The Shippon

4.5★

4 Guests
2 Bedrooms
2 Bathrooms
Pets Yes
Show on map

Features

Off road parking
Open fire
Garden / Patio
Cot available
Highchair available
Washing machine
Dishwasher
Sky TV
Broadband / WiFi

Reviews & Ratings

Accuracy of the listing

Cleanliness

Comfort

Facilities and Maintenance

* Based on a combined average customer score

73 Customer Review(s)

Christine
November 2024

“This will of been our 4th stay at The Shippon, we recommend this cottage 100per cent for its locality, cleanliness, and there is just everything you could possibly need for a comfortable and restful holiday.”

The owners Annie and Shane are the most friendly people you could wish to meet and there if you need them quietly in the back ground. Our cocker spaniel Ruby absolutely loved the very large garden, and as she is only 8 months old we had the peace of mind knowing she was perfectly safe. We cannot wait to return to The Shippon.

The owners Annie and Shane are the most friendly people you could wish to meet and there if you need them quietly in the back ground. Our cocker spaniel Ruby absolutely loved the very large garden, and as she is only 8 months old we had the peace of mind knowing she was perfectly safe. We cannot wait to return to The Shippon.

- Christine, November 2024
Colin September 2024

“This is the second time we have stayed at the shippon and it was wonderful too go back our hostess was as always so lovely she make you feel like part of her family I would definitely recommend the cottage the garden is great for dogs I have a springer spaniel and he loved it I always feel so relaxed when I am there the cottage is always very clean and tidy there is everything you need we will definitely be going back there in the future.”

- Colin, September 2024

Thank you both for your feedback! It was so lovely to have you stay for the second time. Look forward to seeing you again x Property Owner
Terence August 2024

“The Shippon is a place to unwind.”

Hidden down country lanes, that have a direct route to the cottage, you feel a distinct 'ahh moment' when you arrive. Sitting outside at the picnic table drinking coffee on the morning, you hear the rooster in the distance and the birds in the trees. Inside the Shippon feels like a country cottage. It has beams in the main bedroom and if you let your imagination run away with you, you feel like you stepped back in time. You have an ensuite with a lovely shower and there is plenty of space. Annie and Shane were the perfect hosts, they gave you privacy and were available should you need them. We will return next year.

- Terence, August 2024

Thank you for your feedback! We are proud of our cottage and it’s old beams. We loved meeting you both and look forward to seeing you both again. Property Owner
Terry August 2024

“We have just arrived back from a wonderful week at the Shippon.”

We were nicely greeted by the owner, who explained everything to us. The cottage itself is superb! Really big space, nice and bright, spotless and comfortable. Really comfortable beds!!! Smells lovely! The surrounding land is absolutely beautiful. It was lovely to sit in peace and quiet, with only the birds to be heard. The roads to get to the cottage are small, HOWEVER we were told the easiest way to go, and they weren't much smaller than many other roads in the area! We would definitely stay again! Thank you so much for a fabulous week

- Terry, August 2024

Thank you for your feedback and the lovely box of biscuits. We loved meeting you and your beautiful family! Looking forward to seeing you soon. Property Owner
Shirley July 2024

“Access to the property was down very narrow roads it would’ve been of help to have been told this in the description even though we are used to driving down these kind of roads others may not be.”

The welcome by the owner was a little lacking she stood by her front door and shouted the keys in the door. Normally when you arrive at Sykes cottages there is a welcome pack and information / emergency pack none of these were available to us even when the electric went off on the first evening if we hadn’t of gone outside to the owners House, It’s doubtful if they would’ve come to see if we were okay. We rang the owners mobile twice but got no answer or call back . The TV was difficult to set up for viewing via sky (only half dozen channels available) there is no instructions . On the listing it said board games available none were to be found in the whole of the cottage. It was a concern that no electrical items showed signs being patt tested apart from one fridge freezer. The use of air fresheners in every room seemed excessive. There was three toilets and a minimal amount of toilet paper in each. The garden was okay but unkempt - obviously the rain at this time of year brought more weeds and growth than would’ve been expected. The owners did redeem themselves at the end after I left two pairs of shoes behind and even though at first it stated I’d have to pay £30 I was not charged for this so that was kind of them. I guess it made up for not having a pint of milk or a pack of biscuits on arrival. Shirley and Donna Somerset

- Shirley, July 2024

Thank you for your feedback! I’m sorry that you felt like that. I greeted you on arrival by my front door as I do with everyone that arrives, I explained everything about the cottage ie dustbins, recycling, Wi-Fi and the tv was sky. We had a conversation about where you had travelled from as I always do this with guests. You told me you had stopped off at Tiverton to go to the fabric shop which I know well and had lunch in Barnstaple before you came to us, I did say to you the key was in the front door in the greeting. I said any problems you know where we are and you can call us or text us. Our cottage was flooded back in April and we lost all board games I’m sorry about this. All the electrical equipment was pat Tested by a restoration company, you would have to pull all appliances out to see this. I have spoken to Sykes about this and they have stated that this is not a legal requirement! We have air fresheners in 3 places in the cottage due to cooking odours to keep a fresh smell and I don’t think it is excessive. Yes we do leave a couple of toilet rolls to help people out when they arrive as they do forget to bring some we don’t have to provide these as this is a self catering cottage. Yes the electric did go off on Sunday morning for half an hour and my husband was contacting EDF to resolve the problem and I’m sorry he didn’t come over sooner he was trying to keep minimal contact with you as a member of our family had tested for Covid. You can read in previous reviews we are always there to assist. Our garden is unkept in certain areas due to our wildlife as we have rare bats in our woods and garden which Devon wildlife did a survey, with us doing this we have brought a lot birds and butterflies back which everyone is trying to do in our climate change! We don’t provide a welcome pack anymore due to everyone’s dietary requirements so that is why we keep our cottage at a low price. In the review that you wrote it says that we were going to charge you £30 to send back your shoes!! I’m sorry we didn’t say anything about that you contacted Sykes and that is what they charge you for sending back lost property. I took time out in sending your shoes back to you without charging you and I didn’t have to do that but we did as we care about people. Lastly I don’t think we have to redeem ourselves for anything. Property Owner
Richard June 2024

“We have used Sykes Cottages for many years and rate The Shippon as one of our best stays.”

Annie and Shane were great hosts, not intrusive but there if needed. A highlight for us was an invitation to their renewal of vows celebrations. Ideal for dogs with a large safe garden and good walks nearby. A most enjoyable 2 weeks and we would recommend this Cottage to others. Richard and Sally Gray and Honey the Labrador.

- Richard, June 2024

Thank you so much for your feedback! It was so lovely having you stay in our cottage. Thank you for sharing our special day with us and it was so lovely to meet you both. We felt we had known you for years and our family loved having you around. Property Owner
David June 2024

“A very delightful 3 weeks in a perfect country cottage.”

Everything you needed was on hand . A couple of problems were rapidly solved by the lovely owners . Due to exceptionally cold weather for June Annie and Shane had no concerns with us putting the heating on. Which by the way was tremendous so any winter visits would be very cosy. We would definitely stay again.

- David, June 2024

Thank you for your feedback! It was so lovely meeting both of you. We are so happy that you enjoyed your stay at our cottage. Look forward to seeing both of you again. Property Owner
Suzanne April 2024

“A cosy and well-equipped cottage with a generously sized and enclosed garden.”

Perfect stay for our family and the dog. The hosts were very welcoming and the platter of homemade made scones, cream and jam did not disappoint. The welcome tray of goodies even surpassed our 12 year old’s expectation. A great location for exploring North Devon. Would definitely book again.

- Suzanne, April 2024

Thank you for your feedback! It was lovely to meet you and we are so pleased that you would come back to our Cottage Property Owner
James March 2024

“What an absolutely great cottage, we honestly couldn't have asked for anything better.”

On arrival the owner greeted us and made us feel so at home after a long drive. The cottage it's self was very clean and tidy, it was also alot bigger than expected. There was wood for the fire if you wanted to use it, if not the central heated worked perfectly and made the property very cosy. The garden was brilliant for our dog and so big for him to run around but completely secure so we didn't have to worry when we let him out. The location is great and only a 10min trip to the centre of Barnstable, there are multiple shops a few minutes away. I love that the property is in the countryside and so very peaceful. The property is supplied with everything you need and there are even children books stored in the cupboard, this was great for us as we had forgotten our toddlers bedtime books. The owner obviously takes great pride in the property and keeps is so well maintained. I would really recommend this property and we will be staying again.

- James, March 2024

Thank you so much for your kind comments! it means so much to us. We do take pride in our holiday cottage and want everyone to have a great time staying in it. It was so lovely meeting you and your lovely family. Hope to see you again soon! Property Owner
Neil March 2024

“We had a really great week at the Shippon cottage.”

We were greeted by the owner when we pulled up outside and given a warm welcome. The cottage was warm and the welcome pack was a very nice surprise. We found the kitchen table to be a great family focal point and it was nice to be able to sit and talk as a the meal was prepared. Something that has dwindled as our family has got older. Having a wood burner was really nice after a dog walk in the woods , we lit it almost every evening. We found the cottage clean, tidy and had everything we needed for a week away. Our dog was particularly impressed with the very large garden to the rear and enjoyed hours of ball throwing and zoomies. We wouldn't hesitate to rebook again in the future, as it's well placed to be in a rural location but be close enough to pop into the local supermarkets in Barnstaple and ideal to explore the surrounding area. We found many local pubs that had outstanding food and all were dog friendly. 10/10

- Neil, March 2024

Thank you so much for your comments about our cottage! It means so much to us and we appreciate your feedback. It was so lovely to meet you all and your dog. It is an old cottage but it has charm and is a family environment. Hope to see you all again! Property Owner
Karen March 2024

“At an early stage of our holiday I contacted Sykes to detail many issues with the cottage and will provide them with photographs to evidence what I have said.”

We would not book the cottage again and cannot recommend it. We have booked many Sykes cottages and this is the first negative review I have ever posted. On arrival the owner’s driveway had numerous potholes. The external appearance of the property looked very tired. We arrived in the dark and there was a trench dug in the front garden and a grid cover had been removed that was a health and safety risk (we were not made aware of this and our dog has poor eyesight). There was old wooden fencing and furniture left in the front garden in a large pile and in another part of the garden a gate had fallen down and had just been left on the ground. On entering the property it looks exactly like the pictures posted on Sykes, nothing has changed, and the owner had 5 plug in air fresheners in use. On switching these off there was an awful smell throughout our stay that seemed to come from the utility room, which was very unpleasant. On booking the cottage the Sykes website stated that we could walk through the garden back gate and through the woods to a Nature Reserve. We could not do this as the gate was blocked off by 2 metal gates. This was a major factor in choosing this cottage and could not be done. The window in the main bedroom was very dirty and on walking into the bedroom for the first time the dressing table mirror was dusty. The ensuite shower was only ever lukewarm and never hot and the light above the mirror was extremely dusty and had not been cleaned. There were a number of lights that were just bulbs with no light fitting on them. We did not speak to the owner about our many issues as we were on a holiday and did not want our overall holiday ruined by this. The owner must be fully aware already of the external appearance and how their property looks. The scale of issues was also not quickly resolvable in our view. We loved the North Devon area and beaches. The cottage back garden was large with a scenic outlook and it was lovely to listen to the birds. The owners welcome pack was extremely generous and included a cream tea, coffee and tea and many different biscuits and chocolate. On the approach to the property some of the lanes are very narrow and some have no passing places and this needs to be taken into account. During our stay the external lights at the front and back of the property were not working and I would expect this to be checked for handover. The front door also was sticking and was hard to open and close at times and needed some attention. I also found the blue rug in the bathroom to be potentially unhygienic, unless it is being washed after every handover (the same rug as in the Sykes pictures). A welcome guide would also be helpful for the house and the area for guests to refer to.

- Karen, March 2024

Thank you for your feedback, before your booking you contacted Sykes Cottages to see if you could bring your cat with you, we unfortunately declined as you were already bringing a dog with you. We are saddened to see this review. I explained to you about the gully that was dug the Friday before you arrived as we were flooding and needed this to stop the cottage getting flooded and this did not affect you. I told you how to get to the woods which was a longer way around the farm instead of going through the back garden as it was unsafe to go that way as it was too slippery so we put the fencing up. The outside lights had been turned off by the previous guests. We put air fresheners in the cottage as we have a short time to turn the cottage around and we want to make sure our guests come in to a pleasant scent. We found no smells in the cottage upon your checkout. If you had contacted us we could have assisted you. Property Owner
Ruth March 2024

“My husband and I booked the cottage to visit our son.”

It was an amazing

- Ruth, March 2024

Thank you so much for your feedback! So glad you enjoyed your stay in our cottage and it was lovely to meet you. Property Owner
Nigel February 2024

“We had a great time at the Shippon weather a bit mixed but didn’t spoil the holiday.”

Lots to visit in the area and comfortable accommodation to return to at the end of day.

- Nigel, February 2024

So pleased you enjoyed your time at our cottage! Lovely to have met you. Property Owner
Karen January 2024

“Amazing!! If you want tranquility with just the sound of nature this is the place”

! Fab spot not too far from Barnstaple and surrounding areas but just far enough to be away from the rat race! Beautiful place to chill and forget the stresses of life! Greated by Annie and had a wonderful welcome pack waiting in the kitchen which was lovely and very welcome. Thank you :) Annie & Shane were lovely hosts very welcoming and helpful and on hand if you needed anything. Had an amazing week chilling and walking just what we needed and already looking to book again after Christmas next year. Would most definitely recommend the cottage. Thank you again for everything we had a fab time in your cottage and cannot wait to get back next year or later this year :)

- Karen, January 2024

Thank you for your feedback! It was so lovely to have met you. It means a lot to us with the feedback. You have booked already for this year! See you both soon Property Owner
Paul December 2023

“Shane and Annie were very helpful and accommodating.”

We stayed over Christmas and we were pleasantly surprised with the house being decorated with a lovely Christmas tree and an overwhelming amount of goodies! The bed was very comfortable and the kitchen was well stocked with utensils and crockery and pots and pans. The property is set in a very secluded area so a car is a must if you are planning to venture out to explore the surrounding area. The roads are narrow but you are able to have home grocery shopping delivered. Annie told us of a woodland walk that you can access within the grounds which leads you to a nature reserve. We had a very relaxing and pleasant stay. The only recommendation we would make is for a welcome pack guide with instructions to use the arga/boiler/heating system and information on the surrounding area. Thank you both for a lovely stay.

- Paul, December 2023

Thank you for your feedback! So happy you enjoyed yourselves at our Cottage and had a lovely Christmas here Lovely to meet you. Property Owner
Philip November 2023

“Very cosy holiday cottage exactly as described, lovely getaway with the family; dog and children loved the garden.”

Peaceful location surrounded by wonderful countryside. Very kind and welcoming owners who left us with the essentials for kitchen and tasty treats and left us to enjoy our break. Perfect place to stay.

- Philip, November 2023

Thank you for your feedback! So glad you enjoyed your stay and was lovely to meet you. Property Owner
Miles October 2023

“Absolutely loved our stay.”

The cottage was super and also the cleanest place we have stayed in years. The welcoming gifts of food were absolutely legendary. The enclosed garden was massive and very much enjoyed by the puppy. Thank you x

- Miles, October 2023

Thank you so much for your feedback! Thank you for comments on the cleansines of the cottage! We are so happy that your puppy enjoyed the garden and it was lovely to meet you. Property Owner
Stephen October 2023

“Although very rural this was such a nice cottage, very comfortable with some fantastic views.”

We really enjoyed our stay at the Shippon and would highly recommend .We we met by the owner who showed us in and we were also welcomed with some treats after our long drive. We would definitely stay again.

- Stephen, October 2023

Thank you for your feedback it means a lot to us! We are so glad you enjoyed your stay and would love to come back! It was lovely to meet you. Property Owner
John October 2023

“Lovely cottage, the spacyous garden was excellent for our dog (and her boss).”

The house was cosy and everything we needed was there. Thank you!

- John, October 2023

Thank you and it was lovely to meet you! So glad you enjoyed your stay. Property Owner
Maureen September 2023

“We had a lovely stay at the shippon.”

Very quite and very relaxing. Plenty of space for children and pets to run around. All the rooms were large and comfortable.did`nt want to go home

- Maureen, September 2023

Thank you so much for your feedback! So glad that you and your family enjoyed the stay and didn’t want to go! That is so lovely to have that comment. It was lovely to meet you and your family. Property Owner
Steve September 2023

“The property is a already mentioned in reviews very ruaral, but thats part of the charm, albeit with a couple of minutes your back on main roads.”

Definatley ask Annie the owner for directions. We met Annie on arrival who provided us with some local inforamation, then we went in, we were met with a nice array of treats in the kitchen which was a pleasant supprise. As it transpired we forget one or two minor things and Annie kindly loaned us replacements which was appreciated. Annie and her husband live in the property next door, but the are are not in your face, equally around for any assissatnce should it be necessary.

- Steve, September 2023

Thank you to both of you for the feedback! So glad you enjoyed your stay and was lovely to have met you both. Thank you for kind comments. Property Owner
Emma August 2023

“Excellent property, condition as listed.”

On arrival, we found that the advertised trampoline was in the process of being replaced - many thanks for setting this up before we left (my daughter really enjoyed this). Feedback (intended to be helpful): 1) Directions to property could be clearer for arrival. Access roads are not great i.e. narrow lanes with overgrown plants that can scratch your car and pot-holes. Although we knew what to expect for North Devon, some people may not be happy about this and it could be flagged prior to booking. 2) Additional garden pegs required to hang out laundry

- Emma, August 2023
Trina August 2023

“We had a lovely week at The Shippon.”

We had ordered a food delivery and it arrived earlier than we had booked so we hasn’t arrived but the owners kindly put it away for us. There was a huge selection of treats for us on our arrival, chocolates, biscuits, popcorn, coffee. I’ve never had that much as a welcome before so a huge thank you. The cottage is very peaceful and has everything needed for a lovely holiday. Thank you

- Trina, August 2023

Thank you for your feedback! So glad you and your family enjoyed your stay. Lovely to meet you all. Property Owner
Paul August 2023

“A beautifully designed cottage, with a large lounge and separate kitchen/diner.”

Very well stocked in terms of kitchen utensils, with another good sized utility room wimhich housed the washing machine and another oven. Downstairs also had a good sized wc. The main bedroom upstairs was a good size, with plenty of storage and an en-suite bathroom, with another family bathroom and a twin bed, bedroom also of good style and finish. Throughout the cottage, the decor was very nice and homely. We arrived to find some tasty, home-made Devonshire scones waiting for us, alongside a raft of chocolates that my family loved! The outside area was peaceful and quiet, with a nice bench outside to catch the morning rays. One note, there was no Wii in the cottage but there is a BluRay player, so something to play movies on if the weather dictates or needs arise. All in all, a great place to stay and we thoroughly felt at home for the whole week.

- Paul, August 2023

So lovely to get your feedback! Thank you for enjoying your stay at the cottage and the comments you wrote about the cottage in describing it as homely! We love having that feedback. So lovely to have met you all. Property Owner
Thomas July 2023

“What a fantastic cottage everything you could ask for in a country retreat close ...”

What a fantastic cottage everything you could ask for in a country retreat close to the town but feel a million miles away clean and tidy just as you would expect and the owners are lovely people couldn't do enough for you thank you for a wonderful stay xx

- Thomas, July 2023

Thank you so much for your feedback! It means so much to us. The comments are so lovely and touching! It was so lovely to have you stay with us and meet you and your lovely family! Property Owner
Fiona July 2023

“Lovely warm house with a friendly, helpful owner.”

Please get directions directly from the owner as it will be so much easier to find.

- Fiona, July 2023
Mary Rose July 2023

“Thank you to Annie and Shane for making our stay at the Shippon so comfortable.”

We had a lovely few days and were beautifully looked after. The weather was kind and our days out at Northam Burrows nature reserve and Great Torrington,( where we would highly recommend lunch at the Arts Centre0 were very enjoyable.

- Mary Rose, July 2023
Pam June 2023

“Very disappointing!”

Access roads are barely passable, some more like footpaths! You will scratch your car unless you have a Smart car!! Directions given by Sykes are completely wrong. As for the cottage - pictures on Sykes must have been taken a long time ago. If you have children - beware! The trampoline is falling apart and rusty with springs missing and covered in brambles! Dangerous for children. Aga needed a thorough clean and found a few spiders/cobwebs around the house. It states 'a farm' but not a working farm, just a couple of buildings and a derelict barn. Please take note and avoid!

- Pam, June 2023

I am responding to your negative review! When you arrived you and your husband were unhappy and both of you were very rude to me! because you used an app where you type in 3 words to get directions and ended up at Coombe Martin which is miles away from us and did not use Sykes directions. You both complained about the route to the cottage! I explained to both of you that there are various routes to the cottage and I told you a route to take which everyone uses. All the roads to the cottage are B roads which are regularly used by Lorries and tractors to deliver goods to the Farm. The description you give they are like “footpaths “ which is totally wrong! There is nothing wrong with the pictures on Sykes and they were not taken a long time ago. To go round looking for faults with the cottage because you were unhappy ie the aga needed a clean! no it doesn’t It is an oil fired Aga with a cast iron oven and stove. If you were an owner of an Aga you would understand how it works. The trampoline with a few brambles and a couple of rust marks. You over exaggerated on this! Finding a few spiders and cobwebs in an old cottage with old beams and if you leave the back door open in these summer evenings you will get a few spiders in. To state that we are not a working farm is wrong! That it’s just a couple of barns and a derelict barn! the derelict barn is being renovated. If you had walked around you would have seen more barns and what we do here! Our cottage is booked all the time with Sykes and we have people coming back to stay all the time. People can read the reviews and see the amazing feedback we get back from everyone that has stayed. They can see from all the reviews that we have had which is 45 reviews and your review which is so negative and they will see this. I have spoken with Sykes and they have asked you for evidence and you have not got back with any evidence no photos you have had 2 weeks to respond. This is our Livelihood and business! You cannot go round stating this negative review and ruin our business! My husband and myself work very hard on our farm and are both passionate about our farm and holiday cottage! Over the years we have met so many lovely people That have stayed at our farm they have enjoyed the old cottage and it’s beautiful wildlife environment and loved the big garden for their dogs to enjoy. Property Owner
Christopher June 2023

“We really enjoyed the peace & quiet at The Shippon.”

The host was very helpful when we arrived & we knew if we had a problem she would be very willing to help. We would certainly consider going again if we visit Devon The weather was amazing which only enhanced our stay.

- Christopher, June 2023

Thank you for enjoying your stay at our cottage! It was lovely to meet you and thank you for the feedback! Property Owner
David April 2023

“Fully equipped cottage but very remote and now trying to get the scratches out the car from narrow roads”

- David, April 2023

I’m so sorry that the cottage is too remote! It does state that the cottage is on a farm! There are so many routes of getting to the cottage where the roads are not narrow. It is a spacious fully equipped old cottage with a big garden for your dog to run around in. The cottage backs onto the woods which makes it a quiet and relaxing place for your holiday , but you are only a short drive from amenities and local beaches. Property Owner
Rachel April 2023

“Very nice holiday cottage.”

Garden was great for our dog. Cottage was comfortable and had everything we needed. Would return.

- Rachel, April 2023

Thank you for your feedback! It was lovely to meet you! It’s lovely to hear that you would return. Property Owner
Natasha April 2023

“The cottage was perfect in every way, we couldn't have asked for anymore from Annie the owner.”

She had everything there, it was gorgeous and charlie loved the garden too. Its literally next door to our wedding venue which really was amazing too..Uppacott Pavillion check it all out, highly recommended!!! Thank you Annie & the team xxx

- Natasha, April 2023

Thank you for your review! It was a pleasure to have you stay in our cottage! The memories that you have left my team and myself with! Will never be forgotten! You are such a beautiful family! From the team and myself wish you luck in everything ❤️‍ Property Owner
Rhianydd April 2023

“Loved it”

- Rhianydd, April 2023

Thank you so much for loving our old cottage! Property Owner
Alyson March 2023

“We had a lovely week at The Shippon.”

The cottage was lovely and warm, and beds were comfy. It was so peaceful and quiet. Would definitely return! Alyson and David March 2023

- Alyson, March 2023

Thank you for your lovely feedback! It means so much to us! It was lovely to meet you and look forward to seeing you again. Property Owner
Dean February 2023

“A lovely cottage with parking and with good size rooms and a large enclosed garden for the dog.”

Down side for us was the only working cooker was in the utility room, there was a aga but it was blocked in by a sofa with no instructions. The access to the woods from the garden was blocked because the foot bridge was rotten and no alternative route advised. The road leading to the cottage was a bit rough but usable apart from the days a farmer covered the road in 2 inches of mud , the owner did say the farmer was supposed to clear the road but he didn't.

- Dean, February 2023
Kevin February 2023

“Brilliant location, the only noise at night was from the owls and foxes.”

Large spacious living and sleeping areas, both spotlessly clean. Owners close but unobtrusive, there if issues arise (like reseting the heating) We were unable to make use of the large garden area due to the weather, but looked a great space for later in the year

- Kevin, February 2023

Thank you for your feedback! We are so happy that you enjoyed your stay at the cottage. It was lovely to meet you! Property Owner
Brian January 2023

“Lovely quiet location only advice use owners instructions to find cottage not ...”

Lovely quiet location only advice use owners instructions to find cottage not like myself completely lost using sat nav

- Brian, January 2023
James November 2022

“This is a very nice holiday home we would stay there again very helpful land ...”

This is a very nice holiday home we would stay there again very helpful land lady and gentleman just satnav information not very good but after you arrive you find the best way in out of the accomadation thankyou

- James, November 2022

Thank you for your feedback! Was so lovely to meet you both! We hope to see you again soon. Property Owner
Carol September 2022

“We really enjoyed staying at the cottage.”

We had everything we needed. It was a good location for our walks and for visits to the different areas. We would love to go back.

- Carol, September 2022

Thank you for a lovely feedback! So glad you enjoyed your stay at the cottage and that you would love to come back! Lovely to have met you both and look forward to seeing you both again. Property Owner
June September 2022

“We had a really enjoyable week at Shippon.”

Everything we needed was there. Our Shi'tzu had a great time in the garden. It's the best cottage we've ever stayed in.

- June, September 2022

Thank you for your feedback! Was lovely to meet you all! So glad your dog enjoyed the stay! Hopefully we will see you all soon! Thank you Property Owner
Pamela September 2022

“Very comfortable and everything you would need, owners very helpful.”

Would be very nice for a family with children Narrow road could do with the hedge cutting the council had not been round did not want to get the car scratched

- Pamela, September 2022
Rachel August 2022

“Good location base within easy reach of Barnstaple and surrounding areas.”

Spacious house, well equipped, with quality furnishings. Kids trampoline is a great idea.

- Rachel, August 2022

Thank you for your feedback! Was lovely to meet you all! Property Owner
Graham July 2022

“Have just had a lovely week staying at The Shippon.”

The arrival instructions were easy to follow and there was a warm greeting. The cottage was clean and was perfect to spend a week in within driving distance of plenty of places to visit.The owner had left a lovely selection of biscuits on arrival, and our son loved the trampoline. Would highly recommend.

- Graham, July 2022

Thank you so much for your feedback! It means a lot to us! So glad you enjoyed staying in our cottage! It was lovely to meet you all. Property Owner
Elizabeth June 2022

“Very well equipped including a Tassimo coffee machine (we took our own), Sky box, decent internet speed.”

- Elizabeth, June 2022

Thank you for your feedback! So glad you enjoyed your stay. Property Owner
Matthew June 2022

“Absolutely amazing place to stay, me and my partner took our dog for the week and couldn’t of asked for anything better, very spacious so great for a family.”

Although it’s fairly remote, all places and things to do are within a half an hour drive so it’s great for a basecamp for people who like to go places, Owners were the most friendly people I’ve met in a long time and will 100% be recommending to others. Only 2 bad things to note and they’re not the owners fault, the road to the cottage is very very tight and bumpy so anyone with a small/low car would have some slight issues, and they’re were a lot of spiders but that’s to be expected in the county side. Over all 11/10

- Matthew, June 2022

Ahh! Thank you so much for your feedback! And thank you for leaving the Cottage so tidy and the little goodies you left. It was a pleasure in meeting both of you and Your lovely dog. Hopefully we will see you again! Property Owner
Bernard May 2022

“The owners were very inviting and started our holiday with a wonderful welcome pack including a cream tea.”

The property was very spacious with a large garden suitable for children and pets. The surrounding area was picturesque and all of North Devon was easily accessible. A big thank you to our hosts for a wonderful holiday in a beautiful part of the country.

- Bernard, May 2022

Thank you so much for your feedback! We loved having you stay in our Cottage and meeting both of you! Hopefully we will see you again. Property Owner
Michelle April 2022

“We really enjoyed our stay.”

However, on your site it says one well behaved dog. If there are specific rules about your dog this should be made clear beforehand so you can make an informed decision about booking rather than be told when you arrive. The garden furniture could be updated, like wise the kids trampoline and play equipment. Personally, it would have been nice to have some toilet roll in each toilet with some hand soap, not that this was an issue. No fire starter pack was included, we didn’t ask about this as it wasn’t needed. The kitchen has everything you would need and more. Nice and clean, spacious accommodation. We were left a nice selection of goodies. This is a rural location so not perhaps for anyone who is concerned about driving down lanes. Good location to explore, maybe nice to add a guest book for any recommendations? Again, to add we had a lovely time.

- Michelle, April 2022
Michelle April 2022

“Beautiful cottage, perfectly clean and we were even left Easter treats.”

The trampoline was a hit with the kids and the dog loved the large contained garden.

- Michelle, April 2022

Thank you for your feedback! So glad you enjoyed your stay at our cottage. Property Owner
Jo February 2022

“Lovely to be greeted with a cream tea and some extra goodies too.”

Warm and cosy cottage. We visited in winter and it was still a great base for exploring the local region - it would be even better in summer when you could enjoy the large garden.

- Jo, February 2022

Thank you for your comments We are so glad you had a lovely time At our cottage and it was lovely to meet you . Property Owner
Lynne January 2022

“Thank you for a very good stay.”

It was amazing to arrive after a long journey to homemade scones.

- Lynne, January 2022

Thank you so much for your comments! It means a lot to us! Lovely to have met you both. Property Owner
Kristina January 2022

“We had a lovely break at the Shippon, cosy cottage which was well equipped.”

The beaches etc were in easy reach, Weatward Ho, Instow etc about 40minutes away, supermarket 10minutes, overall an enjoyable weekend.

- Kristina, January 2022

Thank you for your feedback and comments. So glad you had a lovely time at our cottage and it was lovely meeting you. Property Owner
Charlie January 2022

“A very friendly welcome and stay top marks all round, thank you.”

- Charlie, January 2022

Thank you for the comment! Lovely to meet you both. Property Owner
Elaine December 2021

“Lovely warm welcome.”

Some delicious goodies were waiting for us. A cream tea, a hamper of lovely things and a really tasty homemade Christmas cake. Cottage was warm and very comfortable. Excellent. We really enjoyed walking in the woods at the back. We had an excellent Christmas break. Would recommend The Shippon.

- Elaine, December 2021

Thank you for your comment! So happy you had an excellent Christmas break and thank you for recommending us. Property Owner
Renalda November 2021

“Lovely and homely.”

Our booking was last minute but the hosts were very accommodating and nothing was too much trouble . Everything was perfect and we loved our stay .

- Renalda, November 2021

Thank you for your comment! So lovely to have met you! And hope you have settled in your new home. Property Owner
Cynthia November 2021

“A spacious, well equipped cottage in the country and close to the coast.”

Friendly and helpful owners - and a delicious home baked cake on our arrival.

- Cynthia, November 2021

Thank you for your comment! So lovely to have met you both. Property Owner
Debbie October 2021

“Fabulous holiday cottage.”

Lovely, warm lounge with log burner and lots of comfortable seating. Kitchen very clean and well equipped. Very comfy beds and bed linen. Friendly owners who are around if you need them, but keep out of your way otherwise. Located down peaceful country lanes, away from traffic and noise. (But be prepared to drive slowly and use passing places/back up where necessary) Wonderful welcoming afternoon tea laid out for our arrival, with lots of treats. Great holiday and would happily come again.

- Debbie, October 2021

Thank you for your comment! It means a lot to us so glad you had a lovely time in our cottage. Property Owner
Christopher October 2021

“We really enjoyed our stay at The Shippon.”

It was clean, comfortable, spacious, and well-equipped, with lots of outdoor space too (although the weather precluded much use of that). We were warm and cosy even though we didn't get round to using the wood burner. The personal welcome and the snacks that were left added to the enjoyment. We recommend it highly. NOT FOR PUBLICATION: We forgot to say whilst we were there (sorry) that the clip on the high chair harness isn't secure - it just pulls open. Also one very slight niggle - there were no toilet roll holders in the upstairs bathrooms.

- Christopher, October 2021

Thank you for your comment! We love the feedback it helps us maintain the cottage to a standard. Property Owner
Judith October 2021

“Extremely comfortable cottage in a very peaceful setting; very well equipped and friendly, helpful hosts”

- Judith, October 2021
Ernest September 2021

“A very spacious “cottage” ; how often do you get 3 loos ?”

? Everything was off very high standard of comfort , equipment and cleanliness. The welcome pack was typical of the general high standard with Devon cream scones to die for and more bars of chocolate than were good for us. The owner’s welcome could not have been more friendly. If ever a property deserved a gold star, this is it!!

- Ernest, September 2021
Lorrainne August 2021

“Lovely destination, big thank you to the really friendly hosts who made our ...”

Lovely destination, big thank you to the really friendly hosts who made our arrival amazing with a lush afternoon tea Be prepared to get into the Devon mindset … this is a beautiful rural location with quaint woodland narrow lanes and the need to reverse drive if you Meet oncoming traffic but that’s just the way it is and adds to the Devon way Central location for trips out to Clovelly, valley of the rocks, baggy point, instow beach great for dog walks, westward Ho and many more Everything you need And more provided in the cottage and a lovely welcome pack from the hosts with tea, coffee, milk and treats A beautiful party of the country for a restful picturesque break would definitely stay again

- Lorrainne, August 2021

Thank you for your comment! It means a lot to us we loved having you. Such a positive feedback from you. Look forward to seeing you again. Property Owner
Lisa July 2021

“Lovely welcome from the owners who were on hand all the time.”

Also gave us the best chocolate cake ever, plus a full cream tea, chocolate and biscuits! Would love to go back. Lots to see and do in the area, but the cottage was so peaceful to relax in too.

- Lisa, July 2021

Thank you for your comments! Such an amazing feedback It was lovely meeting you all hopefully we will see you again. Property Owner
Rosie June 2021

“We had a really fantastic stay in this amazing cottage.”

The hosts were really friendly and accommodating and we were surprised and delighted by the very generous welcome spread in the kitchen on arrival of: tea, coffee, milk, biscuits, chocolate, as well as delicious home-made cream tea scones and a Victoria sponge cake – complete with a bone china tea set for the occasion! The Shippon is very spacious and as other reviews have mentioned, equipped with everything you could possibly want, but the hosts are nearby and happy to help if needed. It was nice and clean and very spacious (with lots of storage), and the beds were really comfy. Great views (including sunsets) and the garden was lovely – a really big open space, yet completely private, surrounded by woods and farmland. It’s a lovely rural spot and the silence (apart from the birds!) was noticeable and very welcome –a perfect place to relax. A massive thank you to our hosts for making our stay so fab –would definitely return again to The Shippon – a perfect base for exploring this beautiful area, including the North Devon Coast with its lovely sandy beaches and the breath-taking scenery of Exmoor.

- Rosie, June 2021
Colin June 2021

“We arrived at the shippon on the 12th of June to a very warm welcome from the owner when we went into the cottage and found what she had left for us milk scones sandwich cake coffee sugar tea and a very clean cottage very big garden which our dog loved we had an excellent week weather was very good we would certainly recommend this cottage for any one really happy with our holiday I would like to say thank you to our hosts for make our holiday very comfortable.”

P.s if you like fish and chips go to scoffs in Barnstaple the best we have had for years

- Colin, June 2021
Gillian June 2021

“The cottage is very tired and rather dusty the sliding doors were off their sliders the dishwasher was broken and the cooker in the utility room was awkward because you had to bring the pots and pans needed for cooking into the utility room and dish up out there.”

The garden was lovely and great for our dog to run around. The roads or rather farm tracks leading to the cottage were very narrow and quite stressful to drive to and from.

- Gillian, June 2021

We are open to constructive criticism. The Shippon is an old cottage refurbished to a high standard but Keeping its character. There will be an element of dust that comes from the old beams I do apologise for this. The sliding door could of been sorted for you straight away if you Had let us know as we are around all the time and are here for you. The electric cooker is located right next to the utility room, this is Located right next to the kitchen and in there for people who dont Want to use the traditional Aga located in the kitchen. Our cleaning standards are very high and this you can see reflected In our reviews where it is stated exceeded expectations. The Shippon is located on a Farm, the roads leading to it are all B - roads, describing them as farm track paints a picture of mud Tracks but are all tarmac and suitable for all vehicles. Devon is a rural place . The dishwasher failed to work on the Saturday turnover, we had A technician come out but couldnt repair as it needed a new Part and we couldnt get a new replacement that day but the Dishwasher is repaired now I do apologies for this. I would like to say as well that We accommodated you when You arrived an hour early, you and your husband were tired From your journey so my daughter and I rushed through Things so you could go into the Cottage straight away. I hope you and your husband enjoyed your complimentary Cream tea, the homemade cake,chocolates,biscuits that we left For you. Once again I would like to apologise and thank you for your Feedback. Property Owner
Linda May 2021

“We had a lovely week at The Shippon, nice and quiet lovely big garden for the ...”

We had a lovely week at The Shippon, nice and quiet lovely big garden for the dog and we very much enjoyed the scones and cake, very close to the coast

- Linda, May 2021
Chris May 2021

“Thoroughly enjoyed our stay at the shippon, house was fully equipped, spacious, ...”

Thoroughly enjoyed our stay at the shippon, house was fully equipped, spacious, garden was exceptional Owners right next door and were very friendly and welcoming, would highly recommend and would defiantly stay again

- Chris, May 2021
Michelle April 2021

“Excellent cottage very clean.”

Very warm welcome, owners very helpful and friendly. If you want a holiday to get away from everything this is the perfect place. I would highly recommend this cottage the best I have stayed in.

- Michelle, April 2021
Nora April 2021

“Warm welcome.”

Lovely peaceful holiday in beautiful Devon countryside.Would stay again.

- Nora, April 2021
John October 2020

“Cottage was very comfortable and highly appointed, only minor issue was lack of a tray for cups and only one frying pan considering the place is awash with cups and glasses.”

On the whole though Shippon was extremely good value for money and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it

- John, October 2020
Christine September 2020

“Excellent location, very well equipped and comfortable cottage.”

owners very friendly and helpful. We cannot wait for March next year to go again.

- Christine, September 2020
Stephen September 2020

“Considering it only sleeps 4, this is a spacious, comfortable and nicely furnished cottage, with 3 sofas in the living room, a 6 seat kitchen table and vast amounts of utensils, glasses and crockery.”

There is plenty of parking and a large private garden with swings and a trampoline. Driving to and from it through the narrow country lanes is a bit challenging for townies but, once there, it is very quiet and rural. There isn't much in the way of instructions in the cottage, but this wasn't a problem and the friendly owner is only next door in the adjacent farmhouse. It's worth remembering to take basics such as loo rolls, rubbish sacks etc. as none were provided.

- Stephen, September 2020
Neil August 2020

“The cottage is in a great location, in the middle of nowhere which is what we wanted.”

No towels were provided even though the listing said that they provide them. This may be due to current circumstances but we were not informed of this before hand. The cleanliness was a little lacking, it could do with a good clean. The carpets upstairs looked as though they hadn't been hoovered for a long time and light fittings downstairs were full of dead flies.

- Neil, August 2020

Thank you for your feedback, we are so sorry that the towels had been missed and that you had a few issues during your stay, if we had been aware of these we would have been more than happy to bring towels for you and address any issues that you had. Thank you again for taking time to leave your feedback. Property Owner
Rosemary March 2020

“Lovely well equipped cottage.”

Lovely scones jam and cream plus cake on arrival, provided by the owner. It was a shame the weather was so wet but I would imagine, if it had been dry we would have been able to make use of the garden and enjoy the views.

- Rosemary, March 2020

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Summary

Two bedrooms: 1 x double with en-suite shower, basin and WC, and 1 x twin
Ground-floor cloakroom with basin and WC
Bathroom with bath, shower over, basin and WC
Kitchen with dining area
Utility
Sitting room with woodburning stove.
Oil central heating and woodburning stove
AGA cooker, electric oven and hobs, microwave, fridge/freezer, washing machine, dishwasher, TV with Sky, music system, Nintendo Wii, WiFi, and a selection of books.
Fuel, power and starter pack for stove inc. in rent
Bed linen and towels inc. in rent
Cot, highchair and stairgate available
Off-road parking for two cars
Patio area with seating and a lawned area with swings and a trampoline
One well-behaved dog welcome
Sorry, no smoking
Shop 4 miles, pub 2.7 miles

The property

Barnstaple 3.6 miles.

Surrounded by scenic woodland areas and an abundance of activity, The Shippon is a delightful character-filled cottage, promising you and your family a wonderful stay near the coast of North Devon.

With a cheery blue décor running throughout a variety of the rooms, this quaint cottage is sure to remind you why you picked this charming cottage near the sea.

Providing you with a spacious sitting room with ample seating for all the family to unwind, this room is the go-to after a day of exploring, with a woodburning stove to huddle around in the winter months and bright and airy windows to open up in the summer months, be sure to stop here with a glass of wine and good company to end your day in an unwinding environment surrounded by your loved ones.

For a spot of home-cooking, the kitchen offers a wide array of amenities for any food you fancy, with an AGA cooker in the kitchen itself and an electric cooker in the utility, you’ll be able to whip up a feast in no time.

Enjoy your dinner at the table in the kitchen before playing board games for some competitive family-fun.

Upstairs you can find the two bedrooms; a double and a twin room, providing you with the perfect layout for a small family to rest after a tiresome day.

The garden is the perfect opportunity for both the little ones and the dogs to enjoy an afternoon of activity, with a patio for you to relax on and a field just ahead with swings and a trampoline, the back garden is the ideal spot to spend a summer’s evening.

Take a walk into the woodlands where you can find stunning scenery and may even be lucky enough to spot an abundance of nature.

Barnstaple is the main town of North Devon and is just a short journey away from the cottage, with a wide selection of shops and restaurants to explore and markets to mosey around, it makes a fabulous day out for all the family.

For a day at the beach, make your way to Woolacombe by car, here you can find the seafront offering two beautiful beaches, an information centre informing you of all the local pub, and even more beachfront cafés, it’s well-worth a visit with the North Devon AONB close by too, it’s the perfect place to see the stunning sights of Devon.

Note: This property has a Good Housekeeping bond of £150.

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About the location

BARNSTAPLE

Exeter 40 miles.

Barnstaple enjoys a superb location at the mouth of the Taw Estuary, on the spectacular North Devon coastline between Westward Ho! and Croyde and is a short drive from the Exmoor National Park. Barnstaple is a busy traditional Devon coastal town with a pannier market, shops, restaurants and bars, along with two fabulous sandy beaches, which are popular with surfers and families. The town is renowned for its floral displays having won a Britain in Bloom award and flowers are found around every corner of the town in the most unusual places. Barnstaple lies at the end of the magnificent Tarka line railway journey, which takes you through the spectacular North Devon countryside of wooded river valleys, rugged moorland and a stretch of coastline, plus close by is the picture postcard coastal village of Clovelly. A combination of numerous long sandy beaches and family attractions makes Barnstaple a desirable holiday destination.

This property offers the following short breaks:

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Off-season
Last minute
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Features

Reviews & Ratings

“This will of been our 4th stay at The Shippon, we recommend this cottage 100per cent for its locality, cleanliness, and there is just everything you could possibly need for a comfortable and restful holiday.”

“The Shippon is a place to unwind.”

“We have just arrived back from a wonderful week at the Shippon.”

“Access to the property was down very narrow roads it would’ve been of help to have been told this in the description even though we are used to driving down these kind of roads others may not be.”

“We have used Sykes Cottages for many years and rate The Shippon as one of our best stays.”

“A very delightful 3 weeks in a perfect country cottage.”

“A cosy and well-equipped cottage with a generously sized and enclosed garden.”

“What an absolutely great cottage, we honestly couldn't have asked for anything better.”

“We had a really great week at the Shippon cottage.”

“At an early stage of our holiday I contacted Sykes to detail many issues with the cottage and will provide them with photographs to evidence what I have said.”

“My husband and I booked the cottage to visit our son.”

“We had a great time at the Shippon weather a bit mixed but didn’t spoil the holiday.”

“Amazing!! If you want tranquility with just the sound of nature this is the place”

“Shane and Annie were very helpful and accommodating.”

“Very cosy holiday cottage exactly as described, lovely getaway with the family; dog and children loved the garden.”

“Absolutely loved our stay.”

“Although very rural this was such a nice cottage, very comfortable with some fantastic views.”

“Lovely cottage, the spacyous garden was excellent for our dog (and her boss).”

“We had a lovely stay at the shippon.”

“The property is a already mentioned in reviews very ruaral, but thats part of the charm, albeit with a couple of minutes your back on main roads.”

“Excellent property, condition as listed.”

“We had a lovely week at The Shippon.”

“A beautifully designed cottage, with a large lounge and separate kitchen/diner.”

“What a fantastic cottage everything you could ask for in a country retreat close ...”

“Lovely warm house with a friendly, helpful owner.”

“Thank you to Annie and Shane for making our stay at the Shippon so comfortable.”

“Very disappointing!”

“We really enjoyed the peace & quiet at The Shippon.”

“Fully equipped cottage but very remote and now trying to get the scratches out the car from narrow roads”

“Very nice holiday cottage.”

“The cottage was perfect in every way, we couldn't have asked for anymore from Annie the owner.”

“Loved it”

“We had a lovely week at The Shippon.”

“A lovely cottage with parking and with good size rooms and a large enclosed garden for the dog.”

“Brilliant location, the only noise at night was from the owls and foxes.”

“Lovely quiet location only advice use owners instructions to find cottage not ...”

“This is a very nice holiday home we would stay there again very helpful land ...”

“We really enjoyed staying at the cottage.”

“We had a really enjoyable week at Shippon.”

“Very comfortable and everything you would need, owners very helpful.”

“Good location base within easy reach of Barnstaple and surrounding areas.”

“Have just had a lovely week staying at The Shippon.”

“Very well equipped including a Tassimo coffee machine (we took our own), Sky box, decent internet speed.”

“Absolutely amazing place to stay, me and my partner took our dog for the week and couldn’t of asked for anything better, very spacious so great for a family.”

“The owners were very inviting and started our holiday with a wonderful welcome pack including a cream tea.”

“We really enjoyed our stay.”

“Beautiful cottage, perfectly clean and we were even left Easter treats.”

“Lovely to be greeted with a cream tea and some extra goodies too.”

“Thank you for a very good stay.”

“We had a lovely break at the Shippon, cosy cottage which was well equipped.”

“A very friendly welcome and stay top marks all round, thank you.”

“Lovely warm welcome.”

“Lovely and homely.”

“A spacious, well equipped cottage in the country and close to the coast.”

“Fabulous holiday cottage.”

“We really enjoyed our stay at The Shippon.”

“Extremely comfortable cottage in a very peaceful setting; very well equipped and friendly, helpful hosts”

“A very spacious “cottage” ; how often do you get 3 loos ?”

“Lovely destination, big thank you to the really friendly hosts who made our ...”

“Lovely welcome from the owners who were on hand all the time.”

“We had a really fantastic stay in this amazing cottage.”

“The cottage is very tired and rather dusty the sliding doors were off their sliders the dishwasher was broken and the cooker in the utility room was awkward because you had to bring the pots and pans needed for cooking into the utility room and dish up out there.”

“We had a lovely week at The Shippon, nice and quiet lovely big garden for the ...”

“Thoroughly enjoyed our stay at the shippon, house was fully equipped, spacious, ...”

“Excellent cottage very clean.”

“Warm welcome.”

“Cottage was very comfortable and highly appointed, only minor issue was lack of a tray for cups and only one frying pan considering the place is awash with cups and glasses.”

“Excellent location, very well equipped and comfortable cottage.”

“Considering it only sleeps 4, this is a spacious, comfortable and nicely furnished cottage, with 3 sofas in the living room, a 6 seat kitchen table and vast amounts of utensils, glasses and crockery.”

“The cottage is in a great location, in the middle of nowhere which is what we wanted.”

“Lovely well equipped cottage.”

Summary

The property

View on map

About the location

BARNSTAPLE