What our guests say
“We’ve just spent a truly enjoyable four days in the self catering cottage attached to Cranham House. Welcombe Coastal Barn is located on the borders of North Devon/Cornwall and is a perfect base for exploring the stunning South West Coastal Path. The cottage is a haven for those who want the opportunity to relax while being surrounded by wonderful views of the North Devon/Cornwall pastoral scenery. At the same time, the rugged cliffs and beach at Welcombe Mouth are a short stroll away...a breath-taking stretch of coast.
The owners,Jennifer and Alan, couldn’t be more welcoming and are a wealth of local information. The self catering barn is located next door to the main house but is completely private and comfortable. Jennifer and Alan have a wonderful eye for interesting furnishings and art work which is reflected in the interior decoration of the barn. The kitchen is galley style, well equipped and is easy to use. However, we would highly recommend that you book at least one evening meal in the main house. Jennifer is an excellent cook and uses ingredients fresh from her and Alan’s garden. You are also served this meal in an elegant room filled with well chosen, beautiful art and furnishings. You will experience a stay in a wonderful location that feels a long way from the rush of working and travelling.
Jennifer and Alan are warm and caring hosts and will help you with any questions you may have. The road in to Cranham House is a narrow one and at times bumpy but what awaits you at the end of the road is well worth it. We had a wonderful time at Welcombe Coastal Barn and without a doubt will be back. ”
“This is our third visit to what we can only describe as the most naturally beautiful part of the North Devon and Cornwall coast line. Having spent many a long hour searching hopelessly on the internet for the perfect cottage hideaway for relaxing, long weekends and a week here and there for some serious ‘get away from it all’ time to no avail, our eventual discovery of this stunning coastal barn was a truly memorable moment. Returning to the incredible beauty spot that is Welcombe Mouth, after over 30 years, we can only now describe Cranham House and Barn as our spiritual home.
The privacy that this pretty, distinctive and lovingly furnished semi detached barn affords you enables you to shut yourself away from the world, abandon your car, lose your mobile phone signal and do little else but walk, sleep, relax, take in the cleanliness of the sea air and admire the truly breath-taking views. Whether heading for the North Devon/Cornish border at Morwenstow or the historic location of Hartland Quay, the coastal path walks never fail to cause you to stop, stare and wonder at the amazing cliffs, rock formation, crashing waves and local wildlife and flora.
A more welcoming place you could never wish to find. We look no longer for our perfect break. You will find it here.”
“Thank you very much indeed for the stay in your lovely barn. We enjoyed our Spring holiday immensely, the peacefulness of the Hartland Peninsula was wonderful and also sitting in your lovely garden. Thank you also for the welcome tray and great treats, particularly the home made bread.”
"Thank you for such a lovely stay. You know you've had a good break when you're sad to be leaving.This place is a lovely little gem in the surroundings of somewhere so beautiful. Thank you for making us feel so welcome. The hamper was brilliant! Katherine & Matt
"Thank you so much. We had a wonderful weekend here again. We love the cottage. Duncan actually proposed to me down at Welcombe Mouth on Saturday, so this place is building up lots of special memories for us! Just the perfect place to escape London." Eleanor & Duncan
"You have created a perfect dream" Terry & Clare
"Thank you for making us so welcome in your beautiful barn. We have had an amazing week full of exploring and sightseeing. We have been very comfortable and completely at ease." Beth & Rob
We had a really lovely time. We were made to feel exceptionally welcome and comfortable from the moment we arrived, and I think we're both in agreement that Welcombe is one of the most beautiful places we've been to. Since moving to London from relatively rural Northern Ireland a proper log fire has been one of the luxuries we have really missed. We hope we can visit you again sometime in the future. Imogen & Peter
“Many thanks for having us to stay at your beautiful coastal barn - we have had a wonderful time, the perfect getaway! Warm wishes.”
"The first thing we said after having left the Coastal Barn was: We really have to come back. Best wishes from Bavaria." Wolfgang and Brigitte
“Our third visit in 15 months. Coastal Barn and it's situation never fails to delight!” Carol & Brian
“Wonderful location and cottage. Really perfect if you want to get away to this unspoilt part of England. We had a lovely time and would love to come back. Perfect break from the city” Simon
“If you want a quiet, restful and peaceful holiday, then this is the place for you. Welcombe Coastal Barn is delightful and Jennifer and Alan were wonderful hosts. The barn is as described and exactly like the pictures - we could quite happily live there permanently. The shower was amazing and the kitchen had everything you could possibly need. There were some local treats for us on arrival and plenty of logs for the glorious wood burner. The walk to the beach is wonderful, through the woods and down the lane with the brook running alongside and the views never disappoint - Welcombe Mouth is truly stunning. Although it was the middle of winter we had such a lovely stay and couldn't wait to return in the evening to the fire and some board games. We are planning to return in the summer so we can enjoy the sunshine in the beautiful gardens. Welcombe is a very special place to me and it was the perfect location to stay and show my husband what I have been raving about for years!” Hannah
“We’ve returned to reality after a short break to Welcombe Coastal Barn and are already planning our return trip! This lovely, cosy little haven is a gem of a place, tucked away in a peaceful but awe-inspiring corner of Devon. Alan and Jennifer have created a gorgeous home from home and the personal touches made it even better - local produce, wine and ale and even a ready-built log fire were waiting for us. Bliss!
We loved spending time here; exploring the beautiful Hartland peninsular, soaking up the peace of the private garden and relaxing in the comfortable, cosy cottage. There’s so much positive energy you can’t help but feel rejuvenated and inspired by it. Who needs to go abroad when you have Welcome Coastal Barn giving you the warmest of welcomes and most glorious of stays? We can’t wait to come back!” Emma & James
“I just wanted to let you know that we had a really wonderful time at the cottage. Thank you so much for making us so welcome — the cake, which I presume was baked by you, was DELICIOUS! We enjoyed some spectacular walks, particularly the one along the coast to the Bush Inn. Next time we'll explore the coastal path in the opposite direction! Many thanks and best wishes.” Charlotte & Joe
“We’re loathe to write anything too complimentary about this charming cottage as we’d like to keep it a secret all to ourselves, but that wouldn’t be fair on the lovely owners, Jennifer and Alan. For starters, the location is superb. Wild, rugged and remote, this is, for us, one of the most romantic stretches of the south-west coastline, with bags of fascinating history to boot. The cottage itself is a converted barn with a cosy bedroom, small bathroom with shower, a well-equipped homely kitchen, and a sitting room complete with wood burner and fully stocked log basket for the pyromaniac in you. It’s all beautifully decorated but with a rustic edge, nothing overly fancy or twee about it. An array of books, magazines and a selection of DVDs are squirreled away in nooks and crannies for nights in by the fire. Our personal highlight was the tray of goodies awaiting us in the kitchen – freshly baked bread, a wedge of cheese, a basket of eggs, homemade apple juice, beer and Cornish shortbread. We enjoyed boiled eggs every morning before we set out on bracing morning walks along the cliffs, followed by hearty lunches at the Bush Inn, a humble local haunt. Come here in summer and you should treat yourself to a visit to the Rectory Tearooms, serving the largest homemade scones you will have ever seen in your life! Thank you, Alan & Jennifer, for staying up well past midnight to welcome us on the stormy night that we arrived. You were the perfect hosts, at hand just next door in the main house for anything we might have needed, but otherwise inconspicuous, so we felt that this could have been our very own home (if only!) We will be escaping back to your coastal retreat again, without a doubt.” Eleanor & Duncan