Philham Water Cottage

1 review

A thatched cottage straight out of a fairy tale hidden beside a babbling brook just two miles from the wild rugged coast of north Devon

  • Sleeps 4
  • 1
  • 1
https://coolstays.imgix.net/69801.jpg?
Show all 26 images

Highlights

  • This 16th century cottage is in an Area of Outstanding natural Beauty located on the Hartland Peninsula.
  • The original interiors ooze with rustic character and boast low doorways, flagstone floors and a large stone fireplace.
  • Tranquil gardens have a myriad of long grasses and colourful blooms and are perfect for soaking up the remote country views.
  • Explore the wild, open countryside or the sparkling coast, walking along rugged woodland trails or the South West Coast Path.
https://coolstays.imgix.net/69804.jpg?
Show all 26 images
https://coolstays.imgix.net/69794.jpg?
Show all 26 images

You should know

  • As the cottage is in a remote, rural spot, a car is recommended to make the most of your stay.
  • Mobile phone signals may vary but WiFi is available to keep you connected.
  • As there is a stream in the cottage gardens, the property is not suitable for children.
  • There is also a picnic table & outdoor seating.
  • The baby Cot is not a standard cot; it is a travel cot.
  • There is also a bluetooth speaker for playing your own music and the kitchen cooker is electric and not gas.
  • Additional charges for dogs and cleaning
https://coolstays.imgix.net/69796.jpg?
Show all 26 images
https://coolstays.imgix.net/69790.jpg?
Show all 26 images

The details

Curl up beside a roaring fire or picnic in the grassy, open meadows, discovering the alluring coastal villages that inhabit the rugged Hartland Peninsula. Stroll through the overgrown forest trails and along craggy cliff faces, hunkering down in the old smugglers' inns and paddling on deserted, sandy beaches.

This bijou, two-storey cottage dates back to the early 16th century and according to local legend is the oldest of its kind in Devon. Hand-built from local cob and stone and with an iconic thatched rooftop, it is a picture-perfect haven hidden in a blissful country garden.

The interiors have a refreshing rustic simplicity and manage to blend modern comforts with Elizabethan history. Walls are uneven and thick; doorways are low with latching doors; there are flagstone floors and a massive fireplace containing a wood-burning stove.

Curl up in the cosy living room and read a book beside the crackling flames, or make use of the TV, WIFI and classic board games. Mismatched furnishings give it a warm and homely vibe and are joined by handpicked antiques that tell a story of simpler times. The family kitchen is traditional while well-equipped, and is ideal for rustling up some hearty, home-cooked dishes. Dine indoors or venture out into the flourishing garden to light up the BBQ and gaze out at star-lit vistas.

When you’re ready for bed, disappear to your tranquil double room, furnished with a sumptuous queen-size bed and thick, fluffy duvet. With views over the garden and stream and meadow beyond, it is a sublime hideout for those long morning lie-ins.

Spend your days exploring the garden dotted with foxgloves and roses. Pluck apples from the trees and pick blackberries in the lane, watching while horses gallop and cattle graze. An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty surrounds your secret hideaway and it is brimming with spectacular coastal scenery and country splendour. Walk along the Hartland Peninsula or the South West Coast Path, stopping off at chocolate-box Clovelly or Bude’s balmy, golden sands. Nearby Hartland village is less than two miles away and has a boutique collection of local potteries, three pubs and a charming tea room.

On the map

Detailed pricing info

There is a 2-night minimum for all bookings.

Bookings start on your first day at 4pm and end on your last day at 10am.

There is a cleaning fee of £50 per stay, plus £30 during the pandemic.

A refundable £150 breakage deposit is due, but will be returned on your departure, presuming everything is in good order.

Bookings of 7 days or more are discounted by approx. 10%.

"Weekend" pricing applies to Friday and Saturday nights. Sunday night is priced as a "week night."

For bookings of over 3 weeks, the code LONGHOL will give you a 25% discount.

<b>Low Season</b>:
Long weekend (Fri - Mon): £360
7 nights: from £595

<b>Mid Season</b>
Long weekend (Fri - Mon): £390
7 nights: from £770

<b>Peak Season</b>
Long weekend (Fri - Mon): £500
7 nights: from £875

<b>Christmas & New Year</b>
7 nights: from £895

Availability in Philham Water Cottage

Choose your check-in & check-out dates
February 2026
Mo
Tu
We
Th
Fr
Sa
Su
March 2026
Mo
Tu
We
Th
Fr
Sa
Su
Pick an arrival date

Reviews

From previous guests
5.0

Based on 1 review

5
4
3
2
1

The attention to detail at this wonderful cottage and thoughtfulness in making our stay a comfortable and memorable one was second to none. Not only is it situated in an area of outstanding beauty with some amazing walks, but the cottage is purely magical. We felt truly privileged to be able to step back in time for a week for an amazing holiday, never to be forgotten.

Coolstays User

Stayed June 2019

Similar places

You may also like

From the same owner

You may also like

On the blog

Philham Water Cottage features in these posts

£595-875
per week

Kit: Search Assistant

Hi! I'm your Coolstays assistant. Ask me to find properties like 'treehouse with hot tub in Cornwall' or 'romantic cottage in the Lake District'.