Weeke Barton

Rooms

The five rooms in the main house are accessed via a pair of staircases twisting up from the dining room. All are stylish with pared-down décor, views over hills and valleys, and an eclectic mix of vintage and contemporary furniture. Throws and artwork provide pops of colour, and little details – an embroidered footstool, an owl-shaped lamp – are dotted here and there. We particularly loved the sheepskin-covered window seats in every room; perfect spots for curling up with a book. But best of all was the near-total silence, with nothing but the gentle braying of distant cattle to wake us from our slumber.

On our first visit we were treated to Orla’s Room, a vast space with a double-ended in-room tub and a TV which swivels so you can watch DVDs (there’s no signal) as you snooze or soak. On our return we stayed in Henry’s Room, which has an ancient hearth and double sinks beneath soaring rafters. Almost as large is Avalon’s Room, which has a bath and shower; Otis’ Room and Alfie’s Room are smaller but no less lovely, with ensuite rain showers.

The sixth room, Kota's Room, is a self-contained unit out in the garden. It's quirky and cosy with wonky walls, a wood-burning stove, and a projector with a pull-down screen for watching films in bed. We found the WiFi struggled to stretch this far, so make sure you download your films in advance. The bathroom was particularly indulgent with its free-standing tub, giant ornate mirror, and a disco ball for glitzy bathes! Being out in the garden means you get extra privacy, though be aware that other guests might wander past your door (though blinds stop them from seeing in).

Beds throughout are super-kingsize or kingsize; you also get gorgeous local toiletries and hanging space, plus tea- and coffee-making stations either in the room or on the landing outside.

Features include:

• Bathrobes
• Central heating
• Cots available
• DVD player
• Hairdryer
• Toiletries
• TV
• WiFi

Eating

Jo’s penchant for local, seasonal and organic fare, combined with her deft hand in the kitchen, produces brilliant results. If it’s not homemade then it’s sourced nearby.

Dinner is available on some days by prior arrangement - typically Fridays (all year), plus Mondays and Thursdays in season - but check when booking as this may change. It is a real treat, chosen from an ultra-seasonal menu. It kicks off with drinks from the honesty bar (sparkling wine from the vineyard next door, Dartmoor gin, local ales) before you move to your dining table, lit by flickering candles, with music playing softly in the background. In summer, you eat outside, at small tables. The food is delicious: we tucked into Dexter beef pie and a fennel salad, followed by damson crumble – perfect comfort food after a day roaming the moor.

Breakfast is similarly hearty. You text your order to Jo shortly before you want to eat, then come down to find the dining table stacked with bags of homemade granola, baskets of home-baked bread, local jams and preserves, steaming pots of tea, and cafetières of coffee. Hot dishes are cooked to order – try the carnivore breakfast of succulent sausages and bacon, eggs from the neighbouring farm, and juicy slow-baked tomatoes; there are both veggie and vegan options too.

If renting the whole house, you get use of the beautifully equipped kitchen.

There are plenty of good pubs and restaurants within 15 mins' drive. Our favourite was The Horse in Moretonhampstead, which serves up Mediterranean-inspired grub. We also had great Italian fare at Emilia in Ashburton. Jo recommends The Rugglestone in Widecombe, where outdoor tables line the banks of a burbling stream.

Features include:

• Bar
• Breakfast
• Communal dining
• Dinner by arrangement
• Kids' meals
• Organic produce

Activities

• Go walking among Dartmoor’s craggy granite tors and tumbling rivers. Jo and Sam have put together a booklet of tried and tested routes of varying lengths
  
• Bike hire and horse-riding can be arranged if you’d prefer to explore on two wheels or four legs
  
• Dartmoor is dotted with Bronze Age sites, including menhirs, stone circles, cairns and huts. Some of the most impressive are Upper Erme, Challacombe, Drizzlecombe, Grimspound and Merrivale, all within an hour's drive
  
• Or fast-forward a few millennia and explore remnants of the area's fascinating industrial heritage, including the Wheal Betsy engine house, the ruined gunpowder factory at Powdermills, and the ghostly outline of the Haytor granite tramway
  
• Visit Castle Drogo, 20 minutes away. Designed by Sir Edward Lutyens, it’s perched above the Teign gorge and was the last castle to be built in England
  
• Head next door to Swanaford Vineyard, where tastings and tours are available, and the sparkling wine is delicious
  
• Wander along Lydford Gorge (40 minutes away), with its gushing whirlpools and the 30m-high White Lady Waterfall. Lydford village is also worth a stop for its ancient castle and thatched cottages
  
• Spend a day on the beach. Dawlish Warren (40 minutes away) has sand dunes, safe swimming and traditional seaside cafés, while Exmouth (40 minutes) is great for rock-pooling. Shaldon (30 minutes) is a sweet village with a sheltered lagoon for swimming, while Oddicombe and Babbacome (40 mins), near Torquay, are lovely secluded beaches. Bigbury (45 minutes away) is particularly pretty, too, with a 13th-century pub and sea tractors out to Burgh Island
  
• In season, Jo and Sam can arrange shooting, fishing and foraging

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Birdwatching
• Climbing
• Cycling
• Foraging
• Golf
• Hiking
• Historical sites
• Horse riding
• Mountain biking
• Shopping / markets
• Swimming
• Wine tasting

Kids

Weeke Barton's laid-back ambiance makes it ideal for families seeking a stylish country base, or for an extended family gathering if you take the whole house. Children of all ages are welcome; baby cots and extra beds can be added to some rooms for a small supplement, though the steep staircases mean you’ll want to keep an eye on roving toddlers.

There are plenty of attractions nearby to keep little ones amused, and they may even spot a Dartmoor pony on the moors. Some of Devon’s best beaches are within striking distance, too.

Best for:

Babies (0-1 years), Children (4-12 years)

Family friendly accommodation:

All rooms can accommodate a baby cot or rollaway bed except Alfie and Kota. We recommended larger ones (Henry's Room, Avalon's Room and Orla's Room) as being best for families. Avalon's Room and Orla's Room are the only rooms with bathtubs. Families of four should book Alfie and Otis together, two adjacent rooms.

Cots Available, Extra Beds Available

Distances:

• Airport: 30 minutes (Exeter)
• Hospital: 20 minutes (Exeter)
• Shop: 15 minutes (Moretonhampstead)

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Weeke Barton is located 1.5 miles from the village of Dunsford and 7 miles from Moretonhampstead, on the edge of Dartmoor National Park in Devon, southwest England. It’s a 20-minute drive from Exeter and the M5.

By Air:
Exeter (17 miles / 27km away) is the nearest airport; you can also fly into Bristol (77 miles / 125km away). Both are served by flights from elsewhere in the UK and Europe. If you’re arriving from outside Europe you’ll probably fly into London Heathrow (171 miles / 276km away).

By Train:
There are frequent trains from Bristol, Birmingham, London Paddington and other towns and cities in the UK to Exeter St David’s, which is a 20-minute drive from Weeke Barton.

By Car:
The remote setting means you'll need a car to explore. For car hire, see our car rental recommendations.

Detailed directions will be provided when you confirm a booking through i-escape.