Croft Cabin - Kip Hideaways (2024)

*Brand new*
Inspired by living in Australia and its vast landscape, the owners of this eco cabin sought to find a home in England that gave them the same sense of freedom and immersion in the natural world. As they first drove down the higgledy-piggledy track here in deepest Devon, they were captivated by the magical, unspoilt Bolham Valley unfolding in front of them. They hand-built this cabin, cradled in 14.5 private acres, to live in with their young family whilst they embarked upon the (frankly huge) restoration of the 16thC Devon longhouse.

Intentionally simple and pared-back, Croft Cabin’s bare wood walls and picture windows draw your gaze outside to the meadow of wild mixed grasses. Cut footpaths lead to an orchard and down to the meandering River Bolham for paddling, picnics and fishing. Kids can run free here, discovering a rope swing, trampoline and football goal; adults can relax on the big south-facing deck, soaking up the peace and big views whatever the weather. There’s a firepit, too, and with very little light pollution the sky is huge and brimming with stars. The wider valley is excellent for walking and cycling, or hop in the car to zip to the North Devon coast for surfing, Exmoor, Quantocks and Dartmoor for walks, wild swims and epic views, or beautiful South Devon beaches. This cabin is in plum position to explore them all, should you want to. But if you’re just after seclusion, peace and your kids running free amongst nature, you’ll have everything you need, right here.

Getting here: you’ll need to drive.

“We moved to Devon after 3 years in Australia where we were blown away by the expansive geography, and raw nature of the country. It was our dream to live in an English small-holding that gave us a similar feeling of freedom with the natural world all around us. The land here is steeped with artistic history: our 16thC house and the surrounding land has been painted repeatedly by the Camden Town Artists, most notably Robert Bevan. We built the cabin to live in with our 2 girls during the farmhouse renovation. We still have a lot of work to do but it’s getting there and now we’ve moved into the farmhouse, we wanted to share this magical spot with others. We recently unearthed the old names of the fields around us, and the field the cabin is in was called The Croft Field 400 years ago, so we’ve named the cabin in its honour.”Owners, Charlotte & Humphrey

We love
The carefully chosen brocantepieces, plucked from French markets over many years.

You may not love
Remote (you’ll need a car) and a very bumpy access track. The bathroom is simple and functional rather than pretty. No TV, but WiFi is strong enough to stream. Intentionally no curtains to embrace the immersion into nature (luckily the kids’ room is quite dark). The owners live next door though you’re completely private.

• There are incredible cycling, running and walking routes across the whole of the Blackdown Hills (AONB); head up to Culmstock Beacon for a circular walk with expansive valley views (making a pit stop at Strand Stores for lunch), or down to Culmstock River to paddle at the bridge, followed by a drink at The Culm Valley Inn(20 mins).
• Wellington and Honiton are sweet, local towns where you can get everything you need for picnic supplies; head over in the morning to have breakfast with proper coffee at Brazier Coffee Roasters(20 mins).
• Make a quick evening dash down to the shingle shore at dog-friendly Branscombe Beach (only 35 mins away) for swimming and paddle boarding, then stop off at The Folly at The Pigfor an easy pizza dinner on the way home.
• Cycle along the Grand Western Canal through stunning countryside, followed by coffee and a pasty at Halberton Farm Shop (30 mins).
• Go surfing on the North Devon coast (1 hour 20 mins) or head the south coast for ice cream strolls along beautiful pebble beaches–Budleigh Salterton is beautiful (40 mins).
• Spend an afternoon at Knightshayes (National Trust) a stately 19th-century Gothic house with vast parklands and post-war gardens to roam, followed by pizzas at Lost Kitchen in Tiverton (you’ll need to book; 40 mins).
• Spot wild ponies in Exmoor and Dartmoor National Parks–both are great for walking and proper country pubs, around 1 hour away.

Specifics.