Dog Friendly Cottages North Devon - Bratton Fleming
A truly dog friendly holiday experience in North Devon. There is currently one spacious single story property with 1 bedroom, sleeping 2 and soon to be a 1 bedroom holiday lodge also sleeping 2. The lodge is due to be completed Spring 2025. These properties provide an ideal space for 1 or 2 adults (Sorry No Children) with or without dogs to enjoy Exmoor and the North Devon area.
The main Cottage was originally a shippen on a 110 acre farm, cows would have come and gone throughout the day. Then in the 1980's the farm reduced in size and the shippon was converted into stables and a tack room. In 2009 it was then converted into extra living accommodation for the previous owners of Kipscombe. In November 2015 Darren and Sarah purchased Kipscombe and the annex and converted the annex into a holiday cottage providing Self-catering holidays in the beautiful North Devon Countryside. In October 2023 Kipscombe and the holiday cottage was sold to Paul and Vanessa who are also offering dog friendly holidays and the chance to stay and train.
Dog Friendly holiday cottage
For many of us a holiday just isn’t a holiday without our canine companion, with this in mind, The Old Stables (previously Babbling Brook cottage) has been designed around those with dogs. we make it an adventure for dogs. Within walking distance you'll find a fenced paddock for exercising your dog and for those that need our secure field exclusive to you, you'll find a secure dog walking field which can hired during your stay, this is ideal for dogs that are not great off lead, dogs that are nervous of other dogs or you just need a fun place to exercise and take in the stunning view of Exmoor National Park.
It's all change at Babbling Brook Cottage
Your previous hosts Darren and Sarah who ran Kipscombe holidays for 8 years have recently just sold Kipscombe and the annex (Babbling Brook Cottage), they are not moving far though (just 100 metres) and will soon be planning their new adventure which consists of a conversion of a Barn (to live in) and creation of a new dog friendly holiday lodge, all within 100 metres of Kipscombe. Darren and Sarah are sad to be leaving what they had created but are really pleased that the new owners are just as mad about dogs. Name change; The cottage is now known as The Old Stables
About the new Owners
A qualified dog trainer (Accredited ABTC), specialising in Puppy training. The Old Stables (previously Babbling brook) shall become the perfect base in which to Stay and train or stay and play. So with the new owners running the holiday Cottage and carrying out puppy training onsite and Darren and Sarah continuing to run the Secure dog walking field and plans for a holiday lodge, it's the perfect set up, everything for dogs all within 100 metres or so.
The cottage shall be redecorated to include new furnishing etc.. The details below and on the cottage page may change.
Property Key Features:
- Detached single storey property
- Great views from the lounge and conservatory & tranquil sound of the babbling brook
- Enclosed patio garden with hose/wash area, ideal for muddy paws or boots
- Conservatory with tiled floor and access to garden
- Wooden oak floors throughout
- Wood burner in Lounge/kitchen area
- Oak King size bed with deep comfy mattress, dressing table.
- Spacious bathroom with walk in shower
- Freesat TV
- Free WiFi
- Central heating and hot water provided via oil boiler
- Bike & walkers store area
- Access to area's of our 3 acres of land.
- Dogs very welcome.
Clicking the link will take you to the kipscombe.co.uk website where you can view more about the cottage
Something for the dogs (facilities follow the link above)
- Safe private enclosed patio garden (4ft fence)
- Throws for the sofa and conservatory chairs
- Fixed stairgate, helps keep dogs out of the bedroom if needed
- Dog waste bins onsite
- Outside wash hose
- Some doggy treats
- Use of half an acre fenced orchard for off lead exercise (4ft fence)
- Excess to the babbling brook walk with stream
Half an acre fenced orchard within 10 metres of the cottage. An ideal space for dogs to run and play off lead. (this is only used by us and cottage guests)
Holiday lodge
This will be run and operate by Darren & Sarah. The planned completion of this property will be Spring 2025, once we are nearing completion we shall be ready to take bookings for the 2025/2026 season.
Darren & Sarah have always been into the environment and plan to make this lodge as Eco as they can.
They have always been committed to running their business and home to the highest sustainability principles, so our the new holiday lodge is being designed and built with low energy principles at their heart whilst offering guests superb levels of comfort and amenity.
This shall be achieved through a combination of careful design to first minimise energy use, then supply what energy is needed through the most appropriate renewable energy means. It is planned that the new holiday lodge will achieve 'A' rated Energy Performance Certificates by virtue of their energy efficient design, performance and on-site renewables.
Insulation – The property will be a highly insulated and airtight timber frame structure insulated with dense mineral fibre and PIR on the inside to give a very low U-value and to keep the draughts out and the heat in. Insulation is 50% greater than that required by a standard holiday property and ensures that even in the coldest winters we can keep the lodge cosy and warm 24/7.
Daylight – we’ve taken advantage of natural light and heat from the sun through large areas of well insulated glazing to the east and west of the buildings.
Air quality – the lodge will be airtight to keep the draughts out.
Appliances and lights – the lodge use energy efficient appliances throughout with LED lighting, these measures combine to provide comfortable living spaces day and night throughout the year, whilst ensuring the property use less energy than a small flat.
Heat & Power On-site renewables – our own solar PV panels, installed on the south facing roof of our own dwelling, produce over half as much electricity as we need for our home, our EV's, our renewable energy business and the property.
A battery storage system smooths the peaks and troughs of solar production whilst helping to support the grid by exporting power back at periods of peak demand.
Heat and hot water – a Air source heat pump provides both underfloor heating and hot water for the lodge during all months. Each cottage also has a highly efficient wood burning stove which takes its combustion air supply directly from the outside to avoid draughty chimneys.
Wood fuel - all firewood is either sourced from our own land or where our stocks run low is sourced locally from wind-blown trees or managed woodland. Kindling is cut from 'waste wood'.
Darren and Sarah are very exited about the new holiday lodge.
Secure dog walking field Nearby
This is within a short walk from the holiday cottage. It can be hired for 50 minute sessions. Discounts if booking more than 1 session per week.
The secure dog field is bookable from 8am to Dusk. You can if you wish choose 8am every morning so that your day is clear for sight seeing. Extra sessions can be purchased if you require. You also have free use of the paddock right near to the cottage.
Read more on our dog’s welcome page
More about The Old Stables
The cottage is located on the land at Kipscombe North Devon (bordering Somerset & Exmoor). The property has 1 bedroom and can sleep 2 Adults.
NOTE! The cottage details are due to be updated.
Bedroom – In here you will find an amazingly comfortable King size oak bed, 2 Oak bedside cabinets each with touch lights. There's built in wardrobes with plenty of space for hanging and storing clothes. In one of the wardrobes you will also find a rustic dressing table with mirror and light, a hair dryer an ironing board and iron. There is also a full length mirror attached to the wardrobe door. There is a window to the front of the cottage and a small Velux window with remote control blind so you can gaze at the stars during the evening from the comfort of the bed.
Bathroom - A very spacious room with a close coupled toilet, wash basin, large walk in shower and plenty of storage space (White towels and shower mat provided). The extractor fan is triggered by humidity, so it will not come on when the light is switched on. A Velux window for natural light. Radiator and heated towel rail. Supply of hand soap, shower gel which are in our refillable bottles (Eco friendly).
We provide a stair gate between the lounge & bedroom / bathroom. You are welcome to use this should you need to keep dogs out of these areas.
Lounge / Kitchen Diner - An open plan area creating a light and spacious feel. The wood burning stove is the central focal point of the room, once lit it gives out an amazing amount of heat, really cozy on dark or cold days. There is a three-seater leather sofa with dog throw, two side tables, Satellite TV, DVD player, DAB+ FM stereo with bluetooth. Dinner can be enjoyed at the Oak table for 2.
There is a well-equipped kitchen with oak units, LPG oven and hob. dishwasher, fridge, small 32 litre freezer, toaster, kettle, Tassimo coffee maker, cutlery and all pots n pans we think you'll need.
Three steps lead down to the conservatory.
Conservatory - This room is heated so can be enjoyed all year round and leads on to the enclosed patio garden.
Outside garden space - there is an enclosed sheltered patio where you can listen to the sound of our Babbling Brook. Outside hose to wash muddy dog paws and boots. There is an outside table and seating for two. There is a rotary clothes dryer and an ash bin for hot ash from the fire.
Parking - You can park to side of the cottage next to the steps that leads to the rear patio garden. It's out the way and easy to take dogs into the cottage. There are three steps here up to the patio garden.
The Apple Orchard - within 10 metres of the cottage is our fenced apple orchard, here you may sit and chill out while your dogs have a run around off lead. A little further on our land you're also find our 3 acre fenced paddock, and by arrangement the 2 acre secure field.
Accessibility: There are 3 steps up to the rear patio garden, entrance via the conservatory. From the conservatory there are 3 steps into the rest of the cottage. We also have a front door with two shallow steps. The cottage maybe suitable for people with limited mobility but is not wheelchair accessible and parts of our land is hilly.
Booking the cottage
If you are interested in booking our cottage or have any further questions, please do not hesitate to get in contact with us at enquiries@kipscombe.co.uk
We look forward to hearing from you soon!
Vanessa and Paul
