Get the whole gang together at this charming farmhouse with whitewashed walls. Sitting in spacious grounds on the outskirts of the traditional village of Chawleigh, next door to the owner's home and farm, it is found 3 miles from the historic market town of Chulmleigh. Sleeping eight people across four bedrooms, it’s ideal for large families or groups who are in search of a peaceful countryside retreat to call home while they explore the Devon countryside together. Wander beneath the towering Douglas firs of Eggesford Forest (4 miles), where some of the very first trees planted by the Forestry Commission in 1919 still stand. Alternatively, pull on your walking boots and follow a stretch of the Tarka Trail (5 miles), which is one of Devon’s best-loved walking and cycling routes. Further afield, make a beeline for RHS Garden Rosemoor (16 miles) to explore the formal gardens.
Step inside through the porch, where there’s room to kick off your muddy boots, and you’ll find a characterful lounge with timber-framed walls, beamed ceilings and flagstone floors. Head through to the country-style kitchen to cook up a storm and then gather everyone around the chunky farmhouse table in the beamed dining room, complete with a classic Rayburn oven, for a hearty dinner. Afterwards, the group can spread out between the two lounges, each with a wood burner set in a huge stone fireplace beneath an old oak beam. The second lounge, at the far end of the house, is a carpeted snug where you can still spot the old bread oven in the hearth. Completing the ground floor is a convenient WC. When the day is done, head upstairs and you’ll find four bedrooms - one super-king-size, one king-size room and two handy twins - furnished with traditional wooden furniture. A panelled family bathroom with a shower over the bath and a separate shower room complete the layout.
Outside you’ll find a sweeping lawn edged with flower borders and backed by wooded hillside, with sun loungers ready for lazy afternoons. Tucked behind stone walls, the cobbled courtyard has seating and a fire pit, making it the perfect spot for toasting marshmallows after dark. It leads straight to the games room, where beams soar overhead and a freestanding wood burner keeps things toasty while you battle it out at table tennis. Beyond the main lawn, cross a short bridge to the river, where keen anglers can cast a line. Ample private parking is available for three cars.