Cleave Meadow

East Down, Devon

2 Humans

2 Dogs

Dogs stay free

Why we love it

Escape it all at this shepherd’s hut near the coast, spend an afternoon in the wood-fired bathtub, and the evening under the stars by the firepit

Dogs will love

Romping about in their large outdoor space
Finding their dog blanket and bowl on arrival
Cuddling up by their human by the wood burner

Humans will love

Spending a night by the open firepit
Afternoons barbequing in the garden
Seeing in the evening in the wood-fired bathtub

The place

Built into the side of a ravine, Cleave Meadow shepherd’s hut overlooks the hillside to the west of Exmoor National Park. This is an amazing space for two to settle down for a few days and forget your troubles. Wake up with the sun and let the dog out in the morning to fresh air and the buzzards swooping above. You’re only four miles to the coast here, so it’d be easy to pop over and explore the beaches, the windswept walks, and little market towns that pepper the coast. You could shoot off towards the moors for activities or longer walks, but there are plenty of smaller strolls you can take with the dog nearby, and if you’re here to get away from it all, you could tire them out in the garden simply throwing balls from the outdoor bathtub.

Sleeping

1x Double bed in open-plan layout

Washing

Private bathroom with shower

Living and relaxing

Outdoor wood-fired bathtub
Firepit with initial supply of firewood
Two wooden deck chairs and table
Wood burner
Board games

Cooking and dining

A Devon cream tea on arrival
Kitchen including fridge/freezer, gas hob, kettle, utensils and microwave
Cooking basics supplied - tea, coffee and sugar
Indoor foldable table with chairs for two
Picnic bench
BBQ

For the dog

Dog bowl
Dog blanket
Space for dog bed under the bed
Dogs stay free!

Booking information

Check in 1600
Check out 1100
Self check-in with padlocks inside to lock as you wish

Optional extras

Initial firewood is provided, further firewood can be bought from the log store with an honesty box

You should know

The owners have two friendly border collies, Alfie and Bertie, who may come to say hi!
The owners also have two horses, Mr Pickles and Harley, as well as sheep – so when you walk through the sheep field, keep your four-legged friends on a lead until you are through your hut gateway
Please keep dogs off the bed (they’ll find plenty of other cosy spots to settle in)
Book both Cleave Meadow and Sheary Meadow together for groups of 4!

1.5 miles away, the local pub, The Pyne Arms, is a great spot for dining. With multiple awards for its cuisine, it serves locally sourced food that varies from fine dining to pub grub but is always high quality. Four-legged friends are welcome at the bar or outside. You’ve also the option to take an 11-minute drive to The Muddiford Inn, where Chef Phil uses his experience working in Michelin-starred restaurants to craft yet more locally sourced food that’s wowed national papers. Dogs are welcomed in the bar
You’re not far from Ilfracombe here, and all it has to offer. You could pop out for a beach visit, either strolling Ilfracombe Beach or Wildersmouth Beach with your dog, taking coastal strolls or walking the harbour. In the town itself, there are several places to eat out with a pup, including The Olde Thatched Inn and The Hele Bay Pub – both welcome dogs on leads
It’s well worth heading out to Woolacombe for the beaches with long stretches of wide-open sand, rock pools and dunes. If you’re bringing a surfboard with you, there’s even some decent surf here – if your dog doesn’t mind watching you wrestle the water. There’s also, of course, Woolacombe itself, with several places to grab food or coffee with your dog, including The Jube, a dog-friendly pub, or Meraki Coffee
If you’re still in search of some beaches, the closest is Combe Martin Beach (with some seasonal dog restrictions to check), or you're a half-hour drive to Saunton Sands – a fantastic beach for dogs, as it’s massive with plenty of dunes to scarper up and down, and best of all, it’s dog friendly all year round
Other than the wealth of coastline to choose from, there’s still some incredible stuff to see inland. If you take a half-hour drive northeast, you will find the amazing National Trust property, Watersmeet. Originally built as a fishing and hunting lodge in 1832, it sits where two rivers… well, meet. There are 2000 acres of estate to explore in ancient oak woodlands, and a tea garden serving light lunches. It’s incredibly beautiful and dog friendly!
It’s less than 20 minutes to Exmoor from this spot, and that means you have an incredible wealth of moor, woodland, river and hill walks all to explore with your four-legged friend. It’s also adjacent to Dunkery & Horner Wood National Nature Reserve. Be sure to pop out here to tucker out the hound, but be warned – this is an excellent place for a mud bath!

Location

East Down, Devon ///subway.neon.passports EX31 4NY

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