Lower Hearson Farm is a small family run farm set in fifteen acres of gardens, field and woodland. We run the farm on a small scale aiming to be as self sufficient as possible in fruit, vegetables and meat. Depending on the time of year that you come here you will see life on a small farm with sheep, lambs, traditional breed chickens (Welsummer, Black Rock and Light Sussex), chicks and rare breed Oxford Sandy and Black pigs and piglets. We are members of the British Pig Association and The Oxford Sandy and Black Society. We have a strong commitment to rearing animals in as natural a way as possible.
You are more than welcome to join in. Adults and children alike always enjoy helping us at feeding times for the animals, helping to collect the eggs and rounding up the chickens when it is their bedtime.
We are happy to share our experience with any visitors that are interested in living in as self sufficient a way as possible with tips ranging from looking after the animals to growing leeks in your back garden (which is how we started). Tucked away in the heart of the North Devon countryside in a secluded valley full of wildlife, Lower Hearson Farm is perfect for a relaxing holiday. Our self catering holiday cottages are surrounded by two acres of gardens making this a safe place for children and a peaceful haven for adults.
Well behaved dogs are also welcome. As this is a working farm with livestock dogs must be kept under control at all times.
We are surrounded by fields and woodland which provide a rich habitat for a wide range of wildlife. Deer can regularly be seen in our woodland. The huge population of birdlife includes Nuthatches, Tree Creepers, Pheasants, Partridge, Woodcock, Spotted Fly Catchers, Long Tailed Tits, Buzzards, Barn Owls, Tawny Owls, Goldfinches, Bullfinches, Coal Tits along with the more common Blackbirds, Thrushes, Sparrows, Greenfinches, Great Tits and Blue Tits. We look forward to the Swallows returning each spring and watch them raising their broods in the barns.
The fabulous golden coasts of Croyde, Putsborough, Woolacombe, Westward Ho! and the well known surfing beach Saunton Sands with its golden dunes are an easy drive from Lower Hearson Farm. There are a number of beaches that have dog friendly areas so that your dog does not have to miss out.
We are five miles from Barnstaple with its wealth of shops, restaurants, theatre, cinema, leisure activities and weekly Pannier Market. Lower Hearson Farm Self Catering Holiday Cottages are an ideal base for exploring the North Devon Coast and Exmoor with lots of attractions for both children and adults within easy reach. We are only a short drive from South Molton “The Gateway to Exmoor”. Within the area are a wealth of gardens and houses that are open to the public along with local museums.
Excellent meat, including home made beefburgers and sausages, is available from our butcher in the village. He is supplied by the local farms. He is happy to take orders which can be ready for you in your cottage when you arrive. Please ask us for details when you book.
There are also many places to buy locally grown fruit and vegetables in the Barnstaple area. You can also have a vegetable box delivered from a local supplier to your cottage ready for your arrival. Please ask us for details when you book.
You can order high quality, frozen ready made meals produced as you would have made them at home by Cook Foods. They have been featured in The Daily Telegraph and are chefs who really care where ingredients are sourced and how meals are prepared. Meals can be delivered here ready for your arrival. Please ask for details when booking.
Tescos and Sainsbury’s are also able to make home deliveries to your cottage.
Each cottage contains a menu of ready meals from Marks and Spencer which you can order from us. These can be ready for you in your cottage to cook when you return home for a no hassle dinner or you can pre-order something for your first night.
The village shop in Landkey is there to meet all your emergency shopping requirements.
Riding stables, fishing lakes & golf are all close at hand. Lower Hearson Farm Self Catering Holiday Cottages are situated in the middle of the Unesco North Devon Biosphere Reserve and are a good base for the Exmoor National Park with endless footpaths and dramatic coastal paths. Just 2 miles from your cottage door will see you walking on the famous Tarka Trail at either nearby Landkey or Bishops Tawton.
Each cottage has a book of local walks for you to enjoy whilst you are here.
