Hedgehogs is a charming pet-friendly house in the town of Barnstaple which is ideally situated in the centre of the North Devon coastline, just over 20 miles from Lynton and Lynmouth to the east and Hartland and Clovelly to the west.

This property is great for a family or small group of friends wanting a getaway. Westward Ho! and Saunton Sands are 15-20 minutes away by car, and the extensive sandy beach at Woolacombe and Putsborough is just over half an hour travelling time. The well-known Tarka cycling and walking trail is just a few minutes away.

Hedgehogs has a cosy lounge with two sofas and an electric flame-effect fire. This leads into the kitchen with everything you need for a self-catered stay. Cook up a treat for everybody and plate it up to serve on the dining table in the conservatory. Head outside if the sun is beaming down to enjoy a drink in the courtyard garden.

Upstairs you will find two double bedrooms, one with a standard double bed, the second has a smaller 4ft double placed against the wall, with views over the rear garden. The family bathroom has both a bath and shower. Less than a 20 minute walk away, or a 3 minute car journey you will find Sainsbury’s, Lidl and Aldi. In the opposite direction also a 20 minute walk or 3 minute drive is Cedars Inn, a dog-friendly hotel with bar and restaurant. There are lots of beaches along the coastline, from huge stretches of sand at Woolacombe, Saunton Sands and Westward Ho! to smaller more intimate beaches like Combe Martin, Broadsands (steep climb down), Instow and Croyde. Surfing and paddle boarding schools can be found on the larger beaches, as well as kayak hire, coast steering and sailing. Dog restrictions might apply to some beaches during the summer months so please check.

Boat trips from Ilfracombe along the coastline are delightful, and you can travel over to the island of Lundy from Bideford or Ilfracombe weather permitting (sadly no dogs allowed on Lundy).

Bicycles can be hired in Barnstaple and Bideford for the Tarka Trail, 32 miles of traffic-free old railway track. Suitable for the least experienced cyclist and children, there are a number of cafes and pubs along the route. Major towns in the area include Barnstaple, Bideford, Ilfracombe and South Molton where you will find the usual shops, coffee houses, cinemas and theatres. Attractions in the area include Exmoor Zoo, The Milky Way, The Big Sheep, Air Extreme Trampoline Park, Quince Honey Farm, RHS Rosemoor, Clovelly, Hartland Abbey and Point, Dartington Glass, Ilfracombe Aquarium, Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway and the Barnstaple and Lynton narrow Steam Railway at Woody Bay. Appledore is a delightful quaint fishing village with a Maritime Museum and many cafes. Northam Burrows Country Park borders the sea and is worth exploring, or enjoy a round of golf at the Royal North Devon Golf Club.

For those who enjoy walking, the whole of the coastline can be walked on the South West Coast Path, and there are also large sections of Exmoor National Park to explore.

Barnstaple enjoys a superb location at the mouth of the Taw Estuary, on the spectacular North Devon coastline between Westward Ho! and Croyde and is a short drive from the Exmoor National Park. Barnstaple is a busy traditional Devon coastal town with a pannier market, shops, restaurants and bars, along with two fabulous sandy beaches, which are popular with surfers and families. The town is renowned for its floral displays having won a Britain in Bloom award and flowers are found around every corner of the town in the most unusual places. Barnstaple lies at the end of the magnificent Tarka line railway journey, which takes you through the spectacular North Devon countryside of wooded river valleys, rugged moorland and a stretch of coastline, plus close by is the picture postcard coastal village of Clovelly. A combination of numerous long sandy beaches and family attractions makes Barnstaple a desirable holiday destination.

Accommodation