Lopes Cottage, Belstone

The Holiday Cottage

Nestled within the village of Belstone, on the edge of the open moor, Lopes Cottage will greet you with the atmosphere of cosy calm for which it is renowned. Whitewashed walls of undulating Dartmoor granite envelop its guests, standing firm against all weathers, as they have done for centuries - whilst inside, fresh white linen, comfy sofas and underfloor heating provide those extra touches of luxury.

Ideal for couples, the cottage provides spacious accommodation, with two staircases, and unexpected rooms around every corner. A wide, stone-floored entrance corridor welcomes muddy boots and wet dogs and, to the rear, is a private garden on three levels, with secluded nooks in which to sit.

On arrival, you will find the wood burner ready to light, in the huge inglenook fireplace - and a glass of something in the fridge to celebrate your holiday ...

The Setting

The village of Belstone is inside Dartmoor National Park. As you sit in the living room of your holiday cottage, you may well find yourself face-to-face with the local sheep or Dartmoor ponies, as they wander freely outside your window. Step outside, stroll past the village church and pub, and within 100 yards you can find yourself on the open moor - gazing down the valley and out across the rolling hills of North Devon.

The lane beside the cottage leads up on to the high moor, with open skies and the soft scent of grass and peat, from where you can explore the rocky tors of the Belstone Ridge or look out towards the towering peaks of Yes Tor and High Willhays. Other routes out of the village offer sleepy country lanes and tracks, enclosed by traditional Devon banks, leading down into the Taw Valley and the pretty village of Sticklepath, or out towards the local town of Okehampton.

Checklist

WiFi - We provide WiFi at Lopes Cottage so that, should you wish to stay in contact with the outside world, you can.
Parking - You have your own parking, right by the front door, with room for a second car by the barn across the road.
Children - Let us know if you have a baby or very young person, so that we can provide a travel cot and highchair, and arrange for babysitting or anything else that you might need.
Dogs - This is the perfect place for dogs, and we can welcome up to three. The garden is dog-proof and securely stock fenced, and the entrance corridor is dog proof too! There are numerous suitable walks, and if your dog is not used to sheep, we have some suggestions for off-lead roaming.

Eating In

The cottage kitchen is equipped with everything you need to create a delicious meal-for-two - seamlessly blending modern with rustic antique. Watch woodpeckers, nuthatches and bullfinches from your window as you cook, or as you enjoy the results at the intimate dining table.

Farmer Luxton's farm shop and deli, with its slogan "from here or near here", supplying their own meat, delicatessen products and local fruit and veg, is only a couple of miles away.

The even-easier option of the local pub, The Tors Inn, is always available - literally "just round the corner".

Sleeping

Winding your way up the staircase, through the door in the sitting room, you will find the main bedroom - with its original painted beams and timeless antique cottage furnishings.

A sumptuous king size bed, complete with Feather and Black mattress and White Company linen, will welcome you to a peaceful night's sleep.

Across the landing is an additional bedroom, with a vintage bed and desk.

Bathing

The en-suite bathroom has two doorways - one from the main bedroom, and the other out on to the landing and second staircase.

Inside is a spacious rainfall shower, and a separate bath in which to lie back and relax - with unlimited hot water. As the garden is not overlooked, you can shower or soak whilst enjoying the view!

Outside

Lopes Cottage has a large garden, opening out to mossy lawns like velvet beneath your toes, flower beds, borders and established fruit trees - where you will find wild strawberries, blackberries, apples and raspberries to pick according to the season.

You can relax on loungers, in shady arbours or in sheltered corners, whilst looking out over the village and past the church tower, to the open moor beyond.

Eating Out

The Tors Inn lies less than a minute away - serving a quality traditional pub menu, from its warm and welcoming bar or dining room. And, two minutes beyond, near to the village stocks, The Old School Tearoom, behind the Methodist Chapel provides the perfect place to flop into after a walk on the moor.

Slightly further afield there are many original and interesting pubs - such as the 12th Century Oxenham Arms in South Zeal, the thatched Bearslake Inn near Sourton, and the gastro-pub New Inn at Samford Courtenay.

For that really special occasion, there is Gidleigh Park Hotel near Chagford - where Chris enjoys a reputation for outstanding cooking with the very best of local ingredients, having been Head Chef at the two Michelin-starred restaurant Nathan Outlaw for seven years.

Exploring

This area of Devon has everything you could wish for on a relaxing holiday, in a beautiful rural location.

Take a walk across the moors to Bronze Age settlements or primeval woodlands, discover local vineyards, or enjoy the nearby National Trust properties - Lydford Gorge, Finch's Foundry or Castle Drogo.

If you like independent shops, then the village of Chagford and the ancient Stannary towns of Tavisock or Ashburton offer the ideal day out. Golf, fishing, horse riding, tennis and spa treatments are all also available nearby.

A luxurious boutique Dartmoor holiday cottage in a wildly-romantic setting