to keep in touch! And only
last year we were just getting used to our 1512 Amstrad and the push button
telephone. Where will it all end? - there I expect unless Bill Gates tells
these machines how to do patchwork. Regards Barbara
