Our Christmas Away in Devon (with a twist)

We decided at the last minute to go away for Christmas. What we wanted was to be rural and near the sea. We set a maximum budget and started searching the net. We toyed with favourite areas such as the Lake District and Wales but then we came across this delightful place in Devon which had two fat ticks next to being rural and by the sea. 

Christmas is a peak time for families to rent self catering accommodation so we were rather lucky to find somewhere that not only ticked our requirements but was within our budget after a seriously cheeky offer was made to the owners and accepted. 

So we quickly packed the bags and brimmed the boot of our two seater convertible and we were off. The weather was horrendous, torrential rain all the way there. With a couple of stops it took us 6 hours to reach the farmhouse but boy oh boy was it worth it.

 We arrived at Pickwell Barton Farm and were met by Andrew and Jane, the delightful owners as well as their charming dogs. It was dark so Jane grabbed a torch and we followed her to our holiday cottage, Pickwell Court. There are a choice of three holiday cottages, all completely private and not overlooked.

When we saw the cottage our jaws dropped at the sheer size of the place and garden. Jane gave us a tour of the cottage (a converted cow shed), left us the key and went on her merry way.

Upon arrival was a very warming and friendly hamper of fresh farm produce including brussel sprouts (which they farm) as well as swede, carrot, parsnip, potatoes and cauliflower from the neighbouring farmers.
If that wasn't all - the fire was lit, with an ample supply of logs and coal for us to use. Also, there was a decorated Christmas tree and a bottle of wine !

A quick tour of the cottage and we have a large traditional farmhouse kitchen. The kitchen is fully equipped with everything you could possibly need. Sitting very proudly in the centre of the kitchen is a Range Cooker which is also serviced as the main heating system for the property. We got the impression from Jane that it should not really be used for cooking as the controls have been set 'just so' however across the other side of the kitchen is a full cooker and hob. Jane did suggest however that the range is perfect for warming plates.

There is a huge American style fridge freezer and large dishwasher and an ample farmhouse table for meals.

Once you pass through the kitchen you enter the very cosy living room with the lit open fire. There is very comfortable furniture for relaxing and a 42" TV and DVD player with a selection of movies to watch. Also on offer is free WiFi which was very useful.
As you enter the cottage you walk into a utility area which has a washing machine and tumble dryer. Further back is a utility sink and microwave. Opposite is the 2nd bathroom which has a power shower, sink and toilet. All bedding and towels are supplied also.

Past the living room takes you to a corridor with an additional door to outside, a desk and information station housing maps and local attractions in the area.

Down the corridor is the family bathroom with a large bath, sink and toilet and next to the bathroom is the master bedroom. Very comfortable and roomy.
Next to this is a twin bedroom.

Upstairs there is a reading area and off this is a large family bedroom with a double bed, twin beds and a cot.

Using the gifted farm vegetables we had a lovely Christmas day meal of traditional roast turkey with all the trimmings. Cooking in an oven you are not familiar with can always prove a challenge, especially when making yorkshire puddings, but everything went without any hiccups and we finished the day in front of the warming fire, very satisfied.
Prior to our Christmas lunch we went on a walk down to Putsborough Beach which is accessible directly from the cottage. We donned our wellies, wrapped up well and headed off. On a good day it can take approximately 12 minutes according to Jane however as the ground was quite muddy and we were a little unsure of our way, it took us about 30 minutes to walk down to the beach. It's quite steep walking down which meant on our way back up to the cottage, we really did earn our Christmas dinner.

The beach was a delight and we couldn't have asked for better weather. The winter sun was out and the wind had dropped. The beach was full of families and couples walking their dogs and the surfers were out too.

Jane had also very kindly provided a free parking permit for 5 days to park directly at the beach. We used this in the week, parked up, walked along the beach for a few miles, stopped for lunch in the beach cafe and retreated back to the cottage to unwind.

Pickwell Courtwas everything we hoped it would be and more.

Visit Pickwell Barton's website for more details of this cottage and their additional holiday cottages. We found this cottage through the Farm Stay UK website.

There is plenty to do surrounding this beautiful coastline and 5 days was not quite enough time for us. There are some great pubs and restaurants locally and we will let you know about these over the coming days - so watch out for the posts.

There is something else that needs to be added here. From night one we both heard strange sounds and movements, neither of us told each other, for fear of spoiling the holiday. Of course we were both aware that some times old buildings make noises. It wasn’t until we got home and told each other what we heard that we realised what was going on, of all the things that happened our experiences were identical.

We both heard footsteps in the attic room above us.

We both heard whispering in the bedroom next to us, though both investigated on separate occasions but nothing was there when we opened the door. The room was icey cold though.

Every night we left the lounge door open, and every night we both heard it being closed, quite forcibly. Every night our bedroom door rattled as if somebody was trying to come in.

The passage outside our bedroom was quite long and wide with occasional furniture in it, at night there often appeared to be a man sitting in a chair at the far end, though on approaching him he seemed to disappear.

Well, there we have it, that is what happened. Make of it what you will.