Limecombe, Simonsbath

Limecombe, Simonsbath: Somerset

Limecombe is a picturesque sanctuary perched high on Exmoor, standing at an elevation of 1300 feet above sea level and located just a mile from the quaint village of Simonsbath. Nestled away in a concealed combe amidst the sprawling 6000 acre Exmoor Forest Estate, it offers a secluded and tranquil setting amid the breathtaking scenery and wildlife of Exmoor National Park. This south-facing cottage boasts five ensuite bedrooms, comfortably accommodating up to 10 guests. The property is enveloped by trees and offers spectacular views in every direction, with a delightful garden in front of the cottage, perfect for hosting barbecues, outdoor lunches, and ball games.

Other features of the property include:

Four bedrooms on the ground floor
One bedroom on the first floor
All bedrooms can be configured as twin beds or two can be combined to create super-king beds upon request (one on the ground floor and one upstairs)
One bath/shower room per bedroom
A well-equipped kitchen with a dining area
A cozy sitting room with a wood-burner
Dogs are welcome (maximum of 2)
Bed linen and towels are provided
Electricity, heating, and wifi are included
An enclosed garden with picnic tables
Strictly no smoking
Arrival time from 3.30 pm
Departure time by 10 am

Originally constructed in the 19th century to house railway workers employed on the Simonsbath to Porlock mineral line, the cottage was never utilized for this purpose as the railway line was never laid. Later on, it served as accommodation for shepherds working on the farm estate, and it has since undergone renovations and been transformed into delightful holiday accommodation. Access to the property is via a private track through the fields, ensuring peace and privacy, with the nearest neighbor situated a mile away in the village.

The estate to which the property belongs is a working hill-farm, boasting a sizable herd of beef cattle and several thousand sheep. Exmoor is a raw and unbridled wilderness of incredible beauty, but it is readily accessible for family and group holidays.

Please note that while dogs are permitted, they must not be allowed in the bedrooms or on the furniture. Access to two of the ground floor twin rooms is only possible via an external door. The master bedroom is accessible via a steep staircase. The water supply is drawn from a UV filtered spring. The track leading to the property is made of hardcore surface (not tarmacked), which may be bumpy. Livestock may be present in the fields surrounding the property, and you may be required to open and close a series of 3 or 4 gates, depending on the time of year and whether livestock is in the fields.

Facilities
The entrance to the property from the car parking area is directly into the kitchen and dining room, which has a large table to comfortably seat 10. The kitchen is well equipped with two gas ovens and hob, microwave, fridge/freezer, dishwasher and washing machine. The tumble dryer is located in the external utility room.

A central hallway leads through to the comfortable sitting room with wood-burner, TV with FreeSat, WIFI, DVD player, and a selection of books and games is provided too.

Four of five bedrooms are located on the ground floor, three twin bedrooms and one bedroom with zip-link beds which can therefore be made up as another twin or as a super-king double bed. Two of the ground floor bedrooms are only accessible via an external door (out of the kitchen door and just a few steps along the outside of the cottage). The ground floor bedrooms each have an allocated shower room, comprising walk-in shower, toilet and hand basin.

The fifth bedroom is upstairs, a steep staircase leads up from the hallway, the bedroom upstairs also has zip-link beds so can also be made up as another twin or as a super-king double bed. The upstairs bathroom comprises a bath, toilet and hand basin.

Though you would never know it, the cottage runs off solar panels, batteries and a back-up generator.

Electricity and heating costs are included in the price of your accommodation. Central heating is fitted throughout the property and there is a wood-burner in the living room. There will be a complimentary basket of logs for the wood burner and if you require more, further available at £5 per bag, money to be put in the honesty box please.

Bed linen and towels are provided for your convenience. Please bring outdoor/beach towels if you wish to take them with you on day trips.

Up to 2 well-behaved dogs welcome. Please do not allow them on the furniture or in the bedrooms please, thank you for your cooperation.

Please note that Limecombe is a wonderful, rural hide away and is not connected to mains services. There has recently been a mobile service mast upgrade so there is now a mobile signal outside the cottage on the EE network (only) but service indoors remains intermittent. There is a landline available for emergency use only. Due to remoteness BT are challenged with maintaining a good clear line. Wifi (via satellite) is available at the cottage which is usually quite fast (for Exmoor) and enables voice calling and messaging if required.

Location
The estate the property is located on sits within Exmoor National Park and has a fascinating history. The name 'forest' derives from its use as a royal chase in the ownership of the crown. In 1818, the estate was bought by John Knight who intended to cultivate the estate for farming. He built a 29 mile wall to enclose the estate and began an enormous programme of agriculture and civil engineering to seek to turn the land from moorland to farmland, and to drain it. This was continued by his son, Frederic, who built the church at Simonsbath. Information about the history of the estate is available in the cottage.

The River Exe rises on the estate and the beautiful River Barle flows through the middle of it. Fishing is available on the Barle for guests. Walkers will love Limecombe: from Pinkery Pond, to Landacre Bridge, the Doone Valley, Exe Head (with its views to Wales on a sunny day), the Fortescue Monument, Cornham Ford and Cow Castle, there are so many beautiful walks of varying intensity. Guides to the walks and maps are available free of charge to guests at Limecombe.

The coast at Lynton is only 8 miles away, an easy drive across Brendon Common. Beautiful sandy beaches at Woolacombe, Saunton and Croyde are close at hand. Lundy Island is an easy and delightful day trip on the MS Oldenburg from Bideford or Ilfracombe.

You may wish to bask in the peace and serenity of Limecombe, but there is also plenty of interesting places to visit should you wish to, including Tarr Steps (a clapper bridge across the River Barle) near Winsford, West Somerset Steam Railway which terminates in Minehead. There are also National Trust properties including Dunster Castle, Arlington Court, Knightshayes and many more. The surfing beaches of North Devon are easily reached and the South West Coastal Path and Coleridge Way.