Tucked away on a private estate in the East Devon National Landscape, Heddinay offers outstanding group accommodation for 26 guests over 2 lovingly converted barns. One sleeps 20, the other sleeps 6 and there’s room for 2 extra guests in a cosy annexe at an additional cost (see The Annexe). The barns are all very close together in an attractive courtyard setting at the heart of a 52 acre country estate. There’s a heated pool (Mar-Oct) for exclusive use, a shared games room and play area, and the vast private grounds to explore with open fields, woodlands, a pond and stream.
With heaps of space for you to get together, to eat and dance and sing, you might not feel like going anywhere else. If you do, you won’t be short of things to see and do because the local area has plenty of attractions, activities and a multitude of cafes, bars, restaurants and farm shops.
The beaches of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site are only a short drive away so you can spend time by the sea taking in the sights and sounds and the coastal air. Closest is Sidmouth with seafront eateries along the esplanade and two good beaches backed by towering red sandstone cliffs, a little further are Budleigh Salterton and Exmouth, popular for watersports and for tranquil strolls around the beautiful estuary.
At Branscombe roses scramble up the walls of the centuries old cottages that line the main streets, there are two good pubs, a tea shop and working forge; down by the shore is The Sea Shanty Beach Café, perfect for after a walk on the South West Coast Path. At Beer you can see the fishing boats land their catch as you tuck into crab sandwiches at Ducky’s Beach Café; up on the hill are Pecorama with rides around the gardens on the miniature train, and the fascinating underground caverns at Beer Quarry Caves.
Just over the Dorset border is Lyme Regis, great for mackerel fishing trips, exhilarating rib rides around the bay, for fossil hunting and visits to Dinosaurland Fossil Museum – one of the few places in the country where you can see a huge lump of dinosaur poo!
For family days out head down to Crealy Theme Park where there are more than 60 rides and live entertainment almost every day; take younger children to Axe Valley Wildlife Park or to Heron Farm to explore the fairy garden. At Wildwood Devon there are animals to spot, play areas with a tree-top drop slide and zip wire, and an authentic Saxon Village where you can try your hand at ancient crafts.
If you want to stretch your legs off the estate, lace up your boots for a walk through the Undercliff Nature Reserve or pick up the East Devon Way and stroll through spectacular countryside, stopping off at a welcoming country pub for lunch. You can go pony trekking, alpaca walking, clay shooting and quad biking. This is a lovely part of the world where the memories made are for keeps. Come and discover, book a stay today!