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8 Guests
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4 Bedrooms
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3 Bathrooms
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Pets No
Features
- Off road parking
- Ground floor accommodation
- Ground floor bedroom
- Garden / Patio
- Cot available
- Highchair available
- Pub/shop < 1 mile
- Washing machine
- Dishwasher
- Broadband / WiFi
Reviews & Ratings
38 Customer Reviews
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"Beautiful holiday home."
Owners lovely and available but not in your face . One of the best holiday homes we’ve ever stayed in literally can’t fault it .
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"This is an outstanding property - perhaps the best we have been to over many years on this type of holiday."
It was just a pity that the weather didn’t behave ☔️
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"What a lovely property!"
Exceeded all our expectations. High quality fixtures and fittings and all the basics provided. Amazing scenery and views from all around the property. Had a great weekend break and would definitely recommend to friends and family:)
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"This was our second year at Defoe's view, once again we had a wonderful holiday."
Anne the owner is always very helpful and it was nice to see her again. There is plenty of space to play games and take a leisurely walk in the morning. Whatever the weather the views from the house are amazing. The house is extremely clean, comfortable and spacious. We would definitely recommend Defoe's view as it has easy access to Lyme Regis, Sidmouth, Torquay and Paignton. Alan and family
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"We had a great time staying here - sadly we were only there for 4 nights, would have loved to have been able to stay longer."
Property had everything we needed for three adults and three children of 7,9 and 12. The children loved being able to play in the grounds, see the animals and fish and have an outing on the lake. Would happily stay here again and would recommend.
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"Absolutely a fantastic stay, a wonderful weekend was had."
One problem was the 'bath' bathroom. Our friends had water going all over the place when using the spray. They had to sit in the bath to rinse themselves. Maybe a fitment for the spray is needed to use it as a proper shower. Otherwise, all was perfect.
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"A fantastic stay in Honiton."
Everything exceeded our expectations. Such a beautiful and peaceful house and setting. We would not hesitate to return and hopefully will.
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"We loved our stay at Defoe's view."
Ann was very welcoming, the cottage itself was immaculate. The rooms were huge, and having 3 bathrooms (incl. the 2 ensuites) was great. The kitchen was well equipped and the cream tea on arrival was a great touch! Thank you Ann, we wish we could've stayed longer!
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"Beautiful property!"
We had a lovely weekend in this delightful property. Ann was a brilliant host!
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"We booked Defoe’s View and Swallows Dip for a family weekend."
The properties were wonderful, Ann was very welcoming and helpful - a lovely stay - thank you
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"Absolutely perfect holiday house."
So clean and so comfortable- the beds are amazing! It had everything we needed to cook our Easter dinner and is very well equipped. Our toddler loved the pigs and hens and seeing the wild deer in the garden. We will definitely be back- lots to do in area within easy reach. Anne was very welcoming and helpful.
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"Fabulous holiday home."
Well equipped and ideally situated to explore west Devon and east Dorset. Our host, Ann, was lovely, helpful, and made us feel very welcome. Would highly recommend Defoe's view. Definitely 5 star.
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"We had a wonderful stay at Defoe's View."
The property is beautiful - spotlessly clean and has the most amazing views of the Devon countryside. The kitchen is well equipped with everything one could want. Bed linen and towels were of a high quality. All bedrooms have hairdryers, plenty of plug sockets and USB points. There isn't an Alexia or other music speaker, so you may want to bring your own. Tea, coffee and sugar is provided but no milk, so make sure you pick up a pint on the way. The owner, Ann, is a delight. I highly recommend staying at Defoe's View.
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"What a warm welcome we received upon our arrival, It was a cold evening just coming dark, Ann was waiting at the door to greet us, she opened the door to our holiday property to reveal a beautiful Christmas tree all lit up."
The house was as warm as toast and so inviting. We had everything we needed in the property, The beds were so comfortable, the bathrooms were all large and the bedrooms spacious. Our host was so helpful we could not have wished for anything better. A wonderful time was had by all. Many thanks.
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"Ann and Steve were very welcoming and helpful on arrival and throughout our stay."
The design and layout was ideal for our family get together, comfortable beds, good facilities and the views were outstanding. The small animals and fish on site made for added interest. Would not hesitate in recommending Defoes's View to family and friends..
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"This is an excellent property, very contemporary with lovely views."
Owners were very helpful. Probably the nicest property we’ve stayed in. Honiton is a good centre lots of independent shops and major supermarket. Strongly recommend, don’t think you can go wrong..
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"Gorgeous house that’s felt like a home in a quiet and peaceful location but with great easy and close access to all the local beaches House was spotless and very well equipped we ate in most evenings and cooked easily Anne hasn’t forgotten anything in the kitchen !"
Gorgeous to sit in the gardens and watch the sun go down my family enjoyed the stay would recommend and would love to return thanks for a great stay
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"We had a great family holiday at Defoe 's view."
Plenty of room for everyone, comfortable and extremely well presented. Ann the owner was very helpful nothing was too much trouble. Her knowledge of Devon was greatly appreciated, giving us lots of information and places to visit. The views from the house were incredible and plenty of outdoor space for our grandson to play cricket where we all had so much fun!! The seaside towns of Devon are wonderful and kept really nice. We enjoyed our stay so much we are booking again for next year. Alan
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"Very high standard of accommodation with great views."
Many thanks.
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"Stunning Holiday home in beautiful grounds with fantastic views."
Onsite owner/host very nice, friedly and happy to help in any way. Would be happy to return. Thank you for a wonderful stay.
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"We loved our stay at Defoe's View."
We had warm welcome from our host on our arrival and a lot of thought had gone in to making the details of our stay as comfortable as possible in addition to providing a lovely well-designed inside and outside space. The accommodation was accurately described and we found the outside space available for us was more than we imagined from the description. We found this an excellent base for exploring some of the East Devon Coastline and would happily book again.
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"A wonderful holiday home set in a picturesque landscape."
Very friendly and accommodating owners. We had a brilliant stay and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend; hopefully we’ll be able to return in the future.
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"Stunning property, beautiful views, we had a lovely stay."
Highly recommend. No complaints at all.
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"Just arrived home from an amazing stay at Defoe's View."
The owners are lovely people, very helpful and nothing is too much trouble. Upon arrival, the place was absolutely spotless, and there was a cream tea waiting for us which was a lovely touch. Milk had been left in the fridge for us, and there was all the essentials like tea, coffee and sugar which I thought was very thoughtful. After a long drive the last thing you want is to have to go to the shops! The place is so well equipped, I can't think of anything that hasn't already been thought of, that would have made our stay better. The bedrooms are a very good size, beds very comfortable and the bathrooms very modern. The 2 ensuite bedrooms have a balcony each and the views are just breathtaking. Lovely to sit and have your tea or coffee in the morning, or I loved to sit on the balcony and read before bed. My 3 daughters shared the biggest bedroom which was plenty big enough, and they loved it. They enjoyed having their breakfast on their balcony, it was a real luxury for them (aged 8, 10 and 12). We ended up with a spare room as they preferred to stay together. The grounds are really outstanding, there is a little lake with a rowing boat that you're able to take out which was great fun, my children really enjoyed it. There are ducks and chickens and a pig that you can visit. My youngest loved to go and feed them a bit of bread every day. The location of the property is just up the road from the high street, its walking distance if you're able to walk up a bit of a hill back, or a 5 minute drive. There's a lidl and aldi at the other end of the high street, along with an M&S garage. One place I'd highly recommend is Combe Farm shop, very close to the Lidl, (7 min drive from Defoe's View) they have a butchers there and their meat really was the best quality. Chippee on the High Steet do good fish and chips. Yellow Deli do good sandwiches and is interesting, and Toast do a decent breakfast and a lovely cream tea, their little garden out the back is so pretty. Best beaches and closest, Seaton Beach, this one is a pebble beach but so peaceful and chilled out. A lot quieter and easier to park if that's what you're after, apparently the best place for fishing. Lyme Regis is stunning, it has sand on one side and pebbles the other, everything is right by the beach, fish and chips, ice cream, toilets etc. It is busier but there's always room on the beach and highly recommend a visit. Rockfish seafood restaurant in Brixham was amazing! If you're looking for good seafood, this is the place. Can't get fresher. I recommend you book a table beforehand. Paignton Beach, again beautiful. To be honest, there wasn't anywhere that wasnt nice and everyone we came across were so helpful and friendly. If you go to Seaton Beach, Paul's Bakery do lovely pasties but you need to get there before they close at 2. Back to Defoe's View, an amazing property that I highly recommend. There were all ages in our party, from 8 years to 67, and we all had the best time. We couldn't fault it. None of us wanted to leave and wished we'd booked longer. I will definitely rebook in the future. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay and can't wait to return.
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"We arrived to such a warm welcome from Ann and Steve."
Everything in our stay here was a wow factor!!! The children totally loved the relaxed feel to the place too. The animals and lake (and boat) were a real added bonus too. The house was spotless with real luxury features everywhere! A real gem of a find and we will definitely be back. Easy access via short drives to various beaches
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"Wonderful holiday in luxurious surroundings` So quiet and peaceful yet so near to many seaside places."
Wonderful hosts Ann and Steve. Beautiful accommodation, large bedrooms with very modern bathrooms. Fully fitted kitchen with all utensils you could need. Eco friendly toilets and special washing up liquids and hand washes. very warm welcome when we arrived including scones, jam and cream. It more than satisfied our three generation family who would be pleased to return. All in all would throughly recommend it as a wonderful place to stay. Janet
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"Lovely holiday at Defoe’s View, the house was perfect - spacious and immaculately clean, beautiful views, comfy beds and amazing Devon blue sky weather."
We couldn’t have asked for more.
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"Excellent hosts and very welcoming."
Property exactly as on Photos and description. Would recommend to anyone and surroundings outstanding.
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"Defoes View is a wonderful place to stay, the cottage has everything you need for a comfortable, enjoyable holiday."
The cottage is well laid out with large and comfortable rooms with all the facilities needed, it has peaceful surroundings and wonderful grounds to enjoy.
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"Superb Accommodation."
Wonderful views and peaceful location. Ann and Steve very welcoming and making us feel home from home. Little touches very nice with scones and cream waiting for us, together with the Christmas tree and tasteful decorations. Wonderful time enjoyed by all the family. Weather not the best so not able to take full advantage of the outdoor facilities. Must return to do so.
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"We thoroughly enjoyed our long weekend in Defoe’s View."
We had a warm welcome from owner Ann on arrival and she had very thoughtfully put together a welcome pack of locally made scones, cream, jam and milk. The property is warm, really well equipped and full of sustainable technology. Our grandchildren enjoyed a visit with Ann to see the animals she has on the smallholding. Their great grandmother was as impressed as us with the attention to detail in the cottage. She said she felt she was in a property from the Ideal Home exhibition. The views are wonderful and if our visit had been during the summer months we would definitely have made the most of the balconies and the barbecue.
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"We have had the most enjoyable week with our family at DeFoe's View holiday accommodation ."
This is a beautiful house with amazing views. We found it to be really clean and well equipped. The owner's are really friendly and helpful and made us feel very welcome. Would definitely visit again. Thank you.
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"We stayed for 4 days at this place."
Absolutely stunning place, very well furnished with a great modern wooden setting in most of the areas. The bathrooms were so well designed and clean, kitchen had a great colour theme with all untencils youd need. The beds were very comfy, and of course clean. The Hosts were really welcoming and available whenever we needed to ask anything. They let us go around the gardens freely to relax and have a look at the really nice views. Its a very peaceful place to relax by the ponds (2 of them) . The patio had a good amount of space and lovely setting too with a nice bbq. The host also had a welcome package of some very delicious snacks. Overall a very nice place, exceeded our expectations easily. Would definitely recommend to anyone going to East Devon for a break/holiday. 10/10 honestly. No criticism against anything as we didn't find anything to complain about.
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"An idyllic location with beautiful views."
The owners couldn’t have been friendlier or more welcoming. The house was immaculate and had everything we needed too. Perfect for our weekend away with friends and we would go back there again. Thank you.
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"We can’t fault our stay at all."
Ann and Steve are really helpful and friendly and the setting was breathtaking. It was spotless and very well equipped. Just wonderful!
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"A superb and faultless experience."
Marvellous property and marvellous hosts.
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"A very comfortable base that exceeded our expectations."
Our stay was to celebrate my mother’s 90th birthday and we had a wonderful time there in the very cosy and comfortable accommodation. We were made to feel very welcome by Ann and Steve but they were not at all intrusive but gave assurance they were on-hand should we encounter any difficulty. They kindly joined our celebration by kindly delivering a lovely large balloon and card for Mum, a lovely surprise for her. I would totally recommend this wonderful property, it could not fail to please. It was convenient for many attractions, in the area, yet very peaceful with lovely views over the surrounding countryside. Thank you for making it a very special break for us all. Sincerely, R. & B. Norman and Margaret.
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"Family of 6 Mum,Dad,kids 4,9 Grandma and Great Grandma August 2021."
We all had an excellent break✔️ Defoes View is around 10 miles from the coast - it is within reach and takes 20 mins by car- good to visit Seacome / Sidmouth And Lyme Regis + many more. Honiton is a 15-20 minute walk (slight hill on the way back) but a very nice walk into town. supermarkets Tesco/ Lidl/ M&S are at the other end of town and are a 10 minute drive. The accommodation is at a secure location has excellent grounds which are well maintained. Defoes view has been recently been built (2021) to a high standard and has excellent sleeping/ bathing and cooking facilities. The views across Devon are excellent. The hosts Steve and Anne are not far away and are very friendly and helpful. We would no hesitate to recommend Defoes View for a break in Devon
Summary
- Split-level
- Over three floors
- Four bedrooms: 2 x ground-floor super-king-size (zip/link, can be two singles upon request), 1 x super-king-size with en-suite bathroom with bath, hand-held shower, basin, heated towel rail and WC, 1 x super-king-size (zip/link, can be two singles upon request) with en-suite wet room with shower, basin, heated towel rail and WC
- Ground-floor wet room with shower, basin, heated towel rail and WC
- Lower-ground-floor open-plan living space with kitchen, dining area and sitting area
- Ground source heating
- Electric oven and electric hob, fridge/freezer, dishwasher, washing machine, tumble dryer, TV and WiFi
- Fuel and power inc. in rent
- Bed linen and towels inc. in rent
- Travel cot and highchair available on request
- Ample off-road parking available
- Electric gated access
- Enclosed patio with outdoor seating area and use of owner's five acres of land
- Sorry, no pets and smoking
- Shop 0.9; pub 0.8 miles
- Note: Visits to the owner's private small holding can be arranged with the owner prior to your stay
- Property not suitable for wheelchairs or mobility difficulties
- Note: Deep water on site, so all children must be supervised
The property
Set in the Blackdown Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, surrounded by fields and overlooking the stunning Otter Valley is Defoe’s View.
This eco-friendly property, beautifully built and offering a stylish home from which you can plan your holiday adventures and make happy family memories, whilst relaxing in luxurious surroundings.
Ideal for families and friends looking for a quality break in a peaceful area, while within easy walking distance of the market town of Honiton, a break at Defoe’s View means that you can enjoy a rural location yet have the convenience of not needing to use transport to visit the local pubs and restaurants.
Boasting eco credentials – powered with renewable electricity, heating and hot water provided by a ground source heat pump, the property is leading the way in being carbon neutral and is welcoming and homely throughout the year.
Step inside the light and airy hallway and take off your shoes and coats before heading down the stairs to the open-plan living space on the lower-ground floor.
The chic navy kitchen area provides an excellent opportunity for the group chef to excel in their culinary skills whilst everyone discusses the days discoveries and forward plan the next day’s adventure.
After a sumptuous meal together around the dining table, the conversations excitably continue in the welcoming lounge area over further glasses of wine.
The relax mode gradually kicks in with either watching a favourite movie or venturing outside onto the enclosed patio area to sit and watch the sun go down over the hills.
Your attention will be drawn to the swallows dipping and the fish cruising in the pond as the water gently trickles in from the stream.
Drink in the magnificent view made famous by Daniel Defoe (of Robinson Crusoe fame) 1734 – literally “the view of the country is the most beautiful landscape in the world, a meer picture".
Guests can choose to stay in a super-king-size bedroom situated off the dining area, or in the super-king-size bedroom off the entrance hallway, both served by a sleek wet room situated off the opposite side of the hallway.
Venturing upstairs there are a further two super-king-size bedrooms, both with en-suites, and one boasting a corner balcony with seating area from which there are fabulous view over the valley.
The second super-king-size bedroom has a balcony with seating area overlooking the magnificent Otter Valley and looks down on a fascinating view of the fish cruising around the pond.
Maybe then relax and unwind in the bath in the luxurious en-suite bathroom, whilst fresh towels keep hot and toasty on the heated towel rails.
A stroll over the lawned area to the rear of the property treats you with wonderous uninterrupted views.
The exploration can then continue by dropping down into the adjoining Devon meadow where the mowed pathway around the outskirts enables you to venture to the field pond to experience the wonder of dragonflies and profusion of wildlife drawn to its offerings.
Sit awhile, relax, ponder and drink in the atmosphere. If you can tear yourself away from this glorious property, venture out and discover an abundance of wonderful scenery and wildlife in the area.
Just a short drive away is the Axe Valley Wildlife Park, a perfect day out for children and adults alike while enjoying a scenic journey from your home from home.
Admire Devon’s picture-perfect landscapes from an elevated position with a day of walking around Trinity Hill Nature Reserve, which is reachable by car also.
Further afield, the stunning Lower Bruckland Farm Nature Reserve offers a waterside stroll with a variety of animals and natural habitats making it a day out any animal-lover will remember.
The area is also perfect for walking and cycling, right from the doorstep of this holiday home; why not explore the five acres of land on foot, or head to the nearest pub for refreshments, before making your way home to catch up on the day’s events.
Live unforgettable moments & build happy memories with your loved ones with a stay at Defoe’s View.
Note: This property can be booked with ref. 1046010 and together can sleep a total of 16 guests
Please Note: This property does not accept stag, hens or similar parties.
Note: This property has a Good Housekeeping bond of £450.
About the location
HONITON
Ottery St Mary 5.6 miles; Lyme Regis 14.2 miles; Exeter 16.7 miles.
Honiton is a delightful market town in East Devon, with plenty to offer visitors. It lies in the valley of the River Otter and is surrounded by rolling Devon hills, green wooded valleys and plenty of scattered farming villages. Honiton has an attractive High Street stretching almost 2 miles, and lined with individually owned shops, pubs and restaurants. Honiton has been famous for lacemaking since the reign of Elizabeth I and still has a few lacemakers in work today - visitors can see some fine examples of antique lace in the town’s Allhallows Museum. Honiton boasts the only public art gallery in East Devon; the Thelma Hulbert Gallery occupies an attractive Grade I listed Victorian house, and has links with the Hayward Gallery, London. Honiton is only a short drive from the dramatic 20 mile stretch of Jurassic Coast, England’s first natural World Heritage Site. Resorts such as Seaton, Budleigh Salterton and Sidmouth are found along this stretch of coastline, and all have much to occupy the visitor. Near to Honiton is the cathedral city of Exeter with plenty of large shops, a wealth of museums, a theatre and fabulous restaurants.
Note: Visits to the owner's private small holding can be arranged with the owner prior to your stay.
Note: Deep water on site, so all children must be supervised
Property not suitable for wheelchairs or mobility difficulties.
Please Note: This property does not accept stag, hens or similar parties.
This property offers the following short breaks:
- Winter
- Off-season
- Last minute
- Christmas