The Penny Lilac - Holiday Cottage Devon

01/04/2023

Filbert has been off in search of treasure around the village today. Whilst no dubloons were found, he did find some golden flowers. He also found some Lilac ones too hiding in the hedgerow, it's amazing what you find when you look! He was also pleased to note that even Devons highway engineers have Pirate ships 😀.

If you want to come and explore the beautiful walks for yourself, listening to the birds singing and the river going woosh, we've still got availability, just check out the website.

03/02/2023

Filbert's final adventure for this week took him to the blustery beach at Woolacombe. He managed not to be blow overboard.

Despite the rain and nearly being marooned by the tide he had a good time!

Woolacombe is an award winning beach and looking at the miles of sand you can see why. Even in the holiday season there's plenty of room for everyone to come and dig for treasure!

02/02/2023

Why not get the best of both worlds when you book to stay at The Penny Lilac?

Only 20 minutes from the nearest beach, you can also be up on the amazingly beautiful Exmoor in minutes. It's perfect if you love to walk the coast path or the Tarka trail.

Book a week in June from £575, the facilities include:

🛏️ 2 bedrooms (1 double, 1 King (can be changed to a twin if needed))
💻 Free Wifi
🌻 Courtyard Garden
🍳 Well equipped kitchen
🚗 Free Parking

Take a look at our website for current availability https://lilacholidaycottagesdevon.co.uk

01/02/2023

Filbert finally emerged from the Jungle, to discover the delightful Rachael’s Bakery & Tearoom had silvery treasure waiting for him. He was even more excited to find they had a variety of cakey treasure too!!

As his jungle trek had been long and hard Filbert decided that a hearty soup and warm cheese scone was more likely to revive him!

Served with a friendly smile and warm welcome from the staff at Rachael's it didn't take him long to finish it off.

He would heartily recommend a trip to South Molton to any Penny Lilac guests so they can try out the delightful cakes, so much so he stowed a carrot cake muffin for later. As a pirate you never know when the ships rations are going to run out!!

31/01/2023

If you're looking for your next North Devon get away take a look at The Penny Lilac. There's still good availability for the 2023 summer holidays!

💜 In a rural village location.
💜 Free off road parking
💜 A courtyard garden
💜 Free Wifi
💜2 Bedrooms a double and king size (can be a Twin)
💜Wood Burner
💜Well equipped kitchen including dishwasher
💜20 minutes to the nearest seaside
💜35 minutes from the award winning Woolacombe
💜Stunning walks nearby on Exmoor

To find out more visit our website or message us for availability and prices.

30/01/2023

Filbert has been busy on his piratey adventures, exploring the South Molton area, so you know some great places to visit when you come.

He fought his way valiantly through the Jungle at The New Leaf in search of treasure. Helen taught him lots about the different types of plants and which were best to keep at home, but unfortunately he didn't manage to find any shiny gold treasure!

27/01/2023

The best bit about January is that you can book a holiday to look forward to!

If North Devon is somewhere you've never been, it's home of not only stunning coastline with award winning beaches, it's a UNESCO Biosphere, a Dark Sky Reserve and is home to Exmoor National Park!

If you love being out in nature then come to visit. We are right on the edge of Exmoor and it's only 20 minutes to the nearest beach. The best of both worlds!

Check out our latest availability on our website.

26/01/2023

We are in the process of doing a spot of decorating to get ready for the new season. We've finished the lounge and now we'll be moving on to our king size/twin. Here's what it currently looks like - watch this space for the updated photos!

If you like what you see and want to find out if we're available for your holiday this year check out our website.

25/01/2023

If like me you enjoy a spot of cold water swimming the Penny Lilac is ideally placed to explore some great local spots.

The award winning Woolacombe looks amazing at this time of year. The sunset reflecting off the beach can be breath taking.

Saunton Sands can be a bit more wavy but there's an active Bluetits group who meet for a regular dip. We usually have a giggle and tea and cake afterwards too.

The best bit is the Penny Lilac has a lovely wood burner that warms you up nicely afterwards.

If you fancy a cheeky weekend away to explore some new swim spots, why not message us now for availability.

24/01/2023

Filbert is pleased to see that even the signposts in Brayford have a pirate ship on them. He's wondering if they point to lost treasure or is it just the way to the seaside?

23/01/2023

If you’re looking for an early getaway in 2023 North Devon is a great place to visit in the Spring and watch nature awake.

There are lots of places to see snow drops and Daffodils as they come into flower. These photos were taken in Brayford village last year so you don't even have to go far!

The beach is much less crowded. A walk along the deserted Saunton Sands or the award winning Woolacombe to blow the winter cobwebs away! I hope you'll agree the picture I took a couple of weeks ago is stunning.

Visit our website or message us to check availability a three-day break at this time of year is just £360.

22/01/2023

Meet Filbert the newest member of The Penny Lilac team. He was recently rescued from the Brig at the post office in a small South Devon Village of Thurlestone. He spent a week showing us around his local area and then decided to join us at The Penny Lilac in North Devon.

He's looking forward to exploring things to do around Devon and sharing his piratey adventures with you all. Har Har Me Hearties.

14/12/2022

It's a bit wintery in and around Brayford at the moment. If you like the crunch of snow under your feet and enjoy a chilly walk followed by a good book and cup of tea curled on the sofa in front of a warm fire, look no further!

The Penny Lilac has a log burner and all new heating was fitted last year, so it's toasty for when you return from a nice walk on the moors or beach!

If you're interested in booking a long weekend for a quiet getaway post Christmas don't hesitate to message us for more details.

03/03/2022

Yes that was Christmas at the Penny Lilac

Now we are into The First weeks of March !

Spring is just over the Hill we have long Weekends available or chance your arm for a week ! Can not promise Blistering Weather

A very warm Welcome will await you

Contact us as soon as you can for a North Devon Break

Kind Regards

Team Penny Lilac

20/02/2022

Yesterday was another exciting event at our local village hall - Ferret racing. We sponsored a Ferret - Tintin, who romped home the winner. The local Village Hall hosts all sorts of fun events including a small market of local producers once a month, an annual duck race, bingo and a car treasure hunt. That's one of the reasons we like living here!

19/09/2021

We love The Penny Lilac, but just incase you think we're biased - here's what one of our happy customers has to say!

18/09/2021

I took up cold water swimming after completing a course in June. I'd always loved to paddle, even on Christmas day, but having the confidence to swim was a different matter!

I have been every week since then and am feeling the benefits of squeeling at the cold, the excitement diving and leaping in the waves and the calmness it brings.

If you fancy giving it a go we have some amazing places nearby that are great for a quick dip.

Some like Saunton Sands, Putsborough and Woolacombe are great if you don't like getting out of your depth. You can go out quite a way before you can't touch the bottom!

I've attached some photos of the places I've been recently and me post dip just to prove that I've been crazy enough to do it!!

17/09/2021

Fancy a winter getaway, somewhere you can snuggle up in front of the fire?

There's nothing nicer after a walk in the woods or a stroll along the beach in the cold wind, watching the waves.

We have availability for weekend getaways in November arriving Friday for 2 nights at just £275.

The sofa is ready and waiting,, message us to check availability and book.

16/09/2021

September signals the start of autumn; and, what better way to spend an autumnal afternoon than with a delicious pub lunch.

North Devon is home to some amazing country pubs, serving up seasonal dishes and tasty classics.

Two of our favourite pubs near The Penny Lilac are the Pyne Arms and The Black Venus both serve locally sourced, tasty food.

Where's your favourite North Devon Pub Lunch?

15/09/2021

Everyone enjoys a walk in the sunshine, but there’s something extra special about a walk in the rain.

Drawing upon the magic of autumn, with the rain trickling down and the wind in your hair, don’t hide away this September. Get outside and take a hike in the rain.

Here's a few pictures from our walks near Brayford.

We'd love to see a photo of your favourite walk.

14/09/2021

We visited Combe Martin on Bank Holiday Monday and got to witness these little beauties. It's an annual event where over 250 minis get together and raise money for charity.

This year they started off in Bideford and drove to Illfacombe passing us on their way.

13/09/2021

We're delighted to share a recent 5 star review from one of our guests - you can't get better than that!

If you fancy a weekend getaway, now it's a bit quieter there's no better place than beautiful North Devon!

The Penny Lilac is perfect for:

💜 Exploring Exmoors Beauty
💜 Watching the Waves at Woolacombe (Award Winning Beach)
💜 Walking the South West Coast Path
💜 Sampling Local Produce from South Molton Pannier Market
💜 Cycling the Tarka Trail
💜 Watching the Stars - Exmoor is a designated dark sky reserve
💜 Taking a boat from Bideford to visit Lundy and seal spot

If this sounds like your idea of a great getaway - book now on our website or message for availability.

05/09/2021

The schools are back, the sun is shining and the beach isn't as busy at Woolacombe today! The seagulls are looking hungry they heard we've bought a nice pasty from South Molton Pannier Market!

07/08/2021

It was the Brayford Village Show today. The first time the village has got together in a long time. We had a lovely afternoon and there was even tea and cake 😋. Next Saturday our little village Market is back 😃 can't wait.

30/07/2021

We took a flying trip to Barnstaple yesterday and visited Lush for a nice meal. They were busy but managed to find us a table, the service was fantastic and really friendly and the food was great.

If you are staying with us they are well worth a visit if you are in town at tea time!

https://www.lushbarrestaurant.co.uk/

Whether it’s a family meal in the nicely lit restaurant, a lunch snack with a work colleague or a few cocktails on a night out, Lush Bar & Restaurant Barnstaple is definitely the place to be.

11/07/2021

I love to take my book down by the river in Brayford and sit with a cup of tea and drink in the Sunshine.

I have recently read a few good reads:

- The Seven Sisters Books by Linda Riley
- A Cornish Affair by Liz Fenwick
- The Cherry Tree Cafe by Heidi Swain

What's the best book you've read recently and where is your favourite reading spot?

09/07/2021

Woolacombe has been awarded The Times Best Beach award for 2021 and we can quite understand why.

It is one of our favourite places to go for a walk. It takes about 35 minutes to get there from The Penny Lilac. The journey takes in breathtaking sights across the North Devon landscape.

When you arrive at Woolacombe the view is amazing and we just love grabbing an ice cream and just sitting enjoying the sun and sound of the waves.

Want to experience it for yourself, contact us to book a long weekend getaway in September. We have availability from the 22nd onwards. We can't guarantee it but the sun is often still shining in September and the view could look like this!

07/07/2021

From cakes, biscuits and bars, to breakfast, dinner and tea, is there anything chocolate can’t improve!



As it’s , we want to know what you love about chocolate the most?



Is it the smooth, rich taste or the variety of flavours for you to choose from? Be sure to let us know your favourite below, here's a picture of mine a chocolate cream tea!

03/07/2021

There’s something special about the feel of sand between your toes.



North Devon is home to some glorious beaches perfect for relaxing, enjoying water sports or simply paddling about in the sea.



What do you love most about the beach?