Old Croft House, Devon

A lovely 8-bedroom holiday home that sleeps 14, set in the heart of rolling Devon farmland with views that go on for miles – dogs are very welcome too. Perfect for groups of friends or family get-togethers.

The house sits in a magical spot, surrounded by countryside, and it’s been opened up to make the most of the light and the views – there are windows on all sides. The kitchen flows straight into the dining room, onto the veranda and the garden, making it a brilliant space to spend time together.

It’s warm and cosy throughout, with oak floors, an Aga, an open fire in each sitting room and a wood-burning stove in the dining room. The kitchen is fully equipped with everything you could need – an Aga, two extra ovens and hobs, two dishwashers, a big American fridge, plenty of pots, pans, gadgets (from peelers to oyster shuckers), mixers, and lots of pretty crockery. There are also two downstairs loos for convenience.

The house has six double bedrooms – usually set up as four doubles with super-king beds and two twins, but the layout can be changed if needed. We’ve chosen really cosy beds and high-thread-count linens to make sure everyone sleeps well. There are four bathrooms: two en-suites, a Jack & Jill, and one shared between two rooms. All have showers, and two have baths.

We’ve also renovated a single-storey barn, perfect for anyone who wants a bit of peace away from the main house, or for guests who can’t manage stairs. It has a bedroom with French doors onto the back lawn, an en-suite bathroom, and a large oak-floored sitting room with a wood burner.

The house is very private and peaceful, with stunning south-facing views. The veranda is one of everyone’s favourite spots – covered in grapevines, it overlooks the croquet lawn and the surrounding countryside. It’s perfect for breakfasts, BBQs, cocktails, reading or just relaxing.

The garden is around an acre, fenced and full of lovely spots – orchards, hide-and-seek areas, hammocks, a swing, and of course the pool. The old stables have been converted into a games room with ping pong, darts, badminton, rounders, swingball, cricket bats and more.

The heated pool is fantastic – open from April to October, 15m long for swimming lengths, with two shallow ends for water games and home-rules water polo.

It’s a really special place, perfect for groups of any size to relax, have fun, and make memories.