Woodland Cottage (Devon)

We had a very enjoyable and relaxing stay in this gorgeous cottage. We found the house itself and its setting delightful. The large rooms and tasteful furnishings helps create a real sense of peace. We saw deer several times on evening walks. We thought we might miss our shower but the bath was actually a bonus! We did a very enjoyable two hour walk from lovely Lynton, visited NT Arlington court *carriage museum!) and Knightshayes and the wonderful RHS Rosemoor garden *(which takes a whole day). Lots more we could have done. Elaine was a very kind and welcoming host. We'd come come again!

We've had a wonderful few days in this beautiful cottage. It's so well equipped and the hamper was excellent! Elaine has been the perfect host and what more could anyone want. Thank you.

A warm and friendly welcome to a lovely cottage. Quiet and with deer in the garden. Lovely outlook. Beautiful roses to welcome us - thank you!

Thank you Elaine and Steve for a perfect "Rural Retreat". The cottage is wonderful and in such an idyllic setting. You are both such warm and generous hosts. We have seen the deer and watch a great tit nesting over the kitchen door. If you go anywhere near Croyde, try the Rock at Georgeham for very nice food and genuine welcome.

Thank you Elaine for such a warm welcome, the flowers were lovely. Great hamper - thanks. The view from the kitchen window was amazing, we watched the birds flitting about, the buzzards swooping and saw the red deer! Lovely walks. Great feeding the fish in the lake. Huge rooms in the cottage - just wonderful. The cream tea was very welcomed! Such a great few days.

A much needed break in the most peaceful and beautiful setting. The cottage is delightful as are Elaine and Steve. Very warm, welcoming and enjoyable even in very wet weather NT houses all v. different and enjoyable. "Stumbles" food and wine bar in South Molton - recommended, excellent lunch and delicious food and welcome! Thank you we would love to return.

We have really enjoyed our stay at Woodland Cottage. A really peaceful, secluded spot. Cottage was perfect and our hosts Elaine and Steve made us so welcome with many extras. Thank you so much !

Had a lovely weeks break in North Devon. Loved the cottage location and seeing all the wildlife. Elaine and Steve are wonderful hosts. Xxx

A rather wet week prevented us sitting by the lake or exploring the woods. Dodged the wet weather to visit Hartland Abbey, RHS Rosemoor, Killerton, Finch Foundry and Castle Drogo (NT), and Lynton, Lynmouth and Doone Valley. A lovely peaceful base for a week after a week on the Isles of Scilly.

Brilliant accommodation (except for the lack of a shower!) so comfortable and cosy. We loved watching the deer from the kitchen window at dusk. The rain didn't deter us from returning to Lynton & Lynmouth and walking to Watersmeet. We enjoyed Croyde & Woolacombe - less enamoured with Ilfracombe. Porlock was pleasing. Great meals at: The Masons's Arms, The Grove, Seacliff Restaurant. Hope to return with better weather. Thank you.

A perfect cottage! Lovely stay with gracious hosts!! A beautiful peaceful "prospect". We have stayed in many RR the last 20years and this was certainly one of the best! (and cleanest!) Thank you for everything.

Thank you Elaine and Steve for the warm welcome. Lovely cottage, fantastic tranquil and sunny location. We enjoyed everything about our stay!

Woodland Cottage has a welcoming feel. It's cosy and warm where you can relax and heal. The owners Steve & Elaine go out of their way To ensure your needs are met and you enjoy your stay. Thank you.

We enjoyed very much staying at this quiet, secluded place where we heard nothing other than the birds. Dear Elaine thank you for the warm welcome and the thoughtful welcome hamper you provided for us. Woodland is a lovely place to relax.

We have had a lovely stay and enjoyed the peace and quiet, countryside and wildlife (saw 2 deer). Elaine has been a great host and we have appreciated her keeping in touch with us. Thank you so much.

Our second stay. Such a lovely cottage and location. Its been a fantastic visit. Thank you so much.

Beautiful, comfortable well equipped, great base from which we visited Dunster Castle and Clovelly. The eggs were very tasty indeed!!!

Very comfortable secluded cottage with a warm welcome from Elaine. RHS Rosemoor, Cast Hill Estate, both lovely. Many thanks for everything, Elaine. We've had a lovely few days.

Unique setting and a lovely break. Great hosts.

Thank you we've had a lovely week.

Lovely cottage, tastefully equipped, warm and welcoming by Elaine, thank you. Elaine is a superb hostess, attentive and generous. Woodland Cottage is the perfect Rural Retreat.

Thanks Elaine for being such a great host. The house was so lovely & comfortable and what a beautiful & tranquil place, one of the best Rural Retreats !

A delightful, peaceful cottage. We had a wonderful, if very hot week! Thank you.

A true rural retreat! Welcoming in all respects and we really appreciated having the freedom to roam around the 'estate'. Very tastefully designed cottage with caring and thoughtful owners. Thank you.

Fantastic weather and gorgeous location. Lynmouth circular walk along the river was beautiful. We would recommend grabbing a bottle of something nice and sitting on a rug in one of the fields, beautiful views which we will look back on with fond memories. Elaine and Steve are great hosts.

One of the best cottages we've ever stayed in, not only for the picturesque surroundings and beautiful accommodation but also because of the lovely finishing touches and thoughtfulness of Elaine. Thank you for making our holiday so memorable and special

Our 3rd visit to this wonderful cottage and the standard remains very high. We can recommend a trip to Lynton, lovely place, nice shops and fabulous food in Charlie Fridays Cafe. Squires fish and chip restaurant in Braunton and a splendid beach at Saunton. The Cheese Shop (sells much more than cheese) in South Molton. Knightshayes a N.T. place near Tiverton. Thank you so much Elaine for your kindness and generosity. You have helped make this a great holiday. It is also brilliant seeing how much you both do to encourage wildlife. X

We have had such a lovely few days in Woodland Cottage, an amazing location for some peace and quiet! Such beautiful surroundings and still close enough for a journey to the coast! Thank you Elaine and Steve for being so accommodating at such short notice and for supplying such a generous and delicious welcome hamper. You have a fab place here! Thank you so much for a great, long Jubilee Weekend stay!. XX

Have had a fabulous few days at the cottage. Many thanks to Elaine for a wonderful welcome. We found the cottage spotlessly clean and cosy. The welcome hamper & flowers a wonderful touch. The hamper was the best we have ever found in our numerous rentals with Rural Retreats. We've had a wonderful stay & leave feeling very relaxed.

It was lovely to return for a second visit and begin to relax immediately. It's such a lovely place to stay and we've had a great week. Thank you Elaine and Steve

Great time here in the cottage. Trips out across Exmoor and down to Bude. Thanks for having us

Elaine is a wonderful hostess. Lovely well organised cottage.

What a charming cottage and location .I was floored by the arrangements made by the host ! A lovely stay.

From the beginning when Elaine welcomed us with her bantam eggs and throughout our stay we had a great time . Full of light and friendliness . Great house , countryside and hosts .

Gorgeous cottage . Spotlessly clean. Extremely generous welcome hamper . We should have stayed longer .Elaine was incredibly kind and helpful .

What an amazing cottage in brilliant condition . An excellent kind host who provided a lovely hamper . The vases of roses were a lovely touch .

What a wonderful week! The cottage is so cosy and comfortable. A perfect place from which to explore North Devon. Thank you Elaine and Steve for the warm welcome. John especially enjoyed the freshly laid eggs! Thank you!

What a spectacular location for this idyllic rural retreat. Spotless with everything you need to feel comfortable and truly relax. Elaine was a splendid host, lending us a large scale map to explore the local area on foot. We have enjoyed a wonderful week that we will remember with fondness.

Lovely comfortable cottage. Welcome hamper a great touch. Perfect location for relaxing. We will be back. Elaine a great host. Thank you.

We have spent only 3 days here in this beautiful cottage. Totally superb in every way. Elaine is a great host - would love to come back.

A beautiful and peaceful cottage in a lovely area. Enjoyed trips to the coast. Thank you so much for the wonderful hamper, full of goodies and treats. Lovely to meet you - thanks for everything J&D

Great Spot. Lovely spacious cottage. Great hosts,. Thanks

Great Spot. Lovely spacious cottage. Great hosts,. Thanks

We have loved the coast and countryside here. Outstanding beauty in the area and outstanding cottage and host to come home to. Do visit: the coastal areas of Morte Point/Heddon Valley, Apppledore, RHS Rosemoor - so much! Elaine big thanks for being kind, thoughtful, generous host X

A fantastic spot and a wonderful stay. Such a peaceful and beautiful cottage. Thank you Elaine and Steve.

The presentation and appointment of Woodland Cottage was beyond expectations as has been the welcome and attention from Elaine and Steve. This rates at the top of the many Rural Retreats properties in which we have stayed. Many thanks.

We have loved staying in this beautiful, spacious cottage and have relished the peace and quietness. Have also enjoyed the “laughing” ducks, chickens and cockerels though! We have so appreciated all the thoughtful touches and especially the amazing hamper. Thank you!

Just the most wonderful cottage – its simply the best we have stayed in. We’ve had a glorious week here and we will definitely be back.

A really lovely cottage, one of the best we have stayed in. Just wish we had booked up for longer!

Lovely place to stay – the nicest cottage we have rented. Wish we could stay longer just to relax and enjoy the peace, do some walks. Slightly regret chasing round ticking off our ‘must see’ list, though would not have wanted to miss Rosemoor! Thanks for being so kind over our sad news from home. Hope we can return sometime. P.S. Hamper and toiletries lovely!

A delightful cottage in lovely countryside. So glad we found it. Thank you Elaine for your superb hamper and friendly welcome. Thoroughly recommended; we would love to come again.

Our second stay in this tranquil spot.. Thanks to Elaine and Steve for looking after us! Enjoyed two dinners at The Grove Inn and great walks by the Taw estuary from Instow to Fremington and from Hunters Inn.

What a beautifully furnished and equipped cottage. So quiet and comfortable. Easy distance to astonishing places. A wonderful stay!

Of all the cottages we have stayed in, this is the most spacious and beautifully furnished. We have been very comfortable and greatly appreciate the warm welcome Elaine has given us.

Great week in a beautiful spot. Great attention to detail, Elaine you are a fantastic host and a pleasure to chat to especially about our love animals. Eaten out at The Grove, small pub but friendly staff and decent pub grub. The London Inn at Molland worth a visit too! Walks both from Morthoe to Bulls Point and Woodland Coast walk around Heddonsmouth are recommended. Food at the Hunters Inn fantastic. Will be recommending this little place of heaven to all our pals.

Thank you Elaine for making our holiday so enjoyable, your attention to our needs and your generosity have been superb. Our time here has been very rewarding, with visits to Knightshayes, Rosemoor and Arlington Court being particularly special to us.

Perfect cottage, perfect location and lovely hosts. P.S. the carp in the lake are always hungry 10/10.

What a wonderful week. An absolutely stunning location (waking up to the birds and sunshine in this tranquil location has been just what we needed and more).. Elaine an Steve thank you for everything. the warm welcome, amazing hamper, fresh flowers around the house. It has been lovely chatting to you both. You’ve been so friendly. Lots of memories to look back on until we can hopefully visit again.

We were very grateful for the comfortable accommodation and the contents of the hamper, given that, in terms of the weather we chose the worst week of the year so far in which to take a cycling holiday. Thank goodness for Netflix!. Thanks for the warm welcome (and the extra eggs).

Thank you Elaine and Steve so much we have had a wonderful "wet" week. The highlights were the great welcome, Castle Hill and a completely beautiful long walk on Exmoor on the only really fine day. Thank you!

A very beautiful place and especially good to be here after so long under restriction.Thank you.

Thanks for a great comfortable break. Elaine and Steve you work so hard and it is brilliant.

What a wonderful place. Calm,immaculately clean, gorgeous views and excellent caring hosts in Elaine and Steve.. We have slept better than we have done in ages and enjoyed amazing cliff walks and beaches. So nice to come back to such a lovely cottage and enjoy a nice email at the end of each day! Many thanks for making this so special.

Fabulous cottage in gorgeous setting. Elaine so warm and hospitable, and generous. Good to meet Steve, see the water feature and have a chat. Would love to come back. Thank you.

Stunning backdrop, beautiful cottage, so many lovely touches, peace, relaxation and an unbelievable food hamper. Can't thank you enough for the thoughtful and very personal gifts and truly helpful advice, Elaine. Many, many thanks and we very much hope to be back and see you again.

After such a challenging year in 2020, what could be nicer than Xmas @ Woodland Cottage! Great attention to detail by the marvellous Elaine. Huge thanks. Happy New Year and a return in the future!

Elaine thank you for the warm welcome and hamper in your lovely cottage. Excellent walking at Waters Meet, Withypool and Tarr Steps - the rain didnt bother us! Excellent fish and chips at The Fish Box, Lynmouth and very tasty lunchat Charlie Fridays, Lynton. With so much more to see and do we hope to be back soon.

Exactly what we were hoping for. Lovely cottage, quiet and comfy with a warm welcome and thoughtful hamper. Thank you Elaine.

Exactly what we were hoping for. Lovely cottage, quiet and comfy with a warm welcome and thoughtful hamper. Thank you Elaine.

What a superb cottage - wonderful reception - flowers, hamper, good weather and above all most warm, welcoming and caring hosts in Elaine and Steve. Thoroughly enjoyed the lake with its numerous and ever hungry carp, the lanes and surrounding countryside. All in all unbeatable!

A gorgeous cottage in such a secluded spot. Thank you Elaine and Steve for the wonderful hamper! Despite mixed weather we did some lovely coastal walks and recommend the Grove Inn in Kings Nympton for great food. Recommend walks around Watersmeet and Hunters Inn near Martinhoe.

Wow! A fabulous place to relax. Elaine is a wonderful host, friendly and welcoming. Beautiful location, stunning cottage and grounds. A perfect retreat! Thank you Elaine and Steve.

Fabulous Cottage, Elaine waa the perfect host. Can recommend Tarka Trail and Tarr steps. The Tarka Trail is the only flat bit of Devon!

Everything about Woodland Cottage is perfect. from the warm welcome by Elaine and Steve to the beautiful cottage and the fabulous surroundings. Thank you Elaine and Steve for making our holiday so special.

A beautiful house and location, topped off by a very warm welcome and marvellous hamper. We were looking for relaxation and we have certainly found it.

What a wonderful place to escape for a few days. Thank you so much for your kind welcome and for all the extra little touches that have made it all feel like a very special retreat.

Woodland Cottage is utterly charming. Beautifully decorated, exceptionally comfortable and a real oasis of tranquility. Elaine and Steve are excellent hosts and we have been very well looked after - thank you!

A true Rural Retreat. The silence was bliss! Only to be broken by the sound of the woodpecker. Thanks to Elaine and Steve for your hospitality, great welcome and all the advice. We can see why you love it! We will return, Nick really appeciated the lake, thank you.

We've enjoyed a fabulous week staying in this delightful cottage. Many thanks for all the eggs and letting us share this beautiful setting.

A great find! Will definitely be returning. Elaine and Steve are great hosts!

Such a peaceful location! We made the most of the surroundings and left feeling recharged. Thank you to Elaine, such a welcoming host!

It was very enjoyable week for us in this very wel appointed and spacious cottage. There was everything we needed here and more. We've split out time between exploring the North of Devon and relaxing in the peacefulness of the cottage and its surroundings. Thank you Elaine and Steve, you were very friendly hosts. It has been a pleasure chatting with you. Thank you also for the colourful and tasty selection of eggs!

Thank you Elaine and Steve for being such friendly and generous hosts. The cottage is lovely and we had a relaxing and peaceful stay away from the business of every day life. A lovely break and we found so much to do from cycling/walking the Tarka Trial to day trips to Arlington Court and Dunster Castle.

A beautiful cottage in such tranquil surroundings. Lovely walks on the coast path and fabulous local pubs - The Grove Inn. Thanks again Elaine.

An oasis of peace and clam in this mad world. The hosts were delightful and very helpful. An outstanding property in a beautiful area. Thank you.

What a gem! A most wonderful weekend. The cottage is perfect and a credit to Elaine, who were great hosts. Would certainly recommend to friends and will hopefully be back ourselves in the future. Thank you.

Thank you for a lovely cottage and your kind welcome.

Beautiful location and excellent accommodation. Thank you for all your help and great eggs.

Lovely peaceful few days away.

Thank you so much, my friend and I had a lovely time exploring the grounds. Your hospitality was much appreciated.

Beautiful cottage in lovely surroundings

As with all of the other messages here, we have absolutely adored the peace and quiet of this lovely cottage. Elaine and Steve have been very welcoming and the fresh eggs plentiful! A few things/days out we would highly recommend: Cycling on the Tarka Trail, an absolute must! Pick up a bike at Barnstable Station and off you go... RHS Rosemoor - to give you garden envy. The beach at Putsborough. Turn right at the bottom of the steps and walk for 10 minutes for splendid isolation. The Masons Arms for delicious food and cracking service. And always the pleasure of returning here, far from the crowds for peace, quiet and after relaxation. The true definition of luxury.

Wonderful cottage - excellently equipped and we were spoilt with the hamper. Thank you for everything. Wonderful break and time away.

We have enjoyed our stay immensley. A tranquil and very well equipped cottage. Certainly a place "away from it all".

Beautiful cottage, lovely owners, wonderful weather. Thank you.

Delightful stay. The cottage is just perfect, the area idyllic and your hospitality most generous, thank you!

I can't rate this cottage highly enough! Now I'm a fussy traveller and I often find so called '5 star' hotels to be utterly substandard, but this cottage is definitely a 5 star experience. The bedding, duvets and pillow and high thread count pure cotton sheets, fluffy soft towels, beautiful toiletries amply provided and a hamper containing everything you could possibly need on arrival, including a decent bottle of wine, put many 5 star hotels to shame! The most delicious eggs from the owners own hens were the most delicious I've ever eaten! The cottage is for two, and its spacious and so tastefully decorated that I'd be happy to move in...permanently! The kitchen is stunning and fully supplied for proper cooking. Underfloor heating keeps the slate tiled floor warm and cosy underfoot. Every corner (and I did check EVERY corner) was spotlessly clean, pristine in fact. The surroundings are quiet and absolutely idyllic. All you'll hear is birdsong and the occasional bleat of sheep. The owners live close by and are utterly charming....happy to help in any way possible. We stayed here and found ourselves within a 20 - 45 minute drive of all the local sites and eateries we wished to visit. Just perfect! I would recommend this place unequivocally, and if you read my many, many reviews, you'll see that is not something I do lightly or often.

Another fabulous stay, so relaxing and peaceful as always. Looking forward to coming back in October already. Thanks, just perfect!

I can't rate this cottage highly enough! Now I'm a fussy traveller and I often find so called '5 star' hotels to be utterly substandard, but this cottage is definitely a 5 star experience. The bedding, duvets and pillow and high thread count pure cotton sheets, fluffy soft towels, beautiful toiletries amply provided and a hamper containing everything you could possibly need on arrival, including a decent bottle of wine, put many 5 star hotels to shame! The most delicious eggs from the owners own hens were the most delicious I've ever eaten! The cottage is for two, and its spacious and so tastefully decorated that I'd be happy to move in..permanently! The kitchen is stunning and fully supplied for proper cooking. Underfloor heating keeps the slate tiled floor warm and cosy underfoot. Every corner (and I did check EVERY corner) was spotlessly clean, pristine in fact. The surroundings are quiet and absolutely idyllic. All you'll hear is birdsong and the occasional bleat of sheep. The owners live close by and are utterly charming....happy to help in any way possible. We stayed here and found ourselves within a 20 - 45 minute drive of all the local sites and eateries we wished to visit. Just perfect! I would recommend this place unequivocally, and if you read my many, many reviews, you'll see that is not something I do lightly or often.

Lovely cottage, great food, great walks. We'll be back!

Thank you Elaine and Steve for being wonderful hosts and for such a restful break in a idyllic tranquil setting. Fantastic hosts, cottage and eggs. Thank you so much! x

We had a wonderfully relaxing girls weekend in your beautiful cottage. We would wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone seeking some rest and relaxation in beautiful surroundings.

We very much enjoyed using the cottage as it is very cosy and lovely. The little food surprises were a nice touch. Would come back!

Thank you Elaine and Steve - we have self catered extensively in the West Country over a number of years and this is the most comfortable and cosiest stay for two we have ever experienced. Best welcome pack ever! Loved the friendly chickens and fish. Thank you for the Stag Inn recommendation - excellent meal. We intend to return so see you soon.

An idyll, beautifully maintained and presented by a lovely lady. Everything just could not have been better. Don't want to go but having found this gem, we will be back.

The weather was grim, the walks were still great and the cottage even better. Thanks for a lovely stay and best eggs in the world.

Thank you for being kind, generous, friendly and helpful hosts. To future guests, places we enjoyed were Rosemoor, Kinghtshayes and Lynmouth. Good eating of course at the Masons (but not sure it's quite star standard) excellent pub - the Staggs Head friendly and good pub grub!

A perfect cottage to chill out and relax. A peaceful and tranquil location. Cottage perfect. Welcoming hosts and great hamper. Thanks.

Perfect setting for a perfect cottage. Fabulous stay. Well equipped kitchen. Just what the doctor ordered. Many thanks Elaine and Steve. We will be back.

Lovely few days to get a taste of an area we did not know at all. Excellent lunch at Grove Inn. Lovely cottage. Very comfortable and quiet.

A very beautifully furnished, comfortable and very peaceful delightful cottage, where you just want to linger and stay forever. It is very peaceful and the owners Elaine and Steve are delightful and very generous people who made us very welcome and were very helpful. The lake where we could sit and relax was a delight with fish and wildlife and lovely country views. Exmoor with its many delights of river walks, moor views and walks and coastal scenery is just a drive away. We had a delightful week and would love to recommend this cottage and certainly look forward to returning again at some time.

Thank you dear Elaine and Steve for a wonderful stay in your lovely cottage and for your sweet and kind hospitality. We shall miss being here! We loved every minute of it - Exmoor is wonderful. We loved all the walks and amazing views, incredible space and sunshine. It was lovely to return daily to "our" cosy cottage, feeding the fish and enjoying the peace. We will be back for sure. Thank you!

Thank you Elaine and Steve for your generosity, flowers, a cream tea, wonderful hamper and eggs! It would be hard to praise Woodland Cottage too much. Comfortable and clean and made even more special by the welcome we were given by Elaine and Steve. Best ever fish and chips at Squires in Braunton. A wonderful day at Knightshayes, a National Trust property near Tiverton. Rare for us, we want to come back for another holiday.

A lovely stay with outstanding weather. Cottage was superb with Elaine being an attentive host. We enjoyed the eggs very much.

We had a wonderful Easter weekend at your beautiful cottage. Elaine, you are an amazing host! The cream tea, fresh eggs & breakfast hamper made it even more special. We are already planning our return!

We had a wonderful Easter weekend at your beautiful cottage. Elaine, you are an amazing host! The cream tea, fresh eggs and breakfast hamper made it even more special. We are already planning our return!

We enjoyed our stay very much in your lovely cottage, so quiet and lovely views and exploring Devon. Thanks for everything Elaine and Steve, and all the little extra's that made it so special.

So peaceful and tranquil here. The sun shone every day (thank you!). The birds song and the fields were full of lambs. Utterly relaxing. Enjoyed South Molton market - Masons Arms not bad - great bath and hamper. Thank you Elaine & Steve.

Thanks Elaine and Steve for a wonderful short break in your delightful cottage. It's certainly one of the best that we have stayed in. Thanks also for the advice in regards to what to look for in property down here - it's certainly set our minds full of ideas as we start our search. Hope to return to Woodland some time soon.

Here we are again, this time for our Anniversary. Weather wasn't brilliant at first but we've managed to get out and about to various places. We haven't seen Steve this time but Elaine has been great as usual. Thanks for all the extra touches and sorry about the mishaps! Perhaps we'll see you soon, you are an excellent hostess!

We had a lovely time - loved walking up the river at Lynmouth and great lunch in the deli at Appledore. Beautiful cottage - one of the best.

Thank you Elaine & Steve for making our stay so perfect. Cream tea on arrival was delicious. Accommodation was first class and all the extras (we will certainly be back).

Lovely, comfortable cottage. Very peaceful and lovely hamper and extra touches. Great to relax and explore a different coastline!

A short break to get away for Christmas. Everything has been perfect. Thank you Steve and Elaine. Thanks for hamper, scones, flowers etc etc.

Many thanks for making our return visit so enjoyable. We really do appreciate everything.

A stunning cottage in a fantastic location - we wouldn't have asked for better anywhere. Our hosts, Elaine and Steve (& Luca!) made us so welcome and we have felt very spoilt this week. Returning to Hampshire happy, relaxed and re-charged! Thank you so much! PS: Recommend the Jack Russell in Swimbridge ...

We love returning to the cottage - our third visit! Lovely hosts and surroundings.

Having stayed at many Rural Retreat properties over the last few years and always enjoying them, I just felt that I had to contact you about Woodland Cottage near South Moulton where we stayed earlier this month. The cottage was immaculate and peaceful and of course very well equipped but I just had to mention the owner, Elaine who went out of her way to make us (and according to the guest book) other guests feel so welcome. Never before have I arrived to have a cream tea with scones, local jam and Devon clotted cream waiting for us when we arrived. In addition, in the hamper not just 6 eggs but eggs from her chickens and they were superb, never tasted eggs like them. Halfway through our stay another six eggs arrived! Elaine did say that we might have a slight problem with the drive to the cottage with our Porsche 911 but it was no problem at all (if that can get down there then anything can!) A really nice stay.

Thanks very much to Elaine and Steve for making us so welcome and being so helpful and nice. Very peaceful, comfortable cottage (lovely pillows! I'm very fussy about pillows!) good location to explore Exmoor. We enjoyed Watersmeet, Plymouth, Selworthy, Bossington and the great twisty empty roads across Exmoor, stunning scenery.

A fabulous retreat well placed for exploring Exmoor and Devon. Thank you Elaine and Steve for looking after us so well. Not only for the wonderful larder, but for advice and info. We wish you both success and fond best wishes. Our circle of friends and colleagues will hear all about it.

Fantastic holiday - beautiful cottage, beautiful weather and beautiful area - really enjoyed the Tarr Steps circular walk in Exmoor, a lovely lunch at the Beaver Inn in Appledore, a great day out in Lynmouth/Lynton in the Valley of the docks and a very scenic circular walk at Watersmeet back at Lynton & Lynmouth. So much to see. Really loved it here, thanks so much to Elaine and Steve for being such friendly and hospitable hosts. I hope to come back soon. PS: Best eggs in the world! Forgot to say, loved feeding the fish. Thanks a lot for a lovely stay. A real home from home.

Had a wonderfully relaxing week in our beautiful and secluded hideaway. Thank you to Elaine & Steve for making us so welcome - and for the hamper and lots of lovely fresh eggs. We enjoyed the Tarka Trail at Appledore, Arlington Court, South Molton Market, lots of walks ... and just chilling in the cottage.

Wonderful welcome & welcome hamper from Elaine - very kind to make gluten free scones. Great stay, not spoilt by mixed weather. Especially enjoyed a day at Lynmouth coastal walk and Watersmeet walk. On a rainy day, "Bee Worlds" not just for children! Enjoyed Sunday Lunch at Highbullen Country Club - Elaine's recommendation. Hope to come back!

Heaven!

Thank you Elaine & Steve for another great stay. See you again soon.

Enjoyed a relaxing break in this lovely cottage. Wonderful welcome hamper with cream tea! Food at the Grove was good too. Many thanks.

We both had a great time. It is so lovely. Thank you.

Wonderful holiday in great accommodation. Elaine & Steve, you're great hosts. Will definitely recommend you.

Delightful cottage. Very spacious and relaxing - sorry to leave. Elaine & Steve gave us a great welcome. Enjoyed the cream tea on arrival and other goodie's, all much appreciated. For a special meal 'The Mason Arms' at Knowstone is fantastic.

Relaxing few days. Thanks.

Delightful - well equipped - charming hosts! Will be back!

Beautiful cottage and superb weather. Thanks for all the little extra's!

Thank you for a wonderful stay and your kind hospitality. A truly lovely cottage and woodlands. See you again soon.

Have enjoyed our 5 nights in this very comfortable cottage in the beautiful Devon countryside. Very friendly welcome - Thanks.

We've had a lovely week here. Great cottage, beautiful location. Very relaxed now, wish we could stay. Thanks to Elaine for all the little extra touches, they were very much appreciated. Think we may have to book a return visit!

We enjoyed a special New Year in a lovely cottage, in a great area. Thank you.

A fantastic stay - thank you for the wonderful hospitality. Beautiful cottage, perfect for a relaxing getaway.

Fantastic stay - thank you for the wonderful hospitality. Beautiful cottage - perfect for a relaxing getaway.

After a long journey we were delighted to see Elaine and Woodland Cottage, so welcoming. The cottage and surroundings are beautiful - very relaxing and comfortable. The weather has been mixed but we loved this part of Devon. Had a lovely meal in the "Grove Inn" at Kingsnympton. We recommend a visit to Appledore, Croyde and Ilfracombe. We may well return. Thank you Elaine & Steve

Beautiful surroundings and delightful cottage. Thanks.

An excellent stay, spacious and beautifully furnished.

Excellent stay. Spacious and beautifully furnished. Thanks for the plant.

We really enjoyed our short break in this delightful cottage. Thank you Elaine and Steve for being such warm hosts. The welcome hamper was delicious! We'll try to come back for longer next time.

A wet week, but what a delightful cottage to come home to. Elegant, stylish, spotless and deliciously warm. Fortunate to have found here a version of Lorna Doone which Teresa read before we did the Doone Valley walk. We squeezed in many great walks - Heddon Valley to Woody Cove, Cumleigh to Chowleigh. The ferry to Lundy was cancelled but we saw the bees and Elaine's gorgeous horses instead. A really wonderful, relaxing week with many thanks to Elaine for all her kind thoughtful touches, we really appreciate it all.

Thank you Elaine for such a warm welcome ! we have enjoyed everything this lovely cottage and setting has to offer!. Would love to come back and explore a bit further afield but it was hard dragging ourselves away from here.

We have had a wonderful holiday at Woodland Cottage. A great place to get away from it all and relax in such a peaceful surroundings, thank you to Elaine and Steve for your welcome and kind hospitality throughout our stay, we would love to come back again in the future

Wonderful haven of peace and quiet, thank you Steve and Elaine for your kind hospitality.

A comfortable stay in a well equipped cottage. Lovely woods to walk in, very friendly welcome from Elaine and a superb hamper many thanks.

Thank Elaine and Steve for another supremely comfortable stay and for your hospitality, see you again.

It has been quite a delightful stay in a beautiful and peaceful environment . Elaine and Steve gave us such a caring and friendly welcome and of course the fantastic hamper! Thank You

Thank you Elaine for getting the cottage ready at such short notice and being so welcoming. Lovely, spacious, clean and tasteful!

Thank you Elaine & Steve for preparing the cottage in such a lovely way. Loved the flowers! Such peace and quiet in wonderful surroundings. We enjoyed our stay very much.

Lovely cottage and location away from it all but not that far to civilisation - very relaxing. Grove Inn is excellent and good value.

Elaine & Steve are lovely people, they took the time to show us their farm, which is so beautiful. The cottage is so sweet and we felt so at home! 10/10 - we will be back.

Back again! Different time of year but same warm welcome and same magical de-stressing effect!!

Beautiful cottage and location - thank you Steve and Elaine! Thought of everything to make it perfect. Great base for exploring and wonderful R&R days spent at the cottage - walk in woods and sitting by pond. Best bit - hearing the owls at night and the tranquillity! Best Rural Retreat cottage so far!!

A wonderful break for a few days - just the job! Thank you!

Thank you so much for providing such a wonderful cottage, we have had a perfect stay. The welcome hamper was very generous and all very tasty.

A beautiful cottage, allowing us to forget normal life. Thanks to Elaine and Steve for their hospitality and some lovely extra touches. Fantastic weather. T&E, Herts

My daughter and I have had a lovely relaxing stay in this beautiful cottage. We have enjoyed exploring North Devon and the weather has been fantastic. Thank you. G&A, North Yorkshire

What a gem - so tranquill and yet every home comfort. One of the best Rural Retreats we have stayed in. Beautifully presented property and welcome hamper, way above our expectations. Thank you for such a relaxing time, we hope to come again soon. S&C, Hampshire

Thank you for a most enjoyable and relaxing few days. The cottage is superbly appointed and is a wonderful base to explore Exmoor and the coast. Peaceful and tranquil. Thanks Elaine and Steve. J&C, Chester.

We loved every minute of it here. Thank you very much for a wonderful stay. Fabulous cottage with everthing you could possibly need. Thank you Elaine and Steve for a lovely welcome and lots of ideas for walks. S&G K, Bristol

The perfect Rural Retreat, welcoming hosts and a wonderful hamper. We will be coming back. D&J, Wales

Thank you for a very enjoyable and relaxing stay at Woodland Cottage. We received a warm welcome from Elaine and appreciated the generous hamper. We ate at The Grove where the atmosphere was buzzy and friendly, but our favourite meal was at the Stags Head Inn at Filleigh. We loved peaceful Appledore, riverside walks, Porlock Weir and the coastal walk from Woolacombe to Mortehoe. R&L, Rayleigh, Essex

Perfect place to get away from it all! Immaculate cottage and beautiful surroundings. Thank you Elaine and Steve for such a warm welcome. K&D, Nottingham

Perfect place to get away from it all. Beautiful surroundings . Thank you Elaine and Steve for such a warm welcome. K and D Nottingham

We've had a wonderful time. Thanks for everything. Will see you again and for longer in the future. D & L, USA

PERFECT! D and L USA

Thank you for providing such excellent facilities. The welcome hamper and cream tea were very much appreciated. We would recommend Rural Retreats. D&J, Suffolk

A lovely cottage, Beautifully furnished and very comfortable. In addition to the usual welcome hamper there was a most welcoming cream tea together with some extra provisions in the fridge. Provided the finishing touches. R and V Dorset

Very enjoyable stay. Loved the cream tea on arrival! We enjoyed walks around Croyde Bay and Baggy point, Dolverton and Appledore. Great meals. Elaine and Steve you have been excellent hosts! S and S London

A very enjoyable stay. Loved the cream tea on arrival. Enjoyed walks around Cryode Bay and Baggy Point, Dulverton and Appledore. Great meals at the Grove Inn in Kings Nympton. Thank you to the owners - you have been excellent hosts! SB, London

Perfect relaxing long weekend. Cottage feels like a home from home. Loved the welcoming touches, scones, wine etc. A wonderful find, We will be returning in the summer. T and A Cambridge

A perfect, relaxing long weekend. The cottage feels like a home from home. Loved the welcoming touches, scones, wine etc. A wonderful fine, we will definitely be returning in the summer. T&A, Cambridge

Many thanks for a wonderful stay! Immediately feel home from home. So peaceful and relaxing, a wonderful cream teal and fresh eggs. Just what we needed to recharge! A perfect stay, thank you we hope to see you soon. A&C, Devon

We had an incredibly relaxing stay here at the cottage. It has been a wonderful retreat, quiet and secluded. The cottage has everything you could need for a perfect stay. There are some lovely walks around for fresh air or a stretch. Thank you very much for making it so comfortable to stay. Look forward to coming back in the future. GD, London

A lovely cottage, ideal. Many thanks for a restful holiday. CB, Northampton.

Lovely cottage, ideal for a restful holiday. Many thanks for your hospitality. A&C, Exeter

Many thanks for a wonderful stay. Immediately felt like home from home, so peaceful and relaxing, wonder cream tea and fresh eggs. Just what we needed to recharge! A perfect stay - thank you Elaine and Steve and hope to see you soon. A&C, Exeter.

What a find! A lovely cottage in a beautiful setting. We've had a great time and even enjoyed the stormy weather. Many thanks. C&B, Northampton.

We have been thoroughly spoilt, thanks Elaine and Steve for your hospitality. This is a wonderful cottage in a lovely setting and so well looked after. L&S, Honeybourne, Worcs.

Had a relaxing time at Woodland Cottage. Many thanks for your hospitality and extremely comfortable stay. Will look forward to visiting again. Patrick, Bristol.

Arrived wound up like a coiled spring - left as mellow as a cream tea D&N, Hope Valley, Derbyshire.

Very peaceful and enjoyable stay. A warm welcome. Thank you Elaine for the delicious cream tea. Beautiful cottage! A&R, Switzerland.

Thank you for a very lovely stay. So peaceful. Batteries are recharged. Hope to see you again. S&L, Plymouth.

What a charming, cosy place to stay. We loved it many thanks to our charming hosts. W&K, Germany

Beautiful, peaceful home. Wonderful hamper, perfect weather. Thank you CS, Yorkshire

Perfect cottage, perfect weather, perfect holiday! J D, Dorset

Thank you for providing excellent and immaculate facilities.The welcome hamper was very much appreciated. We would recommend Rural Retreats. D and J Suffolk

Gorgeous cottage in an idyllic setting. A perfect place to chill. Many thanks, cream tea was delicious, fab weather too. P & J, Buckinghamshire

Lovely cottage with amazing little touches and hospitality. We will be back. D&E, Sydney, NSW

The cottage and surroundings beyond all our expectations. Thank you so much for your welcome and thoughtful touches. RC, Plymouth

Of all the Rural Retreats we have see, we love yours the best. Thank you for your warm welcome. R & J, Plymouth

What a delightful cottage and a great welcome - thank you. We've has a wonderful week. Lynmouth to Watersmeet and Morte Point to Bull Point are both lovely walks. The view over the lake is a true delight at the end of the day. We hope to return! FM, London

A great place to come and forget about the rest of the world. Fantastic cottage and a big thank you to the owners for making us so welcome. Hope to be back in the summer. VT, Staffordshire

Thank you for your kindness and thoughfulness. We have had a special holiday and appreciate all the extras you provided. SJ, Devon

Thank you so much for a fantastic stay. The cottage is beautiful with little treats and treasures in every corner. Thank you for the cream tea too! HM, Birmingham

A beautiful, peaceful cottage, we loved relaxing by the lake and the cream tea was delicious. EM, Somerset

A lovely cottage that we would like return to. Thank you for your kindness and all the extras. RD, Bristol

A beautiful cottage in an idyllic location. We had a very warm welcome and the cream tea was a lovely thought. Totally relaxed, recharged our batteries! We will definitely be back! MP, Taunton, Somerset

Fabulous cottage and lovely location Had a great holiday - we were made very welcome by Elaine and Steve. 2 fantastic meals at the Grove, Kings Nympton Particularly enjoyed the beach at Woolacombe, Lynmouth, Clovelly, Dartmouth & Totnes - hopefully we'll be back. NM, Lancashire

You can forget the world outside in the haven! We had a comfortable stay, wanting for nothing and thank you for the estra touches. The Grove at Kings Nympton serves very good pub food - large portions too. What a find this cottage is, the weather made no difference ro a relaxing stay. JJ, Towcester

Such a beautiful place! So relaxing. Perfect for reading and taking walks. Hope to return someday. LM, London

Thanks for making the cottage so comfortable - a real home from home - but much more elegant! Am totally relaxed, being in such a beautiful setting. SK, Leicester

What a beautiful, peaceful cottage with time to relax and chill over the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. Great Hosts. MC, West Sussex

An idyllic cottage. Could not have wished for a better location. We arrived on a very wet, cold dismal Sunday afternoon. The cottage was warm and inviting, kettle boiled and a cream tea waiting. What more could we have asked for. Thanks for making our stay so enjoyable. CP, Worcester

Great cottage, superb location. VM, Birmingham

A lovely cottage in beautiful grounds - we saw a deer! Thank you for making us so welcome. MK, London