Hole Farm

Hole Farm sits two miles from the centre of Chagford, an ancient thatched Devon longhouse arranged around its original farmyard, now a courtyard of barns with no farm animals kept. Listed and dating to medieval times, it combines the main farmhouse with an adjoining cottage, sleeping 12 across six bedrooms, and the owners also welcome smaller groups at a reduced rate.

An oak door leads into the cross passage of the main house, past a utility room and bathroom, to a sitting room with an open fire in a large inglenook fireplace, plus a study with a piano and games. The kitchen has a big dining table and an electric Aga. Two staircases lead up to four bedrooms: two super king-size doubles, one with an en-suite bathroom and one with an en-suite WC, plus two further connecting rooms.

The separate cottage in the courtyard has its own kitchen and dining area, a sitting room with a wood burning stove, and two further upstairs bedrooms sharing a bathroom, giving guests who want more privacy their own space. Heating across the property comes from central heating, electric fires, night storage heaters and the two wood-burning fires.

Outside, a lawn garden has a 5ft drop at one edge, worth watching for younger children, set within 130 acres of traditional Devon fields. A medieval threshing barn across the courtyard can be hired for summer gatherings. Off-road parking is provided for eight cars, and up to three well-behaved dogs are welcome. As the house is thatched, barbecues are not permitted, check-in is from 4pm, stag and hen parties aren't accepted, and the property draws its own water from a private supply that's tested regularly.