Reviews

“What a fabulous time we all had! So enjoyed the beautiful garden, wonderful hot tub, comfy beds, and the gorgeously decorated Pilgrim Corner cottage. It had everything we wanted and more! We enjoyed our time with our friends and our dogs Brian and Reggie are now firm best friends! We will be back.”
Sarah, Mark and Brian the dog and Colin, Jackie and Reggie the dog, May 2022

“We’ve had a lovely week at Pilgrim Corner. The cottage is very clean, comfortable and well-equipped. The garden is beautiful, and we’ve enjoyed the hot tub. Lucy has been so helpful, even delivering a thinner quilt as we were too warm with a winter one! That said, we’ve been so lucky with the weather for March , and all the spring flowers have been glorious. We’d forgotten how beautiful this area and the coast are. We really enjoyed the steam train, Dunster and the Castle, Lynton and Lynmouth and the cliff railway. There are a few great shops in Lynton. All-in-all a lovely stay and we hope to return again soon.”
The Hague Family, April 2022

“What an amazing house. We came to celebrate Geof’s 80th and my 21st (lol), the attention to detail is brilliant, every little corner has some treasure, all well presented and to a high standard, and the garden is just perfect and relaxing. We lost our 14-year old little dog ‘Alfie’ while on our stay. He lay on the lawn in the sun, the birds singing, so this garden will always hold a special place in our hearts. We will pass on our recommendations to all our friends and family, such a special place. Thank you Lucy and team, all your hard work has paid off.”
Tony, Derek, Gail, Geof, Jill & Jo, March 2022

“Thank you Lucy and your team – a wonderful break at this special and memorable holiday home!”
Sara and Chris, Ollie and Lily, Celia and Josh, February 2022

“Thank you so much for a beautiful cottage, for letting our dogs stay and all the helpful communication! We have had an amazing New Year here despite the challenges and uncertainties with Covid. Thank you for the fizz and mince pies, what a wonderful gift, we loved it!”
Ellen, Jake and co, January 2022

“Wow, what a wonderful house! After having a last-minute cancellation and then booking this cottage, we definitely came out on top. You have really thought of everything to make this a home-from-home. We loved the added bonus of the hot tub and were lucky enough with the weather to enjoy the beautiful back garden too. The location is amazing. Quiet enough if you want to relax yet walking distance to town if you want something to do. We loved every minute, thank you very much.”
Ann Porter and family, November 2021

“What a beautiful house! And in such a lovely, quiet location too…literally everything has been thought of for guests. We would absolutely book again for a family getaway. Thank you Lucy and team!”
The Lawrences, The Theobalds and Winne and Sunny the dogs, October 2021

“Super cottage, a really comfortable place for a relaxing week. We love the hot tub (of course), and the gentle stroll down to Minehead town. We recommend the cottage!! The garden was stunning, a great place to get lost in. The walk to Porlock Weir was hard but worth it and there are so many quaint villages to visit locally. The Old Ship Aground pub was the best place to eat. Thank you, Lucy and team, for a super holiday home.”
The Meadows Family, September 2021

“Pilgrim Corner is the perfect holiday cottage with everything you could possibly need for a wonderful and relaxing holiday. The beds are super comfortable! We particularly enjoyed the hot tub which is big and in such a private spot in the beautiful garden. The coast and Exmoor are stunning and we went for long walks most days and enjoyed the local restaurants and fish and chips! Thank you, we hope to return!”
The Rytwinski family, August 2021

“Such a beautiful home with so much thought and attention to detail. Absolutely love the garden…the most beautiful oasis…could have happily sat out in it all day! The hot tub was such an added bonus. Everything from the house to the garden is perfect. Beautiful walks, stunning countryside, and such welcoming friendly people. We definitely recommend the Dunster village walk with Jackie and a boat trip with Skipper Mike. We did the two-hour trip to Porlock Weir – a great time with stunning coastal scenes. We’re just all so sad to be leaving. Thank you!”
Sarah and co, July 2021

“What a lovely cottage, beautifully decorated! The garden was so delightful – the colours exploded in the sunshine! We celebrated a ‘big’ birthday with a meal cooked by Ben the private chef which was scrumptious. We had lots of lovely days out walking and stopping off for cream teas. A fantastic week with family.”
The Williams/Hicks Clan, June 2021

“Our annual [sometimes bi-annual] trips to Exmoor Character Cottages in Minehead has now become our own pilgrimage, with aptly named Pilgrim Corner the firm favourite, and just perfect in 2021 for some post-lockdown change of scenery and creative inspiration. Nestled amongst the tranquillity of Upper Town, not far from the door we found some new walks to North Hill that were just perfect for two inquisitive cocker spaniels. A little further afield, lunch at Tarr Farm Inn was culinary heaven cradled within the surrounding Exmoor hills. Everything about Pilgrim Corner is perfection that creates a real home away from home. The location for a wide variety of beach, woodland and riverside walks, the quality of the thatched cottage and all its amenities, the colourful garden, with the hot tub and wood burner on cold April evenings being the icing on a very moreish cake. Why else would we come back time and time again?”
The Peberdys, May 2021

“Our third visit to this beautiful cottage and again Lucy and her team did not disappoint. This time we were celebrating a very special birthday and the cottage was beautifully decorated with balloons and banners and even a bottle of bubbly in the fridge. I am a keen cook and know that when I come to pilgrim corner it will have everything I need to make a special dinner. Pet friendly, immaculately clean, Dunster Castle and the moors on your doorstep it’s perfect every time. Stunning cottage with every comfort from home with a beautiful garden and fabulous hot tub. We will return.”
The Baileys, April 2021

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“We have had two wonderful weeks at The Oval. Such a beautiful cottage in a magical village. Wonderful walks from the doorstep, plus the National Trust’s Dunster Castle and Knighthayes Court have been highlights. The cottage itself has beautiful furnishings, super beds and the kitchen is fabulous. In fact, everything for a perfect holiday. Thank you for the lovely cake you left for us – even the radio playing when we arrived – so welcoming. The log fire was so cosy in the evenings. The Oval also proved to be fantastic for my daughter’s wedding preparation – and thanks to Lucy and her team, there was plenty of room outside for the two horses and carriage to pick the bride up from the door! We can also recommend the Tithe Barn for a wedding reception. Annie the recommended dog sitter was amazing, keeping Mikkie occupied all afternoon. The Foresters Arms and Stag pubs are great for eating out, and the Deli in Dunster has amazing goodies. Thank you Lucy, we will be back, in fact, we can’t wait!”
Carolyn, Judith, Bec and Marc and Mikkie the dog, May 2022

“The fact we have been staying at The Oval since 2015 says it all. We absolutely love it and wouldn’t change a thing. Despite being regular visitors, Lucy and the team always go that extra mile to make us feel really welcome. The tea try and selection of goodies are always just lovely! The weather has been very good to us this Easter (as always) which has made Dunster even more beautiful. We love Dunster Castle, the kids had a great time doing the Easter Egg Trail around the grounds. We all enjoyed cream teas in the sunshine at both Cobblestone and Tessa’s as well as picnics on Dunster Beach. The Foresters Arms remains out favourite with good pub grub and a friendly team. Walking the dog (who’s called Dunster!) is an absolute pleasure as there are so many lovely walks on your doorstep. The ‘Little Book of Walks’ written by Lucy and left in the cottage always comes in handy. We already booked for Easter 2023 but hope to squeeze in another visit in between. Many thanks Lucy and your wonderful team!”
Team Foster and Dunster the Dog, April 2022

“What a privilege to have been able to stay in this beautiful and historic house…but it’s not really a ‘house’, it’s a home-from-home. Thank you for all the thought that you have put into it to make it so comfortable and welcoming – everything has been considered. We came mainly to rest, relax and perhaps do a bit of stargazing. We rested, we relaxed, and we even managed to squeeze in an hour of stargazing between the clouds – not bad for February/March! We loved the Tall Trees Trail at Nutcombe Bottom – such a peaceful area and good for a rainy day as the trees provide excellent shelter from the elements. We loved the food at The Luttrell Arms opposite the Yarn Market – a lovely atmosphere and there were lots of dogs to say hello to! Thank you so much for a lovely week away, we have loved being here!
Kirsty and Trevor, March 2022

“Our first stay at The Oval, what a great cosy cottage with loads of character, authentic oak timbers and uneven floors to add to its charm. Our four-year-old grandson loved exploring. It is well-equipped, clean and comfortable. Places we enjoyed were the Dunster Circular Walk, Minehead, the Valley of Rocks, Blue Anchor Beach, Watchet, Lynton and Lynmouth – and not forgetting Exmoor and the ponies! We had a lovely stay and thoroughly recommend The Oval. Thank you, Lucy and Gail, for your help and advice and the little extras.”
Jean and Tony Dyer, February 2022

“We were so looking forward to this trip as we had planned to visit for last New Year but it was cancelled due to Covid. Thanks to Lucy who made it really easy to move the booking to this year instead. We have had a great second visit and found the cottage to be as well-equipped and welcoming as before. Highlights have included visiting Dunkery Beacon, the tall trees trail at Nutcombe Bottom and Conygar Tower. The village looked beautiful with its Christmas decorations up and it has been lovely to spend another week in Dunster. Thank you so much to all the team.”
Stuart, Sarah, Sue, Maddie and Ewan, and Bella and Doris the dogs, January 2022

“A wonderful week in a very special place to celebrate our ruby wedding anniversary. Time has flown by. Exploring many local walks with our two dogs Bella and Sam most mornings has been a joy, with fabulous views and landscape. We loved our visits to the Lockes Victorian Tea Rooms for spiced hot apple drinks and hot chocolate. There’s lovely food and atmosphere at Reeves Restaurant – and so welcoming. A cosy fire and sofas at The Foresters Arms. Best of all were the evenings in the cottage by the Christmas tree and log fire, a glass of wine and then comfy beds. A truly memorable week – thanks to Lucy and her team.”
Linda and John, Dave and Linda, December 2021

“This was our first visit to The Oval. It’s clear to see why so many people come back. A gorgeous cottage, spotlessly clean. Absolutely everything you could possibly need, including the most well-equipped kitchen of any holiday cottage. Actually – better than at home! We hope to come again.”
Elaine and Richard, November 2021

“What a fabulous week in an awesome house to celebrate my 60th birthday. Could not fault The Oval as it was equipped with everything we could need, and the bed was so comfy!! Dunster is beautiful and we loved the castle and especially the gardens which are so lovely with gorgeous views – and the watermill too. We enjoyed seeing the ponies up on Exmoor and we went to Lynmouth and Lynton which was well worth the visit. We ate in the Forresters Arms a couple of times, which offers tasty pub grub – loved the swearing parrot! The Stag was very good and recommend the ‘lamb lollipops’. Cobblestones and Lockes Victorian Tea Rooms are also good. The Luttrell Arms has a secret garden, perfect to enjoy a drink. Reeves restaurant on my birthday was five star – you must go! It’s been a wonderful birthday week. Thank you to The Oval team!”
Angela, Lynsey and Ollie the Westie, October 2021

“What a fabulous cottage! From the moment we walked in we felt at home. It was spotless and has everything we needed and more (hot water bottles were a welcomed surprise!). We explored somewhere different every day: Blue Anchor Bay, Lynmouth, Dulverton, Tarr Steps, Stogumber on the steam train (lovely cream tea at the station there), Minehead, Horner Woods and Selworthy. Had a lovely lunch at Born Appetite in Dunster one day and finished the week with a ‘pub grub’ meal at the Forresters Arms. We are so impressed with all the information we received prior to the holiday and then all the information left in the cottage. We loved ‘The Little Book of Walks’ which was so useful, and the yummy chocolate cake! Thank you, Lucy and team.”
Netta, Sue and Lulu, September 2021

“What a wonderful place Dunster is, and The Oval sums it up perfectly – we love the history, and this is living history. The walking has been wonderful. We have visited the Lake District on many occasions and the walking here is on a par – with more variety in terms of woodland, water and open moorland all on the same walks, with views of the sea too. We loved Dunkery Beacon, the highest spot-on Exmoor, the ridge walk across the Quantocks and the truly beautiful Doone Valley. If you want a real challenge, try reading Lorna Doone while you are staying here! For an Indian takeaway, The Alcombe Tandoori is excellent, and Dana’s Fish & Chip Shop in Minehead is also good. We loved the whole experience here – oh and try the cider at Torre Farm!
James, Maryam, Freddie and Walter the dog, August 2021

“Although we’ve stayed here a number of times, I cannot seem to find any evidence of any Guest Book entries – so these comments are covering many years of coming to The Oval during 30 years of visiting West Somerset. Of all the places we’ve stayed since the late 1980s, The Oval is the one that offers the fullest Somerset flavour! It’s welcoming, comfortable, beautiful – and just ‘shabby chic’ enough to allow you to relax completely in any of the rooms! Seriously, The Oval is a complete delight in a stunning village in the most beautiful countryside in England. We will be back again, and again.
Phil, Rebecca, Tilly and Bailey, July 2021

“Another lovely stay at The Oval. A trip down memory lane for my husband and his parents who used to stay here when my mother-in-law’s cousin Claire Hoare ran this house as a B&B back in the late 70s and 80s. We had a great Sunday lunch at Reeves in the village and returned for a fabulous evening meal. Lovely cake at Tessa’s Tearoom. Brilliant walks from Gallox Bridge. For days out, go to Bossington and have the best coffee at Kitnors Tearoom. The kids loved Minehead. Dunster Castle is good, and the gardens are amazing. We love the deck at the top of the garden. It was nice to have such lovely weather to enjoy the sundowners! We forgot our dog’s food bowls, but no matter, as there were some here. Thank you.”
Kate, Jon, Alan, Mel, Daisy, Matilda and Margot the dog, June 2021

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“Thank you for a lovely time at your cosy cottage! It was well-worth the two-year wait. We loved the cake and appreciate the fact that there was milk in the house upon arrival. The kitchen is the best-equipped we have ever seen on holiday and we enjoyed eating and cooking here a lot! The hot tub was amazing as was the lovely book with great walking suggestions – we used that quite a lot! What a great first stay in beautiful Exmoor…the entire family had a great and relaxing holiday.”
Kinga and family, March 2022

“Everyone had a great half-term break at The Old Sweet Shop. This is a really well-equipped and cared for cottage and we settled in really quickly. There were plenty of dog walks and other things to do, despite the stormy weather. We recommend Alcombe Fish Bar for anyone who likes fish and chips! We hope to be back one day.”
The Stacey and May families, February 2022

“Wow, the website really doesn’t do this gorgeous cottage justice, we feel so lucky to have brought the New Year in at The Old Sweet Shop. Every detail has been thought of to welcome humans and dogs alike. The decorations, mince pies, party poppers, and finding a bottle of fizz in the fridge was just fabulous, thank you! We’ve relaxed lots, walked, shopped and obviously used the hot tub – perfect. This is the cleanest, most dog-friendly cottage we’ve been to, and hopefully we’ll be back again. Thank you so much.”
The Paige family, January 2022

“We had a lovely time just before Christmas. The cottage was amazing and in a fantastic place to walk in and around Minehead. The Old Sweet Shop is a fantastic cottage, immaculately clean, we loved the roaring fire in the evening and the odd dip in the hot tub! Thank you very much.”
John, Rebecca, Amelia and Toby, December 2021

“We have had an absolutely amazing time! The cottage was so immaculately clean and absolutely gorgeous! Communication was amazing from Lucy and the team from start to finish. Thank you for the treats! We have also stayed in Pilgrim before and had a fab time there too. We will definitely be back. Thank you so much. PS> Book the private chef experience, it was delicious!”
Beccy, Chrissie, Hannah, Nicola, Kelly and Rachel, November 2021

“Afternoon tea on arrival was a wonderful surprise, beautiful cottage and everything thought of. We loved the fire and spending many nights chatting and playing game with the good friends we came on holiday with, and even celebrating two birthdays. All was just perfect – thank you!”
Six Go Mad in Somerset, October 2021

“A beautifully appointed cottage, super beds, and well-equipped. We celebrated our youngest daughter’s engagement (a surprise to her!) and were lucky enough to have beautiful weather. The backdrop of the cottage and garden made for a great photo opportunity with wonderful memories. The Little Book of Walks was used, and we have enjoyed the surrounding area. No rain was a real bonus, so our grandson enjoyed Minehead Beach for an afternoon and the hot tub was a hit for everyone.”
The Hasler and Carslake families, September 2021

“We are just leaving from the most perfect week staying at The Old Sweet Shop! We wanted to thank Lucy and her team for making our stay so easy and effortless. We were wowed from the moment we walked in on our first day, such a beautiful cottage and so clean and well-kept. The hot tub in the garden was amazing and got a lot of use! Another high was the private chef Lucy recommended to come in and cook for us! Ben and Izzy were so lovely and the food was incredible! The location is fantastic, we drove out everyday to lots of nearby beautiful walks with the dog, and even drive to Woolacombe Beach in Devon one day. We will definitely book again and would definitely recommend to friends. Thank you guys, I hope to see you again soon!”
Clare and family, August 2021

“Thank you so much for a lovely week in your beautiful cottage. You have thought about absolutely everything, so many lovely touches, a real home-from-home, well to be honest, better than home! A beautiful setting, convenient location, and some great dog walks close by. Six adults, on 10-month-old and two dogs have had a wonderful relaxing week. We hope to rebook soon! Thanks again.
Annette, Tom, Hayley, Dave, Henry, Christian and Molly, and Max and Ronnie the dogs, July 2021

“Seven adults and two teenies stayed at The Old Sweet Shop for seven nights, what a wonderful time we all had! Beautiful grounds, facilities and accommodation. Everything we needed with lovely touches throughout. Very comfy beds too! The views are spectacular as long as you’re willing to walk up some steep tracks (which we were), but that’s Minehead!! The Guide Book, folders, information and the historical bits are all fascinating, and the neighbours are friendly – smiles all round! The hot tub was such an added bonus: very relaxing and well maintained. We’ve had a lovely stay, would highly recommend and would definitely consider a revisit in the future. Many thanks.”
The Lawton family, June 2021

“What a relaxing and enjoyable week at the beautiful Old Sweet Shop. We loved sleeping in ‘Marshmallow’, tranquil and super-comfortable. Lucy the owner has thought of everything to make the stay comfy and relaxing. We followed the Doone Valley walk from ‘The Little Book of Walks’. What a fantastic and sometimes dramatic place, well worth it! We found so much to discover, Dunster Castle, and the beach are just beautiful. After a long walk it was blissful to get into the hot tub and melt into the sunset – and sometimes the rain! A thoroughly lovely week in a quaint and gorgeous cottage. We will be back.”
Jenny and Colin Napthine, May 2021

“12th April 2021, the day we could travel after the third lockdown, this cottage would always be truly delightful but as our first time out of London for almost six months, it was incredible! Our girls delighted in the sweet shop theme, everything so cosy and comfy and the garden a truly relaxing retreat. The hot tub is the icing on the cake. In Minehead, we walked up the hill, had coffee and cake at the Echo Beach Café on the old harbour, played family crazy golf on the front and spotted the clever, fun ‘metalheads’ everywhere – poa liceman, coastguard, café owner – you name it, we found it! We will be back! An immaculate and beautiful cottage, garden and hot tub. Genuinely, no-one wants to leave, so watch out for children hiding in cupboards!!!”
The Passmore family, April 2021

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“Thank you for the amazing stay at Stone Barn. It exceeded our expectations, loved the hot tub and fresh hot cross buns! Highly recommend all the walks in the Little Book of Walks and a day at Lynmouth is definitely suggested by us. The barn was beautiful and immaculate. Thank you for making our stay so comfortable and homely.”
Andy, Jackie, Melissa and Jamie, and the dogs, April 2022

“A lovely long weekend spent here. A fab house, very clean and everything we needed. The weather was kind, so we had some lovely walks. Thank you to the team.”
The Flower party, March 2022

“This is our fourth stay at Lucy’s cottages, and we have now sampled all of them! Stone Barn was excellent and just what we needed to escape a bleak January. The hot tub got a lot of use following challenging walks on Exmoor and the surrounding countryside. We are very pleased to have discovered Exmoor Character Cottages!”
John and Carol, February 2022

“Thank you to the team for another fantastic stay at Stone Barn. Just what we needed – a nice relaxing stay with everything right here to celebrate the New Year. This is our second stay at Stone Barn, and it is just as amazing as I remember, so thank you so much!”
Cara, Carl, Jake, Tori and Daisy and Senna the dogs, January 2022

“Our expectations were completely exceeded – the accommodation is incredible and the area is beautiful. We didn’t need or want to venture far because we enjoyed staying the beautiful Barn so much. Superb from start to finish. The Elf Experience was fab too!”
Del, Keel, Brayden, Brooke and Nala the dog, December 2021

“We have had a lovely relaxing week in Stone Barn. Well-equipped, great décor and very clean. A real home-from-home. A great secure outside space for the dog and the hot tub was just what we needed! Great location, very quiet and the views are amazing. Walking distance to town and the beach, and you get used to the hill back! Thanks to the team. Fantastic.”
Sally, Dan and Nelson the dog, November 2021

“We have had a wonderful week at Stone Barn. The accommodation is just lovely, and we love the attention to detail in all parts of the Barn. It has the best equipped kitchen of any we’ve stayed in. Great décor and very clean. This was a much-needed relaxing break and the hot tub was an added bonus – as was the weather for the time of year. It was super for our dog Jake, very secure and with plenty of room for him. The milk, chilled water and cake was as nice touch too. We enjoyed the views, the beaches and the great food at The Old Ship Aground and the Wheelhouse restaurants in Minehead. Thank you, Lucy and team!”
Jules, Alan and Jake the dog, October 2021

“Wow! What a wonderful holiday and stay at Stone Barn. So peaceful, comfortable, and quiet, everything we needed was here. The hot tub was a bonus and a real treat! As a dog owner the property was brilliant, as well as safe for furry friends! A beautiful standard of property in a great location, we will be back! Thank you”
Ben, Laura, and Willow the dog, September 2021

“Thank you, Lucy, Steve and your team for all your help and effort to ensure we were able to have a wonderful break in your lovely cottage. We arrived a little late due to my injury and you were so kind and accommodating. Nothing was too much trouble! The boys loved relaxing in the hot tub and Arwen and I enjoyed the lovely views. We will be back, hopefully when I can walk around a bit more and we can climb the hills!”
Catherine, Richard, Aidan, Nathan and Arwen, August 2021

“What a fabulous place to stay! The bedrooms were very sumptuous – they even impressed two 16-year-old boys and they spent a lot of time in bed! The hot tub is immaculate and very well-kept by Steve who gave us some tips for the hot tub we have just bought at home. It was a delight to talk to Lucy before our stay. Her recommendations were spot on. We had an awesome time paddle boarding on the river, and clay shooting was the best. Parker our dog loved the walks and the garden, which was perfect for my morning yoga – especially with the sunshine. The cake you left for us was so delicious. We have had a wonderful stay and would highly recommend Stone Barn. It is so well-equipped, and the furnishing are top notch. Definitely a place we’d like to visit again.”
Julie, Josh, Toby, Max and Parker the dog, July 2021

“Wow! Thank you for a lovely relaxing and stunning place to stay. We had so much fun exploring just within a 20-mile area, and it was great to be so central to everything. Comfy beds, sparkling bathrooms, modern kitchen and a quiet restful garden, not to mention such a luxurious hot tub!! We hope to return in the future. Keep up the great work!”
Barbara, Emma, Andrew, David and Puddledust and Mr Zippy G the dogs, June 2021

“Thank you, Lucy and your amazing team, for our much-deserved break after a few horrible weeks. The Barn and gardens are immaculate, and the photos really don’t do it justice. We had everything we needed and more…The garden was perfect for the pooches. Thank you again, we will definitely recommend you.”
Susie, Simon, Millie and Skye, May 2021

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