Swallow's Nest

Overview

This bespoke, hand-made hideaway is brimming with imagination and character. From the historic touches that hint at Swallow’s Nest’s incredible past, to the outdoor kitchen filled with gadgets just waiting for you to try your hand at cooking up a few delicacies, this is a truly unique place to escape for a few days. With a crackling wood burner for getting cosy after the day’s adventures and a beautiful roll-top bath tub next to the bed, your days will be filled with luxurious touches to make this the most dreamy getaway.

Step Inside

Step inside Swallow’s Nest to be greeted by an inspiring sense of history. With exposed beams, cobbled floors and cob walls, the incredible past of this enchanting hideaway is easy to imagine. There are even medieval patterns engraved in the walls to bring luck and ward off evil spirits! After a day spent exploring the local area, light the wood burner in the open plan living and kitchen area and let the warmth wash over you.

Head through to the kitchen to cook up a delicious meal using the electric oven and two-ring hob. After enjoying dinner at the breakfast bar, curl up on the plush sofa and switch on the TV to enjoy a movie night, or delve into the pages of a beloved book.

When sleep becomes irresistible, climb the ladder stairs to the mezzanine bedroom and snuggle down in the super king-size bed. When you wake in the morning, start the day in luxury by soaking in the roll-top bath tub.

Outdoors

Step out through the glazed, industrial-style double doors at the front of the hideaway and you'll find yourself in a private courtyard, which is perfect for alfresco dining and for four-legged friends to explore. Enjoy a leisurely morning coffee as the sunlight fills the space and you plan the day’s adventures.

Rustle up a feast in the outdoor kitchen which has a wood-fired pizza oven, a Japanese-style Kamado barbecue, and a ceramic smoker for you to try. So, whether you fancy flame-grilled ribs or a tasty pizza with all the toppings, you’ll have everything you need. What's more, you can try out some of the fantastic beer from the farm's very own micro-brewery, which makes the perfect accompaniment.

From your courtyard, a gate leads to the adjacent meadow that borders the River Exe. Meet the neighbouring rare-breed sheep, cattle, and goats before exploring your stunning surroundings. Why not treat yourself to a dip in the fresh, deep water of the river itself? You might spot an otter or a kingfisher, and it’s certainly a magical way to reconnect with nature and find a spot of tranquillity.

Explore

The nearby town of Tiverton has an abundance of things to be discovered. History lovers can visit the 12th Century castle or one of the museums to learn more about the heritage of the area, and arts lovers can take in theatre and comedy at the Tiverton Community Arts Theatre or visit one of several art galleries. Browse the local independent shops, and maybe bring back a few foodie finds to cook up in the outdoor kitchen back at your hideaway.

The town of Bampton is also close by, with lots of amenities and a choice of cafés. The cathedral city of Exeter is only a short distance away, with plenty of things to see and do including shopping, restaurants and bars, galleries and museums, and theatres.

The breathtaking landscape of Exmoor National Park is within easy reach, with abundant opportunities to explore and stunning scenery around every corner. Put on your hiking boots and walk this unique landscape of moorland, woodland, valleys and farmland to feel truly connected with nature. Why not try a spot of foraging or nature journaling?

For something a little different, you could book a trip on a horse-drawn narrowboat on the Grand Western Canal. This former canal turned nature reserve is home to an incredible array of wildlife, from swans and otters to dragonflies and kingfishers. You could also hire canoes or paddleboards to explore this lovely stretch of water.

General

Who wants an average holiday let when you can have a bespoke getaway destination that's hand-made and full of both imagination and historic character? There's a surprise around every corner at Swallow's Nest, in the heart of Hatherland Mill Farm - an award-winning traditional smallholding where sustainability is a way of life. This whole place is, in fact, a true one-off, with the owners living in a thatched house across the farmyard (where there's also another holiday cottage) - living the dream and sharing it with their guests.

Exposed beams and stone walls, a cobbled floor and cob walls provide the background to the authentic atmosphere in Swallow's Nest. There are even medieval patterns engraved into the walls - designed to keep you in luck and ward off witchcraft. On the ground floor, a comfy living area consists of a sofa, TV and wood-burner, with a small dining-table and, at one end, a fitted kitchen area, with a breakfast bar, that includes everything you need to create delicious meals. There's also a spacious shower-room, with sleek and stylish fittings and a walk-in shower (it goes without saying that there's a proper flushing loo and hot-and-cold running water on demand). Narrow-treaded ladder stairs lead to the mezzanine bedroom, with its reclaimed ecclesiastical carved-wood panel, super-king (and super-comfy) bed and - best of all - a free-standing, roll-top bath. It's all centrally heated, too, so no worries about keeping cosy in cooler weather.

Step out through the double doors that form part of the glazed, industrial-style front wall and you're in a private courtyard (perfect for four-legged friends), that boasts an incredible feature - an outdoor kitchen with not only a wood-fired pizza oven but also a Japanese-style Kamado barbecue and ceramic smoker. This is the place to experiment with cooking and dining al fresco, whether it's ribs over the BBQ or a tasty pizza with all the toppings. What's more, you can also try out some of the fantastic beer from the farm's very own micro-brewery: the perfect accompaniment.

From your courtyard, a gate leads to the adjacent meadow that borders the River Exe. When you have finished admiring the rare-breed sheep, cattle and goats that are your neighbours, you are welcome to swim in its deep, fresh water. You might spot an otter or a kingfisher; you'll certainly enjoy being surrounded by rural peace and tranquillity, breathing in lungfuls of fresh air and simply re-setting yourself with a one-of-a-kind, back-to-nature experience.

Out and About

Head off to Tiverton to explore this busy market town and its 12th Century castle, and the nearby gothic mansion of Knightshayes Court, with beautiful formal gardens. Bampton, meanwhile, is known for its prize-winning, flower-lined streets and historic buildings, while the village of Dulverton stands in the heart of Exmoor's gorgeous countryside and is home to the Exmoor National Park Centre. Put on your hiking boots and walk this unique landscape of moorland, woodland, valleys and farmland, with beautiful views around every corner or, for something a little different, why not book a trip on a horse-drawn narrowboat on the Grand Western Canal? It's now a nature reserve that's home to all kinds of wildlife, from swans and otters to dragonflies and kingfishers.

Layout

Open plan living-room with kitchen and dining areas. 2 ring electric hob, electric oven, kettle, toaster, slimline dishwasher, fridge (with ice-box), wood-burner and TV. Shower-room with shower, WC and wash-basin. Mezzanine: Bedroom with super king-size double bed (6') and roll-top bath.

Extra Information

Due to the rural location, the WiFi can be intermittent. Please take care with the narrow-treaded stairs and cobbled floor.