Rural farm vacations in Devon

Between the dramatic north coast and the picturesque south, mossy Dartmoor and misty Exmoor, you’ll find the heart of deepest Devon and a 21-acre rural farm. Here, among the rolling hills, is quintessential English countryside at its best; thatched cottages and tea and scones, trails of local ale houses, farmers’ shops and flower basket covered teahouses.

Rural farms in Devon offer quiet country getaways and endless fields for free-range children, where nightly campfires keep you warm while stargazing and wildlife can be seen from your window. An abundance of animal inhabitants is preserved by ongoing conservation projects. In fact, where this farm differs is in its commitment to sustainable tourism, supported by wind turbines, solar panels and an award-winning environmental ethos. Yes, you might get a bit muddy, but just roll up your sleeves and you’ll be ready to enjoy the scenery, while knowing your stay makes managing this patch of countryside possible.

“Spending time here is a great opportunity to reconnect with nature and discover this beautiful part of Devon. The farm is located in a peaceful, rural setting yet has plenty of scope for activities nearby (or indeed on its own 21 acres). It offers a precious chance to relax and unwind – with no noise or light pollution, you will sleep like a baby! – and is the perfect antidote to city living.” – Julia Key on a rural farm vacation in Devon

Ironically, in many cases, getting back to nature makes car travel essential but, while most rural accommodation is only accessible on wheels, the farm owners make an effort to assist anyone looking for a car-free vacation. With the help of their free station transfer, you can take the train and make the best of this beautiful setting by getting around on a complimentary bike (or by bus) instead.

Smack bang in the center of Devon, a stay at the farm opens the door to all of the southwest’s attractions, from dramatic Dartmoor to the stunning southwest coast. You can wear out the kids while biking or hiking the Tarka Trail, try some sea kayaking or even learn to surf. If you’re looking for more family options, local favourite The BIG Sheep offers fun days of sheep racing and animal petting. On wet weather days you can drive (or buy a bus ticket) to Exeter and explore city’s cafes and cathedral, bravely dash from pub to pub along the Tarka Line Rail Ale Trail, or try your hand at wood turning in the farm barn.

Why not combine your countryside accommodation with a week-long electric bike cycling vacation in Devon? England’s southwest is well known for its scenic landscapes but, if strenuously steep climbs are keeping you off the saddle, you may find the solution in an e-bike. Not just for the novice or more senior cyclist, a power-assisted ‘pedelec’ (a pedal bike with a small motor) will get you moving on those hills and keep you on track if you start to tire on the way home. You’ll breeze through North Devon’s UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, taking in miles of dunes and rural roads, stopping only for scones heaped high with clotted cream, or to wash down a long day’s pedalling with a pint of local cider.

As well as your accommodation at the farm, your vacation includes the hire of an electric bike and all necessary safety equipment, a full orientation, rescue back up (should anything happen to put a spoke in the wheels) and, course, all your route notes and maps, carefully researched with plenty of local tips from your in-the-know hosts. Electric bike cycling vacations are available from April to mid-July and from September through to mid-October, outside the peak season when the country roads are busiest – so you can enjoy a quieter ride.

“[We loved] the beauty and peace of the environment, the meadow we looked out on, and the challenging cycling up and down steep Devon Hills. The hired electric bikes were very important for exploring the lovely countryside for us 70-plus year olds!” – Hilary Mayne on an electric bike cycling vacation in Devon

If you haven’t already gathered, this is green living at its finest. The farm has garnered many awards for its low carbon vacations and eco accommodation, from England’s top award for sustainable tourism in 2015 to ‘gold’ level approval from the Devon Wildlife Trust.

Fear not, it’s not all tofu and drop loos here; the farm prides itself on being “for everyone and every shade of green”. If you’re new to the notion of an eco-friendly getaway, know you’ll still enjoy the same comfort and normality of a regular vacation, but one more beneficial to both the environment and you. Energy efficient lodges are well-insulated for winter and a farm free of heavy machinery means fewer hazards for little hands and feet, whereas conservation projects keep fields full of butterflies and wildflowers, with bats and barn owls roosting in the grounds.