Balls Farm Cottage
Self Catering Accommodation
ABOUT
Recently restored, this character cottage lets you experience the charm, peace and seclusion of country living whilst enjoying the comforts of modern life.
Nestled in the peaceful, picturesque Devonshire countryside, in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Balls Farm Cottage has been sympathetically renovated, retaining period features including an inglenook fireplace with bread oven and flagstone floors. The cottage is light and airy with a generously sized hand crafted kitchen that opens onto its south facing patio and flower garden, a perfect spot for enjoying those sunny summer days and evening dining, while the log burner in the sitting room will help keep you toasty during the winter nights. Two newly installed washrooms will help with the demands of a busy family. A walk in shower on the first floor and a bath on the ground floor. The cottage enjoys a fine aspect with many rooms enjoying far-reaching countryside views over the Axe Valley.
The cottage was originally part of the adjoining property, Balls Farm, a 400 year old listed farmhouse which features in literature on the Fosseway, the famous Roman road which runs from Lincolnshire to Exeter. We are a small family living in Balls Farm. Balls Farm no longer runs as an active working farm but both properties benefit from being surrounded by the fields it once owned.
Relax and unwind whilst watching cows peacefully graze, and enjoy the wildlife including our friendly robin, a family of goldfinch and wild deer. We also often hear local owls and you might see a bat or two. The cottage is situated at the end of a long private drive through the neighbouring farmers field off of the A358.
AMENITIES
Sleeps 5
3 bedrooms (2 x double bed and 1 x single bed)
2 washrooms (toilet & bath downstairs and toilet & shower upstairs)
Well behaved dog allowed at an additional fee of £5 per night (please note, the garden is not fully enclosed)
WiFi
Dishwasher
Washing machine
Indoor log burner
BBQ
South facing patio and flower garden
Private parking for 2 cars next to the property
Additional parking available upon request
Shops within 4 minute drive (including farm shop, supermarket, butchers, fishmonger and bakers)
Train station 4 minute drive away (offering an hourly service to the Cathedral city of Exeter in one direction or London Waterloo in the other)
Private drive leads directly to A358, no narrow lanes to contend with
A35 only moments away (with easy access to the A30 and M5)
GALLERY
View towards kitchen
THE LOCAL AREA
Not only will you have the beauty of the Devonshire/Dorset countryside and Jurassic coast on your doorstep, but in addition plenty of popular tourist attractions to keep you entertained during your stay.
Attractions
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Pecorama with its Beer Heights Light Railway, Beer Quarry Caves, The Seaton Tramway, The Donkey Sanctuary, Seaton Wetlands (a flat wildlife sightseeing walk along the Axe estuary) and The Norman Lockyer Observatory to name but a few.
Places to Eat and Cookery Courses
Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall's River Cottage HQ (3.6 miles) recently opened a kitchen and store providing a casual space to drop by for breakfast, lunch, drinks, tea and snacks 7 days a week. In addition River Cottage hosts foraging, meal and cooking experiences which have to be booked in advance. Lyme Regis has many bustling cafes and the Community Waffle House in Axminster is a favourite of ours.
Walks
You can enjoy a host of scenic walks, whether it be countryside, coastal or pub/tea room circulars; Golden Cap to Seatown Beach, Symondsbury Estate and Hells lane. The Jurassic coast has footpaths running all along it, Branscombe to Beer makes a nice circular. One of my favourites circles the nearby village of Musbury, which includes the backdrop of Musbury Castle, an Iron Age fortification, with stunning panoramic views of the Axe Valley and coast.
Local Towns, Beaches and Markets
The popular seaside tourist destination of Lyme Regis, with its wealth of independent shops and eateries is only 5 miles away. Lyme Regis featured in the recent film Wonker. Sidmouth, known for its Sidmouth Folk Festival held in the summer, offers both a town and beach to explore. Beer, a quant fishing village, is only 7 miles away.
If it's the bustle of a market that you enjoy its worth visiting Bridport on a Saturday.
Water Activities​
Fishing and boat trips are available from most seaside towns (Lyme Regis, Beer, Branscombe and Seaton).
Fossil Hunting
Charmouth beach a particular hotspot. you maybe lucky and make a new discovery like Mary Anning (21 May 1799 - 9 March 1847), an English fossil collector, dealer and palaeontologist who became known around the world for the important finds she made in Jurassic marine fossil beds in the cliffs at Lyme Regis. Her findings contributed to important changes in scientific thinking about prehistoric life and the history of the earth. The film Ammonite was shot in Lyme Regis depicting her life story.