Gardens & Grounds....

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Springtime is complete with apple blossom, bluebells, primroses and fields full of playful lambs. In the summer, old-fashioned roses and honeysuckle, intertwined with vivid clematis, ramble up the mellow stone walls. Housemartins and swallows swoop and skim across the rustic cobbled courtyard, making their nests under the eaves and the thatch crackles in the warm sunshine.

Summer begins to fade into autumn but the appeal remains. Our aging fruit trees yield their bountiful crop of traditional, flavoursome varieties of apple and pear, crumpets toasted in front of a crackling log fire beckon after an invigorating woodland walk and the comforting smell of wood smoke warms the air. Winter arrives but it is never harsh in Devon. The bare trees yield an even more expansive view and our cottages provide the cosiest retreats for curling up with a good book and a glass of wine as the days grow shorter. Soon it is Christmas... and there is nothing quite as magical as Christmas in the country.

Our location is spectacular. Uninterrupted views across the beautiful, unspoilt countryside can be enjoyed from every aspect, even while you swim in the indoor pool! In our traditional cottage garden, peace and serenity abound. We have just under two acres of grounds and they provide the perfect setting for an alfresco breakfast, afternoon tea and a game of croquet, or an evening stroll. The well-stocked borders will delight plant-lovers and bird-watchers will enjoy the frequent visits from nuthatches, woodpeckers, goldfinches, greenfinches, coal tits, great tits and many others. It is not unusual even to see a buzzard hovering overhead.

For those looking for the ultimate, relaxing break you can comfortably while away your time enjoying the excellent walking right on our doorstep, taking a leisurely dip in the indoor pool and venturing no further than to Honiton for a spot of antique hunting. For those with more time, there are numerous places to visit and things to do within an hour drive of Red Doors, whatever your age or interest. The area is rich in historic houses and gardens including many fine National Trust properties. The wonderfully unspoilt southern coastline with its pretty fishing villages and smuggler’s coves is only half an hour away. The coastal path scenery is breathtaking all year round. Red Doors is ideally placed to visit all corners of Devon but you needn’t limit your excursions to Devon. Make a day trip to the famous cities of Bath and Wells or discover the taste of real cheddar cheese from the small specialist producers in the Cheddar Gorge area.