Gorsestone
North Bovey, Dartmoor, Devon, UK
With walls of rubbled granite and a natural palette of yellow golds and mossy greens, Gorsestone looks like it emerged fully formed from Dartmoor’s bilberry heaths. Set on 55 private acres of wildlife-rich woodland in Devon, speckled with fruit orchards and ponds, this luxury self-catering farmhouse is the poster child for transitional design; evoking the feeling of being among the moss and water mint even when indoors with a pot of tea.
Introduction
A former longhouse and shippon, now a luxury self-catering barn and cottage on Dartmoor, Gorsestone brings celebratory flair to Devon’s wildest chapter. Passed hand-to-hand from 15th-century herders to modern day professionals seeking refuge from the city, this moorland stronghold has stood the test of time. Though medieval roof trusses still whisper of a past life, plush touches put a pep in the step of its 600-year-long history. A hot tub that sends warm mist rising over butterscotch moorland, a glasshouse yoga space, and a “see it to believe it” cinema room all make this an archetypal celebration home where families come to create a lifetime of spirited stories.
Inside
This is a home of contrasts: old and new, little and lofty, gnarled and woolly-soft. There’s shadowy nooks where children can scribble with chalk on the walls, and enormous modular sofas made for in-house movie premieres. While still retaining proof of its identity by way of lintels and half-pint windows, Gorsestone’s renovation has been marked by one fundamental shift: no longer built to keep nature out, its redesign invites the moorland in. In a show of affection for the great outdoors, ribbons of structural glass make Dartmoor part of the interior, allowing for the easy pour of light into its Om-inducing living spaces. Biophilic wizardry, incarnate.
Outside
Wildlings, welcome. Located on a secluded, species-rich patch of Dartmoor, this luxury farmhouse is a grown up's forest school. When fair weather (or poetic downpours) tempt you out, you’ll find scores of trails leading to territories that still feel utterly unmapped: think temperate rainforests and carpets of bluebells where ponies roam. Nearby in North Bovey, inns serving hearty roasts rub shoulders with corner shops stocking the best of local fare for al fresco brunches, while the glistening English Riviera is just an hour by car. Come nightfall, set a flame to the firepit and get about charring mallows as the sky turns apricot above Sherlock's country.
The Facts
- SleepsUp to 14 guests
From £4,250 per week, £3,195 per short break - Alternative group optionUp to 8 guests
- Bedrooms and bathroomsThere are seven en suite bedrooms at this luxury farmhouse, split between the Cottage and the Barn. Three of the rooms have super king-size beds and four have zip-and-link beds that can be made as either twin beds or super king-size beds. There are individual WCs on the ground floor of both the barn and the cottage.
View bedrooms - FeaturesCinema room, hot tub, pool table, and play room
- 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
- FamilyBabies and children are very welcome; one travel cot and one highchair are available.
- PracticalitiesThere is ample off-road parking for five cars; one on the gravel driveway and four on the concrete forecourt. The roads to the farmhouse are winding, single lane roads typical of Dartmoor. The barn’s kitchen has an oil-fired Aga, induction hob, Miele built-in coffee machine, KitchenAid blender, microwave, fridge-freezer, and dishwasher. The cottage’s kitchen has one gas and one electric Aga, a Nespresso machine, blender, fridge-freezer, and dishwasher; there is also a separate boot room. There is underfloor heating in the barn. Please note that the garden is not completely enclosed and there are wild animals on Dartmoor, so please exercise due diligence if you are travelling with dogs and young children. If booking the alternative group option of up to eight guests, bedrooms one, two and three in the Cottage and bedroom one in the Barn will be available.
- Homestay includesA luxury welcome hamper including honeycomb milk chocolate and Heron Valley sharp apple juice, iPad, superfast broadband served by Elon Musk’s Order Starlink, three Smart TVs with Netflix (including a 100” TV in the barn’s cinema room and a 42” TV in the cottage’s snug), KEF and ELAC sound systems, gas barbecue, books and board games, luxury bed linens, towels, and bathrobes, and logs and kindling to get you started.House book - your property and destination guideDiscover more little luxuries
- Private cateringDiscover your options for private dining and fully catered breaks.
- Additional extrasA handpicked selection of unique experiences are available at this property.
- Other informationProperty terms and conditionsFrequently asked questionsView floor planEV charger locationsCheck mobile signalRecommend to a friend
Prices & Availability
North Bovey
Clinging to the south-east of wuthering Dartmoor and famed for its pretty thatched cottages, this former tin-mining village keeps society right at your fingertips while on wild explorations of the National Park.
Getting there
- On the Map This luxury farmhouse is set on 55 private acres in North Bovey on the south-east of Dartmoor, Devon.
- By Car Gorsestone is around 10 minutes from Moretonhampstead, 45 minutes from Exeter, and four-and-a-half hours from London.
- By Train Newton Abbot Railway Station is 30 minutes away, and Exeter St David's Station is 40 minutes away by car. There are regular direct trains from London Paddington with a journey time of two-and-a-half hours on Great Western Railways.
- By Air Exeter Airport is 30 minutes from Gorsestone by car, while Newquay Airports is around one-and-a-half hours away.
From the owner
“We think of our beautiful home on the edge of Dartmoor´s wild moorland as an escape to nature, a place to get outside and experience all the elements. It’s a quiet retreat and an entertaining space all in one, designed for both yoga sessions and doors-open dining on balmy summer’s evenings.”
By far our favourite thing to do here is to spend our time outside. There are 55 acres of private ponds, fields and woodlands to explore. Pop on some wellies and head through the small gate, pass the vegetable patch, then follow the path downhill past the ponds and through the fields beyond which, depending on the season, will be buzzing with butterflies and insects in the wildflowers.
In the woodland, you'll clamber over mossy stone walls and gnarly trees before reaching the river at the bottom. Rest awhile and enjoy a drink (with a view of Gorsestone) at Bovey Castle, then stop by the orchard on the way home and pick some apples to cook up into a sweet crumble.
When sheltering from the elements, we'll sit with cups of tea at the far end of the barn upstairs, beyond the sofa. From here, there’s magical views over Bovey Castle and the rolling emerald Devonshire hills. Get the fire going, and you've the ideal space from which to play a board game and listen to music.
We hope that you find, as we do, that a stay at our moorland escape leaves you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.
The Sullivans
Owner recommendations
Live like a local, discovering the best hidden gem restaurants, walks and attractions during your holiday in North Bovey with an insider’s perspective.
To Eat
Ring of Bells, North Bovey
This atmospheric pub in the pretty village of North Bovey is just a 20 minute walk away. Expect award-winning organic produce, local cask ales, and fresh vegetables plucked from their own market garden.
To See
Dartmoor
Dartmoor National Park has towns and villages a-plenty to explore; from brooding Princetown and picturesque Widecombe-in-the-Moor to tiny Postbridge and genteel Chagford. In between lies a natural playground full of possibilities.
To Do
Art Galleries, Totnes
With a high street full of galleries featuring works from local artists, it´s worth the 40-minute trip to pick up a Dartmoor momento. Our favourite ones are White Space and Charlie O´Sullivan´s A Pickled Thought.
To See
Dartington Hall, Totnes
Should you wish to explore further afield, travel to this 1,200-acre estate in Dartington to spend an afternoon among the fern-covered stone walls and dramatic topiaries of its Grade II-listed gardens. After, grab a seasonal bite at The White Hart.
Unique extras
Enhance your stay with a unique experience from one of our preferred suppliers. From professional in-house chefs to luxury at-home spa therapists and wine delivered to the door, see what’s on offer for your bespoke 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.
complete an image bank request
Best cabin stays in the UK
The Times
May 2023Staycation in splendid isolation
Country Living
May 2023Britain´s best holiday cottages
The Telegraph
May 2023Best holiday homes in the UK
Conde Nast Traveller
May 2023A look inside The Fable x The White Company
House Beautiful
May 2023Britain´s best offbeat escapes
Country Living
May 2023Follying up the folly
Country Living
May 2023The hidden heart of Cornwall
Financial Times
April 2023
Luxury Self-Catering Cottages > UK > Devon > North Bovey > Gorsestone
Related Collections
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.
