Pond Cottage, Tiverton, Devon

Living a Bradford Barton farm in Pond Cottage was a memorable experience that will always remain in our hearts and minds. Renate and John are absolutely delightful, warm, friendly and ever so helpful. The adventures about the farm with the sheep, the lambs, the chickens, geese, and the ducks was sheer pleasure. The house is perfect, the bed comfortable, the kitchen well equipped with everything one would need or want. What more can I say? We loved it! Go there ... do yourself a favour and you'll never forget it. As world travellers (homeless with no storage) for seven years we've had plenty of holiday home experience. This fabulous farm is at the top of our list.

A perfect escape from any city madness, although we stayed over 3 days we left feeling completely relaxed and refreshed. Renate and John were superb with bundles of true country hospitality thrown in, added to that they showed our 4 year old daughter the in's and out's of a working farm with lamb feeding early mornings and always on hand to show supervised fun exploration of their extensive working farm. Something every city child should be shown at least once a year, in our case it will be twice as we will certainly book for this summer again!

The cottage has a perfect mix of old and new interior, but retains that feeling of a rural rustic dwelling. Although nearly open plan on the ground floor the underfloor heating and a log fire were 100% adequate in dealing with the January sub 5'C weather. The bedrooms were equally impressive with exposed roof beams and wood as far as the eye can see, worth noting that the beds were really comfortable, perfect for cosy morning sleep ins.

Location is ideal and is in easy reach to the coast and other vibrant villages, but secluded enough to feel you are 100's of miles away from civilisation.

We wanted a long weekend away from London and we certainly found it in Pond Cottage, our expectations were blown away.

We will see you again soon Renate and John, very soon!

Thank you for making our Easter this year such a wonderful event. Pond Cottage is perfect for 2 couples or a family to spend time in the rolling hills of the Devon countryside amongst sheep, ducks and chickens. We enjoyed going for walks, visiting the local pubs and even found time to visit Exeter for the memorable Royal Albert Memorial Museum and the jazz festival at Budleigh Salterton.

Thank you for being the consummate hosts with home made jam and a bottle of wine on arrival.

Nick and Tricia

We've had a fabulous time here at Pond Cottage. What a perfect location for a relaxing, care-free holiday. Thanks to Renate & John for the most delicious home-made raspberry jam - I'm sure we will be making our own Devon cream teas once we get back to Glasgow - we're addicted. Thanks for such a wonderful stay!

Although the lanes can be a bit scary, it's well worth it to find Pond Cottage. John & Renate, you made us feel like long lost friends with your lovely warm welcome & tour. With your directions and excellent recommendations (Northgate Inn, etc.) we've had a lovely holiday. Thank you!

Thank you John and Renate for a fantastic week, John and I were in great need of peace and relaxation and we got it in "bucket loads". Pond Cottage is very luxurious and your attention to detail leaves visitor wanting for nothing! Thank you again for your eggs, wine and wonderful jam and for making us feel so welcome. We will definately come back. Best wishes for your continued success. Warm regards, Jill and John.

OK, I'd like to complain. How on earth am I supposed to cope with my return to the status quo after having spent a week of pure unadulterated bliss here. Pure joy followed by sadness. Thanks.

Every now & again you stumble across a place which you connect, a place with which you resonate and feel you belong. Countryside and landscapes which enthral, and hosts with passion, character, warmth and charm. For our stay in the Devonshire countryside in Pond Cottage, so lovingly re-created and cared for by John & Renate has been a highlight of our trip to the UK. We are so glad to have met David & Janet and shared stories and a laugh, to have savoured a raspberry jam to die for, and to have met Penny Hen, Jemima Duck and friends. Ah...Pond Cottage...our Heaven in Devon in this green & pleasant land. Thank you.

Dear Renate & John, Beautiful cottage, beautiful location, perfect hosts. What a way to spend a few days, pity we could not stay longer. Your energy and kindness is a lesson to us all. Thank you. We hope to see you again in the near future. Pond Cottage will certainly get our recommendation. Love to you both.

Dear John & Renate, Just what we needed - a "chill-out" few days! Thank you for allowing us to stay in your beautiful cottage. Thank you for your hospitality and time showing us around. For future guests, we would recommend the "Mount Pleasant Inn", for their amazing food.

Wow! You guys are legends! We love you. Since the moment we arrived we have felt actively involved in farm life and we have loved every minute of it. From pressing the cider, sheepherding sheep, picking raspberries, feeding the ducks and collecting eggs ... it's been the most fun. The cottage is lovingly cared for and kitted out as if it were your own with beautiful and excellent quality products. Thank you John and Renate, we are really looking forward to coming back. See you soon.

A most peaceful week. Enjoyed the cottage very much. Thanks indeed for making the stay enjoyable.

Thank you so much for the warm welcome that you extended to us - it made our holiday all the more enjoyable. We certainly will visit you again - hopefully next summer for yet another week! We may even have the opportunity to try out the swimming pool should the weather permit.

Our daughter really enjoyed walking in the fields with the sheep and collecting eggs from the hen house - she cannot wait to tell all her school friends about her experiences. I loved being able to walk freely and safely through your fields - with only the sheep to speak to!! We found lots of interesting places to visit during our short stay with you - not bad as we were having to please 3 generations!

We all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and found the cottage to have far more than we have ever experienced in previous self catering holidays. The bottle of wine, jam and eggs were a lovely touch and very much appreciated. The cottage is so spacious and warm, with the log burner being particularly beneficial during the cold weather.

Thank you so much for our lovely holiday at Pond Cottage during October half term.