Family-friendly self catering accommodation in Devon
Relaxing holidays with pre-school children
For school-aged children
Slightly older children just love the space and freedom they get when staying at the cottage or lodges. We're down a long private drive, so they're fairly safe racing around on bikes. Bring your family's own bikes or borrow ours - we have have a range of sizes, including several children's bikes, all reclaimed from the local recycling centre. (And we're close to good cycling for new riders and families - the Tarka Trail is just the place for children to get some confidence over a few miles and makes a great day out).
The cross over bunks in the smaller lodges always seem to be a hit with children too - they're at right-angles to each other, so feet cross but not heads (or the other way round).
Outside the lodges, you can keep an eye on the family from the windows while kids play football or volleyball, and you can see the swings if that's where they are. Children under 12 don't need an environment agency rod licence and they're most welcome to fish the top pond by Otter Cottage (free). It's well stocked and even beginners are pretty much guaranteed a catch (and immediate release please). We have a rod we lend if you don't have your own, and Ian is often around to show children what's what. But please remember, you're in charge of your children's safety!
We have a few hens, and families often like to collect an egg or two. There's lots of wildlife about, from butterflies to owls, and we'd be delighted to take you and your family on a guided nature walk while you're staying at the lodges or cottage. We can almost always arrange this at a mutually convenient time, and there's no charge.
For families with older children
Older children get to fish and bike too - send your teenagers into the village to get you a paper! (Please note, although we have a few helmets to borrow we advise you to bring your own safety gear if you're planning on using our bikes on the roads). And there are badminton rackets for the mown pitch in front of the lodges.
There are no public paths crossing our land, so families with older children often feel able to give them quite a bit of freedom. You're welcome to explore the farm, but please leave gates as you find them. Most mobile phones get a signal here, and we do have WiFi in the lodges, which often pleases older children (adult content is excluded). And of course as a last resort there's always the DVD/CD player, and a flat screen digital telly!
Family days out in Devon
Of course, you won't be spending all your holiday at the lodges and cottage. And there are plenty of great attractions near by. Some of the most popular with families are horse riding at nearby Bold Try stables (4 miles from the accommodation), cycling the Tarka Trail (one particularly good joining point is just outside Torrington, about 14 miles from the cottage and lodges) and RHS Rosemoor (about 11 miles from the farm). Slightly further afield you'll find Lydford Gorge (about 21 miles from the accommodation), the Big Sheep a family theme-park type attraction, (also about 21 miles from the lodges) and many others - see our growing Devon family days out blog. If it rains and the children need to burn off some energy, Waie to Play soft play barn is just 8 miles away in Zeal Monachorum.
Kids of all ages are especially welcome at our self catering holiday cottages in the heart of Devon - you're guaranteed a friendly welcome. We hope you and your family will enjoy exploring our 21 acres, fishing, visiting the hens, borrowing bicycles, BBQing or playing badminton/volley ball in the meadow in front of the lodges.
Devon self catering cottage and eco lodges
home t. 01837 83499, email info@wheatlandfarm.co.uk, Wheatland Farm, Winkleigh, Devon, EX19 8DJ.
Wheatland Farm
Are you holidaying with pre-school children? Let us help make it easier - we can loan travel cots, high chairs, cupboard closures, socket covers, hand-held blenders, a trainer loo seat, a bed bar and waterproof mattress covers. There's no stairs for under fives to fall down in the lodges - and we can fit a stair gate to the top of the cottage stairs to keep very young children safe. The smaller lodges have an enclosed veranda. They're great for families with young children, as the children can't wander out that way without you noticing.
There's a swing suitable for pre-schoolers amongst the trees on the far side of the lodge field and a small slide nearby too. Should their clothes get grubby, there's a shared washing machine (£2 per load, includes soap) and a washing line on your veranda - or we can tumble dry a load for you at the farmhouse (£3 per load).
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