Willowfield Lake Cottages

Set in the beautiful landscape of Braunton Burrows Nature Reserve, with 5 miles of golden sands and surf nearby, this tastefully furnished cluster of attractive and comfortable cottages enjoy an extensive range of leisure facilities which include an indoor heated swimming pool and a well equipped games room, complete with enclosed toddlers play area. The cottages are set amongst mature trees and shrubs and are surrounded by 12 acres of pastureland, where mown paths meander through wildflower meadows to encircle a tranquil and picturesque acre lake which is stocked to challenge the most ambitious coarse fisherman. Warm summer evenings can be enjoyed rowing peacefully across the water, whilst the children will find adventure amongst the trees in the fort and treehouse. The grounds offer plenty of open space for football, cricket and other ball games. Braunton Burrows Nature Reserve covers over 1,000 acres of one of Britain’s finest sand dune areas. The marram grass clad dunes shelter rare toadflax, sea stock and marsh orchids. A half-hour walk along footpaths ( or a ten minute drive ) leads to the incomparable Saunton Sands, whose big Atlantic rollers create some of the best surfing in the world! There is a championship golf course at Saunton, too, and just beyond are the pretty thatched villages of Croyde and Georgeham, each boasting good inns and restaurants. To the south of Willowfield Lake is Crow Point, where the rivers Taw and Torridge meet the sea. This has become a centre for windsurfing and water skiing. Further into the estuary is the ancient Port of Velator, now a quiet mooring for pleasure craft, and a haunt of bird watchers and artists. Just 2 miles inland is Braunton, with good shops and pubs, excellent restaurants to suit all tastes and pockets, everything for the surfer, and a locally renowned art gallery and craft centre. Willowfield Lake is separated from the village of Braunton by The Great Field. This is one of the few remaining examples of the ancient strip farming system. From Braunton ( where bike hire is easily available ) you can enjoy miles of almost flat cycling along the estuary to Barnstaple. Further on , the route to Bideford and Torrington forms part of the Tarka Trail ( Named after the Henry Williamson’s otter ) which stretch for 180 miles from the North Devon coast through lush valleys to Dartmoor in the south. The lovely old town of Barnstaple (7 miles), recent winner of “ Britain in Bloom” in Europe, has a pleasant shopping mall, a museum, an excellent leisure centre and the newly refurbished Queens Theatre. Ilfracombe's Landmark Theatre and picturesque harbour – offering coastal boat trips and sailing's to Lundy Island Nature Reserve – is only 12 miles away. Willowfield Lake is perfect for family holidays, and with its single storey cottages, easy walking access, level grounds and mown footpaths provide plenty of attractions and activity space for all ages.