The Creamery
Abbotsham, Appledore, Devon, UK
Far from crowds and known only by a select few, the Hartland Heritage Coast in North Devon is a halcyon world of pebble beaches, abundant wildlife and rolling deep blue seas. Set between the quintessential fishing villages of Appledore and Clovelly, this cute-as-a-bunny barn is the perfect base for exploring this glorious land by day and languishing in luxury by night.
Introduction
The Creamery started life as a cattle shed, part of the prestigious Portledge Estate in Abbotsham, but today provides unforgettable self-catering breaks in rural north Devon. Pastorally perfect in every way, the barn offers a life far removed from city noise. Observe the flourishing wildlife from the comfort of the luxe country interiors or make use of the proximity to Greencliff beach for sheer seaside solitude. Only a short walk away, the South West Coast Path promises endless exploration.
Inside
Inside The Creamery, sleek metallic tones lend a contemporary edge to the rustic-luxe interiors. Cleverly juxtaposing authentic features with carefully selected accoutrements and sinkable furnishings, the barn is effortlessly stylish and utterly inviting. From the open-plan living space, a wooden staircase leads to the first floor, where high vaulted ceilings, a writing nook and two bedrooms await (both king-size; one a zip-and-link). Both featuring en suites, serene mornings and early nights can be enjoyed by up to four guests.
Outside
The private garden is backed by sunny yellow fields of rapeseed in spring, changing with the seasons, and features a woodland garden area with birdwatcher's bench. Summer on the south-facing deck will be a balmy affair, providing a sheltered spot for sunbathing with a pile of glossy magazines. Enjoy a plate piled high with scones al fresco, or chase the sun with a drive along Devon's Atlantic Highway to find sandy and dog-friendly beaches.
The Facts
- SleepsUp to 4 guests
From £1,595 per week, £1,295 per short break - Alternative group optionUp to 2 guests
- Bedrooms and bathroomsOn the first floor sits one double bedroom with king-size bed and en suite shower room, and the second bedroom is a super-king size zip-and-link with rolltop bath and en suite rainfall shower room.
View bedrooms - FeaturesFire pit, hot tub
- PetsTwo well-behaved dogs are welcome with a third small dog on request
Each pet is charged at £60 per week or part thereof - Arrivals and departuresArrival Time: 4pmDeparture Time: 10am
- FamilyYes, children are very welcome. One cot and one highchair are available.
- PracticalitiesThere is off-road parking for several cars. The country kitchen is perfectly well-equipped for couples or small families, featuring a Range cooker with gas hobs, fridge-freezer, microwave, dishwasher and washer-dryer.
- Homestay includesA fresh welcome hamper, bottle of wine, Sonos speaker, DAB radio, Freeview TV, DVD player (with a varied selection of DVDs), many books in the lounge, superfast broadband internet, fire pit, gas barbecue, linen, towels, bathrobes, logs and kindling to get you started...House book - your property and destination guideDiscover more
- Private cateringSeeking a celebratory dinner or fully catered escape? Our recommended caterers will work with you to create personalised menus for your stay. Details are shared through our house book on confirming your booking.
- Eco-friendlyElectric car charging point which can be used at an additional cost
- Other informationProperty terms and conditionsFrequently asked questions
Prices & Availability
Appledore
On the north Devon coast where two rivers meet, the maritime town of Appledore was once a vital shipbuilding centre and still has a thriving boating population. Think sparkly waters, fresh fish and charming inns propped up by cheery locals.
Getting there
- On the Map The Creamery sits just outside the sweet Devon village of Abbotsham near Appledore on the north Devon coast.
- By Car From London, take the M4 toward Bath, take M5 South and follow the directions provided to the property. It is around a four hour drive.
- By Train The nearest train station is Barnstaple, which is around 20 minutes from the barn.
- By Air Exeter airport is one hour fifteen minutes drive away.
From the owner
“Our first impression was, and remains, a sense of tranquillity. You can relax in peaceful surroundings where your nearest neighbour is not even in sight and you can enjoy south-facing gardens undisturbed. And yet, you can sample the varied delights of north Devon and north Cornwall in no time at all.”
We have always loved Green Cliffs, so when we found The Creamery, a picture-perfect gem tucked away so close by, we instantly fell in love.
Whether you enjoy the coast or country, The Creamery gives you both. You will probably have pheasants on the lawn, pied wagtails or goldfinches flitting around the garden, or hear deer barking and owls hooting at night.
We are lucky enough to live in beautiful East Devon, but we have absolutely fallen in love with this amazing part of North Devon. An area full of contrasts, from Exmoor National Park to the windswept beauty of Lundy Island and the stunning rugged coastline of Hartland Bay, there is so much about the area to love.
This really is a place where you can escape for a few precious days and enjoy the perfect antidote to urban life.
The Melville-Brown Family
Owner recommendations
Live like a local, discovering the best hidden gem restaurants, walks and attractions during your holiday in Appledore with an insider’s perspective.
To See
Woolacombe
Woolacombe beach is an award-winning beach, holding the ‘England for Excellence Gold Award’ for best family resort and was voted the Best British Beach in the Mail On Sunday. In short, it´s an absolute must-visit during your stay!
To Do
Fishing Trips, Appledore
Enjoy full day trips or two hour estuary fishing trips from Appledore quay. Book your excursion at Summerlands Tackle in Westward Ho!, where you will be met by friendly, helpful staff and can buy your own tackle and bait.
To Eat
Thomas Carr @ The Olive Room, Ilfracombe
Thomas Carr, who trained under Nathan Outlaw, is a Michelin star chef. His team believes that fine dining is best enjoyed in a relaxed and unpretentious environment. Sourcing the very best in local, seasonal ingredients, and making the most of the abundance North Devon has to offer.
To Do
North Devon Surf School
The area is a hot spot for surfers, Braunton even has its own surf museum. Renowned big wave surfer Andrew Cotton loves surfing here. While pro surfers frequent Greencliff beach, Westward Ho! is more beginner-friendly. Head to North Devon Surf School for tuition.
Guest Testimonials
Read reviews on TrustPilot and Google
The most beautiful cottage and heavenly garden, loved the décor, so homely. Wonderful walks every day to the local Instow Beach. It is also worth a visit to The Farmers Arms, which was the best find, the food was amazing. Thank you for the wonderful welcome gift and flowers. We very much enjoyed our stay.
A cosy, restful week away from London. Beautiful walks and so much for our little one. Lovely garden and enjoyed having indoor and outdoor fires, soaking in the hot tub and curling up in the living rooms. Thank you!
A beautiful property, thoughtfully designed, perfectly located and brilliantly hosted. A hidden treasure in the peaceful Devon countryside, surrounded by nature. We couldn´t have asked for more. The Farmer´s Arms experience was brilliant. If you want fine dining, we highly recommend Maiden Arch in Barnstaple; an intimate setting with amazing innovative food and personable service. Expensive but worth it. All in all we had a wonderful week, just the rental we needed. Back to reality!
What a fabulous week we have had. Beautiful weather, food at The Thatchers Inn was great. Amazing coastal walks and lots of glasses of wine in the garden. It was perfect.
Thank you for your attention to detail, especially for the dogs. A lovely week was had by all, such a beautiful house and perfect location with trips to Woolacombe, Croyde and Saunton.
Beautiful, beautiful cottage and garden, we loved it! We have had a relaxing time here, lots of lovely walks with our dogs here in Devon and across the border in Cornwall too. Lovely meal at The Royal George - so good we went back for a second visit. The Farmer´s Arms is worth a visit too! PS. Your sourdough bread was divine!
Lovely property and we had a great time exploring the area. Really well-equipped kitchen and we loved the hot tub! Thank you for a fantastic stay, we really enjoyed ourselves!
We have had a lovely relaxing week, despite the weather. The coastal walk along Greencliff is wonderful. Great cottage with some fabulous touches, thank you, Lola has had amazing time and loved the garden!
Very well appointed property indeed. Immaculately clean. Lovely hamper to welcome us. The owner was so very helpful and couldn’t have been a better host. The short break at The Creamery was a relaxing & quality experience. Thank you so much.
The Creamery is amazing and everything is to a very high standard. Everything that I needed was available, plus some really lovely touches including lots of little pampering items! Thank you to the owners for such a wonderful and relaxing stay.
What a fabulous week we´ve had in your beautiful home. Such a perfect location and I can´t remember the last time we saw a truly clear sky, free of light pollution. It´s so quiet here, we have been able to relax and reconnect. A week away from city life has been fantastic. We have made life-long memories this week. We really hope to be back again.
A beautifully appointed cottage in wonderful surroundings, with excellent attention to detail. A sensational welcome hamper greeted us on arrival, the best we’ve ever had. Thank you so much for going the extra mile.
A wonderful setting and garden; the thought that has been given to The Creamery is quite staggering. The cohesive rough-luxe decoration creates interest throughout the house. Simply a great style and very comfortable too!
The best property we´ve stayed in so far! Lovely accommodation, beautiful garden, and excellent walks and beaches for a wonderful seaside experience. We´ll definitely be back soon. Thank you for a brilliant weekend, we loved every minute.
This is a wonderful property with excellent attention to detail. It was perfect for our family of four with small children and a dog. The location and setting are a lovely piece of Devonshire countryside, and the cottage has everything and more of what you may need. The garden has a touch of magic to it, the children loved it as did we. Nothing was too much trouble for the hosts. We would definitely recommend The Creamery and would stay here again!
What an amazing house. A true touch of Devon paradise. As we walked in we instantly knew we were going to love it here. The extra details and little touches were so well thought out and nothing was too much trouble. We will be back and we all loved it!
Another amazing stay at The Creamery, everything is catered for and we really enjoyed relaxing in the amazing outside space. We are already looking forward to coming back again soon!
A truly delightful cottage; immaculate, cosy, and so thoughtfully equipped. It´s been an absolute joy to stay here. Have walked for miles despite storm Eric and loved returning to the cottage for log fires and hot baths! A very special place indeed.
A beautifully designed property set in an incredibly quiet, picturesque location. The house is always warm and we had a great time toasting marshmallows on the fire pit. The coastal paths provide breathtaking views and a good workout. We had a thoroughly restorative week at The Creamery and have no doubt future guests will do too.
Thank you for letting us stay at your lovely cottage. We have had a nice and relaxing few days. The cottage is tastefully decorated inside and out and the hamper and bathrobes are really nice touch. We loved watching the pheasants at night in the field and to our delight a couple of nights we watched Red Deer!
A beautifully appointed and comfortable home with a chic-boutique hotel feel. Everything has been thought of and more with such style and elegance. We have enjoyed exploring the local area and despite the heatwave having left, we will leave with so many treasured memories. Thank you.
What an amazing place! We´ve had a great time. There are so many activities on the doorstep yet you feel a million miles away. Thank you so much for all of the goodies, you really have thought of everything.
Thank you for sharing your little gem with us, everything has been wonderful! My favourite memory will be watching the clouds whilst lying in the bath! We hope to return in the future.
Thank you! What an absolutely amazing place to stay! Such a beautiful house. It really is a perfect place to experience the surrounding area; The Creamery is a real gem. Thank you again.
Wow! What a wonderful place. Thank you for sharing this beautiful home with us. Every little detail has been taken care of - and thank you for the dog treats! Lovely touch. Our stay has been very relaxing and just what we were hoping for.
The Creamery is absolutely perfect and provided the relaxing break away that we needed. The location is quiet and secluded, the space is light yet cosy and the design and furnishings are stunning and luxurious. The owners are generous in providing some wonderful complimentary extras in the kitchen which were very much enjoyed! Lots of cosy fires and the underfloor heating is great for cold winter days. We look forward to returning to explore the area and enjoy the space in the summer months!
Press
Below are a selection of features in which The Creamery and Unique Homestays has appeared. If you would like to feature the property in an editorial capacity, please contact the marketing team on +44 (0)1637 882014.
complete an image bank request
Last-minute half term escapes
The Telegraph
February 202225 of the best autumn getaways
The Times
November 2024Good manors
Condé Nast Traveller
November 2024Ways to improve your life—from our experts
The Times
October 2024The UK´s most relaxing riverside stays
The Times
October 2024At one with nature
25 Beautiful Homes
September 2024Healing waters
Condé Nast Traveller
September 202425 of the UK´s best lakeside stays
The Times
September 2024
Collections > Any Day Stays > UK > Devon > Appledore > The Creamery
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Disclaimer: These particulars, whilst believed to be accurate, are set as a guideline so should not be relied upon as a statement of fact. The photographs show aspects of the property at the time they were taken and it should not be assumed that the property remains precisely as displayed. If there are points of particular importance that need clarifying before you book, please contact us.