This is the thatched cottage owned by the childrens’ author, Mary Norton in the fifties. It formed some of the setting for the 3rd book, in The Borrowers series, The Borrowers Afloat, which she wrote here. There is even a stream at the bottom of the lane, exactly as in the story.
Built before 1550, the cottage is listed as Grade ll*, the star putting it in the top 7% of all listed buildings. The adjacent cottage is an old chapel, and it is believed this one was built as the minister's home. The present owner, whose mother bought it from Mary in 1959, has resisted the temptation to gentrify it. Its interior is therefore quite basic, with traditional farmhouse furniture. So, although now equipped with modern conveniences (washing machine next door), it does still retain its rustic charm as in Mary's time. It features latched doors, exposed beams, low ceilings, uneven floors, flagged kitchen with hand-pump and traditional stone sink set into the thick cob wall, oil fired Rayburn for the winter, open fireplace and roses growing up the exterior wall.
Fourteen miles west of Bideford, the cottage is secluded and very quiet, yet only 20 minutes walk through the unspoilt Vale to the pubs and the shops at Hartland. The sea is 1.5 miles away and an outstanding cream tea is only 1.2 miles away. Within 30 minutes drive are: two sandy beaches at Westwood Ho! and Bude; adventure playgrounds, Big Sheep and Milky Way; pony riding; National Trust Coastal walk; Clovelly; the Tarka Trail, which is ideal for cycling; and the Tamar Lake.
Interior
The accommodation comprises a sitting room, kitchen, bathroom and 3 bedrooms (1 double and two small singles). In the main bedroom, as well as the double there is a single bed. Being a mediaeval cottage, all rooms are small and 4 is the ideal number of guests.
French windows lead off the sitting room to the terrace, which is equipped with garden furniture. The garden is west facing and catches the afternoon sun. There is private parking in an adjacent lane.
Local area
The cottage is secluded and very quiet, yet only 20 minutes walk through the unspoilt vale to the pubs and the shops at Hartland. The sea is 1.5 miles away and an outstanding cream tea is only 1.2 miles away. Within 30 minutes drive are: two sandy beaches at Westwood Ho! and Bude; adventure playgrounds, Big Sheep and Milky Way; pony riding; National Trust Coastal walk; Clovelly; the Tarka Trail, which is ideal for cycling; and the Tamar Lake.
North Devon, near the Cornish border, is an area of extra ordinary natural beauty. The coastline is rugged, with treacherous reefs stretching far out to sea to wreck unwary ships. Towering cliffs have been crushed by primeval forces into strange swirls of syncline and anticline. Great wooded valleys, known locally as coombes, have been etched through the landscape. The fields are tiny and the narrow lanes between them bounded by high earthen hedges. Comparatively few tourists visit this area.
Hartland is a thriving village, with 2 potters and a traditional furniture maker. In summer there is a brass band, plus many other musical activities, a village fete and a flower show. Carnival week is the 1st full week in August and culminates in a grand procession with many amusing floats on topical themes.
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