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Kohtalo | Luxury Self-Catering Home | Ilfracombe, North Devon

Kohtalo

Combe Martin, Ilfracombe, Devon, UK

With their paths entwined from the very beginning, the owners of Kohtalo first met on the site of this contemporary abode when they were children. Since then, both led a life of travel and rock 'n' roll before coming back to the edge of Exmoor to realise their dreams of building a home together. Just 15 minutes from Ilfracombe and with a hot tub settled under the stars, this luxury self-catering home is a modern and welcoming family escape.

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Introduction

Built with soul and constructed from local materials, this luxury self-catering home close to the North Devon coast has been thoughtfully designed to feel as though its bright living spaces are a continuation of the rural landscape outside. Handed down through the family, the rolling field in which the house now sits was tended by the owner's mother to grow fruit and vegetables; the large beech tree in the corner planted by the hands of his father. Kohtalo is a home where time is easily spent and, whether that's sipping fresh coffee around the kitchen island or regaling in rollicking stories by the firepit, moon glowing above, memories are sure to be made.

Inside

Between the cedar cladding and zinc roof is a collection of the old and new, with a mixture of furnishings and art collected through nothing more than tasteful enjoyment. Spanning the length of the open-plan living and dining room, gliding doors blur the lines between inside and out; allowing the fury of nature to be marvelled at from the comfort of the olive green L-shaped sofa in the cooler months, or, on balmy summer days, leading out onto the patio and garden, expanding the living area to the horizon and onto the ether. Mid-century, modern, antique and textures galore, Kohtalo is a true manifestation of a life well-lived.

Outside

With the high, craggy cliffs of the North Devon coast just minutes away and the wild expanse of Exmoor National Park grazing the doorstep, adventurers will be in their element at Kohtalo. Hiking trails, secret wild swimming spots and reliable surf breaks are abundant, as are pretty seaside villages and quaint thatched tearooms overflowing with artisan coffee and slabs of cake large enough for two, but too delicious to share. If one really cannot muster the strength to prize away, there is no shame in staying put; reclining on the al fresco sofa from sun-up to sundown, with not a care in the world other than where the next margarita is coming from is a rather wonderful thing.

The Facts

  • SleepsUp to 8 guests
    From £2,395 per week, £1,750 per short break
  • Alternative group optionUp to 4 guests
  • Bedrooms and bathroomsThe master bedroom is on the ground floor, with super king-size bed, dressing room, en suite with rolltop bath and separate shower and gliding doors leading onto the patio. There are two further bedrooms with king-size beds (one on both the ground and first floors), along with a zip-and-link bedroom on the first floor. There is one family shower room on the ground floor, and one family bathroom with bath and walk-in shower on the first floor.
    View bedrooms
  • FeaturesHot tub
  • PetsTwo well-behaved dogs are welcome
    Each pet is charged at £60 per week or part thereof
  • Arrivals and departuresArrival Day: Friday or MondayArrival Time: 4pmDeparture Time: 10am
  • FamilyYes, children are very welcome. One travel cot and one highchair are available on prior request.
  • PracticalitiesThere is parking for at least six cars on the gated driveway, please be aware that low-slung cars may have trouble with clearance when they come through the gate; limited on-road parking is available as an alternative option. The modern kitchen includes a double oven, gas hob, American fridge-freezer, Nespresso machine, boiling water tap, dishwasher and wine fridge. There is a separate utility room with washing machine and tumble dryer. Due to some steep drops in the garden, children should be supervised at all times. The lower garden is not completely enclosed, so wandering dogs should not be left unattended for their own safety, and for the safety of the neighbours free-roaming chickens. Please note the fire pit and outdoor furniture are stowed away during the winter months (end of October to the end of March). There is limited phone signal at the property and guests are advised to set up WiFi calling if possible; a landline is available if not.
  • Homestay includesLuxury welcome hamper of local produce, four Smart TVs with Netflix, Playstation 3 and games, Nespresso coffee machine, WiFi, Bluetooth surround sound system, recipe books...House book - your property and destination guideDiscover more
  • Private cateringSeeking a celebratory dinner or fully catered escape? Our recommended caterers will work with you to create personalised menus for your stay. Details are shared through our house book on confirming your booking.
  • RetreatsFrom foraging weekenders to crash courses in cold-water therapy, our bespoke retreats bridge the gap between luxury and back-to-nature philosophies. Create a hand-crafted stay that puts connectivity at the fore.
  • RestrictionsParties considered on prior permission from the owner, fireworks are not permitted in the grounds
  • Other informationProperty terms and conditionsFrequently asked questionsEV charger locationsCheck mobile signalRecommend to a friend

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Kohtalo´s open-plan living area extends out onto the patio
Gather around the kitchen island for cocktails as supper cooks
Sweet dreams are made of this four poster super king-size bed

Prices & Availability

Ilfracombe

Framed by soaring cliffs, fronted by a promenade strung with glowing lanterns and inhabited by pretty Victorian townhouses overlooking the sea; Ilfracombe on the North Devon coast embodies every nostalgic whim of the great British seaside.

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Ilfracombe
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Getting there

  • On the Map Kohtalo sits just outside of Combe Martin in North Devon, just nine miles from Ilfracombe.
  • By Car From London, take the M4 toward Bath, take M5 South and follow the directions provided to the property.
  • By Train The nearest train station is Barnstaple, ten miles from the property.
  • By Air International airports can be found at Bristol or Exeter, 2 hours and one hour away respectively.

From the owner

“Having poured ourselves into building Kohtalo between 2018 and 2021, we´re thrilled and delighted to welcome you to our home in rural Devon.”

From the owner

Although Kohtalo is relatively new, it's not devoid of history; the land that the house sits on was originally owned by Ed's parent's, who lived in the cottage over the road. They used the space to grow fruit and vegetables during the '90s and '00s, while Ed used it to charge around on mountain bikes with his two older brothers. 

Sat in front of the fire one evening in 2017, we sketched the first designs for the house on a napkin. Since then, it's been wildly exciting to watch our biro sketches become a place that will now always be home to us, made all the more special by the fact that we've been able to do the majority of the building work ourselves. I'm sure that anyone who's ever attempted a self-build will agree, they never come without their tribulations, but for us, it was worth every shattered shower screen, late delivery and sleepless night.

We've since been able to have the whole family here to enjoy balmy summer nights on the patio, as well as cosy Christmases, plenty of birthdays and happy weekends. It's a joyful place, full of soul and fond memories, and we hope that by the end of your stay, you will feel the same. 

Ed & Emily

Owner recommendations

Live like a local, discovering the best hidden gem restaurants, walks and attractions during your holiday in Ilfracombe with an insider’s perspective.

Surf at Woolacombe beach

To Do

Surf at Woolacombe beach

Less than a half hour´s drive away is one of the UK´s finest surfing beaches. You can hire boards and book onto surf lessons, all before hitting the lively bars in town.

S&P Fish Shop, Ilfracombe

To Eat

S&P Fish Shop, Ilfracombe

Working alongside the local fishing community, this fishmongers-come-bistro offers some of the finest seafood-with-a-view in the area.

Lundy Island

To See

Lundy Island

Owned by the Landmark Trust, spend a sunny afternoon exploring this tiny island which sits where the wild Atlantic meets the Bristol Channel. Ornithologists will be in their element here - don´t forget the binoculars!

Quince Honey Farm, South Molton

To Do

Quince Honey Farm, South Molton

One of Britain´s leading honey farms, this family-run business offers its guests demonstrations and hands-on activities like making candles. Take a tour or a half-hour taster as a beekeeper before enjoying a slab of cake in the cafe.

Guest Testimonials

Beautiful house, perfect stay for 3 generations and a dog. Lots to do in the area and plenty of space for everyone to relax when home. Thank you for a fantastic break in North Devon.

Beautifully designed property that worked perfectly for our family. Loved being in such peaceful countryside, but also just a short drive to beaches etc. Highly recommend both Unique Homestays and this property.

The modern open plan layout caught our eye, it allowed dogs and had a hot tub. We didn’t want to leave, the beds and pillows were the most comfortable and it was lovely to have the dogs catered for too. Beautiful modern property in a quiet location. We had a wonderful stay.

We were very happy with our stay and loved that Exmoor National Park was literally across the road. Thank you for providing us with the great UK memories we´ve had with family and friends!

Thank you so much for such a comfortable stay - what a beautiful home! Kohtalo has everything you could ever want or need, and in such a pretty location! We had a fantastic time here and will remember this stay for some time!

This house is lovely! Thank you for letting us stay at Kohtalo! We have made many happy memories to take back with us to London... we wish we could stay longer. We absolutely loved having a hot tub and a big garden!

We have no doubt we will visit Kohtalo again. This house is spectacular and we are returning home with many happy memories from our stay. Thank you for sharing your home with us.

What can we say... WOW! We simply loved this house. We had a much-needed break and happy family get-together celebrating our wedding anniversary. We feel so lucky to have stayed at Kohtalo, we loved the sunny breakfasts on the terrace watching the wildlife, adored the hot tub and enjoyed the glorious robes and slippers; instant luxurious relaxation! The kitchen is a pleasure to cook together happily in and the beds are so comfortable, we all slept so well! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

We were honoured to have been the first guests at Kohtalo! Thank you for the welcome hamper; the vegan pasties were a real treat. Thank you for crafting a piece of heaven on earth and letting us share your dream home... We can´t wait to return!

Unique extras

From private chefs to luxury at-home spa therapists and adrenalin-fuelled retreats, once you’ve booked your stay we’ll introduce you to our owner-recommended suppliers to create a truly bespoke, memorable escape.

Press

Below are a selection of features in which Unique Homestays has appeared. If you would like to feature the property in an editorial capacity, please contact the marketing team on +44 (0)1637 882014.

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Disclaimer: These particulars, whilst believed to be accurate, are set as a guideline so should not be relied upon as a statement of fact. The photographs show aspects of the property at the time they were taken and it should not be assumed that the property remains precisely as displayed. If there are points of particular importance that need clarifying before you book, please contact us.

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