The Cider Barn at Home Farm, Down Thomas

This is the best holiday barn/cottage we have ever rented, and we have rented many. The quality of the accommodation is first class, extremely spacious downstairs, with effectively three lounge areas, and three beautiful bedrooms with en suites to rival the best hotels. The kitchen is very large and fitted with top quality appliances, as is the utility room. It is co located with a farm, which has very little activity, so it doesn't disturb your stay, and it's down a lane, so its about as peaceful as you can get, with stunning views across the countryside. The owner Deidre lives alongside the barn, and made us very welcome. There was a huge bowl of fresh fruit and a bottle of Prosecco waiting on the kitchen table. You could not better this accommodation, highly recommended.

E had the most amazing week away at the Cider Barn at the end of July. The location is perfect and so peaceful with so many beaches to choose from nearby. Surrounded by beautiful countryside it is the perfect place to unwind and relax. The barn itself has been beautifully renovated keeping original features where possible including a well in the kitchen which we all found mesmerising (inc the dog!) It is so spacious offering two separate living areas one large formal room with a log burner and another comfy lounging room ideal for the children to play and watch TV. The huge country style kitchen is perfect with all the facilities you need, we had parents with us for a few days and with 6 people and a dog it never felt like we were on top of each other, the big range cooker was fab and plenty of fridge and cupboard storage space with the basics on hand such as tea and coffee. There is a useful utility room and downstairs shower room, we were able to wash beach towels etc and hang them out to dry for the next day :) there is a tumble drier should the weather not be kind. Upstairs there is a beautiful conservatory room opening up onto the garden such a peaceful spot to relax. The bedrooms are so grand! We all felt that we each had a luxurious room as they are all so beautiful with an immaculate en-suite each and plenty of storage for clothes. Lots of windows so you can breathe in that country air but if it is a bit chilly the underfloor hearing throughout downstairs and the bathrooms certainly adds that warm cosy feeling. Nothing has been missed here I cannot fault one thing! The tractor coming by each day was great and my little boy loved it. Deidre was so accommodating and friendly and so lovely to chat to. It’s so interesting to hear the history of the beautiful barn and we would very much like to move in.

The Cider Barn provides an extremely spacious luxurious sanctuary in the midst of rolling Devon countryside. To come home from a long day to the comfortable sofas and warmth of the log burner soothed the senses. Underfloor heating throughout ensured the large rooms remained comfortably warm, whilst the underfloor heating and large towel radiators in the bathroom provided a delicious extra warmth. There are many spaces to have ‘time-out’ from Other guests if need be where you can relax undisturbed, such as the upstairs sofa room with glorious floor to ceiling glass allowing you to become immersed in the garden and watch the rabbits. As well as the main sitting room with the log burner there is a sofa room between the kitchen and the sitting room which provides a good space for children to play and watch tv, the generous sofa engulfed the four of us in various horizontal positions - 3 of whom are well over 6 feet tall. The kitchen is large with a two oven Rangemaster with 5 ring induction hob which coped well with two large family reunion dinners. This is complemented by a large dining table which we managed to comfortably sit 12 around by commandeering the bathroom stools. There is an ample selection of blue and white crockery, mats and knives and forks. Fridge freezer is half and half. The two double bed bedrooms are breathtaking in size and comfort. The master, with it’s walk in wardrobe and bath with shower over ensuite added to the feel of luxury and spaciousness. The twin room is equally comfortable with ensuite. The conversion has been thoughtfully and tastefully completed, with touches true attention to detail brings. All fixtures and fittings are top quality, no expense has been spared. There was always ample hot water. The flat access, and ability to get the car close to the front door make it very accessible for elderly and infirm visiting guests. Equally, the main living area being on the flat ground floor made it safe for very young children and easy for the elderly to manoeuvre around and use the downstairs bathroom . The bedrooms are upstairs. A mile further down the road is a very pretty beach with a car park. The working farm is unobtrusive, the occasional tractor or truck went past the kitchen windows but as all windows have movable blinds or shutters this did mot infringe on our privacy. The Cider Barn rose to the challenges we presented it with and across the generations many happy memories were made.

The Cider Barn has been renovated to an incredibly high standard by the talented and inspiring owner Deirdre Giles. The fixtures, fittings and furnishings have been chosen with such care and attention to detail and were all of top quality making this spacious, comfortable, immaculate accommodation a truly amazing place to stay with everything that was needed. The location is so peaceful with beautiful views across the garden and fields it is also within walking distance to Wembury beach and other coastal footpaths although transport to reach the shops is necessary. As a family of 6 we stayed for a week over the Xmas period and arrived to find that Deirdre had thoughtfully put up a beautifully fresh Xmas tree and other decorations also left us wine and a huge bowl of fruit. Deirdre lives in the adjoining farmhouse, she was so welcoming, helpful and kind yet never intrusive, it was really a pleasure to meet her. We had our Plymouth friends visit us during our stay and they were all in agreement with us that Cider Barn is without a doubt quite exceptional , it certainly has the WOW factor and worthy of the highest review and recommendation. Our sincere thanks to Deirdre for everything , we didn’t want to ever leave but we have taken so many wonderful memories with us of our Xmas at Cider Barn .