Butterhills Escapes

Secreted away in a blissfully secluded valley, Butterhills Escapes immerses you in the spellbinding landscape of North Devon. Leaving the main road between Braunton and Ilfracombe, your journey takes you down deep country lanes until you arrive at Butterhills and leave the car behind. The final approach is on foot – a minute's walk along an old cart track. It’s a fitting way to arrive at this remarkable holiday home – an off-grid escape ingeniously transformed from a 200-year-old ruin into a romantic hideaway cabin set in stunning seclusion.

Your luxury cabin retreat – The Linhay – sits on its own in a valley tucked under ancient oak woodland overlooking the upper reaches of the River Caen. It’s perfectly at home in its setting, and soon enough you’ll feel that way too. For its owners, Nick and Caroline Welch, restoring this historic building has been a true labour of love. The property has been in the family for three generations, and their passion for this place shines through – in the building itself, their sustainable credentials and the warm hospitality they extend to all their guests (not to mention any four-legged lodgers, for this is one very dog-friendly destination). This 30-acre corner of North Devon is a real gem and they're eager to share it with those of us lucky enough to snag a stay here.

Above all, The Linhay is rooted in its landscape: the stone in its walls was quarried on site, its oak beams and floors are from the surrounding wood – the logs you burn are sourced sustainably there too. The water is from an on-site spring and the lights are solar powered. It’s a place best suited to those who’ll appreciate its connection to the natural world. The focus is all about that, which means there’s no TV or WiFi, ensuring a rejuvenating digital detox for couples and families of four alike.

And yet despite its peerless eco credentials, there's no compromising on comfort. Sleeping two in a king-size bed on the mezzanine (and, if you need it, two more on a sofa bed), The Linhay has been deftly designed to make the most of a small space that’s open plan and glass fronted – save for the en-suite shower and proper flushing loo, housed in a little extension. The kitchenette is simple but surprisingly well-equipped, so you can easily whip up a meal using the four-ring gas hob and little oven on the log burner. Plus, there's a BBQ and outdoor dining area to make the most of the surroundings. You’re not on the mains, so there’s no fridge, but you have access to a fridge-freezer near to where you park the car, plus a large cool box and freezer blocks are provided for the kitchen. And if you don't fancy cooking, there are a pair of cracking traditional village pubs a short walk away, offering great food and a warm, dog-friendly welcome.

For us, the real measure of what makes a place that extra bit special is the thoughtful little touches. Things like a welcome basket with homemade cream tea and eggs for breakfast laid by the farm's very own chickens. Or hammocks beside the firepit for lazy evenings spent stargazing under some of the clearest night skies you'll ever see. Or a yoga deck in the riverside glade for saluting the sun or simply losing yourself in that book that's been on your list for ages. Or a rustic outdoor shelter, festooned with enchanting fairy lights – a perfect spot for an evening beer or an early morning cuppa soundtracked by the dawn chorus. You'll find all these flourishes and more at Butterhills Escapes – a demonstration of your hosts' conscientious attention to comfort and detail.

But arguably, what really elevates Butterhills Escapes is the blissful peace and quiet it provides: the lack of electricity along with the distance from traffic means the only sounds you'll hear are from nature – birdsong, rustling leaves, the gentle murmur from the nearby stream – making this a place where you can truly relax and immerse yourself in the Great Outdoors. Indeed that's probably why you're here, although it’s only a 15-minute drive to some of Devon’s breathtaking coastline and its best sandy beaches: Woolacombe, Saunton Sands and Croyde. It's also not much more than half an hour in the car to Lynton, Lynmouth and the glories of the Exmoor National Park, so there’s plenty to tempt you beyond the immediate 30 acres of Butterhills – which, by the way, are yours to explore!