Ash Tree Farm Cottage review by Jill Pendleton.
Visited on Wednesday 8th June 2011.
Say hello to Audrey at Ash Tree self catering cottage deep in the countryside on the edge of Dartmoor.
She is one hard working lady. She keeps sheep and runs her holiday let on the farm here in Devon.
The front door is down garden steps. Not good for a wheelchair. There is a switch at the top of the steps
should you arrive home in the dark. Plenty of space to park, approached down a private gated drive.
A sunny living room with dining table and chairs for 5 folks and comfy seating area in front of a wood
burning Rayburn. Games and books on hand, along with the television and music centre.
The view from the dining table shows the galley kitchen and the front door beyond with the sun pouring in.
Everything you need. An electric cooker, crockery and a water filter at the sink, as the water comes from a well
on the farm. Audrey and her husband are very ethnically minded, so the water is their own supply and they
grow masses of good vegetables and fruit. You are invited to buy free range eggs and vegetables during your stay.
Through the living room is a private decking area overlooking a verdant piece of countryside.
Ideal for anyone interested in birds, wild flowers and wildlife. Otters are in this valley and the full address
is Deer Park Farm for good reason, as deer are always on the farm along with foxes, bats and dormice.
This room is over the sitting room, and has a single bed and a bed settee. It also has the facilities shown in
the photo here, a microwave, a kettle and sink. The middle shot shows the water purification system in the kitchen.
This is the second bedroom upstairs. With a double plus a single child bed.
A minimum of fuss and the building has plenty of insulation.
Modern bathrooms upstairs and down. This one upstairs does not have a shower, but the downstairs one does.
Back downstairs is another bedroom, a double, with the bathroom adjacent.
This is the downstairs bathroom, which has a shower over the bath. Visitors are requested to use eco-friendly
products during their stay and to bear in mind that there is no mains drainage here. There is of course a septic
tank in place. It's a very green living environment. You will find Fairtrade tea, coffee and chocolate, 2 litres of milk,
bread and some basics in the cupboards. Audrey is happy to collect a grocery order for you from her local co-op.
It's a friendly place for a holiday. You are invited to a guided walk around the farm to say hello to Audrey's
sheep and there is a basket of logs in place for cooler evenings. They are used to family visitors.
This is flexible accommodation, ideal for grandparents to join in, or an older teenager who might fancy
the almost independent upstairs bedroom. The decking space is perfect for outdoor lunches and suppers.
I would recommend the cottage to countryside loving families.
Or quiet minded friends.You won't be able to stroll along to the local pub in the evening and I know that Audrey would be upset if you all drove off for the day and left the lights on needlessly, but if you
are in tune withthe environment and looking for a holiday with
as little impact on the community as possible, then this
self catering cottage is just what you need.
You could be in for a badger spotting treat, and you can taste
the very freshest of vegetables. And by the way there is no
passing traffic here.
If you need to study or want to spend your time away just reading maybe, then you really will love it. Come in the Spring in time for lambing. One young family really enjoyed that this year.
Ash Tree Farm Cottage Self Catering, Bovey Tracey, TQ13 0NH Telephone: 01626 852775, Email.
To see more of my reviews click below
All photos by me Jill Pendleton of www.dartmooraccommodation.co.uk
