Holiday Ideas and Cottage Accommodation in Devon

Devon is located in southwestern England, between Cornwall and Dorset. Devon accommodation includes not only conventional hotels, bed & breakfast inns, and the like, but also rustic- style cottages that dot the county's charming countryside. The latter in particular will be the focus of this article; they offer peace and quiet for those seeking to get away from the hustle and bustle of the big city.

Monkstone Cottage, in Tavistock, is a small brick house with plain off- white walls and a stone fireplace. The bedrooms have a minimum of furnishings. And outside, cattle and sheep graze in the fields. Just fifteen minutes away lies the 13th century building of Brentor Church.

Mrs. Tittlemouse Cottage, in Hartland, was obviously named for a character from a book by Beatrix Potter- a very appropriate theme, given that her pictures capture the charm of the English countryside. This is a luxury cottage, with a gym and a private spa, but it too has plain white walls. The cottage offers a view of the sea, and nearby is the South West Coastal Path.

Wellington Cottage, in South Brent, is somewhat larger than the other two just mentioned, and is a plain white two- story building. The carefully- restored lounge has a wood burning stove in a stone fireplace. This cottage is just on the edge of Dartmoor National Park, and visitors can also explore the village.

Bentwitchen Cottage, in Exmoor, is a barn conversion. The bare beams of the triangular ceiling hang above the lounge (which has a wood burner), the dining room, and the kitchen, whose walls are made of stone. This cottage is set in an area of prehistoric sites (in fact, the Devonian Period takes its name from Devon!); and the living creatures here are fascinating to watch as well.

The Stables, in Bideford, is also a barn conversion, but it is constructed of brick, and the windows have curved tops, giving it a somewhat more "sophisticated" appearance. The beach is nearby.

Bakers Row Cottage is appealing for its "Old World" cottage, with beautiful plants decorating its white exterior.

The Barn, located in Halwill Junction, in the heart of rural Devon, is perhaps the most enchanting of all. It is a very small stone building, with only one bathroom and one bedroom, so anyone who wishes to stay here should place a reservation well in advance.

There is no shortage of Devon accommodation for anyone- English or foreigner- who longs for the idyllic peace of the green, sunny countryside.