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The School House, Countisbury

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Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
5 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 13

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Fireplace
  • Pet-friendly
  • Barbecue grill

Explore the area

Map
Lynton, Devon
  • Lynton and Lymouth Cliff Railway
    ‪5 min drive‬
  • Valley of the Rocks
    ‪7 min drive‬
  • Exmoor National Park
    ‪24 min drive‬
  • Cardiff (CWL-Cardiff Intl.)
    ‪185 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

5 bedrooms (sleeps 13)

3 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathroom 2

Bathroom 3

Spaces

Balcony
Garden

About this property

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
The nearest amenities are found in Lynmouth and Lynton. Lynton has a variety of amenities . There are a range cafes, restaurants and pubs to choose from, there are two mini-supermarkets, a bank, post office, chemist and an excellent Tourist Information Centre. There is also a small cinema, and tennis and bowls facilities. The twin village of Lynmouth sits on the harbour below at the bottom of the hill, and also has a good choice of shops, pubs and restaurants. Lynmouth can be accessed via road, footpath or the famous funicular railway.

Lynton and Lynmouth are very special places to visit, the spectacular coastline and deeply cut river valleys in this unique area provide wonderful opportunities for walking; the South West Coast Path and the Two Moors Way are two examples. The famous Watersmeet is not far away, a beautiful National Trust tea garden and shop situated at the meeting of the East Lyn River and Hoar Oak Water. If this isn't enough, sandy beaches can be found within a delightful scenic drive.

The village of Porlock has three pubs, two grocery shops, a traditional local butcher, Post Office, chemist, cash machine, hardware shop, visitor centre and a range of independent restaurants, shops and tea rooms.
The larger towns of Minehead, Ilfracombe and Barnstaple are all approximately 20 miles away, here you will find the larger supermarkets, high street banks, etc.

Property manager

Chris

Languages

English
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Amenities

Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Outdoor space
Parking available
Barbecue grill

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property

About the area

Lynton

Lynton is home to this holiday home. Watersmeet House and Lyn & Exmoor Museum are local landmarks, and some of the area's attractions include Lynton and Lymouth Cliff Railway and Lynton & Barnstaple Railway. Greencombe Gardens and Exmoor Adventures are also worth visiting.
Map
Lynton, Devon

What's nearby

  • Lynton and Lymouth Cliff Railway - 5 min drive - 5.5 km
  • Valley of the Rocks - 7 min drive - 7.9 km
  • Watersmeet House - 12 min drive - 7.1 km
  • Exmoor National Park - 24 min drive - 20.3 km
  • Lee Abbey - 30 min drive - 19.2 km

Getting around

  • Minehead Station - 30 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪The Ship inn at Porlock Weir - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Lynmouth Harbour - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Charlie Friday's - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪The Esplanade Fish & Chips - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Lyndale Tea Rooms - ‬4 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is The School House, Countisbury pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at The School House, Countisbury?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at The School House, Countisbury?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is The School House, Countisbury located?

Situated in Lynton, this holiday home is within 3 miles (5 km) of Sillery Sands Beach, Watersmeet House and Glen Lyn Gorge. South West Coast Path Section 2 Trailhead is 3.1 mi (5 km) away.

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 58 out of 63 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 5 out of 63 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 63 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 63 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 63 reviews

9.4/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

9.6/10

Communication

9.4/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Michael M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family

Birthday celebrations for 3 busy families and 2 dogs Cottage perfect location for walks had to drive to the beaches though ! Unfortunately the Stags pub wasn't open for lunches during our stay Ping Pong table was a hit !
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

James T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Exmoor for Christmas

Great family property for a Christmas getaway! Lovely family room. Comfortable bedrooms. Easy walk to local pubs. Great scenery.
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jacqueline D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family meet up

Absolutely amazing house for a family meet up. Equipped with everything you could ever need.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sam C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great place tucked away

Old friends meeting up, lots of rain during the stay but that gave us a good excuse to stay in and hunker down. It’s quite far from shops/pubs etc but the little extra effort makes the silence well worth it. We’d love to come back. Could have done with one or two more basics like sugar (if you forget anything it’s a planning mission to get supplies, so small things like this can feel tedious), otherwise we couldn’t have asked for more!

10/10 Excellent

Revanth K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful Location

Nice Remote place , Beautiful views, Clean house.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Gill H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Outstanding family stay

Great place for family; large v well equipped kitchen/ open plan living area. Wonderful views, rural. Great for walking straight from the house, site seeing and for wet days in (well equipped games cupboard). Warm rooms, lovely atmosphere. Had a wonderful week. Would love to visit again!
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Paula W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Positive Experience

Would definitely recommend for a short trip with friends to the countryside, a lot of entertainment tools were present already and the cottage was bigger than in the photos.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Rachel R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

An awesome stay!

The property had everything we needed for a very relaxing stay. The views are absolutely spectacular and the table tennis table made the weekend for the children.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2022

10/10 Excellent

Geoff S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family holiday

Very good we all enjoyed our stay despite our age differences(2 to 66)we visited a lot of local attractions and enjoyed them all. The property is isolated which suited us there are no neighbours It is hard to imagine it as a school as it isn’t near anywhere for its pupils to come from but I guess they did!

10/10 Excellent

Andrew J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great for a family holiday

Great for a family holiday - we had 3 generations staying, with plenty of room for all of us. Wonderful location, very peaceful, but close enough to all required facilities. Good walking from the door - especially down to the pub (although there weren't any rhea eggs to be had!). Thoroughly recommend!!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2019
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Chris B.

Great place for a family weekend!

Tucked in at the top of a Combe above Brendon this was a delightful place for a family weekend. Eight adults, four children, and a babe and a black lab all fitted in easily. Plenty of space comfortable, well equipped. Far enough off the road for kids to roam safely. Five cars took a bit of juggling but otherwise absolutely loved it. Lynton and Lynmouth not far away, good walking all around, beautiful scenery we would thoroughly recommend it.
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Robert W.

An excellent holiday home for our family to stay in. Hope to come back soon.

An excellent holiday home for our family to stay in. Hope to come back soon.
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Martin S.

Ensure you have all the groceries you will need for the first night and following morning as shops a

Ensure you have all the groceries you will need for the first night and following morning as shops are not around the corner, also ensure you have a torch.
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Wendy M.

We loved the property lots of room to spread out for a large family. Stunning scenery and walks from

We loved the property lots of room to spread out for a large family. Stunning scenery and walks from the cottage. Fantastic range of kitchen equipment
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

carey a.

Really beautiful setting. Very well equipped, would love to return!

Really beautiful setting. Very well equipped, would love to return!
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Amanda H., Winchester, United Kingdom

Fantastic house fora three generation family holiday. Living space was very large and all open plan

Fantastic house fora three generation family holiday. Living space was very large and all open plan, spacious enough to play full size table tennis. The views from the patio were stunning. We could walk to a pub, always a bonus! The walks from the house which ranged from 6 to 12 miles were all stunning.. The house was very well equipped for a large party. Close to Lynmouth for icecreams, fish and chips and a pint on the beach. We would all definitely recommend the house.
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Christine c.

We were a group of 8 adults,5 children and a baby and the property suited all our needs perfectly--

We were a group of 8 adults,5 children and a baby and the property suited all our needs perfectly--lovely views,peaceful setting,near picturesque places like Porlock and Lynmouth and within reasonable travelling times for amazing surfing and sandy beaches like Woolacombe. Happy memories of a family holiday !
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Jan B.

We had an absolutely lovely time in the School House. Without doubt, it was the best holiday home we

We had an absolutely lovely time in the School House. Without doubt, it was the best holiday home we'd ever stayed in, with the most amazing setting and views. Walking out onto the patio on the (sunny) Christmas morning was fabulous. No traffic, plane or agricultural machinery noise, just the gushing of the stream below and the twittering of birds in the bushes. The house was so well equipped. The cooks in the family were thrilled to find all manner of bonuses - two ovens, cake tins, multiple speed peelers (they counted 7!), hand blender. Nothing seemed to be missing. We also loved the drawer full of tools. Then there was the space - masses of it for the kids to run around in, the plentiful books and board games, the piano and table tennis table - and the tub of Lego was a masterful touch. Loved the little separate sitting room too, a quiet retreat. All in all I'd like to congratulate the owners on pretty much thinking of everything, and thanks for a wonderful Christmas experience.
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Christopher V.

Great house for all ages - ours ranged from 13 to 73!!

Great house for all ages - ours ranged from 13 to 73!!
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Danica H.

My friends and I spent a week during New Years at the school house and loved every second. The area

My friends and I spent a week during New Years at the school house and loved every second. The area has views that are unbelievably beautiful and that comes with blissful peace and quiet and great walks. The School House itself has a lovely well equipped kitchen and a fun communal / dining space. Our friend group particularly enjoyed the piano and ping pong table. We walked lots of nice areas and visited some good friendly pubs nearby too. Would strongly recommend for anyone looking for some peace from the outside world, good views and easygoing times with friends and family.
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Andrew L.

Excellent location in quiet surroundings with walks from the doorstep. We enjoyed the large living s

Excellent location in quiet surroundings with walks from the doorstep. We enjoyed the large living space for games, music and ping pong. Would definitely recommend.
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Katy L.

An amazing location and old school house! lots of room and lovely and warm with plenty of fire wood

An amazing location and old school house! lots of room and lovely and warm with plenty of fire wood!! we loved it!’
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

jackie s.

The school is nestled in a stunning valley, very isolated with amazing views. The house itself is

The school is nestled in a stunning valley, very isolated with amazing views. The house itself is fantastic with its spacious living room with piano(well tuned) and table tennis. It is really well equipped with everything you need. Bedding and towels good quality and clean.
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Emma F.

A beautiful place to stay in a beautiful location. There was so much space and it was really well eq

A beautiful place to stay in a beautiful location. There was so much space and it was really well equipped. Lots of places to explore locally. One of the best places we have stayed.
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Estelle sherlock S.

This property is in a spectacular location, it is just what we wanted after spending a long winter i

This property is in a spectacular location, it is just what we wanted after spending a long winter in lockdown. The peace and tranquillity is perfect, yet only a stroll away from the little village of Brendon to the Staghunters (sadly closed until May) and a longer walk to the Rockford Inn (also closed until May). We didn’t need to use the car and had booked a Sainsbury’s delivery for provisions to the house. The property is spacious inside, the kitchen is very well equipped, probably the best I have seen of any holiday cottage and the showers are very good too, we found the beds comfortable and although it was frosty each morning we felt toasty and warm inside. We hope to be back sometime, I would image in any season it would be delightful. Next time we will take binoculars to really indulge in wildlife watching, we were lucky to see deer and foxes in the fields. Lots of baby rabbits came to play just outside the big school room windows.

About the host

Hosted by Chris

Host profile image
The nearest amenities are found in Lynmouth and Lynton. Lynton has a variety of amenities . There are a range cafes, restaurants and pubs to choose from, there are two mini-supermarkets, a bank, post office, chemist and an excellent Tourist Information Centre. There is also a small cinema, and tennis and bowls facilities. The twin village of Lynmouth sits on the harbour below at the bottom of the hill, and also has a good choice of shops, pubs and restaurants. Lynmouth can be accessed via road, footpath or the famous funicular railway.

Lynton and Lynmouth are very special places to visit, the spectacular coastline and deeply cut river valleys in this unique area provide wonderful opportunities for walking; the South West Coast Path and the Two Moors Way are two examples. The famous Watersmeet is not far away, a beautiful National Trust tea garden and shop situated at the meeting of the East Lyn River and Hoar Oak Water. If this isn't enough, sandy beaches can be found within a delightful scenic drive.

The village of Porlock has three pubs, two grocery shops, a traditional local butcher, Post Office, chemist, cash machine, hardware shop, visitor centre and a range of independent restaurants, shops and tea rooms.
The larger towns of Minehead, Ilfracombe and Barnstaple are all approximately 20 miles away, here you will find the larger supermarkets, high street banks, etc.

Languages:

English