The House
Go in through the hall to a large L-shaped open-plan kitchen/dining/living room; this is a place to gather - the kitchen is country-modern and well-equipped, a long wooden table sets the scene for happy celebrations feasts, a huge painted dresser and oak flooring add to the country character, round the corner are sofas to settle on. In the warmer weather, leave the French doors open, wander out onto the veranda, onto the lawns and among the trees. When it’s cold out, come back from a walk, ankle-deep in leaves, through the woods, light the wood-burner and warm your toes; snuggle round a plate of hot buttery toast.
Left of the open-plan living space the conservatory opens onto the garden, the other end of the house is the living room, with a big L-shaped sofa, a widescreen TV, and a desk space if you need to touch base with the office.
Upstairs, the Bedrooms have a wonderful, fresh and unfussy feel; all have lovely views of the garden, and use of two shower rooms or a family bathroom on the same floor.
The gardens are gorgeous, with a backdrop of wooded hillsides, the little river rushing along, the tranquillity and the birdsong; life is so perfect here. Indoors meets outdoors on the south facing veranda and the garden holds the sun for most of the day; the hot tub is thoughtfully positioned for an idyllic soak. There are lawns for garden games, and to either side are orchards, frothy with apple blossom in springtime, ripe with fruit in the autumn.
Snooze in the hammock, play croquet on the lawn, have a little picnic by the river in the orchard, recapture Swallows and Amazons days. In the evening, sit by the firepit on the riverbank, toasting marshmallows and swapping stories as the stars come out one by one.
Local Area
Right from the garden at Babblebrook you can amble up to Buzzards Woodland (NT); secluded and tranquil, an absolute picture in the springtime when bluebells carpet the floor. Stroll down to the village for lunch at The Cadeleigh Arms, or go to The Fisherman’s Cot, on the banks of the River Exe at Bickleigh. Just over the road is Bickleigh Mill for a browse of the shops and cream tea in the garden.
Explore the Victorian house, the formal gardens and wider parkland at Knightshayes (NT). While away a few hours down at the Grand Western Canal in Tiverton; stroll along the towpath, take a ride on one of the last horse-drawn barges in the country. Look out for ducks dabbling and swans a-swimming, hire Canadian canoes and take to the waterway, then go to the Duck’s Ditty floating canal-side bar for refreshments.
Families will love Crealy Theme Park where there are over 60 rides and attractions; get behind the wheel of some mighty earthmovers at Diggerland Devon, tackle the assault course at the Bear Trail near Cullompton. Head to Exeter for a day in the city, visit the glorious cathedral and explore the Medieval Underground Passages; down at the quay there’s family fun to be had at Clip n Climb, or you can hire kayaks from Saddles and Paddles and wind your way up to The Turf for lunch by the waterside.
But these are dream days at Babblebrook, so you probably won’t feel the need to go anywhere., Be happy in a world of your own, making memories to hold on to.