The Shippen Cottages — Hotel in East Devon

Awkward to get to, especially if you have a big car that you don’t want scratched on hedgerow, and you definitely do not want to meet something coming the other way, it is literally a one car road. When you get to the cottages though, it is worth it. Absolutely beautiful vista, out in the middle of no where, in a valley. The birds and squirrels clearly don’t mind people and you can spend hours watching them either through your patio doors or from the stunning terrace. The only thing to disturb the peace and quiet is the noise of the train running through the valley, but they appear to be quite short trains. The cottage(s) are well appointed and each room has its own thermostat and underfloor heating. I stayed with my family for a week in the two bedroom cottage. The double bedroom had a huge bathroom and wheelchair friendly shower/ wet room. The twin room had a much smaller bathroom with a small shower cubicle. My sister and husband were booked for another week after I left and were to move to the smaller cottage, my only real complaint is that when they asked if they could just move their things across, they were told that “No, they would be homeless for 5 hours” on changeover day. This meant that they had to pack everything up and load it into the car (including fridge foods) by 10am, keep it with them on a very hot day and then move back in to the new accommodation after 3pm - they both have limited mobility and this was very difficult for them. There is parking in front of the cottages, but you must hope that the other occupants have parked considerately. We recommend the free range eggs on offer, they are delightful, and the cake is a great...

I stayed here for a week in September - what a find! Delightful cottages, everything thought of and with those extra touches showing quality and thought. Below the veranda is a large bed of lavender, which on a summer's evening provides the most wonderful scent drifting up as you sit outside admiring the view. The owners Mark and Anne are very friendly and helpful, and the welcome pack of milk, honey and eggs from their bees and chickens, and Anne's home-made cakes (delicious) is typically so thoughtful. There was also a bowl of water waiting for my dog. ||Lots of glorious areas to explore nearby and ideal for birdwatching. || A fantastic week (the weather was kind) and this is a place where you can relax and forget about the rest of the world if you want to. You can take your dog too. ||The best cottage I have...

Three of us stayed in this private little corner of Devon, down a small, winding lane, surrounded by fields and woods .... and quiet :) ||The accommodation is very comfortable, with one light and open living area and bedrooms off, each with a spacious bathroom. Decor and furnishings simple and tasteful, fully equipped kitchen and utility room and comprehensive instructions for the cottage but also surrounding area and local facilities. Lovely wooden decking/balcony with table and chairs. ||A WiFi problem (not of the owner's making) was quickly resolved. ||A local train line runs very close just below the cottages (out of sight and infrequent service), but we did not find this intrusive or too...