Just 10 minutes drive from the glorious sandy beach of Bantham, sleeping 7 plus up to 2 dogs, close to the Avon estuary and South Hams Beaches. Luxuriously appointed, ample parking.
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Four steps lead down from the parking area to entrance door into boot-room and utility area with washing machine, tumble dryer and adjacent cloakroom.
Double doors open into the stunning open-plan living space with its oak-framed vaulted ceilings, enormous picture windows and Sonos sound-system. Kitchen with electric oven, ceramic hob, microwave, dishwasher, built-in fridge/freezer, under-counter drinks fridge, island with breakfast-bar stools, and a small kitchen table with two chairs. Beautifully appointed central dining area to seat seven, set under fabulous atmospheric lighting, just perfect for entertaining. Book shelves brimming with books and games. Lounge with huge picture windows, large comfy leather sofas, snuggle chair, plus Smart TV and DVD player.
Open tread spiral staircase to ground floor, with three comfortably furnished bedrooms with high quality beds and an eclectic selection of characterful vintage furniture.
Bedroom 1 (Coast) with 6ft superking bed, which will be made up Continental style with two single duvets ensuring a great night's sleep, wardrobe, dressing table, clothes cupboard and 4ft 6ins sofa-bed for an additional guest. En suite shower room with shower cubicle, double basin vanity unit, heated towel rail, WC. Bedroom 2 (Meadow) with 5ft king-sized bed (double duvet), wardrobe and chest of drawers. Family bathroom just along the corridor with bath and separate shower cubicle, countertop basin and washstand, heated towel rail, WC. Bedroom 3 (Woodland) with twin 3ft beds (which also zip together to form a superking if required – please specify at time of booking if this is required as a double bed, again made up Continental style with two single duvets). Wardrobe, chest of drawers. En suite shower room with shower cubicle, countertop basin and washstand, heated towel rail, WC.
With the famously sandy beaches of Bantham, Thurlestone and Bigbury on Sea all less than 5 miles' drive away, Willowplatt Barn offers the perfect holiday location from which placed to explore this popular holiday area. Its peaceful setting just above the Avon estuary offers equally easy access to Kingsbridge and Salcombe both within easy driving distance, which have a wide range of shops, bars and restaurants, and are also superb hubs for sailing and other water-based activities. The local shops and pubs at nearby Aveton Gifford and Churchstow villages are both under 2 miles away.
Combining the modern comforts of high quality beds, kitchen and bathroom fittings with cheerfully eclectic vintage furniture, the barn welcomes you to spacious open-plan living areas with wonderful views from the huge picture windows, and peacefully relaxing bedrooms. Dating back to 1737, the now fabulously restored Willowplatt Barn was voted Best Oak Frame Barn in the Build-It awards 2021, and is surrounded by beautiful walking country in this South Devon AONB, is brimming with character, warmth and charm and is a great choice for a big family or friends.
Don't miss the fabulous Lapland Barbecue Lodge within the grounds, which doubles as a beautiful outdoor garden room in spring and summer, as well as providing the perfect place year-round for those gorgeous evening barbecue gatherings around the central barbecue or log fire, surrounded by twinkly lights, rustling up some sausages with a glass of wine in hand. Reached along a quarter-mile largely unmetalled farm track, the barn is situated on a no-through road, so there is no passing traffic other than those visiting the neighbouring property some 200 metres further along the track. A five minute walk leads down to the estuary and its Devon Wildlife Trust Reserve. Here you can access the 8-mile circular Avon Estuary Walk, which connects with the South West Coastal Path at Bantham. Architect designed and craftsman built, Willowplatt Barn – taken from an old farming name for ‘the place where the willows grow’ – is a charming place to stay with family or a group of friends at any time of year
PLEASE NOTE: the construction of the spiral staircase, hallway and terrace steps regrettably does not allow them to be fitted with stairgates, so vigilant parental supervision of babies and toddlers is required.
Outside
To the side of the barn is the magical Lapland Barbecue Lodge, a wonderful entertaining space with special Finnish indoor central barbecue grill and brazier, (complete with safety cowl and chimney) and comfortable built-in seating. Not only fabulous for enabling the fun and flavour of barbecue evenings in the Autumn and Winter months, the lodge also safeguards you year-round from any unexpected change in the weather disrupting your al fresco dining plans. To the front of the barn is an enclosed, sunken terrace furnished with garden table and seating for seven, and charcoal barbecue. The terrace is convenient for al fresco dining and the partly walled, partly fenced garden can be accessed either by a path leading down from the parking area or through French doors leading out from the ground floor hallway.
The local area
Located at the head of the Avon estuary, a holiday in Aveton Gifford finds you ideally placed to discover the stunning scenery and wildlife of the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The beautiful sandy beaches of Bantham, Bigbury and Thurlestone are all less than five miles’ drive away, 20 minutes brings you to Salcombe, and 30 minutes to Dartmouth or Dartmoor National Park.
The South Efford Marsh nature reserve is accessed from the bridge, complete with bird-hide for the best views of migrating swans, geese, ducks and wading birds in spring and autumn. From here you can also access the glorious 8-mile circular Avon Estuary Walk, which in turn connects with the South West Coastal Path at Bantham. The estuary is also popular amongst kayakers and paddle-boarders, who love gently drifting down to Bantham on the outgoing tide, and anyone can enjoy a peaceful stroll through this wildlife-rich landscape.
Aveton Gifford village has a pub, local shop and post office for essentials, and the shops, bars and restaurants of Kingsbridge and Modbury are both within a 10 minute drive. Seafood fans meanwhile will love The Oyster Shack – a South Hams favourite – just 1½ miles along the scenic estuary tidal road.
Parking
Ample parking for up to 3 cars on private designated parking area adjacent to barn entrance.
EV charging is possible at this property via an external mains socket. A weatherproof double 3-pin / 13 amp mains socket is fitted on the parking area fence to enable up to two electric cars to be charged at once. There is a charge of £30 per car per week. Guests are required to bring their own charging cables and equipment.
Additional information
Included: Bed linen, hand and bath towels, electricity, wifi, central heating (LPG) with underfloor heating throughout.
Dogs: 2 medium sized well behaved dogs welcome (up to Labrador size) STRICTLY not permitted on furniture or in bedrooms. Pet charge £30 per week.
Electric vehicles: Electric vehicle charging possible (see parking section for details)
Telephone: no landline. Mobile signal good with most networks, wifi available.
Smoking: Smoking is not permitted at this property.
NB: Guests should be aware of a nearby unfenced pond approx. 100 metres away.
Local Facilities: Beaches at Bantham 4 miles, Bigbury on Sea, 5 miles, Thurlestone 5 miles. Pub and shop in Aveton Gifford, just under 1 mile. Restaurant (The Oyster Shack), 1.5 miles. Kingsbridge with all facilities, 4 miles.
