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Contemporary cottage retreat in secluded valley near sea. Sleeps 8, 3 bathrooms

Photo gallery for Contemporary cottage retreat in secluded valley near sea. Sleeps 8, 3 bathrooms

View from garden looking onto extensive decking area and large living room
Less than 1 mile away from Marsland beach - a magical place.
Light and airy kitchen with breakfast bar.  Very well equipped for dining.
Well appointed kitchen area with kitchen sink facing a bird feeder to watch!
Open, modern and spacious living room area leading to the decking area.

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
4 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 8

Popular amenities

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

Explore the area

Map
Bude, ENG
  • North Devon Coast
    ‪16 min drive‬
  • Bude Beach
    ‪33 min drive‬
  • Widemouth Bay Beach
    ‪33 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Double

1 King Bed

Master Bedroom

1 King Bed

Twin Bedroom

2 Single Beds

Upstairs Twin Bedroom

2 Single Beds

1 bathroom

Bathroom

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Downstairs Shower Room

Shower only

Upstairs Shower Room

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Balcony
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Contemporary cottage retreat in secluded valley near sea. Sleeps 8, 3 bathrooms

Tucked away down a wooded lane in a secluded valley by the sea, 'Little Marsland' is the perfect place to get away from it all. Little Marsland is a beautiful contemporary character cottage set in a Nature Reserve and designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, located at the end of the Tamara Coast to Coast Way and near to the South West Coast Path.

The cottage is spacious and light with a mixed contemporary-cottage character feel, with wooden floors, latch doors and high-speed wifi. The rooms are arranged on split-level, with the entrance porch and hall on the first floor and a beautiful modern large kitchen / dining area opening on to the garden. The kitchen is fully equipped including fridge freezer, washing machine, tumble dryer and bluetooth speaker. Ideal for family groups, there are 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. The bedrooms are arranged in pairs: 1 king size double, 1 twin on the upper floor together with a shower room and WC; plus 1 king size double and 1 twin on the ground floor with a separate shower room. There is an additional family bathroom with shower over bath and a WC on the first floor. A small flight of stairs takes you up to the open lounge with wood burning stove, large Velux style windows and beautiful views through the trees to the sea. This tranquil area offers smart TV and board games, with a door onto a small balcony where you can sit out at the level of the tree canopy.

There is parking for 2 cars outside the cottage with additional parking at the top of the wooded approach lane. Bed linen and towels, electric and cleaning are included as well as stairgate and travel cot if necessary. Superfast fibre broadband means that remote working is possible if required. Bookings are accepted Saturday to Saturday for minimum 7 nights stay.

Little Marsland welcomes well-behaved dogs and the garden is secure. No smoking is allowed anywhere in the property. The garden is a haven of wildlife and natural beauty, excellent for bird watching and relaxing .The cove and beach at Marsland Mouth is within walking distance, two good pubs only 2 miles away and nearest shop about 5 miles. The cottage approach lane is marked 'Unsuitable for Motors' and cars are able to get down the lane to the level of the cottage, but no further into the valley.

Directly from your door is the delightful half mile walk that leads to the pebble beach of Marsland Cove, where the footpath over the stream marks the Cornwall/Devon border, or within a short drive is a selection of superb sandy beaches with excellent surfing opportunities.

"Isolated but in a wonderful way - allowing us to explore through woods and steep and deep cliff paths that were teeming with butterflies and wild flowers. And the views from the cliff tops - wow! Little Marsland lacks nothing - a comfy family home with a gorgeous garden.” Joanna

"We loved the house and beautiful garden and stunning location. Definitely a place for people who love walking, the coastal path is awesome.” Susan

Perfect paradise

'My first impression was wow heaven and as I walked around the property it just got better and better. Little Marsland is a beautiful cottage set amongst a beautiful woodland peace and tranquility just the birds singing and the rustle of leaves a perfect place to relax. The cottage is equipped to a very high standard, well maintained and obviously loved by the owners as this comes across within the cottage and gardens which are lovely. Will definitely be going back and would recommend to all.' Sharon T.

My happy place ...

'This was our 3rd stay here. The property is beautiful, well kept and clean. It is well equipped with more than you'd ever need. The gardens are well established and well fenced for dogs. It is well out of the way without being too isolated, there are small shops in nearby Kilkhampton and bigger supermarkets etc within 30 mins in Bude. There is a beach within walking distance and access to some great walks inland and costal, it is really hilly in places so you get a good workout. There are also beaches within a short drive. The way the property is configured makes it ideal for 2 families or extended families to stay as there are 2 bedrooms and a bathroom upstairs and the same downstairs with the living room on the middle floor and a huge kitchen / diner / sunroom area to the side. We love it here it is so peaceful and relaxing. The owner is very friendly and helpful and replies to messages promptly. Would definitely recommend a stay here.'

Property manager

Ali Beard
Premier Host

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Outdoor space

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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
No pets on the furniture or beds. Remove linen from beds on day of leaving. Report any breakages to owner via email or text.

Important information

You need to know

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 indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Europe

Map
Bude, ENG

What's nearby

  • North Devon Coast - 16 min drive - 12.2 km
  • Bude Sea Pool - 22 min drive - 15.5 km
  • Crooklets Beach - 31 min drive - 19.0 km
  • Bude Beach - 33 min drive - 20.0 km
  • Widemouth Bay Beach - 33 min drive - 24.6 km

Restaurants

  • ‪The Hart Inn - ‬18 min drive
  • ‪Sandymouth Holiday Resort - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪The New Inn - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪The Bush Inn - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Crooklets Inn - ‬21 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Contemporary cottage retreat in secluded valley near sea. Sleeps 8, 3 bathrooms pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Contemporary cottage retreat in secluded valley near sea. Sleeps 8, 3 bathrooms?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Contemporary cottage retreat in secluded valley near sea. Sleeps 8, 3 bathrooms?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Contemporary cottage retreat in secluded valley near sea. Sleeps 8, 3 bathrooms located?

Located by the sea, this family-friendly cottage is within 6 mi (10 km) of Welcombe Mouth Beach, Docton Mill Gardens & Tea Rooms, and Duckpool Beach. North Devon Coast and Speke's Mill Mouth Waterfall are also within 9 miles (15 km).

Reviews

9.8

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. 81 out of 92 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 10 out of 92 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 92 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 92 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 92 reviews

9.4/10

Cleanliness

9.8/10

Check-in

9.4/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.6/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Chris S.

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

Lovely retreat for Xmas week

We had a great Christmas week staying at the cottage. The cottage was cosy with the log burner and provided for a very comfortable stay. The split of bedrooms worked well for us, we stayed on the top floor with my wife's family on the bottom. There's a large well stocked Kitchen with a big table for us all to sit round. Large glass windows from the Kitchen looking out to the rear and across the hills provided a nice relaxing spot to sit back and enjoy a coffee. Our daughter enjoyed the swing and slide in the garden as well as exploring the wider area, some lovely walks to the local beach and across the hills. The cottage is remote but that added to the charm.Bude is only 20 mins away and we enjoyed exploring the town, some nice cafes/shops and of course the beach etc.A lovely week that will provide us with some fond memories
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2024

6/10 Okay

Kate S.

Liked: Check-in, location
Disliked: Cleanliness, communication

A lovely location but some improvements to bedrooms needed

We really loved the garden and the birds including a magnificent nuthatch, which visited regularly. It was wonderful to be in nature, we enjoyed the walks, the nature reserve and wild swimming. While the kitchen and living room were great, we do have some feedback on the state of the bedding, bathrooms and downstairs bedrooms. The pillows and duvets were smelly and stained. We were dismayed that the owners had not checked the current state of the downstairs bedrooms, as we had specifically asked about the damp problems in early August, weeks before our visit. We found mould on lamp shades, blind and curtain linings and the rooms smelt damp and unhealthy. We were able to ventilate and reduce this to some extent before my elderly mother-in-law in her nineties with breathing difficulties, came to stay. The downstairs carpets are also infested with clothes moths – most noticeable at the bottom of the stairs. We were sad about this as the house is so special nestled in the wood, in a beautiful and extraordinary place. We do feel the owners could easily have done more to ensure decent accommodation.
Stayed 15 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Anja K., Nürnberg

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

Away from "the world"...

The house is nicely decorated and was very clean. We only had to get rid of a large number of spiders, but that was due to our arachnophobia. It is a place where one can really calm down and relax and it´s great that dogs are allowed. We enjoyed walking along the coast and down to the "beach" where we saw some quite "dramatic" sunsets. The only downside was, that the 2 lower bedrooms were damp so that we needed to keep dehumidifiers running. But still one of the bedrooms had a quite unpleasant mouldy smell to it. Travelling as a party of four, we fortunately could switch to another bedroom upstairs. Nevertheless we felt very comfortable and highly recommend a stay in this beautiful house in this beautiful setting.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2023

8/10 Good

Nik H.

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

An excellent getaway

We had a small misunderstanding about the composition of our group meaning we didn't have the right combination of beds made up - but the owners responded quickly and helpfully, as they did to all questions. The large kitchen dining area was a fabulous feature, so was the lounge. The garden was also fabulous although the weather wasn't kind to us so we couldn't use it as much as we hoped. Also, be aware the garden isn't really dog-proof since the front gate is just a standard 5-bar wooden gate which can be freely accessed from the back. The beach is definitely a 15 minute hike where you'll appreciate the bench half way up the hill on your way home. Don't expect a casual stroll with towels, chairs and boards! But these are tiny inconveniences that didn't stop us from thoroughly enjoying this secluded getaway in an idyllic rural location only 25 minutes drive from Bude.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Susan P.

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

Lovely place to stay

We very much enjoyed Little Marsland. Very spascious property surrounded by lush countryside. Thank you
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kerstin R.

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

Sehr naturbelassene Umgebung

Den nahegelegenen cost part kann man sehr gut nutzen.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

8/10 Good

Oliver E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, listing accuracy

Beautiful House and Setting

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Little Marsland both the House and the surrounding area are beautiful, if a bit treacherous. I would just advise those staying that the drive down to the house is quite rocky and steep so be mindful. We made the mistake of ordering a supermarket delivery which led to the van being stuck and having to be towed out! Other than this however I would thoroughly recommend Little Marsland to anyone.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Dan K.

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

Peaceful Retreat

We had a wonderful holiday at Little Marsden. The location is perfect - the local beach is secluded and loads of walks right outside the door. Only the odd walker now and then to interrupt the silence - no other properties around. It has a lovely mature cottage garden to read your book and watch the birds. Other nice beaches a few minutes drive away - Duckpool was our favourite. There's lots of interesting insect life in June, so be prepared for that. You can get stuck reversing out of the cottage drive because the track is very uneven at that point and you can easily lose traction, but a few yards up the track is OK. To save your tyre tread, you may consider parking at the top of the track, on the verge, and reversing about three quarters of the way down when you need to load/offload. That's what we ended up doing. But all-in-all an excellent holiday - we'd definitely go again Some easy recliners for the decking area would be a good addition.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Suzanne B.

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

Our second stay

After falling in love with Marsland valley we had to stay at Little Marsland again. Perfect location for those who want peace, quite and solitude. Beautiful unspoilt walks straight from the properties gate. It’s rural (middle of nowhere) and the lane leading to the property could be challenging for some vehicles, but for us it was worth it. Dog friendly too. But watch out for ticks in June. There were a lot in the garden as well as the valley.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Karen F., English

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

Lovely house in lovely location .

A lovely house but very remote even for a shop , pub etc you need a car . That said the peace and quiet are awesome and the garden too is large and fenced for dogs , just check daily for ticks though as loads on dogs some days ! Would definitely go back here just a wonderful week or rest , relaxation and just what the doctor ordered .
Stayed 7 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Grace L.

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

The best holiday we have had!

We stay in holiday cottages in Cornwall about twice a year and this is by far the best we have stayed in. The property itself is stunning the decor and finishes where beautiful, carefully thought out and high quality with a gorgeous window overlooking the garden. The garden is unbelievably beautiful and the location is incredible. I would highly recommend it the only downside is the track down to the property was anxiety provoking but that is the price you pay for the location! It was such a restful week we hope to visit again. Thanks Ali
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Lyn T., Dorset, Uk

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

Perfect, private and peaceful

A fabulous private property. Perfect to ‘get away from it all’. Very well equipped and very comfortable. Footpaths from the door and a shortish walk down the hill to the sea.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Keith P.

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

A perfect New Year break

The property is perfect as it is more spacious than the photos imply. Enclosed garden for dogs to be safe. Kitchen is really well supplied. Privacy is fantastic. Walk to the beach is short and sharp but well worth doing.
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Mark G.

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

Beautiful location and house

Very impressed overall with communication from host Ali - the house and surroundings were beautiful
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jo R.

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

Great property, great holiday!

The house was amazing, it’s in a wonderful location with superb walks through the reserve and to the coast from the house. Equipped with everything we needed and more. We loved the peaceful surroundings and wouldn’t hesitate to stay again
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Suzanne B.

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

Paradise

I felt yore privileged to stay in this unique location. Not only was the property peaceful, private and beautifully designed, but the walks along the coastal paths and Marsland valley were really special. Most mornings it was just me, the dog and stunning scenery all to ourselves. Myself and my family wouldn’t hesitate to recommend for those seeking seclusion.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

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

Heavenly Hideaway

We had such a lovely couple of weeks at Little Marsland. The house is so comfortable and well equipped with plenty of thoughtful touches. The hosts were extremely helpful when we needed help with a small issue. We were incredibly lucky with the weather and spent several days at the beach down the path and were lucky enough with the very low tide to see a sandy beach revealed beyond the rocks. We also really enjoyed our visits to Bude, Rosemoor and Clovelly. Though it should be said that some of our best moments were to be had just sitting watching the birds and listening to the sound of wind in the trees. A really lovely and relaxing holiday.
Stayed 14 nights in Aug 2022

8/10 Good

Alan R.

Liked: Cleanliness, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful setting, definitely off the beaten track.

The property was as described, very well maintained well resourced with everything we could have asked for and more. The beds were comfortable and we liked the split level living. You could find a sunny spot to sit at any time of day. The only downside was the amount of flies we had to deal with I am very at home with insects and wildlife but we didn’t get as much use of the garden as we would have liked as we kept being bitten by the flies. My advice is to wear some insect repellent. All in all we had a lovely holiday.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Mike P.

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

Nice secluded spot

Not often you get the chance to stay in a secluded place but this one is brilliantly secluded and quiet. It’s like a tarsus inside and with an easy stroll to a beach it’s the perfect getaway
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Sandra W.

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

Peace and quiet

A beautiful place to stay, with everything you could ask for.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Carmel B.

Liked: Cleanliness, communication, location, listing accuracy

Green oasis

Fabulous property in a wonderful part of North Cornwall. Cottage had everything we needed apart from black out curtains in the upstairs bedroom! Very luxurious stay. A little track headed straight down from the property to a tranquil cove. Not really suitable for swimming as very rocky but gorgeous nonetheless. Access road is very steep so we parked at the top of the lane so definitely not for those with mobility issues. Would highly recommend if you need a break from it all and enjoy nature.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Ben M.

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

Little Marsland (Little Paradise)

My girlfriend, our four legged fury friend and I had the most wonderful week at Little Marsland. The property exceeded all of our expectations from the day we booked to the moment I reluctantly put the keys in the lock box for the final time. If you’re looking to spend quality time with friends and family in a beautiful, secluded and contemporary property; this is the place for you. Thanks so much we’ll definitely be back!
Stayed 7 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Sebastian A.

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

Lovely cottage in Cornwall

We had a great time in Little Marsland and enjoyed every detail of the lovely cottage and its great location. Ali was a great host.
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2022

10/10 Excellent

David J., Cambridge

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

Quiet and secluded

Great half term holiday, very quiet and secluded property which is deceptively spacious inside for a family of 4. Slightly tricky access, as it was wet and slippy we had to leave car at the top of the lane rather than park on the driveway (would be fine if you have 4x4). Power cut from storm Eutisce on our last day/night but didn't detract from a lovely relaxing time. Highly recommend Bude for both beach and town, plus the New Inn pub in Kilkhampton for food!
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2022

10/10 Excellent

Cordelia P.

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

Heaven!

Fantastic house in a magical rural location close to the sea with a log burner and a well equipped kitchen Thank you also to Kathryn who left us a bottle of champagne and mince pies as we were staying over the Christmas period! We all loved it!
Stayed 8 nights in Dec 2021

About the host

Hosted by Ali Beard

Host profile image
The cottage is jointly owned by Kathryn, Neil and Ali, and has been in the Kennett-Brown family for over sixty years. It is a much loved and unique place, with many special memories. It is now being managed by the third generation.

The cottage was totally rebuilt in 1995 by our parents (once we had found fresh water and got a bore hole installed!). Originally we collected rainwater and had a steriliser to make the water drinkable. We also had an electric meter that would run out at the worst of times so a store of candles was always recommended. Now, we don't have these challenges to contend with. Little Marsland has a unique combination of a fantastic location with modern, comfortable facilities.

Why they chose this property

Escape and explore

A contemporary retreat set in a secluded valley on the footpath to the sea, Little Marsland is the perfect place to literally get away from it all. Approached by a wooded lane which leads to the South West Coast Path, this beautiful contemporary character cottage is hidden within the Marsland Nature Reserve, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Delightfully diverse, the reserve includes a wooded steep sided valley along with coastal heath and grassland, small streams and is rich in wild flowers and wildlife. From your door you can take the ½ mile walk leading to the secluded pebble beach of Marsland Cove or start any number of diverse walks on the cliffs or in the valley. The area has breath-taking scenery, rugged coastlines and offers activities such as horse riding, fishing and surfing at local sandy beaches. Other attractions include Clovelly and picturesque fishing villages.

What makes this property unique

The views from the cottage to the sea and woods are lovely. There are so many great walks to discover (for both young and old) and amazing scenery to take in. Marsland valley is a very well kept nature reserve with beautiful woodland walks and paths leading to the coastal path. There is a lovely stream running between Marsland and Welcombe valley and nearby bridges to play poo-sticks from!,
Whether you wish to be very active or take your holiday at a very slow pace, Little Marsland offers both these options to you. It is a true retreat.

The cottage has a new kitchen/living room opening out onto a decking area with stunning views looking onto the garden.
The fourth double bedroom is an additional room offering accommodation for 8 people.

Languages:

English

Premier Host

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