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Owner Penny, who runs the small working farm around you, lived here while her house was being built, so it’s got a lovely homely feel with plenty of books, cushions, a squashy sofa and a big armchair. On chilly days you can light the wood-burner and settle in with a hot chocolate for a quiet read or play a board game. Even when it’s wet you can sit out on the covered veranda and feel closer to nature with mistle thrushes, wild geese and kingfishers to spot, trout in the stream – or, if you’re fortunate and quiet, the resident otter. Whatever the weather you can stride out along footpaths straight from the cabin, or head up to Dartmoor for some rugged hiking. Lovely beaches at Wonnel, Mothecombe and Bantham are just a short drive away and you can take part in water sports from Kingsbridge and fishing trips from Plymouth. There will be a welcome pack waiting for you, and there is a small onsite shop, for any extra supplies, Modbury, a historic market town with independent shops, is just a mile away.
Outdoors you have a deep steaming hot tub, a wood fired oven and a hot plate, plus a Morso firepit to cook over. The local butchers can provide meat boxes and you can pre-order milk, butter and cheese from the dairy nearby. You’re on a working farm, so if you’re keen you can meet rare breed sheep, cows and a happy band of chickens, or join in at busy times such as lambing and harvest. You also share a field with the resident alpacas, who may come up to your cabin to say hello! Penny also spins and runs a glass studio on site – she’s happy to offer a day course for you. Your comfy bed, up the wide ladder stairs, underneath a low, beamed ceiling has a window opposite so in the morning open it wide to enjoy the birdsong whilst you doze.
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Essentials
The important stuff
Check in: 3 PM
Check out: 10:30 AM
Use of the hot tub is included in your stay
Please bring a torch, walking boots and insect repellent
Please be aware that there is occasional tractor work and there are busy times of the year such as lambing and harvest
Please note that the alpacas live in the same field as the cabin, so may come up to you to say hello!
The car park is 100m from the cabin on a grass pathway. A wheelbarrow is provided
Your hosts live on site 100m from the cabin
This space is all off-grid, solar-powered with no mains power to the property
Firewood is provided with more available to purchase on site
No mobile phone signal
No Wifi
No plug sockets
Sleeping arrangements
One double bed
Cooking
Kitchen equipped with a gas hob, kettle, cool box, wood-fired oven and hot plate
BBQ firepit
Cooking utensils, crockery and glassware for two
Washing
Shower shack next to the cabin
Compost loo
Please bring toiletries
Heating, lighting & bedding
Bed linen and towels provided
The main source of heat comes from the wood-burner
Hot water available throughout the cabin and shower
///forces.cleansed.ensemble - What3Words is a new more accurate version of a postcode. This will take you directly to where you need to park so we recommend using this in your Sat Nav, but always remember to look at the owners’ directions too.
By car
Please note, the postcode will take you to the wrong place so please follow the what3words address above.
By public transport
The nearest bus stop is in Modbury (1 mile)
The nearest train station is in Plymouth (15 miles). From there, you can get a bus into Modbury or get a 30-minute taxi to the space.
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Food & Drink
At Elsewhere
The on-site shop sells locally sourced eggs, meat from the farm and milk.
Guests can pre-order milk, butter and cheese from the local dairy. Meat and meat boxes can be ordered from the local butcher.
Your hosts can offer dinner at the top of the field and special catering by prior arrangement (weather dependent).
Local shops
There are Deli, Co-op and local shops within walking distance.
In the summer months, you can find a barrow market in the village (27-minute walk).
Pubs & restaurants
White Hart Inn (25-minute walk) - a village pub located in the heart of Bridestowe serving quality ales and honest, home-cooked food.
The Oyster Shack (4.3 miles) - a quirky seafood restaurant serving fresh seafood, best in summer so you can enjoy outside dining.
The Journeys End (4.5 miles) - they pride itself in using locally sourced ingredients and provides a pub menu with a twist.
The Crabshell Inn (7 miles) - perfectly positioned to watch the bustle of the estuary, our picturesque pub is a must-visit in the South Hams.
The Sloop (7 miles) - a friendly pub just a stone's throw from the world-class surfing beach at Bantham.
The Cove Bar & Restaurant (10 miles) - a great stop for lunch if you are walking the coastal path or for an evening meal.
The Cricket Inn (15 miles) - a popular multi-award-winning pub with a reputation for serving modern, delicious fresh fish and seafood dishes.
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Activities
At Elsewhere
Relax in the hot tub watching the stars
Bring your binoculars and look out for the local birds
Pick up a book from the library and sit by the firepit
Meet the farm animals
Places to visit
Dartmoor - a huge moorland expanse which is perfect for exploring on foot or by bike. Its rustic tones are ruggedly beautiful and a great contrast to the coastal landscapes of South Devon.
Salcombe (11 miles) - a renowned holiday destination and a bustling coastal town in the summer with shops, bars, restaurants. It is surrounded by popular beaches which can be accessed on foot or by local ferries.
Dartmouth (16 miles) - a maritime town steeped in history and of course the home to Britannia Royal Naval College. It is a great place to visit with plenty of shops, pubs and restaurants and you can also take a river boat to Dittisham and Totnes. It also hosts Dartmouth Regatta Week (August) and Dartmouth Food Festival (October) which are definitely worth a visit.
Calancombe Estate (2.4 miles) - an award winning Devon vineyard, winery and distillery who also makes Dartmouth English gin, cider, cassis and apple brandy.
South West Coastal Path - walk the South Devon coastal foot paths for stunning views and plenty off the beaten track coves and beaches.
Waterborn SUP (7 miles) - whether it’s a leisurely paddle along the estuary socialising with friends, team building, SUP Yoga or just trying something new. Waterborn can offer you exactly what you want to build your confidence and fitness.
Wellness Worriers Yoga (30-minute walk) - a range of Yoga including some beach sessions during the summer months.
Accessible Dartmoor - Miles Without Stiles are stile-free routes suitable for those with limited mobility, including those in all-terrain powered mobility scooters.
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Meet your hosts
Meet Penny & Simon
Penny, your host, used to live in the big house at the top of the drive. However, she was widowed and so had to move. She loved the area so much that she got planning on the barn where she now lives, but whilst it was being built, she had to live somewhere else. This is where The Barrel Top came in, lovingly built by the fantastic team at Devon Dens. Penny lived in The Barrel Top for nearly 5 months off-grid throughout the winter and it has always remained a very special space for her. Simon, her partner, came to build a wall about 4 years ago at the site, and he never really left! He now helps Penny run the farm. They have 55 sheep, 9 cows, 2 dogs, 3 cats and 12 chickens. They are both passionate about good food and wine, helping preserve the planet and living with minimal impact to our environment. Simon has a daughter Ava who comes at weekends and loves the chickens and the cats.
Wildlife & Environment.
On the land surrounding The Barrel Top there are lots of farm animals, rare breed sheep, alpacas, short-legged Dexter cows, rare breed Riggit cows and lots of chickens! They also have wild geese on site nesting, an abundance of wild birds from mistle thrushes to kingfishers. You will find trout in the stream and, if you are lucky, you may catch a glimpse of their resident otter! At night you will hear the local owls which nest near The Barrel Top, bats circling the dark skies and there are also quite a few hedgehogs - it is a wildlife haven.
Owner Penny, who runs the small working farm around you, lived here while her house was being built, so it’s got a lovely homely feel with plenty of books, cushions, a squashy sofa and a big armchair. On chilly days you can light the wood-burner and settle in with a hot chocolate for a quiet read or play a board game. Even when it’s wet you can sit out on the covered veranda and feel closer to nature with mistle thrushes, wild geese and kingfishers to spot, trout in the stream – or, if you’re fortunate and quiet, the resident otter. Whatever the weather you can stride out along footpaths straight from the cabin, or head up to Dartmoor for some rugged hiking. Lovely beaches at Wonnel, Mothecombe and Bantham are just a short drive away and you can take part in water sports from Kingsbridge and fishing trips from Plymouth. There will be a welcome pack waiting for you, and there is a small onsite shop, for any extra supplies, Modbury, a historic market town with independent shops, is just a mile away.
Outdoors you have a deep steaming hot tub, a wood fired oven and a hot plate, plus a Morso firepit to cook over. The local butchers can provide meat boxes and you can pre-order milk, butter and cheese from the dairy nearby. You’re on a working farm, so if you’re keen you can meet rare breed sheep, cows and a happy band of chickens, or join in at busy times such as lambing and harvest. You also share a field with the resident alpacas, who may come up to your cabin to say hello! Penny also spins and runs a glass studio on site – she’s happy to offer a day course for you. Your comfy bed, up the wide ladder stairs, underneath a low, beamed ceiling has a window opposite so in the morning open it wide to enjoy the birdsong whilst you doze.
///forces.cleansed.ensemble - What3Words is a new more accurate version of a postcode. This will take you directly to where you need to park so we recommend using this in your Sat Nav, but always remember to look at the owners’ directions too.
By car
Please note, the postcode will take you to the wrong place so please follow the what3words address above.
By public transport
The nearest bus stop is in Modbury (1 mile)
The nearest train station is in Plymouth (15 miles). From there, you can get a bus into Modbury or get a 30-minute taxi to the space.
Bring your binoculars and look out for the local birds
Pick up a book from the library and sit by the firepit
Meet the farm animals
Places to visit
Dartmoor - a huge moorland expanse which is perfect for exploring on foot or by bike. Its rustic tones are ruggedly beautiful and a great contrast to the coastal landscapes of South Devon.
Salcombe (11 miles) - a renowned holiday destination and a bustling coastal town in the summer with shops, bars, restaurants. It is surrounded by popular beaches which can be accessed on foot or by local ferries.
Dartmouth (16 miles) - a maritime town steeped in history and of course the home to Britannia Royal Naval College. It is a great place to visit with plenty of shops, pubs and restaurants and you can also take a river boat to Dittisham and Totnes. It also hosts Dartmouth Regatta Week (August) and Dartmouth Food Festival (October) which are definitely worth a visit.
Calancombe Estate (2.4 miles) - an award winning Devon vineyard, winery and distillery who also makes Dartmouth English gin, cider, cassis and apple brandy.
South West Coastal Path - walk the South Devon coastal foot paths for stunning views and plenty off the beaten track coves and beaches.
Waterborn SUP (7 miles) - whether it’s a leisurely paddle along the estuary socialising with friends, team building, SUP Yoga or just trying something new. Waterborn can offer you exactly what you want to build your confidence and fitness.
Wellness Worriers Yoga (30-minute walk) - a range of Yoga including some beach sessions during the summer months.
Accessible Dartmoor - Miles Without Stiles are stile-free routes suitable for those with limited mobility, including those in all-terrain powered mobility scooters.
Penny, your host, used to live in the big house at the top of the drive. However, she was widowed and so had to move. She loved the area so much that she got planning on the barn where she now lives, but whilst it was being built, she had to live somewhere else. This is where The Barrel Top came in, lovingly built by the fantastic team at Devon Dens. Penny lived in The Barrel Top for nearly 5 months off-grid throughout the winter and it has always remained a very special space for her. Simon, her partner, came to build a wall about 4 years ago at the site, and he never really left! He now helps Penny run the farm. They have 55 sheep, 9 cows, 2 dogs, 3 cats and 12 chickens. They are both passionate about good food and wine, helping preserve the planet and living with minimal impact to our environment. Simon has a daughter Ava who comes at weekends and loves the chickens and the cats.
Wildlife & Environment.
On the land surrounding The Barrel Top there are lots of farm animals, rare breed sheep, alpacas, short-legged Dexter cows, rare breed Riggit cows and lots of chickens! They also have wild geese on site nesting, an abundance of wild birds from mistle thrushes to kingfishers. You will find trout in the stream and, if you are lucky, you may catch a glimpse of their resident otter! At night you will hear the local owls which nest near The Barrel Top, bats circling the dark skies and there are also quite a few hedgehogs - it is a wildlife haven.
Wonderful location in the countryside, placed in a small quiet field and 20 minutes walk from a village. The stay was excellent with lovely weather, and plenty of things to do within walking distance, including a lovely coastline, great food, and lush little pubs.
14/03/2025
Jack
A most relaxing stay in beautiful rural Devon. The farm is placed in a extremely quiet and tranquil corner of South Hams surrounded by extensive hiking routes and swathed in picturesque countryside. Barrel Top has been lovingly built and has all that you'd need for a proper escape from modernity. Plenty of facilities to wash, cook and have a piping hot shower after a days hiking but thankfully no wi-fi and no television, just plenty of books and a roaring log burner. Exactly how it should be. Waking up in the morning with a cup a tea to be greeted by a brace of alpacca is also an experience you won't forget. wonderfully curious creatures who are a hoot to watch.
Penny the host is a fantastic communicator and will leave fresh eggs, butter and milk for arrival. A lovely touch. Great pubs only a short walk (1 mile ish) away and the famous South Sands and Northsands only 11 miles away.
07/02/2025
Ad
My partner and I came here to celebrate our 1 year anniversary and it was just perfect! Lots of privacy, zero light pollution or noise pollution. A beautifully decorated and kitted out home from home. Such lovely details and very friendly animals. Even though the outdoor temperature was about 3 degrees, we still managed to make fine use of the hot tub! Penny & Simon were very accommodating and we will definitely be back!
09/01/2025
Rosie
Absolutely incredible - the barrel top is so beautiful and thoughtfully designed. The stars! The llamas! The sound of the bubbling brook. Thanks for having us Penny.
30/12/2024
Jenny
An amazing glamping experience!
The cabin itself is just perfect for 2 people- the log burner keeps the cabin super warm and I was pleasantly surprised with how hot the water gets at the sink station and in the shower!
We were so lucky with the weather, were able to gaze at the sky completely filled with stars whilst bathing in the wood fired tub, 2 nights in a row! The tub was much more spacious than I expected too!
Most places that mention they have animals that might come and say hello rarely do- but your cabin is literally in their field! The hosts provide feed so you can have a real close-up and hands-on experience with them which is amazing.
The hosts are so accommodating, kind and friendly. We bought some of their own lamb sausages and they even gave us a trout caught by them for the barbie. The recommendations for a local walk & pub was top notch, we wish we booked for longer!
Honestly could not recommend more - loved it. Thank you x
25/10/2024
Ella
We had a couple of great days exploring South Devon and relaxing in The Barrel Top. It’s in a great location - near to Salcombe, Kingsbridge, Dartmouth and so many beautiful beaches and coves. The Barrel Top is idyllically placed near a stream, so we slept peacefully to the sound of trickling water. We experienced all weathers - a storm as we arrived, followed by sunshine the next day. The Barrel Top was cosy on the first night with the wood burner lit. We enjoyed the whole process of the wood fired hot tub on the second day. A very special, relaxing break.
08/10/2024
Emma
The Barrel Top is a wonderful place to unwind. Penny and Simon were so friendly and went out of their way to make sure I had everything for my stay.
The cabin was spotlessly clean and very well stocked, including with delicious eggs from the chickens. The sheep and alpacas were very friendly and regularly dropped by in the hope of some food. A perfect place to relax.
01/10/2024
Amy
Wonderful end to end. Lovely hut, in a wonderful location, very decent off-grid facilities and super helpful and welcoming people. Simon's intro really set us up and made us feel comfortable and welcome. Loved the animals in the field with us! Nothing but good things to say, space was clean, furniture was comfortable, kitchen well fitted out, access easy and privacy was really good. Log fired hot tub was a learning curve but fun and really nice once we got it temperature. A great way to start my 40th birthday. Thanks to Simon and Penny for a wonderful stay.
14/09/2024
Ray
Our stay in the Shepard's hut was magical. Very relaxing with lots of lovely extras like the hot tub and outdoor cooking area. The bed was very cosy, it was the perfect 3 night getaway
02/08/2024
Grace
This was a truly gorgeous and unique stay. Everything in the barrel top was thoughtfully put together, without being too 'done'. It was off grid enough to disconnect from the world, but with a wonderful hot shower and basic things to make lovely meals. The bed linen was a wonderful treat to sleep in, and the hot tub was a delight! To be able to sit in candle light in the evenings was a romantic touch that I loved. Penny was a wonderful welcoming host, as were the many animals who greeted us each morning. The extra touches of eggs, butter and chocolates, made it feel extra special.
06/07/2024
Chloe
Arrival and induction to the cabin and surrounding areas was very clear and welcoming, with offerings of local cider meat, milk, butter and eggs. The cabin hosts are wonderful people who are always on hand. The cabin is set within private and shaded grounds, shared only with the birds, alpacas, goats and sweet dogs. We were impressed by the outdoor shower and wood fires hot tub. We cooked several times in the outdoor firepit/ grille. Candle lit nights in the cabin are very special. The area is great for exploring nearby harbour towns, beaches and great restaurants. We would recommend at least two nights stay to get used to the off grid lifestyle and to really make the most of the experience.
24/06/2024
Jeannine
We arrived on a sunny day and the setting was beautiful! Penny and Simon were so warm and welcoming. The cabin is idyllic, it was the little get away we needed. We loved having the animals visit us and the hot tub was fabulous. We will definitely return and tell friends and family, thank you so much for a peaceful stay Sharon and Andy xxx
19/06/2024
sharon
The Barrel House is a lovely little spot. So peaceful and relaxing. We stayed here for our wedding night and it was the perfect way to escape the chaos of the build-up to the wedding. The house has everything you need for a comfortable stay.
18/05/2024
Matt
Absolutely just what the doctor ordered. Penny and Simon were excellent hosts, the place was incredibly cosy and well supplied. Being surrounded by the animals and being met by the lovely dogs was such a joy, and the cabin felt remote but accessible to stuff to do in the area. Really loved it.
14/03/2024
Kimberley
We had a truly wonderful stay at the Barrel Top for my partner's birthday. It came as a perfect break from a difficult work time and we left invigorated and refreshed. The local area is a stunning and as people who don't use a car, the walking distances and adventures therein are so perfect!
This place is perfect for writers!
08/03/2024
Jake
It was lovely, we enjoyed the hot tub, the alpacas and cosy candlelit time inside with the woodburner.
19/02/2024
Bryony
Our stay was lovely. The cabin and its setting are wonderful and our hosts were really helpful and friendly. We would, and have already, recommended to others.
05/01/2024
Robin
We wanted something different and off grid. This was simply perfect such a wonderful location and exactly what we were looking for.
Our hosts Penny and Simon were lovely and very accommodating. Penny had put up a Christmas tree which was wonderful and made the cabin even more cosy and beautiful.
21/12/2023
Charly
Absolutely loved staying at the Barrel Top! This is the prefect place to go to really switch off and get back to nature. We were very toasty and cosy with the fire on and I particularly liked spending the evenings lit by candle. The hot tub was fantastic, especially as we had a crisp clear night with a magical display of stars.
24/11/2023
Marie-Claude
We loved our stay at the Barrel Top with Penny and Simon and can’t wait to visit again soon! Both Penny and Simon were great hosts and provided us with lots of help with making the most of our stay. The hut was beautifully furnished and the hot tub really made the experience so special.
18/11/2023
James
We loved the Barrel top - very cosy and the perfect combination of quiet, beautiful surroundings, outdoor cooking, washing, incredible skies. It is also very close to some amazing walks/swimming spots and delicious restaurants. Penny and Simon were fab hosts, they shared lots of local knowledge with us and we bought some of their wonderful lamb when we left from their flock of sheep.
14/10/2023
Ellie
The perfect country retreat! A fantastic welcome from Simon shown around his and penny’s oasis. Truly a magical spot with life a plenty. True off grid bliss for a couple of days, other than the rugby of course which Modbury is in perfect walking distance for all the amenities you could want. So many idyllic spots within a 20 minute drive and our host are so full of tips on where to go. The barrel top itself has everything you need and more, comfortable quaint and well considered all the amenities you’d need for a short stay. Some lovely local treats of arrival the best milk butter and eggs!! A sweet little “shop” in the shed next door to pick any trinkets or extra fuel you might need. The faculties were perfect, the outdoor tub, takes some time but perfect whilst cooking some dinner and watching dusk come in. The shower sink and toilet are all super practical and private, but plenty of comforts too. We cannot wait to come and stay again! Bliss.
07/10/2023
Alice
Great stay! Good location, friendly and informative welcome from Simon. Animals were a welcome and charming addition to the stay. Hot tub easy to use and fun. Compost loo was a little anxiety inducing but so easy to get used to and no unwelcome odours. Good base for eating out in Modbury and Kingsbridge and also easy to get to Dartmouth.
We will probably be back!
Helen
28/09/2023
Helen
We enjoyed our stay at the barrel top. The accommodation was cosy and lovely. The hot tub was immensely enjoyable. We loved the alpacas and sheep in the field, and little Pudding the dog who befriended us and sat with us. Penny is also very welcoming and helpful.
22/09/2023
Rhianna
Such a magical stay!
The cabin was fantastic and the owner Penny has done a great job making it feel cozy with plenty of homely touches, you can really tell it has been a lived in space and not just thrown together. We loved cooking our meals over the fire, chilling out in the hottub with the stream running by, sitting on the decking in the morning feeding the alpacas and relaxing in the hanging chair.
There is everything on site you might need for a cozy stay with plenty of fire wood and kindly, extra blankets and cushions. Penny also provides eggs, butter and milk straight from the farm. We also ordered a hamper from the local butchers which Penny kindly picked up and was fantastic.
The location was also great with access to beautiful coastal walks and quaint harbour towns.
Its also a great way to reacharge and get back to nature with the cabin being sustainable and off the grid.
The Host Penny was always helpful and responsive and we're already looking forward to coming again in the future!
25/08/2023
Alex
Really lovely accommodation and hosts. Lots of wildlife and other animals on the farm. Plenty of games and reading material provided. Hot tub a great addition. Great place to relax/unwind in nature
11/08/2023
James
We had a lovely relaxing stay at The Barrel Top. Penny and Simon were very welcoming and supplied us with fresh egg, butter and milk on arrival. The cabin is really nicely decorated with lots of attention to detail and as well as looking nice it had everything we needed. The location is very quiet and tucked away but an easy stroll to Modbury for supplies and plenty of places to visit within easy reach.
04/08/2023
Heather
It was perfect completely off the grid just yourselfs and nature. My partner and I didn’t want to leave. The nights in the hot tub and the walks around nature leave you breathless. During the day you can either go into the village a few minutes away or you could go to the beech and enjoy the sand and waves.
16/06/2023
Dean
We had a fantastic time at The Barrel Top. Penny is an amazing host and goes above and beyond. The location is absolutely beautiful and the farm animals are all friendly and happy to have visitors around, who may feed them, if they're lucky. The Barrel Top itself is off grid which is wonderful and makes a great change from modern day life. It is very peaceful and we didn't want to leave. You can walk from here into Modbury so you can park up and not have to drive again until you (sadly) have to leave.
04/05/2023
Hannah
We had an amazing stay at the Barrel Top.
Penny and Simon were great hosts and made sure we had everything we needed for the whole time we stayed.
The actual farm was beautiful with friendly animals that made a great addition to our experience.
We would 100% recommend staying there and will be booking again in the future
31/03/2023
Alicia
We had an incredible stay! Penny and Simon were delightful and so helpful. The array of furry creatures added so much to the experience
10/02/2023
Joey
We had the most amazing time in Devon. The Cabin was perfect and location was great. We particularly enjoyed all the animals on the farm. Penny and Simon were so welcoming and really made our stay special.
07/08/2022
Yvette
What a place! Penny and Simon couldn't have been more welcoming from the moment we arrived. We had travelled from a wedding so would arrive earlier then the check in time, they were able to make these allowances for us.
As we walked around the lake to the cabin a feeling of calm, serene, tranquillity washed over us.
Penny had very kindly made my partner a homemade cake for his birthday and had put it in the cabin... a very cute and sweet touch. Her knowledge and passion showed as she told us about the local area, animals and sustainability, leaving us with new ideas on how we could possibly insulate our future building projects.
As we set our stuff in the cabin with the sheep, alpacas, wild geese and treacle the dog running around in the large open green fields, whilst sat swinging on the beach on the decking... you really are wondering if anything could beat this place.
As the evening draws in we light the fire to the hot tub and cook our asparagus and sweetcorn on the top, whilst taking the chilled champagne out of the stream. As we sit in the roasting hot tub looking up at the twinkling stars with the night air all around us, at that moment I knew I would 100% return.
12/06/2022
Janine
It was truly delightful. A lovely cosy cabin with so much character.
29/05/2022
Lisa
From start to finish, we were looked after by Polly and Simon really well and were made to feel right at home. The Barrel Top is an amazing place to be, it is set on a working farm and is regularly visited by the resident chickens, cat, sheep and alapacs. We visited during lambing season and watching the lambs run around the field was a pleasure. The Barrel Top is well decorated and comfortable with everything you need for your stay. The property is located next to a stream which offers a relaxing soundscape to your stay. Overall, we loved every minute of our stay.
21/04/2022
Benjamin
Our stay was everything and more than expected. First of all the setting is perfect, nestled at the back of the farm it was so lovely to see the animals roam free and we were lucky enough to stay during lambing time. The cabin is homely and has such character, having the fire going and reading by candlelight was a real highlight. The hosts Penny and Simon were so friendly and welcoming which really makes all the difference.
03/04/2022
Tara
We had a wonderful time at The Barrel Top. Cooking on the wood burner, star gazing and meeting all the friendly animals on the farm, and of course the lovely hosts. It truly is an escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. It is in an absolutely amazing location with the coast and Dartmoor only a 10-15 minute drive. Our highlight (apart from cooking pizzas in the burner oven) was finding a little old pub called 'The Journeys End' , it served the most amazing food in the restaurant area and it was so nice to go into such a traditional old pub.
Would highly recommend The Barrel Top to anybody wanting to slow down and have a romantic get away.
24/02/2022
Amie
A lovely rural escape off grid! Situated on a beautiful working farm, immersed in nature! Just what we needed to switch off for a few days.
20/02/2022
Jesse
It was an absolutely glorious stay. Penny was a great host - there when we needed her and with great advice and info to get the most out of our stay, but we were happy to be left to it and we felt that we could come and go as we pleased.
The cabin was beautiful - we showered by the moonlight and relaxed to candles and a wood fire.
09/01/2022
Sarah
We had a really lovely time, we didn't want to leave. One of our favorite parts was the sounds, falling asleep and waking up to the sound of the river. It rained almost the whole time but this didn't impact our stay at all, if anything it made it even better, there's something very special about being cosy and warm inside the cabin sitting around the roaring fire playing games and reading by candle light with the storm crashing outside. We can not recommend this place enough to anyone who wants to get out of the city, put away the phones ignore all your emails and texts and just enjoy each others company and the wonderful surroundings. Fantastic place, fantastic hosts.
06/01/2022
jack
I had the most wonderful few days staying at The Barrel Top. The cabin itself is beautiful and cosy, and being greeted each morning by two alpacas never gets old! Simon & Penny were so friendly and welcoming, and went out of their way to make sure I had a good Christmas holiday! I can't wait to come back and stay again.
23/12/2021
Natasha
We had an incredible time at the Barrel Top.
04/11/2021
Amy
We had the most magical time celebrating our 9 year anniversary at The Barrel Top. The location is completely idyllic, The Barrel Top itself is totally perfect and the hosts (Penny and Simon) are both amazing. It was the perfect balance of quaint, comfort and authenticity. The cherry on the cake was having Max and Rupert (the alpacas) wander over to the front door for some food.
28/10/2021
Candice
The loveliest most magical peaceful place I have stayed!! Cosy and warm, peaceful and quiet, beautiful location and the most lovely hosts.
14/10/2021
Madeline
Absolutely fantastic, it overshot our expectations in spades, which is very rare. Usually we end up quite disappointed. But not at the Barrell top!
Great, friendly, helpful, warm & welcoming hosts. Highly recommend ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️& we’ll definitely stay again.
We took all sort of gadgets & tech to keep ourselves entertained & used none of them. We used candles & tea lights every nite & talked, laughed & even one nite lit the wood burner & just watched the flames.
If u think it sounds boring you wrong. After being with my husband for 29 year it was good to chill out & talk, like we used to.
From the minute we arrived we felt our blood pressure drop right down to very very very chilled out. Very highly recommend.
12/09/2021
Debbie
I have to say the hosts are just lovely and so kind and accommodating. I had the very best of times and it was such a beautiful and peaceful location.
02/09/2021
Paul
We absolutely loved our time at The Barrel Top. Penny & Simon were lovely hosts and did everything to make our stay enjoyable. The Barrel Top was such a cozy little place, loved the decor, loved the little stream, loved the hot tub, sheep & alpacas. It was the perfect getwaway for us from the noise of city life. I also loved the fact that Penny and Simon try to run a sustainable venture. They breed rare sheep and cattle. The sheep and alpacas are sheared and the yarn is available for sale in the little shop as well as all other necessities that one may need, ie charcoal, wood, firelighters, wood, eggs, toilet paper. What is not sourced from the farm is sourced nearby. The wood-fired hot tub was an incredible treat after a day of walking <3
26/08/2021
Irene
Barrel Top was just gorgeous, and Penny and Simon (and the alpacas Max and Rupert) the perfect hosts. A remote hidey hole that wraps it's arms around you with it's carefully curated furnishings and connection to the landscape. Clean, warm and welcoming. Surrounded by loads of beaches and with the small market town of Modbury round the corner - we didn't travel far during our stay. One of our best days was kicking back and 'staying at home' just enjoying this wonderful space. We simply didn't want to leave.
15/08/2021
Eleanor
Our stay was lovely, peaceful and relaxing just what we were looking for!
08/08/2021
Beth
I had an amazing time, the owners were a delight and so helpful. They even offered to fetch my shopping and took me to the train station on departure. I was fortunate the weather stayed dry for me, so I was able to go for long walks and in to Modbury. The cabin was super cosy and well equipped. The stream by the cabin was wonderful to hear from the bedroom window as you drifted off to sleep. It ticked all the boxes. Peaceful location but with access to shops for essentials when needed.
01/08/2021
Claire
Reviews
Wonderful location in the countryside, placed in a small quiet field and 20 minutes walk from a village. The stay was excellent with lovely weather, and plenty of things to do within walking distance, including a lovely coastline, great food, and lush little pubs.
14/03/2025
Jack
A most relaxing stay in beautiful rural Devon. The farm is placed in a extremely quiet and tranquil corner of South Hams surrounded by extensive hiking routes and swathed in picturesque countryside. Barrel Top has been lovingly built and has all that you'd need for a proper escape from modernity. Plenty of facilities to wash, cook and have a piping hot shower after a days hiking but thankfully no wi-fi and no television, just plenty of books and a roaring log burner. Exactly how it should be. Waking up in the morning with a cup a tea to be greeted by a brace of alpacca is also an experience you won't forget. wonderfully curious creatures who are a hoot to watch.
Penny the host is a fantastic communicator and will leave fresh eggs, butter and milk for arrival. A lovely touch. Great pubs only a short walk (1 mile ish) away and the famous South Sands and Northsands only 11 miles away.
07/02/2025
Ad
My partner and I came here to celebrate our 1 year anniversary and it was just perfect! Lots of privacy, zero light pollution or noise pollution. A beautifully decorated and kitted out home from home. Such lovely details and very friendly animals. Even though the outdoor temperature was about 3 degrees, we still managed to make fine use of the hot tub! Penny & Simon were very accommodating and we will definitely be back!
09/01/2025
Rosie
Absolutely incredible - the barrel top is so beautiful and thoughtfully designed. The stars! The llamas! The sound of the bubbling brook. Thanks for having us Penny.
30/12/2024
Jenny
An amazing glamping experience!
The cabin itself is just perfect for 2 people- the log burner keeps the cabin super warm and I was pleasantly surprised with how hot the water gets at the sink station and in the shower!
We were so lucky with the weather, were able to gaze at the sky completely filled with stars whilst bathing in the wood fired tub, 2 nights in a row! The tub was much more spacious than I expected too!
Most places that mention they have animals that might come and say hello rarely do- but your cabin is literally in their field! The hosts provide feed so you can have a real close-up and hands-on experience with them which is amazing.
The hosts are so accommodating, kind and friendly. We bought some of their own lamb sausages and they even gave us a trout caught by them for the barbie. The recommendations for a local walk & pub was top notch, we wish we booked for longer!
Honestly could not recommend more - loved it. Thank you x
25/10/2024
Ella
We had a couple of great days exploring South Devon and relaxing in The Barrel Top. It’s in a great location - near to Salcombe, Kingsbridge, Dartmouth and so many beautiful beaches and coves. The Barrel Top is idyllically placed near a stream, so we slept peacefully to the sound of trickling water. We experienced all weathers - a storm as we arrived, followed by sunshine the next day. The Barrel Top was cosy on the first night with the wood burner lit. We enjoyed the whole process of the wood fired hot tub on the second day. A very special, relaxing break.
08/10/2024
Emma
The Barrel Top is a wonderful place to unwind. Penny and Simon were so friendly and went out of their way to make sure I had everything for my stay.
The cabin was spotlessly clean and very well stocked, including with delicious eggs from the chickens. The sheep and alpacas were very friendly and regularly dropped by in the hope of some food. A perfect place to relax.
01/10/2024
Amy
Wonderful end to end. Lovely hut, in a wonderful location, very decent off-grid facilities and super helpful and welcoming people. Simon's intro really set us up and made us feel comfortable and welcome. Loved the animals in the field with us! Nothing but good things to say, space was clean, furniture was comfortable, kitchen well fitted out, access easy and privacy was really good. Log fired hot tub was a learning curve but fun and really nice once we got it temperature. A great way to start my 40th birthday. Thanks to Simon and Penny for a wonderful stay.
14/09/2024
Ray
Our stay in the Shepard's hut was magical. Very relaxing with lots of lovely extras like the hot tub and outdoor cooking area. The bed was very cosy, it was the perfect 3 night getaway
02/08/2024
Grace
This was a truly gorgeous and unique stay. Everything in the barrel top was thoughtfully put together, without being too 'done'. It was off grid enough to disconnect from the world, but with a wonderful hot shower and basic things to make lovely meals. The bed linen was a wonderful treat to sleep in, and the hot tub was a delight! To be able to sit in candle light in the evenings was a romantic touch that I loved. Penny was a wonderful welcoming host, as were the many animals who greeted us each morning. The extra touches of eggs, butter and chocolates, made it feel extra special.
06/07/2024
Chloe
Arrival and induction to the cabin and surrounding areas was very clear and welcoming, with offerings of local cider meat, milk, butter and eggs. The cabin hosts are wonderful people who are always on hand. The cabin is set within private and shaded grounds, shared only with the birds, alpacas, goats and sweet dogs. We were impressed by the outdoor shower and wood fires hot tub. We cooked several times in the outdoor firepit/ grille. Candle lit nights in the cabin are very special. The area is great for exploring nearby harbour towns, beaches and great restaurants. We would recommend at least two nights stay to get used to the off grid lifestyle and to really make the most of the experience.
24/06/2024
Jeannine
We arrived on a sunny day and the setting was beautiful! Penny and Simon were so warm and welcoming. The cabin is idyllic, it was the little get away we needed. We loved having the animals visit us and the hot tub was fabulous. We will definitely return and tell friends and family, thank you so much for a peaceful stay Sharon and Andy xxx
19/06/2024
sharon
The Barrel House is a lovely little spot. So peaceful and relaxing. We stayed here for our wedding night and it was the perfect way to escape the chaos of the build-up to the wedding. The house has everything you need for a comfortable stay.
18/05/2024
Matt
Absolutely just what the doctor ordered. Penny and Simon were excellent hosts, the place was incredibly cosy and well supplied. Being surrounded by the animals and being met by the lovely dogs was such a joy, and the cabin felt remote but accessible to stuff to do in the area. Really loved it.
14/03/2024
Kimberley
We had a truly wonderful stay at the Barrel Top for my partner's birthday. It came as a perfect break from a difficult work time and we left invigorated and refreshed. The local area is a stunning and as people who don't use a car, the walking distances and adventures therein are so perfect!
This place is perfect for writers!
08/03/2024
Jake
It was lovely, we enjoyed the hot tub, the alpacas and cosy candlelit time inside with the woodburner.
19/02/2024
Bryony
Our stay was lovely. The cabin and its setting are wonderful and our hosts were really helpful and friendly. We would, and have already, recommended to others.
05/01/2024
Robin
We wanted something different and off grid. This was simply perfect such a wonderful location and exactly what we were looking for.
Our hosts Penny and Simon were lovely and very accommodating. Penny had put up a Christmas tree which was wonderful and made the cabin even more cosy and beautiful.
21/12/2023
Charly
Absolutely loved staying at the Barrel Top! This is the prefect place to go to really switch off and get back to nature. We were very toasty and cosy with the fire on and I particularly liked spending the evenings lit by candle. The hot tub was fantastic, especially as we had a crisp clear night with a magical display of stars.
24/11/2023
Marie-Claude
We loved our stay at the Barrel Top with Penny and Simon and can’t wait to visit again soon! Both Penny and Simon were great hosts and provided us with lots of help with making the most of our stay. The hut was beautifully furnished and the hot tub really made the experience so special.
18/11/2023
James
We loved the Barrel top - very cosy and the perfect combination of quiet, beautiful surroundings, outdoor cooking, washing, incredible skies. It is also very close to some amazing walks/swimming spots and delicious restaurants. Penny and Simon were fab hosts, they shared lots of local knowledge with us and we bought some of their wonderful lamb when we left from their flock of sheep.
14/10/2023
Ellie
The perfect country retreat! A fantastic welcome from Simon shown around his and penny’s oasis. Truly a magical spot with life a plenty. True off grid bliss for a couple of days, other than the rugby of course which Modbury is in perfect walking distance for all the amenities you could want. So many idyllic spots within a 20 minute drive and our host are so full of tips on where to go. The barrel top itself has everything you need and more, comfortable quaint and well considered all the amenities you’d need for a short stay. Some lovely local treats of arrival the best milk butter and eggs!! A sweet little “shop” in the shed next door to pick any trinkets or extra fuel you might need. The faculties were perfect, the outdoor tub, takes some time but perfect whilst cooking some dinner and watching dusk come in. The shower sink and toilet are all super practical and private, but plenty of comforts too. We cannot wait to come and stay again! Bliss.
07/10/2023
Alice
Great stay! Good location, friendly and informative welcome from Simon. Animals were a welcome and charming addition to the stay. Hot tub easy to use and fun. Compost loo was a little anxiety inducing but so easy to get used to and no unwelcome odours. Good base for eating out in Modbury and Kingsbridge and also easy to get to Dartmouth.
We will probably be back!
Helen
28/09/2023
Helen
We enjoyed our stay at the barrel top. The accommodation was cosy and lovely. The hot tub was immensely enjoyable. We loved the alpacas and sheep in the field, and little Pudding the dog who befriended us and sat with us. Penny is also very welcoming and helpful.
22/09/2023
Rhianna
Such a magical stay!
The cabin was fantastic and the owner Penny has done a great job making it feel cozy with plenty of homely touches, you can really tell it has been a lived in space and not just thrown together. We loved cooking our meals over the fire, chilling out in the hottub with the stream running by, sitting on the decking in the morning feeding the alpacas and relaxing in the hanging chair.
There is everything on site you might need for a cozy stay with plenty of fire wood and kindly, extra blankets and cushions. Penny also provides eggs, butter and milk straight from the farm. We also ordered a hamper from the local butchers which Penny kindly picked up and was fantastic.
The location was also great with access to beautiful coastal walks and quaint harbour towns.
Its also a great way to reacharge and get back to nature with the cabin being sustainable and off the grid.
The Host Penny was always helpful and responsive and we're already looking forward to coming again in the future!
25/08/2023
Alex
Really lovely accommodation and hosts. Lots of wildlife and other animals on the farm. Plenty of games and reading material provided. Hot tub a great addition. Great place to relax/unwind in nature
11/08/2023
James
We had a lovely relaxing stay at The Barrel Top. Penny and Simon were very welcoming and supplied us with fresh egg, butter and milk on arrival. The cabin is really nicely decorated with lots of attention to detail and as well as looking nice it had everything we needed. The location is very quiet and tucked away but an easy stroll to Modbury for supplies and plenty of places to visit within easy reach.
04/08/2023
Heather
It was perfect completely off the grid just yourselfs and nature. My partner and I didn’t want to leave. The nights in the hot tub and the walks around nature leave you breathless. During the day you can either go into the village a few minutes away or you could go to the beech and enjoy the sand and waves.
16/06/2023
Dean
We had a fantastic time at The Barrel Top. Penny is an amazing host and goes above and beyond. The location is absolutely beautiful and the farm animals are all friendly and happy to have visitors around, who may feed them, if they're lucky. The Barrel Top itself is off grid which is wonderful and makes a great change from modern day life. It is very peaceful and we didn't want to leave. You can walk from here into Modbury so you can park up and not have to drive again until you (sadly) have to leave.
04/05/2023
Hannah
We had an amazing stay at the Barrel Top.
Penny and Simon were great hosts and made sure we had everything we needed for the whole time we stayed.
The actual farm was beautiful with friendly animals that made a great addition to our experience.
We would 100% recommend staying there and will be booking again in the future
31/03/2023
Alicia
We had an incredible stay! Penny and Simon were delightful and so helpful. The array of furry creatures added so much to the experience
10/02/2023
Joey
We had the most amazing time in Devon. The Cabin was perfect and location was great. We particularly enjoyed all the animals on the farm. Penny and Simon were so welcoming and really made our stay special.
07/08/2022
Yvette
What a place! Penny and Simon couldn't have been more welcoming from the moment we arrived. We had travelled from a wedding so would arrive earlier then the check in time, they were able to make these allowances for us.
As we walked around the lake to the cabin a feeling of calm, serene, tranquillity washed over us.
Penny had very kindly made my partner a homemade cake for his birthday and had put it in the cabin... a very cute and sweet touch. Her knowledge and passion showed as she told us about the local area, animals and sustainability, leaving us with new ideas on how we could possibly insulate our future building projects.
As we set our stuff in the cabin with the sheep, alpacas, wild geese and treacle the dog running around in the large open green fields, whilst sat swinging on the beach on the decking... you really are wondering if anything could beat this place.
As the evening draws in we light the fire to the hot tub and cook our asparagus and sweetcorn on the top, whilst taking the chilled champagne out of the stream. As we sit in the roasting hot tub looking up at the twinkling stars with the night air all around us, at that moment I knew I would 100% return.
12/06/2022
Janine
It was truly delightful. A lovely cosy cabin with so much character.
29/05/2022
Lisa
From start to finish, we were looked after by Polly and Simon really well and were made to feel right at home. The Barrel Top is an amazing place to be, it is set on a working farm and is regularly visited by the resident chickens, cat, sheep and alapacs. We visited during lambing season and watching the lambs run around the field was a pleasure. The Barrel Top is well decorated and comfortable with everything you need for your stay. The property is located next to a stream which offers a relaxing soundscape to your stay. Overall, we loved every minute of our stay.
21/04/2022
Benjamin
Our stay was everything and more than expected. First of all the setting is perfect, nestled at the back of the farm it was so lovely to see the animals roam free and we were lucky enough to stay during lambing time. The cabin is homely and has such character, having the fire going and reading by candlelight was a real highlight. The hosts Penny and Simon were so friendly and welcoming which really makes all the difference.
03/04/2022
Tara
We had a wonderful time at The Barrel Top. Cooking on the wood burner, star gazing and meeting all the friendly animals on the farm, and of course the lovely hosts. It truly is an escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. It is in an absolutely amazing location with the coast and Dartmoor only a 10-15 minute drive. Our highlight (apart from cooking pizzas in the burner oven) was finding a little old pub called 'The Journeys End' , it served the most amazing food in the restaurant area and it was so nice to go into such a traditional old pub.
Would highly recommend The Barrel Top to anybody wanting to slow down and have a romantic get away.
24/02/2022
Amie
A lovely rural escape off grid! Situated on a beautiful working farm, immersed in nature! Just what we needed to switch off for a few days.
20/02/2022
Jesse
It was an absolutely glorious stay. Penny was a great host - there when we needed her and with great advice and info to get the most out of our stay, but we were happy to be left to it and we felt that we could come and go as we pleased.
The cabin was beautiful - we showered by the moonlight and relaxed to candles and a wood fire.
09/01/2022
Sarah
We had a really lovely time, we didn't want to leave. One of our favorite parts was the sounds, falling asleep and waking up to the sound of the river. It rained almost the whole time but this didn't impact our stay at all, if anything it made it even better, there's something very special about being cosy and warm inside the cabin sitting around the roaring fire playing games and reading by candle light with the storm crashing outside. We can not recommend this place enough to anyone who wants to get out of the city, put away the phones ignore all your emails and texts and just enjoy each others company and the wonderful surroundings. Fantastic place, fantastic hosts.
06/01/2022
jack
I had the most wonderful few days staying at The Barrel Top. The cabin itself is beautiful and cosy, and being greeted each morning by two alpacas never gets old! Simon & Penny were so friendly and welcoming, and went out of their way to make sure I had a good Christmas holiday! I can't wait to come back and stay again.
23/12/2021
Natasha
We had an incredible time at the Barrel Top.
04/11/2021
Amy
We had the most magical time celebrating our 9 year anniversary at The Barrel Top. The location is completely idyllic, The Barrel Top itself is totally perfect and the hosts (Penny and Simon) are both amazing. It was the perfect balance of quaint, comfort and authenticity. The cherry on the cake was having Max and Rupert (the alpacas) wander over to the front door for some food.
28/10/2021
Candice
The loveliest most magical peaceful place I have stayed!! Cosy and warm, peaceful and quiet, beautiful location and the most lovely hosts.
14/10/2021
Madeline
Absolutely fantastic, it overshot our expectations in spades, which is very rare. Usually we end up quite disappointed. But not at the Barrell top!
Great, friendly, helpful, warm & welcoming hosts. Highly recommend ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️& we’ll definitely stay again.
We took all sort of gadgets & tech to keep ourselves entertained & used none of them. We used candles & tea lights every nite & talked, laughed & even one nite lit the wood burner & just watched the flames.
If u think it sounds boring you wrong. After being with my husband for 29 year it was good to chill out & talk, like we used to.
From the minute we arrived we felt our blood pressure drop right down to very very very chilled out. Very highly recommend.
12/09/2021
Debbie
I have to say the hosts are just lovely and so kind and accommodating. I had the very best of times and it was such a beautiful and peaceful location.
02/09/2021
Paul
We absolutely loved our time at The Barrel Top. Penny & Simon were lovely hosts and did everything to make our stay enjoyable. The Barrel Top was such a cozy little place, loved the decor, loved the little stream, loved the hot tub, sheep & alpacas. It was the perfect getwaway for us from the noise of city life. I also loved the fact that Penny and Simon try to run a sustainable venture. They breed rare sheep and cattle. The sheep and alpacas are sheared and the yarn is available for sale in the little shop as well as all other necessities that one may need, ie charcoal, wood, firelighters, wood, eggs, toilet paper. What is not sourced from the farm is sourced nearby. The wood-fired hot tub was an incredible treat after a day of walking <3
26/08/2021
Irene
Barrel Top was just gorgeous, and Penny and Simon (and the alpacas Max and Rupert) the perfect hosts. A remote hidey hole that wraps it's arms around you with it's carefully curated furnishings and connection to the landscape. Clean, warm and welcoming. Surrounded by loads of beaches and with the small market town of Modbury round the corner - we didn't travel far during our stay. One of our best days was kicking back and 'staying at home' just enjoying this wonderful space. We simply didn't want to leave.
15/08/2021
Eleanor
Our stay was lovely, peaceful and relaxing just what we were looking for!
08/08/2021
Beth
I had an amazing time, the owners were a delight and so helpful. They even offered to fetch my shopping and took me to the train station on departure. I was fortunate the weather stayed dry for me, so I was able to go for long walks and in to Modbury. The cabin was super cosy and well equipped. The stream by the cabin was wonderful to hear from the bedroom window as you drifted off to sleep. It ticked all the boxes. Peaceful location but with access to shops for essentials when needed.
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Book with us in confidence knowing you won’t find that place cheaper elsewhere. All of the prices we display are set and matched by our Owners. (In this world of foreign currency, we do have to say 'subject to exchange rates' for some of our European places.)
What does ‘from price’ mean?
Our ‘from price’ is based on a four night stay in low season and designed to help you to compare different prices across our collection. Some of our Owners vary their nightly rates and check in days throughout the year, so it may differ from the rate quoted below the calendar. It is quite common (although by no means universal) for places to charge a little more in peak season or for shorter stays, to cover changeover costs. Consider booking longer stays during the cooler months if you’re looking for the lowest nightly rates.
Agency Terms & Conditions
Except where otherwise specified, we Sawday’s Canopy & Stars Ltd (Company No 09088366) of Merchants House, Wapping Road, Bristol, BS1 4RW act only as an Agent in respect of all bookings we take and/or make on your behalf. As an Agent we act as an intermediary between you and the owner (‘’Owner’’) of the holiday accommodation (‘’Property’’) you will be staying in. We help to arrange reservations and bookings between you and the Owner and take payments from you on behalf of the Owner.
We are only arranging a contract between you and the Owner for hire of the Property and for any other services or arrangement you purchase from the Owner (the “Booking”). This means the legal contract for the Booking is between you and the Owner despite the fact that a payment for the Booking has been made to the Agent. Your contract for the Booking is not with Sawday’s Canopy & Stars Ltd (Canopy & Stars).
Canopy & Stars is part of the Sawday’s family of companies, a majority employee owned business, 24% owned by a charitable trust and a B Corp. We accept no liability in relation to any contract you enter into in relation to Bookings or for the acts or omissions of any supplier(s) or other person(s) or party(ies) connected with any Booking.
When making your Booking we will arrange for you to enter into a contract with the Owner, as detailed in clause 1.2 below. Your Booking is subject to these Agency Terms & Conditions and any other specific booking conditions of the relevant Owner(s) you contract with. The Owner’s booking conditions may limit and/or exclude the Owner’s liability to you.
You may decide to make more than one Booking at the same time. The price charged in total for more than one Booking will always equal the prices charged separately for each individual Booking. All Bookings are available to be purchased separately at the same price as they are when more than one Booking is made. This means that any multiple Bookings do not constitute a package as defined in the Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992.
By making a booking, you agree that:
- You have read these Agency Terms & Conditions and agree to be bound by them;
- The lead name on the Booking will be the person responsible for the Booking and shall be responsible for paying the deposit and the full price, for making any amendment and cancellation requests and for the payment of any additional charges. The lead name accepts these Terms & Conditions on behalf of all persons in the Booking;
- You consent to our use of your information in accordance with our Privacy Policy;
- You are over 18 years of age and where there may be age restrictions in place, you declare that you and all members of your party are of the appropriate age
The Canopy & Stars online booking system enables Guests to make Bookings 24 hours a day. To confirm your booking, you must pay a 25% deposit (or full payment if booking within 10 weeks of your check in date) and the entire Booking will be subject to the cancellation policy as outlined in clause 2 below. The Canopy & Stars telephone booking line is open Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm and Saturdays 10am to 2pm. When using the online enquiry form, for those Properties without online booking, please allow 24 working hours for us to contact you by telephone to confirm the Booking. If we are unable to reach you by phone, we will attempt to contact you by email. We will contact you during Canopy & Stars working hours (Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm and Saturday 10am to 2pm). Online or email enquiries will be dealt with in the order they are received, but please be aware that we cannot guarantee reservation of your selected dates until the receipt of suitable payment. Therefore, if possible, we do recommend that you book on the Canopy & Stars website using the online booking system.
1. Booking and payments
1.1 In order to confirm your chosen Booking, you must pay a 25% non-refundable deposit as required (or full payment if booking within 10 weeks of the date of your check-in). The deposit is non-refundable as it covers costs incurred and services provided to enable your Booking. These include, but are not limited to, marketing and PR, property inspection fees, Owner management, booking management, credit card fees and customer service.
1.2 Your Booking is confirmed and a contract between you and the Owner will exist when we receive payment of the deposit and send you a booking confirmation on the Owner’s behalf. This Booking confirmation email will be sent within 24 hours and will contain the details of your Booking and of payments made and due. If you have not received your Booking confirmation email within the specified time, please notify us as soon as possible by email (bookings@canopyandstars.co.uk). Please check your confirmation carefully and report any incorrect or incomplete information to us immediately. As we act only as booking Agent, we have no responsibility for any errors in any documentation except where an error is made by us.
1.3 Once the 25% deposit has been paid, the full balance payment will be due 10 weeks in advance of your check in. A reminder to pay your balance will be sent to you one week prior to this 10 week date, where applicable, by email. We automatically take the balance payment using the same card as used to make the deposit payment. It is your responsibility to advise us if we should use a different card and to contact us by telephone (0117 204 7830) to arrange for alternative payment method. If the automated balance payment does not successfully go through as there is a problem with your card, such as it is expiring, then we will contact you to try and take alternative payment. If you do not make any payment due to Canopy & Stars by the due date for payment and at the latest within 5 days of this date, then with regret, we will notify the Owner who will cancel your Booking and terminate their contract with you. In these circumstances, your rights to a refund are set out in clause 2.3 and 2.4 below. Please note that if you have paid in a currency that is different to the original pricing, we will not be able to guarantee the same conversion rate that was used to convert the deposit payment.
1.4 Except where otherwise advised or stated in the booking conditions of the Owner concerned, all monies you pay to us for a Booking will be held on behalf of the Owner(s) concerned.
1.5 Credit Card payments are processed via Elavon who provide merchants services facilities to Sawday’s Canopy & Stars Ltd.
2. Cancellation by You
2.1 If you have to, or want to cancel or amend your Booking, this request must be sent to us by email (bookings@canopyandstars.co.uk) and will be considered and responded to within two working days of receipt. Please ensure that you have received written confirmation of any changes to your Booking prior to travel. Whilst we will always try to help, we cannot guarantee that such requests will be met.
2.2 Cancellation by you at any time will result in your 25% deposit being forfeited. The deposit is always non-refundable as it covers costs incurred and services provided to enable your Booking.
2.3 All bookings are non-amendable and non-refundable within 10 weeks of your check in date. If you need to cancel your booking within 10 weeks, the total cost of the accommodation including the deposit will be forfeited. Cancellation should always be in writing to bookings@canopyandstars.co.uk.
2.4 If you need to cancel your booking at a date 10 weeks or more in advance of your check in date, the 25% deposit will be forfeited. If the booking has been paid in full the balance will be returned to you, minus the 25% deposit. Refunds will be issued in the same form and ratio as the original payment was made. Therefore, if a Gift Voucher was used to book your stay, the refund will be back onto a new Gift Voucher at the same amount as originally used. Alternatively, if you paid in cash, your refund will be processed in the currency of the booking. Where this is different to the currency of the payment card, this will be converted at the current exchange rate on the day of the refund.
2.5 Cancellations made by you, at any time, may incur a £50 administration fee in addition to us retaining the non-refundable deposit. This represents the administration costs incurred by us on behalf of the Owner to deal with such requests.
2.6 If extreme weather prevents you from reaching your holiday, taking, or finishing your holiday, you are still subject to these cancellation terms as outlined in clause 2.3 above. We strongly recommend that you take out a travel insurance policy which covers this eventuality. In the event of the property becoming unavailable (such as due to fire or flooding), Canopy & Stars will endeavour to provide the Guest with suitable alternative accommodation, starting with any other accommodation that may be available with the same Owner of your Booking, or will refund all monies paid, or a proportion in the case of curtailment. The Agency cannot, however, pay any compensation or expenses as a consequence of such an event.
2.7 Cancellation insurance is available to purchase from many providers, but will be a third-party arrangement and not involve Canopy & Stars or the Owner in any way. You are strongly recommended to take out personal travel insurance for all members of your party for UK holidays and you must take out personal travel insurance for international holidays, including for illness and cancellation due to Covid-19. It is your responsibility to ensure that the insurance cover is adequate for your needs, including cancellation and curtailment.
2.8 If you fail to check-in on your date of arrival your Booking will be cancelled and no refund will be due.
3. Amendments to your booking, requested by you
3.1 Amendments to your Booking can only be made more than 10 weeks prior to the check in date, after which time amendments may be treated as cancellation and our refund policy as detailed in clause 2.3 above may apply. All amendments are subject to availability and may incur a £50 admin fee detailed in clause 2.5 above.
3.2 If we can fulfil your request to amend your booking, any differences in price as a result of the amendment, will be paid by you in the case of an increase and refunded to you in the case of a decrease in price, e.g. amending your booking from low season to high season.
3.3 In the event that a date swap is offered, this will normally be agreed with a set timeframe to rebook and sometimes a credit against a future stay will be offered. The credit can only apply to a stay at the same space as originally booked.
3.3.1 If a date swap is offered, then the Agency Booking Terms and Conditions applied at the time of your original booking will still apply. Therefore, if your date was swapped within 10 weeks of the original check in date, the 10 week cancellation policy set out in clause 2.3 applies to your new stay, even if the new check in date is beyond 10 weeks.
4. Refunds
If a refund is issued it will be in the same form and ratio as the original payment was made. Therefore, if a Gift Voucher was used to purchase the original stay, the refund will be back onto a new Gift Voucher at the same amount as originally used.
5. Insurance
You are strongly recommended to take out personal travel insurance for all members of your party for your holiday, including holidays in the UK. It is your responsibility to ensure that the insurance cover is adequate for your needs, including cancellation and curtailment for any reason. Please read your policy details carefully and take them with you on holiday.
6. Changes and Cancellations by the Owner
We will inform you as soon as reasonably possible if the Owner needs to make a significant change to your confirmed Booking or to cancel your Booking. We will also liaise between you and the Owner to try and organise an alternative Booking offered by the Owner, or a refund but we will have no further liability to you.
7. Cancellations due to events outside of Owner’s control
An Owner may have to cancel a booking due to events outside of their reasonable control (see clause 22). In such circumstances, we will liaise between you and the Owner to try and organise an any alternative Booking offered by the Owner, or a refund but we will have no further liability to you.
8. Complaints & Procedure
We always aim to provide the best possible holiday experience, however, if you have any complaint or problems during your stay, please immediately notify the Owner during the stay itself, so that the Owner has the opportunity to resolve the problem at the time. If you do not follow this procedure, there will be less opportunity for the Owner to investigate and resolve your complaint and to make your stay as enjoyable as possible. Delays may also mean that the amount of compensation you may be entitled to, may be reduced or negated.
Whether or not your complaint is dealt with satisfactorily, please also let us know of the problem as soon as possible by emailing info@canopyandstars.co.uk. We will aim to respond within 1 working day to acknowledge your email. We will then review your feedback and investigate the complaint. This may involve discussing your concerns with the owner, revising the website listing for inaccuracies, and reviewing previous guest feedback and internal inspection notes. This process can take time to complete, so please allow approx. 7 working days for a final response.
We also welcome you to fill in our feedback survey which will be sent to you via email the day after you check out. It is important for us to gather as much information as possible about the experiences our guests are having. This is what helps us support our Owner in fulfilling their potential and identifying if anything could be improved.
9. Our Responsibility for your Booking
Your contract is with the Owner and its booking conditions apply. As Agent, we accept no responsibility for the actual provision of the Booking. Our responsibilities are limited to making the Booking in accordance with your instructions and acting properly in accordance with our legal duties as an Agent. We accept no responsibility for any information about the Booking that we pass on to you in good faith. However, in the event that we are found liable to you on any basis whatsoever, our maximum liability to you is limited to twice the cost of your Booking (or the appropriate proportion of this if not everyone on the Booking is affected). We do not exclude or limit any liability for death or personal injury that arises as a result of our negligence or that of any of our employees whilst acting in the course of their employment.
10. Your Responsibilities
10.1 Please note that you have a contract with the Owner of the property. As such you are under a responsibility to behave in a proper, appropriate and legal manner whilst staying at the property with due respect to the Owner, the Property and other guests and their Property.
10.2 You are responsible for informing the Owner of any losses or damage to the property as soon as possible. Please note that you will be liable to pay the Owner for any losses or damage to the property caused by you or a member of your party (except reasonable wear and tear). Some Owners may also require a damage deposit. If so, this information will be provided on the website place page under ‘essentials’.
10.3 You must also leave the property by the check-out time specified on your Booking. If any guest behaves inappropriately or improperly (of which the Owner will be the final judge on their Property), or illegally, the Owner reserves the right to ask the guest and their party (at their discretion) to leave the Property before the end of the holiday period and/or refuse any future bookings from you. Please note that this would be without the right to any refund.
11. Pets
11.1 Not all properties accept pets. If you wish to take your pet on holiday, please advise us before booking and we can check whether pets are accepted at the property. You must obtain the prior consent of the Owner before taking any pets to the property. If you take a pet to a place that doesn’t allow pets, or you exceed the number of pets allowed at a place, the Owner has the right to refuse you to stay at the Property, and/or they may ask you to leave the Property before the end of the holiday period. Please note that this would be without the right to any refund.
11.2 A nightly charge may be made by the Owner for each pet and additional terms may apply, you will be notified of this at point of Booking. Please check these terms carefully before booking and arriving.
11.3 Please do not leave your pets alone or unsupervised in the property at any time during your stay. For the safety and comfort of your pet we request that Owners exercise due diligence at all times, especially where the property is located near a road/livestock. Canopy & Stars nor the Owner can accept responsibility for the safety of your pet.
11.4 If any guest has an allergy to pets, please be aware that Owners (and we) cannot guarantee that a pet has not stayed in a particular Property. We and Owners cannot accept responsibility for any suffering which may occur as a result of such animals having been present in a property.
11.5 We ask that all owners of pets keep their pet under control at all times and to be responsible for ensuring that they do not damage the Property, livestock or vegetation during the stay. You will be liable for any damage caused by your pet. Any damage is to be reported to the Owner immediately. Any additional cleaning required, that may incur an additional charge, will be at the Owner's discretion.
12. Special requests
If you have any special requests (for example dietary requirements, allergy, cots or room location), please let us know at the time of booking. We will pass on all such requests to the Owner, but unfortunately, we can't guarantee that they will be met and we will have no liability to you if they are not.
13. Maximum Numbers
Please note that except by prior arrangement confirmed in writing, only the number of persons specified on a booking confirmation may occupy a property. Most owners reserve the right to refuse admittance or revoke a Booking if this condition is not observed and you are unlikely to receive any refund.
13.1 The Owner reserves the right to sue the guest for any loss, damage or injury caused to the Owner, the Property or to other guests and/or their property. As Agent, we will have no liability to you in these circumstances.
13.2 The Owner only supplies the Property for domestic and private use. You agree not to use the Property for any commercial, business or re-sale purpose, and the Owner has no liability to you for any loss of profit, loss of business, business interruption, or loss of business opportunity. If you do wish to use the Property for a commercial purpose, you must contact Canopy & Stars prior to confirming your booking.
14. Group Bookings
Not all Owners accept Bookings for a single sex group (for example, a stag or hen party). Guests wanting to make such a Booking should check with us beforehand to enable us to check whether the Owner is prepared to accept the Booking. We will then advise you accordingly. In event that an Owner does not accept this type of Booking then it is with regret, that the Booking may be cancelled, and cancellation fees may apply. It is the Guest’s responsibility to enquire with Canopy & Stars and/or check on our website beforehand to make sure that this type of Booking is permitted.
15. Pricing
15.1 Canopy & Stars reserve the right to amend advertised prices at any time on behalf of the Owner. We also reserve the right to correct errors in both advertised and confirmed prices. Special note: changes and errors sometimes occur.
15.2 Rates are set per place in the currency specified by the Owner. Where this has been converted into the currency of your preference, until the payment stage this will be an estimation only, based on a recent exchange rate. The original rate will be displayed before you confirm your payment and you will be given the option of paying in your own currency at our guaranteed rate, or paying in your own currency and leaving the conversion and any associated fees to your card provider.
16. Information & Accuracy
The information and prices shown on this website are varied from time to time and may change between the time you first view a property and make a Booking. You should check that all the details are as you expect prior to making a Booking. It is always possible that, despite our best efforts, some of the properties (including the features and extras available) may be incorrectly described and/or priced. If we discover this is the case after you have made a Booking, we reserve the right to contact you with details of the correct information and/or pricing and will give you the option to:
(1) proceed with the Booking based on the correct information and/or pricing, which may require the payment of an additional amount by you
OR
(2) subject to availability, change your booking dates to dates when the pricing can be honoured and so no additional charge to you. In the event that a lower price can be offered for alternative dates then the difference would be refunded
OR
(3) cancel the Booking. If we do not receive your instructions within 5 days of contacting you, we reserve the right to cancel your Booking without liability to you.
17. VAT
Many of the Owners of properties in the Canopy & Stars portfolio are not registered for VAT in which case no tax is payable. Where VAT is payable, the tax is included in the advertised holiday rental price. If the rate of VAT changes between the date of the Booking and the date of the stay, Canopy & Stars may adjust the rate of VAT that you pay, unless you have already paid for the Booking in full before the change in the rate of VAT takes effect.
18. Visa, passport and health requirements
Unless you tell us otherwise, we assume that all members of your party are British citizens who hold or will hold full British passports valid for the entire duration of the international Booking. Information on visa, passport and health requirements, where given and applicable, is so given on this basis. Requirements may change and you are therefore strongly recommended to check the up to date position with the Owner of the Booking, Passport Office, appropriate embassy or consulate or your doctor as applicable in good time before the commencement of your holiday. Prior to international travel it is your responsibility to check whether it is safe to travel by visiting the FCO website www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.
19. Governing Law and Jurisdiction
These terms and conditions have been drafted in accordance with and are governed by English law and the courts of England and Wales have exclusive jurisdiction in relation to any and all disputes arising out of these Agency Terms & Conditions.
20. Discrepancies
In case of a discrepancy between these Agency Terms & Conditions and any other Canopy & Stars literature, these Agency Terms & Conditions shall prevail.
21. Validity clause
In the event that a court finds that a condition in these Agency Terms & Conditions is illegal or void, the illegal or void provision will be severed from the remainder of the Agency Terms & Conditions, which will continue to be valid and have full force and effect.
22. Events beyond an Owner or Agency’s control
If an Owner or Canopy & Stars is prevented or delayed from complying with any of their respective obligations under these Agency Terms & Conditions or a contract for a Booking due to events or circumstances beyond their reasonable control, the inability or delay in performing those obligations will not be treated as a breach of these Agency Terms & Conditions or a contract for a Booking. Examples of such events or circumstances include fire, flood and other acts of God, strikes, trade disputes, lock outs, restrictions of imports or exports, riot, accident, disruption to energy supplies, civil commotion, acts of terrorism or war, pandemic (including Covid-19), any national/local/regional government restrictions.
Thank you for wading through all the very boring, but very important stuff above.
Now the outdoors is calling, so go and get wild in nature!
Wonderful location in the countryside, placed in a small quiet field and 20 minutes walk from a village. The stay was excellent with lovely weather, and plenty of things to do within walking distance, including a lovely coastline, great food, and lush little pubs.
14/03/2025