Hele Barton

Vacant Dates

We have a delightful picturesque thatched country cottage by the river or a barn conversion nearer to the farmhouse. Breakfast can be taken in the farmhouse if required.

Stable Lodge has facilities for the less able and in the cottage you may bring your dog. We also offer winterlets.

You may just want to stay a night, short break, a week or longer let depending on your reason for visiting our lovely area. Perhaps you are visiting friends, a wedding or party at Dukes, Thelbridge Cross Inn or somewhere else local, house hunting or just for a relaxing break. If you enjoy visitng gardens the spring & summer is perfect.

We are 10 miles (16 km) west of Tiverton , or 25mins from Junction 27 on the M5, and 8 miles (12km) north of Crediton, 10 miles(16km) south of South Molton.

Our position makes it an ideal base for visiting all parts of our wonderful county with its varied landscape from wind swept Dartmoor to the rolling coombes of Exmoor and the rugged NorthDevon coast with the long sandy beaches of Saunton and Woolacombe to the hidden coves and fishing villages of the South Devon coast.

For those of you watching our house being thacthed this summer, here is the latest photo:

Check out our links page for places of interest

Tiverton ("birthplace of Vicar of Dibley ?") is a busy market town just 20 mins drive away with pannier markets on Tuesday, Friday & Saturday.

Crediton famous for St. Boniface is again only 20 mins drive. Then within 35 mins we have the cathedral city of Exeter with the new Princesshay shopping centre.

South Molton is also reached in 20 mins, situated at the foothills of Exmoor, it comes alive on Thursdays when the cattle market is held together with the pannier market. " Johnny Kingdom country" Barnstaple and Bideford are just a short drive from South Molton via the North Devon Link road.

More local we have Witheridge just 2 miles with busy village stores & PO, newsagent, 2 pubs, primary school, doctors etc.

Then just half a mile we have the Thelbridge Cross Inn with restaurant and function room, ideal for just a drink, meal or party. If you are visiting for a wedding, party or other occasion we can offer accommodation. Nomansland is 3 miles with the Mount Pleasant Inn. In the other direction we have the village of Black Dog with the pub of the same name.London Inn at Morchard Bishop is another. There are many more just a short drive away.

From the farm are views of Dartmoor & Exmoor. Both are easily reached with Exmoor just half-hours drive.

Bluebells Hele Barton 9-05-08

Come and gain an insight to the life of today’s farmer as we live it 365 days a year.

Summer 2008 we are having our farmhouse rethatched, watch these craftsmen at work.

So many different things to see, changing with the seasons from lambing in the spring, to harvest in the summer. Autumn and winter bring their own delights in the counrtyside.

Country pursuits are a part of life in this area of Devon with many hunts and shoots in the area. Cruwys Morchard or the Affeton Estate are just two in the area.

In spring point-to-points are the locals day out. In autumn ploughing matches are part of the scene.

Bracing walks set you up to sample the local food on offer or relax in comfort with a book or film. Leaving the pressures of life behind you.

We keep about 300 ewes which we lamb in February and March and beef store cattle for fattening in the winter. We also have a few pedigree Devon cattle. Corn is grown to feed to them with hay and silage making us self-sufficient in animal food. Any surplus we sell to local horse owners.

There is an abundance of birds and wildlife to see. We regularly see barn owls (we have just put up a nest box in the hope that they will take up residence), and little owls. Buzzards, pheasants, curlews(who nest here) & skylarks are also a regular sight. Around the farmyard, swallows, swifts & house martins all nest. We have a large population of sparrows which our thatch shows evidence of. As the light fades bats put in their appearance. We also have dormice on the farm.

Jan 08 we have seen lapwings and bramblings.

A walk along the riverbank will enable you to see duck, moorhens, heron and occassionally a kingfisher or an otter. Rabbits,hares foxes, badgers & deer (roe & red) all can be seen at various times. Butterflies & moths are numerous as well as the many wildflowers, see how many you can spot.

We are farming to enhance the environment within the stewardship schemes of ELS & HLS to help encourage flower & fauna around the farm. Putting back an orchard & a wood are two projects at the moment.

To create habitats for wildlife and for guests to enjoy.

Come and explore this undiscovered part of Mid-Devon near where some of the BBC series "Down to Earth", the film " The Land Girls" and more recently Johnny Kingdom was filmed.

We have a thouroughbred horse Sovereign's Gift which Brian bred himself as he had a great love of racing. She has raced in Point to Points and won in 2003 over hurdles with Richard Johnson on board. Now has a colt foal born 19th May 2007. Due to foal again April 2009.

Please visit the rest of our website where you can find details of our cottage and barn conversion to stay in on a self-catering basis or with breakfast if farm commitments allow.

Weather

Dogs Welcome

Special Offers

B&B

Self-Catering

Cottage for 2

Cottage for 4+

Vacancies

Prices

Horse Riding

Come and meet the family: Gillian Gillbard who runs the holiday side, and with her son Paul also runs the farm since the sudden death of her husband Brian. Then there is Grandad (94!) to chat and tell you about how it used to be in his day.Having lived here since 1929. Daughter Claire, now married to Richard ( who plays rugby for Exeter Chiefs) with sons Ben and George completes our family. Then there is the sheepdog Buddy plus the "Black Dog" Harvey plus cats, hens, ducks and geese around the orchard.

The Gillbard family crest