Holiday cottage, Barnstaple (5.3mls E) - Sleeps 4 (FCH88125)

Situated within attractive rolling countryside 5.5 miles from the market town of Barnstaple, this detached single-storey barn conversion offers ample room for a pair of dog-loving couples or a small family looking for an active or restful holiday, with easy access to the natural beauty of the coast and rugged majesty of Exmoor National Park.

The barn's welcoming ambience and tastefully appointed open-plan living areas are enhanced by an enclosed gravelled courtyard to its rear, with captivating views of working farmland close by. The open-plan lounge/kitchen/diner is a bright, sociable area with a homely feel littered with tasteful farmhouse-style furnishings that sit beneath exposed wooden beams.

It's a place to come together to create and consume indulgent meals, plan the day ahead or raise a toast and recall moments from the day just gone, whether at the dining table or one of the plump sofas before an evening film. Along the corridor are a family bathroom and two bedrooms - a super-king-size bedroom with skylights and a cosy twin bedroom.

The gated and enclosed gravelled courtyard is just as much a place to grab some quiet time as it is an alfresco brunch or BBQ supper. Two- and four-footed visitors are warmly welcomed in Barnstaple (5.5 miles), home to some of the best local produce in the county and a key junction on the South West Coast Path.

The enchanting moorland and woodland of Exmoor National Park (12 miles) can be savoured on foot or by bicycle. The 65 acres of garden and woodlands at Rosemoor offer peace and tranquillity, while the beaches of Saunton, Woolacombe, and Croyde (all within 20 miles) are meccas for water sports lovers.