Every care is taken to ensure the safety of our visitors whilst staying at Nutcombe Holiday Cottages & our bungalow Elsley. 

This statement is to assist potential visitors in deciding if there are any potential problems with access to any of our properties at Nutcombe Holiday Cottages or our bungalow Elsley (see below).

THE SITE

Nutcombe Holiday Cottages at Nutcombe Farm is situated in a steep sided valley on the edge of Exmoor National Park about one mile from the village of Combe Martin. Nutcombe Hill is a quiet country lane with no footpaths. Once through the gates to Nutcombe Farm there is a sloping tarmac drive with three speed bumps leading down to the Georgian farmhouse. From there the road divides into two. The left fork onto a concreted, slightly steeper track then branches off to the right onto a gravelled track behind the cottages. This provides access to Nutcombe Cottage, The Cider House and Nutcombe Barn. Close to the accommodation is the guest car park which has parking for several cars. Visitors are permitted to park at the top of the steps leading down to each cottage to unload before parking up in the car park.

SUITABILITY & ACCESSIBILITY

Due to the layout and complexity of our site, access to each of the cottages is down a set of 6 steps (see individual cottages). Therefore, sadly, we are not suitable for wheelchair users. All guests are required to be able to self-evacuate and manage steps without assistance apart from very young children who can be carried. 

THE GROUNDS

Nutcombe Farm is set in North Devon’s Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, so we are therefore lucky to be surrounded by beautiful countryside. Please make sure all members of your party are aware of the hazards of the countryside and especially ensure children are supervised to a level appropriate to their age and maturity.

The grounds at Nutcombe are steep in places, although access at the rear of the properties is level once down the initial access steps (see individual cottages).

The other public areas around Nutcombe are steep in parts and may be slippery, particularly after rain. The car park area is flat with gravel and the  steps down to all the cottages are slate which again can be slippery after rain. There are grab rails on all steps.

There are also original steps to the front of the Cider House and Nutcombe Barn which are not to be used by guests. They are part of the fabric and character of the original barns.

Please be aware that Nutcombe has several small springs that run through the property and two large ponds in the owner’s private garden. Please take care around water, especially with children.

The three-acre field has a mown path around it but the rest is left to grow long to protect wildlife. The lawn areas around the cottages as well as the dog garden are kept short.

THE BUILDINGS

NUTCOMBE COTTAGE

The entrance is down a double flight of six slate steps and two risers, all with hand rails. The front door leads to the open plan kitchen dining and living room with solid oak floors. A standard flight of carpeted stairs leads down to the two bedrooms, both with oak floors, and double limestone covered, shower room. Both bedrooms have doors leading to the outside slate terrace with three steps down to a lawn area. A small stream and water way runs along the edge of the lawn the other side of the fence. To the side of Nutcombe Cottage there are original stone steps which lead to the lower terrace which are guarded by a locked gate at the top. Guests are asked not to attempt to use these steps as they are uneven and not suitable for use.

CIDER HOUSE

The entrance to Cider House is down a double flight of steps six and two risers. The front door leads to the open plan kitchen dining and living room with solid oak floors and a lounge rug. Carpeted stairs, with a bend at the top and the bottom, lead down to two bedrooms. Both bedrooms have en-suite facilities. There is a single/twin bedroom with a double shower room with limestone floors. There are French doors that lead out onto the slate terrace down two slate steps. The double bedroom has an en-suite bathroom with overhead shower and limestone floor.

There are original stone and slate steps to the front of the Cider House and Nutcombe Barn which are not to be used by guests. They are part of the fabric and character of the original barns. The slate courtyard is enclose by wooden picket fencing and a large gate with access down three slate steps to the cobbled courtyard.

The original cobbled courtyard is uneven with a lawned area in the centre with a small raised pond.

NUTCOMBE BARN

The entrance to Nutcombe Barn  is down one flight of six slate steps and risers with grab rails. The front door leads to a large open plan kitchen dining and living room with a solid oak floor. There is a small hallway with cloak room and WC. Door to the right leads to a king-size bedroom with a large en-suite shower room with limestone floor. Carpeted stairs with a bend at the bottom, lead down to two further bedrooms which are carpeted. The large king size room has a walk in wardrobe and large en-suite shower room with limestone floor.  The other twin room is also carpeted with an en-suite bath with overhead shower, also with limestone flooring. Both bedrooms have French doors that lead to the slate terrace down two steps.

The slate courtyard is not fully enclosed and has a further four slate steps that lead down to a cobbled court yard.

The original cobbled courtyard is uneven with a lawned area in the centre with a small raised pond.

At Nutcombe Farm we are very lucky to have our own spring water supplying all our cottages. We have our own water filter system that meets all appropriate standards so we can offer you superb natural spring water not only to drink, but to bathe in as well. It is extremely soft water and so you will notice the need for very little detergent/soap/shampoo etc.

Being in the countryside also means we are not on mains drainage. We therefore have our own sewage treatment system on the premises. For this reason, please do not flush sanitary items, so called flushable wipes or cooking fats down the drains, or use any products containing bleach, as these will cause problems with the system.

ELSLEY

THE SITE

Elsley is situated in a quiet no through road of domestic houses down at the sea front in Combe Martin. Access to the grounds off the road is flat onto the driveway which has ample parking for up to 3 cars. 

SUITABILITY

As Elsley is a bungalow it is suitable for those who are slightly infirm but due to the access (see below) and toilet facilities, it is not suitable for wheelchair users. Guests are expected to be able to self-evacuate and be able to manage the few steps without assistance. 

THE GROUNDS

The gardens at the front of Elsley are reasonably flat with a large grassed area and flower beds. At the rear of the property there is again, a large slightly sloping grassed area down to the house accessed up a small set of 3 steps or over the sloping grassed area. There is also the remains of an old pond. The pond does not contain water but does sometimes retain some after heavy rain which could therefore prove a hazard to young children who should therefore be supervised at all times. The gardens are well kept and grass is kept short. The rear gardens can be assessed down the level path to the side of the garage. 

THE BUILDING

Elsley is accessed firstly up one step to a lower patio area (a grab rail is provided) the service here is crazy paving and therefore uneven in places. There is then another step (another grab rail) to the higher, level concrete patio area by the front door where you will find outdoor seating. Access to the house is again one other step up on to the threshold of the door. 

The front door leads into a large hallway with polished wooden floor from which there is access to all rooms on the one level. There is a lounge, a king size bedroom at the front of the bungalow, another king size bedroom at the back and a single bedroom that can be set up as a twin room. All of the bedrooms and the lounge are carpeted.  The bathroom, separate toilet and kitchen are also accessed off the hallway. As the toilet is separate from the bathroom, it is not suitable for wheelchair users due to the size of the room. From the kitchen there is access to the rear of the property into an annex area that contains the tumble dryer and waste collection boxes. From here there is level access to the rear patio area outside where you can access the rear garden up a small set of 3 steps as described above. 

DOGS

We do not accept dogs at Elsley

UTILITIES

Elsey has mains water supply and drainage and is serviced with a gas boiler contained in a locked cupboard off the kitchen.