Rydon
Trusham, Teign Valley, Devon, UK
Rydon was once a flower store to the busy markets of Covent Garden, but now leads a much slower pace of life. Summer haven or winter retreat, this 15th century barn in Trusham is idyllically tucked away in the heart of the rolling Devon countryside. Immediately inviting with its rustic, roomy interiors, spend hours splashing around in the outdoor swimming pool before coming inside to indulge in some serious R&R by the open fire.
Introduction
Sat on the edge of Dartmoor National Park, a wealth of hiking and exploration opportunities await here on Rydon's doorstep. Rejuvenation comes by the bucket-load at this topsy-turvy barn, boasting a heated outdoor pool and breathtaking vistas. Dine al fresco taking in the far-reaching views of Dartmoor, enjoy an early morning dip in the pool at sunrise and take the family for a long, heart-racing hike in the beautiful Devon countryside. Round off the day with a delicious family supper before board games in front of the fire.
Inside
Exuding a calming ambience throughout, the architect-designed barn sits pretty with chunky wooden furniture, exposed natural stone work, vaulted beams and characterful furnishings. With the living spaces nestled between the eaves upstairs, two luxurious double bedrooms and one smartly furnished twin room reside on the ground floor. The master bedroom has a stand-alone bath tub in the room, as well as a separate en suite bathroom. There is also a family bathroom with a walk-in rain shower - sure to give sleepy souls an invigorating start to the day.
Outside
Approaching the property along the mile-long private driveway, guests are welcomed with picturesque views that go on for miles. Set in 30 acres of beautiful Devonshire countryside, Rydon sits in an idyllic rural hamlet in the Teign Valley. Pretty potted blooms adorn the gravelled courtyard’s al fresco dining area, whilst the sweeping lawn stretches down to the swimming pool at the far end of the garden. Secure the dogs on their leads and explore the grounds or head further afield to run wild over Dartmoor National Park where moorland sprawls and rivers flow.
The Facts
- SleepsUp to 6 guests
From £1,595 per week, £1,250 per short break
Day hire options are available - Alternative group optionsUp to 2 or up to 4 guests
- Bedrooms and bathroomsThe ground floor has two double bedrooms, one with a bath in the room and a separate en suite bathroom, and one twin bedroom. Also on the ground floor is the family bath with roll-top bath and separate shower, plus a separate WC.
- FeaturesHeated pool (from 5th May to 29th September)
- PetsTwo well-behaved dogs are welcome (must be kept on leads in the grounds)
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 cot and one highchair is available.
- PracticalitiesThere is off-road parking for three cars. The house has an Aga, washing machine, tumble dryer, microwave, dishwasher, fridge, freezer, and cafetière. The owner lives adjacent to the property. While the pool and garden are shared with the owners, guests have priority.
- Homestay includesTV, DVD player, Blu-Ray player, WiFi internet, charcoal barbecue, board games, his-and-hers wellies, linen, towels, logs and kindling to get you started...House book - your property and destination guideDiscover more little luxuries
- 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.
- Other informationProperty terms and conditionsFrequently asked questionsEV charger locationsCheck mobile signalRecommend to a friend
Prices & Availability
Trusham
On the southern flanks of the Haldon Hills, Trusham is a traditional Devon village with cob and thatched cottages neatly set around a picturesque church. Cocooned in woodland between Dartmoor and Exeter, it provides an attractive spot for a family holiday in the South West countryside.
Getting there
- On the Map Rydon sits pretty in the Teign Valley in Devon. Not far from the coastal towns of Dartmouth, Salcombe, as well as the city of Exeter.
- 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 Exeter St Davids, with fast and regular services to London and beyond.
- By Air Exeter airport is approximately 40 minutes' drive away.
From the owner
“We love everything about Rydon, especially the original medieval vaulted beams and fire place. The great access to the rolling Devonshire countryside and, of course, the pool are the cherry on the cake - we are sure you will love every minute making the most of both!”
Rydon has had many residences and actually dates back to the 15th century. Although mainly a farm, it has grown flowers that were once packed in the barn and transported by train to Covent Garden. The old branch line railway ran at the bottom of our land and the produce was loaded onto the train and transported up to London, before the train line was then closed in 1957.
With Rydon, our aim was to create a comfortable contemporary feel. In the process of converting the barn, we made sure there were lots of personal touches that would make you feel at home. Overall, it took us two years to completely restore Rydon working alongside a small, dedicated team of builders. Now we are celebrating 10 years at the house and are really pleased with how far we've come.
Rydon is surrounded by the beautiful scenery of the Teign Valley – ideal for walks in the country – and during the summer months you can enjoy the use of our lovely heated pool. Although the farm is not a working farm, we do have horses and sometimes pigs too.
Ali and Matt
Owner recommendations
Live like a local, discovering the best hidden gem restaurants, walks and attractions during your holiday in Trusham with an insider’s perspective.
To Do
Dive into Devon
Explore South Devon´s beautiful stretches of golden sand or wander along the River Dart for halcyon scenes. Another day, take a trip to one of the nearby towns or cities and partake in a spot of retail therapy. New cozzie for the pool perhaps?
To Do
Exeter
The nearby cathedral city of Exeter is a cosmopolitan hub offering good shopping, a range of restaurants, a great live music scene and a wonderful arts centre too. A must visit for those with a love of culture, food and shopping.
To Eat
The Ring Of Bells, North Bovey
The Ring of Bells is a little thatched pub and restaurant that has recently reopened after a two-year restoration following a devastating fire. A favourite amongst visitors and locals and highly recommended for its food, drink and atmosphere.
To Do
On the Water
An array of sports awaits water-lovers of all ages – from dingy sailing in the mouth of the river to yachting, canoeing and windsurfing. Take a splash or dip your toes and enjoy healthy doses of both relaxation and exploration on the water.
Guest Testimonials
Thank you so much for allowing us to stay in your beautiful barn. You have been extremely welcoming and your kindness has been massively appreciated. I wish you all the best in these turbulent times, being from the travel industry myself, I completely understand the current strains you are experiencing. Take care and thank you again for sharing Rydon with us.
Our first experience with Unique Homestays and if this property is anything to go by, it certainly won´t be our last! The welcome hamper on arrival was fabulous and absolutely everything we could have needed or wanted was provided for in the house - even down to a decanter of port! Absolutely first class! Thank you.
Everything was lovely. Owners were close by but they were so lovely. Well equipped and stunning property. Weather was great during our stay so we could to use the pool lots, which was great. Thank you.
The owner was just wonderful! So friendly, warm and helpful. The property is lovely, the pool is a fantastic size, the grounds are beautiful and in the most idyllic and peaceful location. We´re very sad to leave and will definitely look to stay at Rydon again.
We had a truly fantastic stay at Rydon and would love to return one day, the owners were some of the nicest people we have ever met. Our main reason for being in Devon was our wedding on the 18th of March and on the night before our departure the owners popped in with a beautiful flower arrangement for our special day, a gift and card. We were truly overwhelmed by this and cannot thank them enough, they were truly amazing hosts. We would like to thank Unique Homestays for arranging our stay and the owners for such a fantastic experience.
The property was beautiful and well maintained, it was also located in a wonderful area. The main highlight was how wonderful the owners were, they made our stay so comfortable and happy. We loved our stay at Rydon, and being our second time there with friends it exceeded our expectations as usual. It is truly a magical place and made us forget the stress of life in London. We hope to visit Rydon again soon!
Had a lovely stay, it was really nice. The owners were lovely and very friendly (homemade sausages were delicious). We would definitely stay again. The property was finished to a high standard and exceeded our expectations for a self-catering property.
A truly amazing place with views to die for and the owners were amazing hosts!
Rydon is a fantastic property. It has a great pool and inside it is clean and warm with beautiful furnishings and fittings. The location is perfect for visiting local sights. The owners were very helpful, they even unpacked our shopping delivery for us when it arrived before we did! Another fantastic Unique Homestays experience, we hope to be back for more!
Discreet, quiet and cos; Rydon is a perfect country cottage hideaway for couples and friends seeking a private weekend getaway. With Exeter not far and the Devonshire coast a little drive away, this is a perfect base to explore or unwind.
Rydon was an exceptional property that offered everything we wanted and more. The owners were beyond helpful and wonderful to deal with. We would recommend the property to anyone.
Attention to detail was fantastic. There was nothing other than our own food that we needed to bring. Milk/eggs/butter/oil/tea provided; dishwasher and washing machine really helped. Flowers and soft towels. Just perfect. Beautiful location, stunning accommodation. We aim to return next year.
Everything about this was excellent. We had an amazing time. The owners were lovely and very welcoming. We book 2-3 cottages a year and this is by far the best experience and property we have ever had. We will be using Unique Homestays exclusively from now on!
We absolutely loved Rydon, and left feeling relaxed and happy. The lack of wi fi and signal was fab; it´s so nice to be away from the real world. The hosts were very friendly and helpful. Rydon was spectacular and we will be using you again.
Thank you for our wonderful few days at Rydon, we really did feel at home with all the lovely touches about the place. Also thanks for ordering that weather – that was a really good touch
Rydon was perfect. We had an absolutely fantastic week there thanks to the beautifully finished barn and all of the brilliant touches provided. Both the owner and Unique Homestays were brilliant from booking to our departure and we will definitely be booking again.
The barn is beautiful and the owners were delightful. Rydon was very beautifully prepared and we had a decorated Christmas tree and lovely flowers on arrival which made it very special.
The property was stunning, absolutely immaculate and truly relaxing to stay in for the week. Would absolutely recommend it. The owners were very friendly and helpful and really cared about us having a good time.
The property was absolutely beautiful - it was immaculate and really well equipped - simple things like the milk, tea, sugar, salt, pepper and dish washer tablets etc made a real difference - the owners were really friendly and it was all very relaxed. Great place - perfect location for a quiet weekend away from it all - we didn´t get back in the car once! Will definitely be returning.
A stunning barn conversion with close attention to detail and lovely personal touches throughout. A wonderful welcome from the owners who were also on hand throughout our stay. We will definitely be back next year. This is our best property find to date (bearing in mind that we have returned to one holiday home 17 times!) and we simply cannot fault the luxury and comfort of this stunning property and the warm, warm welcome from the owners.
The whole Unique Homestay experience was excellent from the booking to the end of our holiday, especially the owners of the property they were great. It was well worth spending a bit extra on a British holiday in superb style.
Rydon Farm was outstanding in every way. The property, location and hosts were excellent. The attention to detail was beyond any experienced before. The holiday would have been perfect if only we had sunshine, even Unique Homestays cannot control the weather unfortunately.
We had a fabulous time at Rydon. It’s a gorgeous location, the barn works really well and South Devon is a delight! Most significant tough is that the owners are lovely people, generous, thoughtful and good sports!
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 Rydon and 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
10 Pool Deck Ideas
Living Etc.
June 2021The 50 Best Cottages in Britain
The Times
March 2017Britain´s Best Holiday Cottages With Pools
The Independent
July 2016Brilliant Christmas escapes
The Times
November 2023The UK´s best holiday homes
Condé Nast Traveller
November 2023Natural world
25 Beautiful Homes
November 2023The world´s best stays for art-lovers
The Times
November 2023Sense of purpose
Country Homes & Interiors
October 2023
Collections > Dog-Friendly Escapes > UK > Devon > Teign Valley > Rydon
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.
