The School House, Countisbury

Property Summary
The School House is a spacious Victorian property in a beautiful spot on Exmoor making it a perfect destination for family and friends (sleeps 11+2) . As the name suggests, this property was once a school for the local villages but it has since been transformed into comfortable accommodation

Main Description
Spacious Victorian cottage, formerly a school for local villages
Sleeps 11 (plus 2 extra on sofa-bed if required) plus cot
Five bedrooms - three doubles, one twin and one triple room
Beautiful and secluded spot overlooking the valley beneath
Lovely terrace with seating, barbecue and spectacular views
Well equipped kitchen opening onto the terrace
Large open plan sitting room/dining room with wood-burner
Sky TV including Sky Sports
Cosy 'snug' with additional comfortable seating
Two downstairs bedrooms and three upstairs bedrooms
Off-road parking for several cars
Towels and linen provided
Electricity included
Dogs welcome (max 4) for £20 supplement per dog.
Cats are welcome for £10 supplement per cat.
Exmoor walks from the front door
Arrive from 4 pm
Depart by 10 am

The open-plan living/dining room has a large wood-burner and plenty of comfortable seating, a full-size table tennis table and an upright piano. The kitchen adjoins the living area and leads out onto the delightful terrace with stunning views down the valley and to the moors into the distance. Beyond the dining area is a cosy 'snug' with further comfortable seating (including sofa-bed for two extras if required), this leads through to two downstairs bedrooms - one double with en-suite and one triple bedroom (bunk beds plus single), there is also a downstairs bathroom. Upstairs are three further bedrooms, one four-poster double bedroom, a second double bedroom and a twin room plus bathroom.

The property will be ready from 4 pm on the day of your arrival. Please depart by 10 am on the last day of your stay. Please leave the property clean and tidy so that we can guarantee it will be ready on time for our next guests.

Indoor Description
The School House is well-equipped; kitchen appliances include fridge, freezer, dishwasher, washing machine and dryer, combination microwave-grill, and oven with hob. Other equipment includes toaster, kettle, a variety of cookware, kitchen utensils, cutlery, crockery and glasses.

The living area includes a television with Sky TV (including Sky Sports), video and DVD player and radio/cassette/CD player. A table tennis table is situated in the living area too, and an upright piano. Wireless broadband is available in the property.

Electricity and heating costs are included in the price of your accommodation. The central heating can be adjusted to suit your preferences and the seasons. The School House has a wood-burner in the sitting room downstairs; a basket of logs and kindling will be provided.

Bed linen, duvets, blankets and towels are provided for your convenience, but please bring your own beach towels if you wish to take towels with you on day trips.
A cot and high chair is provided for your use. Please note that bed linen is not provided for the cot.

There may be non-perishable items like a salt, pepper and a few herbs or spices available. Cleaning materials such as washing up liquid, and surface cleaner will be present in the property. One or two toilet rolls will be provided.

The School House water is supplied by natural spring.


Outdoor Description
The School House boasts a delightful terrace with outdoor seating, barbecue and wonderful views of the valley beneath, perfect for relaxing and eating alfresco! Guests may also explore the sloping gardens complete with stream which leads down into the valley below and on to the village of Brendon where you will find the local pub, The Staghunters Inn. Grazing for horses and private river fishing can be arranged by prior agreement.

The nearest amenities are found in Lynmouth and Lynton. The village of Porlock has three pubs, two grocery shops, a traditional local butcher, Post Office, chemist, cash machine, petrol station, hardware shop, visitor centre and a range of independent restaurants, shops and tea rooms. Lynton is a small town in the opposite direction and boasts similar amenities, both well worth a visit.


Parking
There is plenty of parking beside the house, rooms for up to 5 cars.

Pets Description
Dogs are welcome by prior arrangement. A supplementary fee of £20 will be added to your invoice per dog. Please do not allow you dogs on the furniture or upstairs and do not leave them alone in the property at any time.

Housetrained and well-behaved cats are welcome by prior arrangement for a supplementary fee of £10 per cat.

Restricted mobility
This has not been completed by the owner.

Exit in case of emergency
This has not been completed by the owner.

Christmas / New Year
Decorations are not provided, but you are welcome to bring your own if you wished to.

The region

Countisbury is a tiny hamlet perched high on the Exmoor coast above Lynmouth, roughly two miles east along the A39. It has a 13th-century coaching inn, a historic church, and some of the most dramatic coastal views in Devon.

The hamlet sits at the top of the famous Countisbury Hill, where the road descends steeply into Lynmouth with gradients reaching 25%. This stretch of the A39 is one of the most spectacular drives in the country, with views across the Bristol Channel to Wales on clear days. The name Countisbury derives from a Saxon word meaning 'camp on the headland', referring to the Iron Age hill fort at Wind Hill nearby.

For everyday amenities, the twin villages of Lynton and Lynmouth are your nearest ports of call, just two miles away. Lynton sits on the cliff top and has a good range of shops, cafes, restaurants, a small supermarket, post office, chemist, and the Lyn and Exmoor Museum. The harbour village of Lynmouth sits below at sea level, connected by the famous water-powered cliff railway. Both villages have a welcoming selection of pubs, tea rooms, and independent shops.

The larger towns of Barnstaple (approximately 20 miles) and Minehead (approximately 20 miles) offer supermarkets, high street banks, and a wider range of services.