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Summercombe

Summercombe is located in an enchanting part of North Devon; you can enjoy both countryside & coast An electric car charger is on site. Relax & enjoy!
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SUMMERCOMBE: a luxurious retreat

Summercombe is a recently converted, Grade 2 listed bank barn brimming with character. The architect’s considered approach has ensured its integrity has remained by creating an upside down house with high vaulted ceilings. Oak beams, drystone walls heated slate and oak floors combine with metal and glass to create a luxurious holiday retreat. The entrance hall is

double height; to one side is a well equipped kitchen diner, to the other, a living room with that sine qua non of country homes, the log burner, making for a fabulous living space. There are two ensuite bedrooms on the ground floor, one boasting a romantic roll top bath. A walled patio and BBQ area with sea views together with a lawned area and dog walking field will maximise that holiday vibe. Summercombe is situated within 60 acres of rolling farmland and woods in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It is centred in a magical area. To one side, the award winning Woolacombe Beach and UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Braunton Burrows. To the other, Exmoor National Park with its wild, ancient beauty and Dark Sky Reserve. To the north and viewed from barn, the sea where a Marine Conservation Zone is now established and the South West Coastal Path comes through, and to the south, the stunning wilds of North Devon. Summercombe is about a 1.5 mile walk along a bridleway to Ilfracombe with its quaint working harbour, Damien Hirst’s Verity and some fine eateries including Thomas Carr’s Micheline Star restaurant. Your Summercombe holiday will combine both the seaside and countryside in a tranquil, luxurious setting.

14/08/2024

Too Much of a Good Thing

If the luxury at Summercombe is really getting too much for you, you can always set up a bivy.
It could also be useful to watch the beautiful Perseids meteor shower we’re currently enjoying.
Alternatively, if things get desperate, let the children camp out there while you enjoy Summercombe’s tranquillity!

31/07/2024

“If you look the right way, you can see that the whole world is a garden.“ The Secret Garden, Frances Hodgson Burnett.

13/06/2024

The Tunnels Beach, Part 2

The photographers are busy, the hairdressers and makeup artists are fully booked, the caterers are in full swing, the bands are booked out. Yes, the wedding season is now fully underway in Ilfracombe. The town is packed with happy newly weds and their guests.

In addition to being a private tidal pool beach, The Tunnels Beach is a wedding venue.
It is consistently voted UK’s number one destination for a wedding that features the sand between your toes, the sea wind in your hair and rolling waves as your sound track.

To book a wedding here requires forward planning, about 3 years for popular dates, and an extremely healthy budget.

Summercombe has had a few guests who incorporate being a wedding guest into their summer holiday. It’s all very exciting.
Love is in the air, come and experience it. ❤️

11/05/2024

Installation art

Look whose taken up residence in Frog Pond: the Summercombe Sea Serpent!

23/04/2024

High praise indeed for Summercombe. These lovely guests celebrated a shared birthday. 🥳

10/04/2024

Relaxing Yoga & Pilates

You’re on holiday, you want to slow down and enjoy a little me time.

How about trying something you’ve always fancied but never had the time? Alternatively, you don’t want to loose your momentum.
Probably the easiest way to keep up with your yoga and/ or pilates practice while on the holiday is to join a class. It’s also a lovely way to try something new.

Here are my two personal recommendations:
The Yoga Barn with Alex Giffoni
Body Aware Pilates with Jane Williams.

Both are a few minutes drive from Summercombe. Both teachers are senior, multiskilled practitioners in their field. Both welcome holiday makers to their classes.

So unwind, let go and add something a little special to your Summercombe stay.

28/02/2024

A recent addition to Summercombe is the new Apiary site where we hive honey bees looked after by the local beekeepers.

The Honey bees are of the Buckfast strain, developed originally by Brother Adam in the Buckfast monastery in Devon and are kept for their non aggressiveness and high productivity.

During Summer the average hive holds between 40,000- 70,000 bees and produces around 20kg of honey increasing to as much as 90kg in a good year. The record for a Buckfast colony is 181kg!

Visits can be arranged with the beekeepers for anyone interested in our buzzy friends. For those wanting to get a little closer or try out a little beekeeping, bee suits can be made available.

Don’t worry though, the bees are kept over 300m away from the house!

31/12/2023

Happy New Year from Trixie, one of Summercombe’s nine rare breed chickens.

Trixie is a Cream Legbar who lays the most delicious green/ blue eggs most mornings; many of Summercombe’s guests will have savoured one.

Their breed characteristics are that they tend to be very easy going and peaceful so get on well in a mixed breed flock like Summercombe’s. Her bff is Pixie, a silver legbar. Ahhh. But their most endearing feature is their multicoloured crest, the fluffy, feathery hat they wear.

Wishing you a great year ahead and may your crest stay fluffy all year xx

23/12/2023

Wishing you peace, joy and love this Christmas x

09/12/2023

Why bother with the Alps? Snow bunnies can now get their hit at Snowport a short drive from Summercombe (luckily not around slippy, snow covered alpine roads. No snow chains required here).

It’s a state of the art, indoor, dry ski slope. It has a moveable surface making it an endless mountain and its gradient and speed can be altered to suit your ability.

Snowport’s environment is made to feel as though you are up the mountain: super cold. And we all know what that means!

Après ski!!!!

Take time to relax and unwind, exaggerate the tales of your daring black run escapades, enjoy a mulled wine or a luxe hot chocolate and snuggle up in front of your Summercombe fire

22/11/2023

Elon Musk comes to Summercombe!

Well, Mr. Musk’s tech does.

Starlink has just been installed to provide guests with the very best, high speed internet possible. The world’s largest constellation of advanced satellites operate in a low orbit around the earth providing guests with blisteringly fast internet.

Gaming, streaming, Zooming or any other -ing that takes your fancy, can be enjoyed to the fullest.

Alternatively, or in addition to, book a Summercombe break and WFH.

29/10/2023

Written by Summercombe’s returning Poet in Residence!

24/10/2023

A Summercombe Halloween

“Pumpkin pies & autumn skies.”

09/09/2023

The Tunnels Beach, part 1

In 1823 a local entrepreneur employed a team of hundreds of Welsh miners to hand carve 160m of tunnels to allow access to some of Ilfracombe’s most beautiful and rugged coves.

They then created three tidal bathing pools: two for the ladies, one for the gentlemen. Segregated bathing was strictly enforced in Victorian England. If a man even attempted to spy on a lady a bugle would sound and it could lead to his arrest.

This has left the wonderful legacy of a family friendly beach complex. Sun warmed tidal lagoons, a shop, café, toilets and well stocked rock pools.

It costs a few pounds and under threes go free. Just try not to do any spying, you don’t want to have that bugle blown at you!

30/08/2023

Rewild yourself…. and your cooking!

Connect with your wild side and cook on Summercombe‘s open fire down by the stream in the woods.
The food always tastes scrummier and it’s a lovely way to spend the evening!
Seconds anyone? Mmm, don’t mind if I do!

$Love shopping? Well I do too.Located on Fore Street in Ilfracombe just a short trip from Summercombe, this treasure trov...$

02/08/2023

Love shopping? Well I do too.

Located on Fore Street in Ilfracombe just a short trip from Summercombe, this treasure trove will meet all your shopping needs.

“Forty Three” is more than a shop, it’s a special space where local artisans and makers can display their unique, handmade works: jewellery, art, glass, ceramics, sewn things.

A gift to take home or a pressie to yourself!
There’s nothing a bit of retail therapy can’t fix.

$Meal with a view? Don’t mind if we do.The Lime Kiln Cafe & BarLocationIn an enviably elevated spot overlooking Ilfracomb...$

10/07/2023

Meal with a view? Don’t mind if we do.

The Lime Kiln Cafe & Bar

Location

In an enviably elevated spot overlooking Ilfracombe Harbour with spectacular views towards Hirst’s ‘Verity’. Lime Kiln is located above the Watersports Hub, so you can dine whilst watching those paddle boarders and kayakers have their fun (who doesn’t enjoy a little schadenfreude now and then!)

Vibe

Relaxed, friendly, holiday by the seaside feel. Modern industrial, meets bright and airy, meets a little bit of Scandi. Love it! Sit with a quiet drink on the balcony and watch the sunset or weather watch from behind the huge wraparound glass windows so you can still pretend you are eating al fresco.

Food

Modern and fresh, sourced locally where possible and all dietary requirements seem catered for. Ms S had Celeriac and Sweet Potato Soup with fresh bread; perfectly presented, tasted scrummy. Little Mistress S had a vegan Sausage Sandwich; I’ve never seen a toddler eat with such gusto. I ordered Roasted Roots with Miso Dressing; divine. They have specials of the day and the menu is going to rotate frequently. Their bar looked funky and seemed well stocked.

Verdict

Full of fun. Service with a smile. Fresh, modern food all set in a world class location.
Book your place now before those foodie critics from up country notice the place and recommend it to their readers/ followers/ all and sundry.
You read it here first lovely Summercombe guests!

15/06/2023

Om Shanti Shanti.

Monet, get yourself over to Summercombe right now!
You don’t need Giverny, Frog Pond is displaying the most stunning water lilies for you right here!

09/06/2023

Want to share this review from Summercombe’s most recent guests:

“Had lunch at the beautiful Sandy Cove Hotel close to Summercombe.
Great service and what a location!
Delightful crab sandwiches complimented by a dry white wine whilst enjoying the sea views.
It was a wonderful, hot June day. So memorable!

Mary & Peter x”

A photo of the view from their table.

(Wow! I need to make myself a reservation right now! Table for two, window seat please).

30/05/2023

Come and share the views across Summercombe’s rolling hills.

24/05/2023

A few miles along the coast from Summercombe is the village of Combe Martin. Every late May bank holiday it is host to a unique custom: The Hunting of the Earl of Rone.

The tradition harks back to the 16th Century and involves a ceremonial re-enactment of the supposed murder of Irish rebel and aristocrat Hugh O'Neill, Earl of Tyrone.

Thousands of locals and visitors gather for the festivities every year, to chase the Earl, who is mounted backwards on a donkey (a real one!) through the village streets.

He is shot multiple times by a troop of Grenadiers and frog marched to the beach where his final shooting takes place and he is thrown into the sea.

The ritual involves dancing, elaborate dress codes, a cast of unlikely characters, drums, theatre, a little bit of drowning and more murder than you would expect from a tranquil village in North Devon. And of course each pub in the village has to be thoroughly checked and rechecked to ensure the Earl isn’t hiding there!

It is fun for all the family and, as all good parties should, lasts for four days!

10/04/2023

🎶🎶Let's go fly a kite
Up to the highest height

Westward Ho!, 20 miles from Summercombe, is probably one of the best kite surfing spots in Devon if not the whole UK. This week’s guests popped out and bought themselves a 2.5 meter squared trainer kite and headed off to catch the wind. Now that’s a great holiday!

🎶🎶Up through the atmosphere
Up where the air is clear
Oh, let's go fly a kite

01/03/2023

Summercombe: stunning throughout the year!

26/02/2023

What a lovely Thank You picture!

All ages have fun at Summercombe!

I showed the picture to the ponies, they loved it too 🥰

20/02/2023

Summercombe’s Temperate Rainforest

Few people realise that Britain is home to temperate rainforest, a globally rare and important habitat; more threatened than the familiar tropical rainforest.

Temperate rainforests are astonishingly beautiful, and they are wildlife and carbon-rich habitats, home to many rare and unique species of lichens, mosses, fungi, birds, insects and mammals. They are serene. They cleanse your soul.

Despite their significance, Britain’s rainforests only remain in fragmented, isolated pockets. The moist oceanic climate, year-round mild temperatures and clean air allow for the woodlands up and down the west coast to be ideal temperate rainforest habitats.

Summercombe has its very own private, treasured fragment of rainforest. It has been recorded, photographed and logged on the interactive map, “Lost Rainforests of Britain”. Now we know where they are we can conserve and hopefully extend them.

Come and immerse yourself in your very own timeless rainforest.

https://lostrainforestsofbritain.org/2022/12/13/public-create-map-of-britains-lost-rainforests/

01/02/2023

Teddy, the farm rescue cockapoo, has become a Facebook sensation!

Ted has been working hard to honour his pledge of planting 2400 trees in Summercombe’s fields for the North Devon Biosphere.

“In recognition of the amazing work being done”, the North Devon Biosphere has awarded Ted with a virtual medal on his collar. 🏅(proud mummy moment!)

A study of the tithe maps of 1839 reveals where hedging had historically been planted.

This has now been reinstated, creating pathways for wildlife to move along and live within. It also provides shelter for grazing animals and gives us the opportunity to carry out rotational grazing. All this in addition to combatting climate change and supporting biodiversity.

North Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty together with the North Devon UNESCO Biosphere granted the farm thousands of really high quality saplings:

Rowan Sorbus aucuparia
Silver birch Argentum betula
Willow Salix cinerea
Blackthorn Prunus Spinoza
Hawthorn Crataegus monogyna
Sessile Oak Quercus petraea
Hazel Corylus avellana

It will be a joy to watch them bud and grow and form hedges right in Summercombe’s back garden.

28/01/2023

National Cycle Network, routes 3 & 27

A glorious and accessible cycle route which winds itself through North Devon is the Tarka Trail. This disused railway track can be accessed at Braunton, a few miles from Summercombe. It is flat (yay!) and traffic free.

Here you can hire bikes and enjoy superb views across the Taw Estuary. The route takes you past a variety of wildlife habitats and you can stop at pretty villages along the way. There are great places for refreshments en route and there is minimal chance of getting lost (keep the sea to your right!)

This illustration of a ‘Red Bike on the Tarka Trail’ is by Sasha Harding . I have just read her sweetly illustrated book, A Brush with the Coast, about an artist’s search for inspiration as she walks the South West Coastal Path. Her book is on the shelves at Summercombe.

Who knows how you will be inspired cycling part of the coastal path…...if not, sit back in Summercombe and read the book!

09/01/2023

Let me share one of my favourite pony pics. I’m rather proud of it!

These two Exmoor Ponies posed for me: so relaxed. These consummate professionals modelling their fine good looks.

With their short, powerful build, their dark bay colouring with mealy pangaré markings, Exmoor Ponies are the living image of horses in the cave paintings in Lascaux. Built to thrive in the harshest of conditions.

The indigenous core population of about 600 on Exmoor are considered to be critically endangered. Indeed, after the Second World War they almost became extinct, with numbers reduced to 50 ponies and 6 stallions. Sad to mention this, but at this time Exmoor became a military training ground and soldiers used the ponies for target practice, others were rustled by locals for food. Until recently the breed was rarer than the giant panda.

Now much care is taken to conserve this native breed. Through a stud book and genetic testing their numbers are gradually increasing.

So how to spot these adorable creatures?

A drive over Exmoor will usually reveal a few: a magical sight.

Exmoor on foot gives you more of a chance of spotting some as you can get your eye in.

A trip to the Exmoor Pony Centre in Dulverton will ensure you see some!

Alternatively, observe one of the annual autumn round ups where the herds are driven back to the farms for inspection and management: an unforgettable experience.

And luckily for Summercombe, if you head up over Woolacombe Down, high above the beach, you may meet the Exmoor Ponies grazing on the hillside. They are used by the National Trust for conservation grazing.

We ❤️ Exmoor Ponies!

24/12/2022

Deck the halls with mistletoe & holly.
Tra la la la laaa la la la la. 🎶🎶

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year.
Love from Summercombe xx

11/12/2022

Snowy Summercombe

Come and snuggle up in front of Summercombe’s log burner.

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+447475758908

Website

https://www.marsdens.co.uk/devon-cottages/north-devon-coast-cottages/ilfracombe/sumcom-summercombe

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Fly like the wind

Back to school soon! Do you remember teacher would set you the essay “ How I Spent My Summer” and everyone would moan? Well here’s my video essay of what I did this summer! You can too. The stables are less than 4 miles from Summercombe. Pack your jodhpurs and fly like the wind!

Spring has Sprung!

Move over Meerkat Manor, make way for Summercombe Stoats!

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