Guests say
The Cider Barn is a spacious and well-equipped cottage, ideal for large groups and families. Guests consistently praise the beautiful countryside views, the excellent outdoor heated pool, and the abundance of space both inside and out. The property offers privacy and a peaceful setting, with plenty of activities for children and adults alike. While some guests noted issues with the approach road and occasional cleanliness concerns, the overall experience is highly positive, with many guests eager to return and recommend the property to others.
Most guests found the property clean and tidy, but several reviews mention areas needing improvement, such as unemptied bins, cobwebs, and some bathrooms requiring more attention. Overall, cleanliness is generally acceptable but not consistently excellent.
The rural location is widely appreciated for its tranquillity, stunning views, and proximity to local attractions. However, the steep, narrow, and potholed approach road is frequently mentioned as a challenge, especially for low cars.
Guests highlight the comfort of the beds, spacious living areas, and the benefit of multiple bathrooms. The property is described as ideal for large groups, with plenty of room for everyone to relax. Some minor issues with room temperature upstairs were noted.
The cottage is praised for its excellent facilities, including a well-equipped kitchen, large dining area, outdoor heated pool, games room, and ample space for children and pets. Maintenance issues are minor and quickly addressed by the team.
There are no specific mentions of welcome gifts or extra thoughtful touches in the reviews, so a score cannot be provided for this category.
About this property
Explore the wild beauty of Dartmoor and its fantastic walking opportunities only 20 minutes away from this fantastic house..
Ground Floor:
Living room: 55" Smart TV, Bluetooth Speaker, DVD Player, Woodburner
Dining room.
Kitchen: Electric Oven, Range, Microwave, Fridge, American Fridge Freezer, 2 x Dishwasher
Utility Room: Washing Machine, Tumble Dryer
Bedroom 1: Kingsize (5ft) Bed, Smart TV
Ensuite: Cubicle Shower, Toilet
Bedroom 2: Kingsize (5ft) Bed, Smart TV
Ensuite: Toilet (Only)
Bedroom 3: 2 x Single (3ft) Beds
Bathroom: Bath, Cubicle Shower, Toilet
First Floor:
Bedroom 4: Kingsize (5ft) Bed, Smart TV
Ensuite: Cubicle Shower, Toilet
Bedroom 5: 2 x Zip and Link Single (2ft 6in) Beds (Kingsize On Request)
Ensuite: Cubicle Shower, Toilet
Bedroom 6: 2 x Single (3ft) Beds
Ensuite: Cubicle Shower, Toilet
Bedroom 7: 2 x Single (3ft) Beds
Ensuite: Cubicle Shower, Toilet
Bedroom 8: Double (4ft 6in) Bed
Ensuite: Cubicle Shower, Toilet.
Central heating, electricity, bed linen, towels and superfast Wi-Fi ncluded. Logs for wood burner included. Cot and highchair. Landline Phone. Private enclosed garden with garden furniture and enclosed patio. Outdoor heated swimming pool (private, 16ft 6in x 8ft 6in) open Apr-Oct. Electric car charging point (at cost). Private parking. No smoking. Please note: This property has a security deposit of £200.. The Cider Barn offers award-winning architectural luxury with panoramic countryside views in one of Ashcombe’s most distinguished five-star properties, a riba award-winning conversion that has transformed a once-derelict barn into a striking contemporary retreat. Sleeping up to sixteen guests in eight ensuite bedrooms, the house blends exceptional architectural design with rural charm, offering style, comfort, and sweeping views of the Devon countryside. Each lodge is maintained to the highest standard, and many retain original charmful features such as oak-beamed ceilings and wood or tiled floors, blending traditional style with modern luxury.
Set high on the side of a secluded valley, The Cider Barn enjoys total privacy, with no other houses in sight. Its elevated position provides breath-taking panoramic vistas, while below, the original Ashcombe cider orchard continues to produce the estate’s renowned cider, a bottle of two await guests with their welcome pack.
At the heart of the house is an expansive open plan living and dining space, designed for entertaining and relaxation. The bespoke oak dining table comfortably seats all guests, while the large sitting room features smart leather sofas placed around a 55” Smart TV, alongside a Bluetooth speaker, and a roaring log-burning stove (logs provided). The fully equipped kitchen includes home-from-home appliances, including an electric range oven, a microwave, an American-style fridge-freezer and an additional chef’s fridge, and also two convenient dishwashers. There’s also a utility room housing a washing machine and tumble dryer for added convenience. Like all properties on the estate, the house benefits from high-speed mesh Wi-Fi, extending to the outdoor areas. Outside, an enclosed lawn enjoys stunning valley views and features a heated outdoor plunge pool (open from 1st April to 31st October). Unwind in the sauna at Woodhouse Farm while children enjoy the outdoor play area. A generous private parking area includes two EV charging points for guests’ convenience (usage charged at cost).
For families, a cot and highchair are available, and this house includes a landline telephone for guest use. Outside, the enclosed garden and patio provide additional space to relax, complete with outdoor furniture for dining or unwinding in the fresh Devon air. Guests staying can enjoy the private outdoor heated swimming pool, maintained at 30°c and open from 1st April to 31st October. Our cottages are designed for comfort and practicality, with a wide range of Devon attractions right on your doorstep.
Sleeping from 6 to 28 guests, the cottages can be combined to accommodate larger groups. For an extra touch, you can even book an in-house chef to handle your catering.
Set in the heart of the rolling Devon countryside, the privately owned Ashcombe Country Estate nestles in a quiet, beautiful valley, surrounded by endless things to do and just a short drive from the sandy beaches of Dawlish and Torquay too. Just under a mile down the lane lies the Ashcombe Shooting Ground, offering clay pigeon shooting, quad bike safaris, and archery (available at extra cost for ages 14+). Also on the estate, A Touch of the Wild runs exciting forest activity camps where children can enjoy bushcraft, campfire cooking, bug hunting, and woodland adventures, a wonderful way to spark a lifelong love of the outdoors. In the evenings, join the friendly locals at the welcoming local pub, open on various nights with inexpensive local beer and Ashcombe Cider, summer fêtes, and community events. Guests can also book guided foraging walks to discover the simple pleasure of finding wild foods in the Devon countryside.
Both Dartmoor National Park and the historic city of Exeter are just a 20-minute drive away, while the South Devon Coast and its sandy beaches are only 3 miles. Nearby, you’ll find Exeter and Newton Abbot Racecourses, golf courses, family theme parks, zoos, sailing, and fishing, as well as Devon’s famous pubs and restaurants. Walk the wild beauty of Dartmoor, visit nearby National Trust properties (including Agatha Christie’s Greenway), or enjoy a steam train journey from Kingswear to Paignton or Totnes to Buckfastleigh. Explore historic Dartmouth with its harbour, castle, galleries, and the spectacular Regatta Week and Air Show. Salcombe, Blackpool Sands, Slapton, and Dittisham are all within easy reach, while East Cornwall and the Eden Project are less than an hour’s drive away. Adventurers can also try Rock Solid Coasteering along the Jurassic Coastline.
All major supermarkets deliver directly to your cottage. Main shops are 3 miles away. All in all, Ashcombe is the perfect base to explore, experience, and enjoy the very best of Devon, “The Cream of Devon.
A refundable security deposit of £200 is required for each property. This will be automatically collected seven days prior to arrival using the card provided at the time of booking and usually refunded within three to five days after departure. If you would like to use an alternative payment method, please let us know before the deposit is due.
Suitable for up to 2 pets
Nearby points of interest
- Golden Hind
Reviews (21)
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Stephen Allard
We had a great stay the kids loved both the indoor and outdoor pools. Lots of space and for the adults lovely not to have great phone or internet signal however the young one would have loved better internet. Loved the peace and quiet and beautiful scenery would certainly recommend it and visit again.
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Alison Greatorex
Wonderful holiday, the small outdoor heated pool was a real hit with the grandchildren. Central location - loads to do in the local area. Roads and driveway not for the faint hearted but great holiday - would definately come back again **
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Confirmed Guest
View from the gardens were stunning, bathrooms a little tired. Facilities within the cottage were good the pool was excellent and luckily the weather stunning. Arrival Communication was good although when reading initially it’s very negative due to all the things you can’t do I.e dogs not allowed various places within the cottage but do understand other gusts have abused the situation. Regular scary visits from the turkeys which was amusing with dogs. As said before the drive there was tricky due to country lanes and the passing points not enough, hedges needed to be cut along the roads. However we had a wonderful week at cider barn.