West Hele Farm
Lorna and Bob Hicks welcome you to West Hele farm holiday cottages. West Hele is a working beef farm set in beautiful North Devon rolling countryside. We have two disabled-friendly, self-catering holiday cottages in the picturesque and tranquil setting of our farm, hidden away 1½ miles from Buckland Brewer.
Garden Wing (3-star) is a self-contained wing of our Elizabethan farmhouse and sleeps 4. Orchard Barn (4-star) is a former barn with associated old orchard, and sleeps 6.
- Families/children welcome;
- Wheelchair & disabled friendly;
- Dogs welcome;
- 70 acres of farm and woodland for walking;
- 25 minutes to the coast; 15 minutes to Great Torrington;
- Beautiful gardens;
- Come and see the stars and listen to the silence;
- Watch the birds, wildlife and cattle.
The Cottages
Garden Wing is part of the traditional farmhouse and you enter through the Elizabethan porch. The living room is spacious with comfortable chairs and dining table that can seat 10 (useful if your party is in both cottages).
There is a king-size four-poster bed. The large attractive twin-bedded room overlooks the lawned garden with beds full of shrubs and herbaceous perennials. There is an level entry shower.
[More...]
Orchard Barn is a newly converted barn in the old orchard, retaining several original features. A gently ramped access from the parking area leads to the French doors and the patio from where you can enjoy the afternoon and evening sunshine.
The lounge has a vaulted ceiling with the original pulley wheel in situ that was used to drive a milling machine. An oak staircase leads up to a gallery. This cottage also has an level entry shower to assist disabled guests.
[More...]
We look forward to meeting and serving our guests, new and returning - testimonials are available.
For details of the access and equipment available to disabled guests, go to the Disabled Facilities web-page).
The Gardens
As you arrive at West Hele, you will be greeted at the entrance lane planted with rhododendrons loaded with blooms in May and June, and with some varieties such as Polar Bear (summer) flowering at other times.
Other planting extends interest throughout the year, starting with snowdrops in January and ending with the holly berries at Christmas. There is a wide variety of wildlife, insects and birds at West Hele – see how many you can spot!
There are two principal garden areas:
- The Garden Wing (farmhouse) garden: The area immediately in front of the farmhouse has been a garden for several generations and shrubs such as the Bay Leaf tree, fuschia, and rose were growing here a century ago.
There is a traditional vegetable garden, from which you may share in the crops in season. A large lawn is surrounded by flower beds, mainly planted with more rhododendrons. A wooden table with seats is here for your al fresco meals.
- Orchard Barn garden: A wide paved patio surrounds the barn on the south and west. It is a lovely place to sit and enjoy the sun and sunsets.
This is a traditional orchard, planted with fruit trees - apple, pear, plum, cherry. The beds have plants chosen for their fragrance and herbs. There is lots of space for children to play, and an old tractor.
Slideshows of the gardens are available on the Garden Wing and Orchard Barn web-pages.