Dog friendly cottage, sleeps 2 - Ashwater, Devon

This one-storey country cottage is perfectly located for enjoying the best of Devon and Cornwall, surrounded by traditional towns and villages and within easy reach of the North Cornwall coast. Spend your days exploring hidden coves, sandy surfing beaches and the breathtaking countryside, and your evenings relaxing in the pretty shared courtyard or getting competitive in the complex’s games barn. Surprisingly spacious throughout, this cottage offers a comfortable and welcoming base to retire to.

Relax in front of the wood burner in the open-plan living space, which has been neutrally decorated with country-style finishes, from wooden floors to exposed brick detail. The traditional cottage decor continues in the large double bedroom, with exposed beams adding a rustic, country charm, while the en-suite bathroom nods to the cottage’s proximity to the coast with a nautical decor. Try your hand at coarse fishing on the on-site lake, which is surrounded by woodland walks and shared gardens for you to explore.

Or head further afield for a beach day, with both Bude (15 miles) and Widemouth Bay (18 miles) nearby, each offering an array of beaches, from bustling to secluded. For watersports, head to Roadford Reservoir (7 miles), or enjoy a walk or paddle along Bude’s beautiful canal. Outdoor types will love exploring Dartmoor (20 miles), with its incredible granite tors, rugged spaces and wooded valleys (plus a few good country pubs to stop in on the way!).