Riverside Cottage

Surrounded by rugged moorland, deep green valleys and just a stone's throw from the North Devon coast, Riverside Cottage is the perfect location for a walking holiday. While 17th-century outlaws roamed these hills within the pages of Lorna Doone, today this part of Exmoor makes for a far more tranquil escape.

Tucked away in the pretty Exmoor hamlet of Malmsmead, this recently refurbished two-bedroom cottage offers everything you need for a relaxed family getaway. Compact yet comfortable, the cottage features an open-plan living space that retains a traditional feel thanks to exposed wooden beams and recessed windows. To the front is a garden with a patio and lawn area, which is shared with the tea-room next door, The Buttery Café & Riverside Gardens, which sometimes runs events. To the front of the garden lies Badgworthy Water – a small river with a picturesque 17th-century bridge and a ford that makes a popular spot for paddling in the summer.

The surrounding scenic landscape offers plenty for keen walkers, and was famously immortalised as the ‘Doone Valley’ by author R.D. Blackmore. The many varied trails take in sheltered combes, tranquil woods and high moorland. Fans of Lorna Doone can seek out local landmarks with connections to the novel, such as the medieval village of Hoccombe Combe and the secret waterfall at Lank Combe. The cottage accommodates one dog, so your faithful friend can join your adventure too. 

Further afield (20-minute drive or a full day’s there-and-back walk) you’ll find the National Trust café at Watersmeet, where the specialty is cream tea served with local whortleberry jam. Nearby are the picturesque villages of Lynton and Lynmouth where you’ll find the world’s steepest water-powered funicular railway, along with a shingle beach which can be explored at low tide. Porlock village is also worth a visit with its array of characterful cottages, shops, pubs and tea-rooms. Nearby National Trust properties include Dunster Castle and Arlington Court, both offering plenty of adventures for all the family, while sandy beaches can be found at Minehead, Combe Martin and Ilfracombe.