The Byre

The byre was lovely so quiet and peaceful

Was a lovely, clean and comfortable cottage.

Beautiful views, tranquil, peaceful and a great escape from the rat race, whilst still being close enough to amenities and some stunning walking /hiking trails. A couple of things to note: a hook on the back of the main bedroom door would be useful, and provide some cleaning materials, e.g. jay cloths, cif cream cleaner, etc. I always take a cleaning kit; you wouldn't stay a week somewhere and not clean the bathroom or kitchen, but it helps if these are provided. Otherwise we couldn't fault it; they have made it an idyllic retreat where you can unwind and relax, (and a very comfortable bed).

Superb location with fantastic views across the valley.

The owners in the adjacent farmhouse were very friendly and on hand should there be any problems, which there weren't. They kindly left scones, cream and jam ready for our arrival, which was well received after our long journey to get there. The property is accessed via a very long steepish narrow track which we soon got the hang of negotiating - remembering to look out for the water channels that cross the track and aren't easy to spot in the shade of the trees. The Byre is well furnished with comfortable seating inside and outside. The TV isn't a smart TV, but worked well for the available terrestrial channels. The kitchen was well equipped, although the microwave looked a little shabby and maybe could do with replacing - having said that it does work. The mattress in the king size room was uneven and didn't offer much support - we would have preferred something a little firmer, but others may find it ok. The water for the property is sourced from a local spring which is tested regularly and UV treated - I have to say it tasted really nice - we made sure to fill up our water bottles for our journey home!

My friend and I thoroughly enjoyed our stay at The Byre, which was in an exceptionally beautiful spot.

It was so peaceful and the weather was perfect. In fact we ended up spending one very lazy afternoon just lying in the sun in the garden. There were plenty of walking choices directly from the cottage should one choose to. Couldn’t say enough good things about the location! When we arrived there was a delicious, and particularly welcoming cream tea left for us which almost every other review has mentioned, and this went down very well with a cup of tea after a long drive. As the weather was so good, the owner brought a barbecue and tools out especially for us to use. We intended to do that, but somehow ended up missing out on that one. It was a kind gesture however which we appreciated. The cottage was very comfortable and ideal for two people. The kitchen was well stocked. I do feel I need to mention that the microwave could do with replacing. The inside surface was not in good shape with some peeling and also some rust where the door shuts. But everything else was great. We used the kitchen every evening, including the oven and hob. There were lots of new looking plates, dishes, mugs and glasses to use. There was brand new carpeting on the stairs and the whole of the upstairs which was very welcome! We were very careful to take shoes off before going upstairs. I stayed in the small bedroom and there was a cupboard to hang clothes in with a few hangers and a small bedside cupboard, but no chest of drawers to put anything else in, so I had to live partly out of my case. The room was lovely and warm and sunny though which I loved. I found the bed hard and I had to put a blanket under the sheet as there was only a thin mattress protector between the sheet and mattress. I then bought another throw which I slept on. My friend’s bed was soft in the middle and she ended up sleeping sideways. I realise these things are personal and other reviewers have said they found the beds comfortable. The only other point to make was when we stripped the beds, the duvet on my friend’s bed needed washing as it had large brown stains on which was rather distasteful. My duvet was perfectly clean however. We would heartily recommend The Byre for a relaxing and peaceful holiday. It ticked all our boxes for location. I am not sure we would ever find such a beautiful spot to stay.

We had a really lovely week at this cottage which was warm and cosy with everything you would need provided.

The stunning views were a delight as we live by the sea. The weather could of been better but we didn’t let that stop us having some great walks. Would highly recommend this cottage,the owners were friendly and helpful. Barbie & Chris

A charming cottage in a superb location.

Very friendly, yet unobtrusive Owners. We had a lovely week. We all enjoy cooking and appreciate that most guests would probably eat out most of the time, but the addition of a mixing bowl, and possibly a hand mixer (the balloon whisk doesn't whip cream etc) would have helped. Apart from that the only thing we missed was a shaver point. Would definitely recommend this cottage.

Lovely property, great scenery, very peaceful.

This was a fine, quiet place for my wife and me to spend nine days.

The cottage is clean and comfortable. On first arrival, the steep, bumpy track leading down to the farm is quite alarming, but one gets used to it in subsequent days. There's a good shower: plenty of hot water, steady temperature. The garden table & chairs shown in one of the photos is no longer there; it's been replaced by a makeshift table made from a cable drum, and some metal chairs. We did use this to enjoy breakfast in the open air - wonderful to be surrounded by birdsong, with the wide view over the valley in front of us. We were able to attend church - once in Combe Martin and once in Ilfracombe - and were made most welcome. The owners responded promptly and helpfully when we had an issue with the carbon monoxide detector; they also advised us about local walks. The house has a shelf full of books (mainly romances and thrillers), and I enjoyed one of these during the week. There are also a lot of maps and brochures with local information.

Loved every minute just like before thank you so much for having us again ❤️

Disappointed the cottage was quite cold when we got there and it took a while to warm up, apart from that the cottage was a great location and good views.

Great stay.

Lovely cottage, wonderful location

Great location with great views peaceful and ideal base to explore Devon

A beautiful cottage in a perfect location.

Just about the best cottage we have stayed in. A real countryside retreat, but close to the coast and lots of attractions.

This was a great place to stay.

It’s usual to believe that the photos on the website give the best impression of the cottage, but if anything they didn’t do justice to the size and quality of the house. The outside area is quiet, with only birdsong and the noise of sheep to accompany your afternoon in the sun. Small point to note: the access is down a half-mile farm access which is a bit steep and bumpy in places, but you need not worry, it’s worth the effort! Just don’t bring the Porsche! Great hosts too.

A perfect retreat in a beautiful setting.

The hosts are very friendly and couldn't be more helpful. We have already booked our next visit. Well done The Byre - top marks!

It is an amazing property and certainly ideal for our holiday need being quiet and isolated the children were able to make as much noise and not disturb anyone, and being situated on the farm they loved watching he animals.

The owners were friendly and advice on directions helped immensely on arrival day. The cottage was warm and cosy with all the amenities required and accommodated our need of a travel cot and baby gate. We would definitely like to stay again it will be next year mind as they are fully booked for the remainder of 2023 which shows good quality. Loved every minute

A truly lovely holiday cottage that is spacious and very comfortable.

The view is astounding and the cottage worked very well for us as we had our Devon grandchildren visiting. A great base for visiting the North Devon coast.

The Byre is a cosy, well equipped cottage set in the heart of the North Devon countryside where you can relax free from any traffic noise and with access to an amazing dark sky display (weather permitting).

The bed was very comfortable and the shower was also good. Plenty of room in the kitchen for those who tend to self cater, rather than eat out and a decent sized freezer. Nicola and Michael were very welcoming and the cream tea was delicious. Thank you.

Lovely cottage, veiws from the cottage amazing.

Walks from the door along the coastal path. Had a brilliant week of walking. Definitely recommend this cottage, cosy and warm, and everything you need for a lovely holiday.

Lovely cosy cottage in a wonderful setting with glorious views

Fantastic, lovely location, well equipped and everything needed for a relaxing holiday.

Lovely location - very peaceful and tranquil.

Very comfortable cottage with everything we needed.

A fabulous cottage with views down the valley from all the rooms.

A perfect location for walks and visiting many places. Very friendly owners who make you feel welcome and are happy to share information about the local area which is really useful.

very comfort cottage with wonderful scenery down a steep valley.

Very restful. The week went far to quick.

Wonderful stay, perfect location

Great cottage, with great views, and so peaceful.

Ideally situated to visit lots of different places, all within easy reach,Would definitely stop there again if visiting that area,

Stunning location.

Friendly and helpful (but not intrusive) hosts. Comfortable and spacious accommodation. Wonderful walks in the area. Nothing to dislike or complain about. I rarely say I would go back to a place because there are so many beautiful locations and sites to explore in the UK, never mind the world, but I would definitely seriously consider 'The Byre' again as a future holiday destination, it is just so beautiful and peaceful and yet accessible.

This is a lovely place to stay.

The Byre itself has everything you could want, and is so peaceful. Sitting on the terrace or just looking out of the window at the view of the valley beyond is therapeutic. Nicola and Michael are friendly, laid-back and helpful. We shall go again.

We loved our stay at The Byre.

It’s a lovely cottage, in a peaceful setting with great views down the valley. The cottage was well equipped and has a lovely, private seating area outside. The owners were very friendly and approachable and happy to offer advice about places to visit locally. Thanks for the cream tea too!

We loved the Byre and are so glad we chose it for our holiday this year.

It’s in a beautiful location with loads to do nearby. We would strongly recommend booking through Sykes cottages not Vrbo as we did. Vrbo passed us directly to Sykes having help themselves to over £100. Comparing the same bookings next year Vrbo charge over £200 more for an identical experience. I’ve posted a similar review on the Vrbo website but have no doubt this will be moderated in some way.

The Byre is in a beautiful spot, secluded, with stunning views.

The location, although remote, has easy access to many of the attractions in the area. The hosts made us feel welcome and had lots of tips for things to do in the area. We would definitely recommend and come again!

found it hard to find as we were not expecting a farm gate (which was shut) at the top of the farm track.

With an outstanding view and totally peaceful the Byre is well-positioned, well-resourced and comfortable.

We would definitely book again.

We had a wonderful time staying at The Byre.

The cottage is very lovely and the views are fantastic. Everything you need is to hand. Our hosts were great and if you needed to know anything about the area they were able to help and gave suggestions where to visit. We will certainly be back.

Very peaceful location with a stunning valley view.

A steep track down to the property ensures you are secluded, which suited us totally. Nicely furnished and very comfy bed. Perfect for those who want to switch off.

The setting is so peaceful and relaxing which is just what you need to unwind.

There are so many places to visit which are only a short drive away including Woolacombe, Putsborough and Saunton Sands which are great for bodyboarding. I would definitely like to stay at The Byre again and the owners are so welcoming and friendly.

We had a two week stay at The Byre.

The cottage is lovely and the owners, Nicola and Mike are really helpful and welcoming. The cottage is comfortable, clean and well equipped. Views are amazing, whatever the weather! Our daughter loved watching the chickens and sheep. It’s also a great base for exploring the local area. The beaches are sandy and if you don’t mind a little walk away from the main areas, fairly quiet. We tried Saunton Sands, Woolacombe, Putsborough, Croyde & Barricane. We also visited Arlington Court and the walks around Heddon Valley. Would definitely recommend - a cosy cottage in a beautiful setting.

The cottage is indeed remote but close enough to local attractions.

Coombe Martin beach only 10 minutes away. Nestling in a valley the views are stunning and perfect if you need to relax and unwind. Exmoor Zoo fabulous but Coombe Martin Wildlife Park and Zoo not so good. The enclosures for the wolves overcrowded and totally dreadful. Lots of National Trust properties and land in the area. Good attractions for children too.

It was a lovely little cottage and the owners were lovely.

..will definitely be staying here again...

The cottage was positioned on a hill with a great view of the valley.

Owners were very friendly and the cottage gave us everything we needed. Quiet place to relax, read a book. Or visit the neighbourhood for some nice diners or a beautifull sunsets.

The holiday was brilliant, the cottage was well prepared and the view was amazing!

The owners were very pleasant and helpful.

The Byre is a well appointed cottage with stunning views across the valley.

The back garden gets the sun virtually all day. The owners are friendly, helpful and provide a cream tea for new arrivals. We stayed when all the lambs and ewes were out in the fields and they provided some good entertainment. The long driveway is a bit daunting the first time but after that its fine as long as you drive slowly. We recommend visiting Arlington Court, Hunters Inn (plus walking routes), Valley of the Rocks (lookout for the mountain goats) and Combe Martin museum.

We stayed at The Byre for a week with a 5-year-old and a 2-year-old.

The setting is absolutely stunning, surrounded by unspoilt countryside. The owners, Mike and Nicola were wonderfully welcoming and friendly. Nothing was too much trouble for them. They showed the children the lambs in the barn, let us name their new chickens and gave us fresh eggs! The location is superb - a great base to explore the local area (Combe Martin, Ilfracombe, Linton/Linmouth etc) and Mike and Nicola gave lots of great tips too. The cottage is perfectly appointed and child-friendly (including cot, stair gate, high chair). The children adored the stay here and we did too - peaceful and relaxing!

lovely place, nice to come home to after a day exploring, comfortable private.

A very warm welcome received from our hosts.

Plenty of local information located in welcome pack. A very clean well appointed property. Very quiet location with fabulous views from the property. Excellent menu choices and meals at local pubs and restaurants.

The Byre was a wonderful base from which we were able to explore the beauty of North Devon.

The owners were laid back, welcoming, helpful and knowledgeable about all the best places to go nearby. Our little girl enjoyed seeing the animals around the cottage, waking early to see the hens outside her window and saying goodnight to them before bed. She still talks about seeing the pigs eating ‘biscuits’. My favourite evenings were spent relaxing in the swinging chair overlooking the hills. We hope to go back soon.

This cottage was absolutely excellent - from the location to the facilities inside.

I couldn't fault it in any way

Brilliant cottage with fantastic views over the valley.

Well equipped and comfortable. We had a very enjoyable week and the owners were very friendly and helpful.

You would find it difficult to find a more peaceful location.

The view across the valley is absolutely beautiful. This is a real countryside holiday - complete with owls, foxes, rabbits, pheasants and farm animals. Our grandchildren loved it. The owner was very helpful and welcoming but not at all pushy. The long farm track was not a problem - just part of the adventure! Thank you.

Lovely barn in very peaceful surroundings with fantastic views.

Owners very welcoming when we arrived. A hill farm which meant a half mile track from the road but if you go slowly and carefully no problem with your car and it was what we wanted, quiet with lovely views. Lovely and clean with everything you needed in the very nice kitchen. You could override the heating when you wanted some heat and having a wood burner there too if you needed it. A place to sit outside too in good weather.

Really nice people.

Perfect place. can't fault anything about your service or our cottage or our holiday. What more can I say?