Weeke Brook - Quintessential thatched luxury Devon cottage

Plot your escape from real life and write your own story at Weeke Brooke, a luxury cottage straight out of a fairytale. This beautiful, grade II-listed home is set in wraparound verdant green grounds, complete with babbling brook and watermill. It’s off the beaten track but within easy reach of the friendly village of Chagford on the fringes of rugged Dartmoor. Bursting with character and sensitively restored to the highest possible standards, Weeke Brook is an idyllic and serene haven for self-catering family-friendly breaks, romantic escapes or an uninterrupted writers’ retreat. If you’re looking for peace, calm and seclusion, you’ll find it at Weeke Brooke. Nestled in a third of an acre of manicured lawns trimmed with rambling roses and wildflowers, this traditional thatched cottage offers outstanding undisturbed views. Relax to the sound of a running stream just a hop, skip and a jump from your front door; delight in the old waterhouse, waterwheel and tiny stone footbridge; explore the garden that wraps around the whole property; and enjoy a peaceful moment on the tree-top balcony, while keeping your drinks cool in the stream below. The foundations of this stunning home are in the 16th century – the original inglenook fireplace and low ceilings supported by beams salvaged from burnt warships in Plymouth add to the charming atmosphere – but its vibe is thoroughly modern. Completely renovated, the calming interior reflects the peaceful exterior. Decorated in dreamy muted pastels, vintage finds go hand in hand with contemporary touches to create a stylish, country feel. Big, comfortable sofas and natural textures in both the sitting room and snug invite relaxation, while a games room with more seating and a TV provides extra space for children and teenagers to escape to. Three beautiful bedrooms plus a sofa bed in the snug offer accommodation for seven people – perfect for a large family or group of friends. Bustling Chagford is less than five minutes’ drive away. With an eclectic mix of small independent shops that have been trading for generations, art galleries and pubs, cafes and restaurants, it is an ideal place for food and drink lovers to get stuck in. Chagford is a launchpad to enjoy Dartmoor National Park and all the area has to offer – adventure beckons in the form of cycling, hiking and history. Pack the walking boots, stomp through the rugged moor with a map in hand and take in the glorious wilderness with only the local Dartmoor ponies for company, before returning to a hot bath and the comfort of Weeke Brooke – the perfect break for families, walkers and nature lovers. PLEASE NOTE THAT WE DO NOT ACCEPT ALL MALE OR FEMALE GROUPS. PETS ARE ACCEPTED. The Space: Chocolate-box country cottage on the outside, relaxed elegance on the inside, Weeke Brooke’s charm will sweep you off your feet and on to the gorgeous velvet sofas. Accessed from a winding country lane, a sweeping gravel double-entrance horseshoe drive provides plenty of parking for up to six cars. Enter the front porch – a great space to leave your wellies – and you’re straight in the open-plan kitchen and dining area, decorated in tasteful greys with comfy rugs underfoot. There’s a real sense of home – imagine padding downstairs in the morning to cosy up by the Rayburn while you make your coffee. This is complemented by an electric oven, induction hob and washer-dryer. A large table makes for fabulous cosy suppers during cooler winter months. A handy utility corner houses a microwave and huge American-style fridge-freezer – great for storing your plunder from Chagford’s delis. The kitchen conveniently leads to the rest of the ground floor. Comfort-chic is the name of the game in the atmospheric living room, which has plenty of seating for eight. Choose from an eclectic mix of big sofas and armchairs, punctuated by trendy vintage-style accessories. Relax with the papers while listening to the digital Roberts radio before setting out for the day. Come winter, recline in front of the smart TV or gather around the huge original inglenook fireplace (working from November 2020) for true rural ambience. Seating for three can be found in the snug – a great place for children to relax in front of the smart TV, powered by Netflix – and this space can also double as an extra bedroom with its blue velvet sofa bed. Original flooring lends character to a fully renovated shower room with WC and basin. Three charming bedrooms and a sumptuous family bathroom are upstairs. The spacious master bedroom, decorated in stylish greys, boasts a super-king-size bed tucked under pretty eaves; the second double bedroom is a symphony of natural fabrics, textures and vintage art; while the cosy third single bedroom has views over the garden and abundant vegetable patch. The large bathroom provides a rolltop bath, waterfall over-bath shower with curtain, WC and basin. A games room, housed in a lovely old outbuilding, is stocked with a TV, Ping-Pong table, games and seating. Another ‘room’ is provided in the form of the tree-top viewing platform, complete with sun loungers. Retreat here for a sunny evening drink while gazing out over the stunning landscape. Completely safe and built to building regulations, children will also be enchanted with this treehouse that overlooks the garden. An eight-seater table on the rear lawn makes for a stunning al fresco dining area in the spring and summer months. Whatever the weather, Weeke Brooke provides the perfect escape from reality all year round. Guest Access: Check in details will be provided 24 hours prior to your arrival check in date and time Interaction with Guests: Weeke Brook is professionally managed by Fresh Escapes. A Devon based privately owned Vacation Rental and Management company who are here to ensure your stay runs as smoothly as possible. The Neighborhood: Weeke Brooke is a gateway to a wealth of incredible walks, views, history and culture. It sits in an area of Devon that has its own microclimate, which makes it sunnier and drier than the western side of the moor. Your first port of call should be Chagford – a truly original market town steeped in history, boasting a rich creative culture. Just one mile away, the village is awash with beautiful old granite buildings, including the lovely church of St Michael, and unusual independent shops and galleries – try Rue Des Fontenelles for art, interiors and antiques. James Bowden & Sons famously sells everything and anything, as well as all you need for a day out on the moors. Food lovers will be spoiled for choice. Most places use local and organic ingredients, such as the traditional thatched Three Crowns Inn, the light and airy modern Old Forge café-restaurant and the quaint Birdcage café (for fabulous cream teas and cakes). Big-hitting Michelin-starred fare can be found at the nearby Gidleigh Park hotel. For eating in, head to Blacks Delicatessen for delicious home-cooked locally sourced treats and Jaded Palates for a range of exciting, unusual and great-tasting wines. Chagford isn’t your usual sleepy Devon village – it celebrates a vibrant creative culture nurtured by its famous festivals such as the Chagstock music festival, Chagford Film Festival and Chagword Literary Festival. It’s also the perfect base from which to explore Dartmoor National Park and all the area has to offer. Walking affords the chance to view breath-taking scenery of iconic granite-topped tors, stone rows and circles, clapper bridges and ancient dwellings. Or for a contrast, take in one of Dartmoor’s sparkling rivers: the beautiful River Teign meanders around the village, through Teign Gorge and on to the beauty spot of Fingle Bridge. Go wild swimming in the Salmon Leaps – a long river pool in the woods beneath Castle Drogo, which cascades into three Victorian square stone plunge pools. Finish your adventure with a drink at the Fingle Bridge Inn. The tranquil Fernworthy Reservoir is also worth a visit. Drewsteignton is another unmissable quintessential Devon village, four miles north of the cottage. It boasts a superb restaurant, The Old Inn, which has been featured in the Good Food Guide and recommended by the Michelin Guide. Finally, soak up some of Chagford’s history at Castle Drogo and discover the local legends and folklore that Dartmoor is famous for at Okehampton Castle. Getting Around: From the north: M5 southbound exit at junction 31, take the A30 exit to Bodmin/Okehampton. Continue on A30 for 16 miles. Take A382 exit towards Moretonhampstead/Torrington/Winkleigh/A3124. After half a mile, take the first exit at roundabout on to A382. Continue on A382 for 3.6 miles and turn right on to Adly Lane. Bear right on a right-hand bend to stay on Adly Lane until you reach a T-junction. Turn right, and you will instantly see the cottage gates on your left. Other Things to Note: Fresh Escapes have carefully selected the best luxury linen for their homestay. We have also partnered locally with Elis who are committed to providing Fresh Escapes with clean, fresh and professionally-finished laundry that smells beautiful and is always immaculately presented on each of our beds and bathrooms. House Rules: • No use of the Spa (if applicable) after 10pm. • No music to be played outside at any time • Please keep noise, inside the property to a minimum after 10pm. • Please remove your shoes before entering the propert.y • No smoking in the property. • The number of occupants is not to exceed the occupancy level set for this property as this will void the Owners house policy insurances.