North Devon ecolodge, England
Part of an award-winning eco-farm, this exceptional self-catering ecolodge with hot tub is 100% powered by on-site generated renewable energy. Sleeping 8, family and friends can run free in its 21-acre wildlife reserve accessible straight from the doorstep.
Low carbon eco lodge (sleeps 8) set in 21 acres of managed wildlife reserve local pubs, tea shops and traffic free walking/cycling tracks Winkleigh, Torrington and Tarka Trail free push bike hire and e-bike rental
Price
£442To£1380 per week (sleeps 8)
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More info
Price depends on season.
Short breaks also available.
Short breaks also available.
Description of North Devon ecolodge, England
Balebarn Lodge offers exclusive and uniquely quirky and low-carbon accommodation deep in the North Devon UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. As it’s off the beaten track and down a long private drive, you can have as much peace and privacy as you wish, with a spacious single storey lay out designed to comfortably sleep eight guests.
Just two miles outside the Saxon village of Winkleigh, Balebarn is close to welcoming pubs, lovely walks, and within easy reach of all of Devon's attractions, from wild swimming spots on Dartmoor to North Devon’s coastal adventures, the market towns of Bideford and Barnstaple, and historic Exeter.
Charming Torrington offers an art centre with films and live music. RHS Rosemoor is a short drive, as is the Tarka Trail, providing inspiring traffic-free bike explorations with coffee shops at regular intervals: perfect places to pause and soak up the Devonshire way of life.
We think our ecolodge is an ideal self-catering property for any families or friends looking to explore North Devon's UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. There’s enough things to do outdoors, all year round, with nearby Exeter offering indoor alternatives, including heritage museums, climbing walls, quay-side restaurants and artisan shops.
Map
Travel guides
There’s something about the combination of hillside, hedgerow and sea air that invites a more laid back, Devonshire, pace of life. Days on Dartmoor, w...
Holiday information
Low Carbon:
100% renewable energy (on site wind and PV, plus green grid) and accommodation designed for efficiency. Assistance for car free guests. Anyone can borrow bikes. Some lodges have hot tubs (also powered with renewable energy).
Electric car charge point:
Commondo and 3 pin plug charge points from 17p per K/W. Power comes from our wind turbine in the field next door.
Accessibility
Accessible tourism overview:
Our North Devon Eco Lodge is especially suited to groups and families having one or more people with access needs. You’ll find a warm welcome, level access, some equipment to borrow, and plenty of facilities onsite to please the whole party. A detailed access statement is available from us which includes detailed heights and widths inside the barn, information on the most accessible outdoor etc. - please get in touch for more details.
Limited mobility:
The lodge is on one level, with a ramp to the front door and parking right outside. There are fold-back doors onto a ramped veranda with fabulous views, bringing wildlife to the doorstep. One bathroom has a wetroom shower. We can usually lend a perching stool, walking frame, shower stool and toilet raiser/support (please enquire).
Wheelchair:
All doors are wide enough for wheelchairs, and the entrances have gentle ramps. A wetroom shower is available. We’ll be delighted to share local knowledge on good places to eat, and accessible places to visit. There is ample parking right at the door.
Blind or limited vision:
Everyone is welcome at our farm, and we're ready to discuss your individual requirements. We’d be happy to provide our welcome information in spoken format, and can adjust the wildlife walk we offer to all guests to emphasis non-visual aspects. Assistance dogs are also welcome and there is plenty of room in which to exercise them.
Deaf or limited hearing:
We welcome everyone, and are keen to adjust what we provide to suit your individual requirements wherever possible - please tell us what your requirements are and we will do our best to assist.
Cognitive conditions:
The lodge is in quiet surroundings and the owners, who live onsite, ensure it is a relaxing place to be. Maggie and Ian have both had dementia awareness training. Children with additional needs are also warmly welcomed.
'Free from' food:
Don’t eat dairy or gluten? Let us know, and we’ll adjust our ‘welcome scones’ to something more appropriate!
LGBT:
Everyone is welcome. Absolutely.
Reviews
2 Reviews of North Devon ecolodge, England
4 out of 5 stars
Reviewed on 27 Aug 2020 by Cathie Ridler
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Staying at the property with friends.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
The cabin was great but the property is not as accessible as advertised. Anyone unable to transfer onto a toilet seat unaided would not be able to stay there. The wet room is small and showering was difficult even with the shower chair provided. The owners are incredibly helpful though and will try to make your stay possible so discuss your needs.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
8 out of 10 for access. 10 out of 10 for everything else
Reviewed on 31 Oct 2016 by Helen Adshead
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The large pond/small lake was perfect. Our children spent most of their waking time in the water, on the paddle board, in the boat or on the island. Some of
us adults joined them ... but at the end of October, with no wetsuits, we mainly left it to them! It was heaven. We were able to sit nearby and talk, clutch hot
drinks and laugh and take photos, without spoiling their fun. And all the while knowing there was a cosy house with woodburner lit, just a minute away.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Book it! The Balebarn Lodge that we stayed in was lovely. Beautifully built and furnished and decorated, simple but comfortable. Possibly take wetsuits for
your children in the autumn, but ours managed without. Can't think of anything else you need to take, everything is there, a lovely place to stay.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Our holiday definitely supported conservation. The owners manage their land primarily for wildlife and it is all, including the SSSI, really well cared for. The
holiday lets are their income to allow them to do all the wildlife work. Everything is set up in the house for recycling and using less energy, in a way that
makes it easy to do, not preachy, and still luxurious. LOcal businesses are promoted really well by the owners - local shops, food, activities. They offer to pick you up from the local station .... but we all came by car (car shares!).
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
It was a really really lovely place to go on holiday. If I had been there longer, I may have given it 5 stars ..... as we were only there for a weekend, I am not quite reborn as you suggest! All of us, adults and children, loved it. Very very comfortable, feel good factor of it being sustainable and environmentally friendly. Really welcoming hosts, but not in any way intrusive. Beautiful views and wildlife, would very happily go there again.
Responsible Travel
As the pioneers of responsible tourism, we've screened this (and every) holiday so that you can travel knowing it will help support the places and people that you visit, and the planet. Read how below.
Planet
WildlifeBalebarn Lodge is set in 21 acres of farmland managed for wildlife. Popehouse Moor, the farm's nationally recognised Site of Special Scientific Interest, is designated for its sheer diversity, including over 200 species of flowering plants. In early summer you'll find two types of native orchids along with countless meadow flowers. Barn owls hunt here at dusk, and dormice live in the farm's many hedgerows. The four ponds buzz with dragonflies and if you love wild swimming there's nothing like seeing the wildlife at eye level. Bats skim for moths at dusk, and by day the farm's rough grassland is a haven for butterflies. And it's your stay that helps keep it this way. Our paying guests are what make managing the land for wildlife viable - so you're part of the story and can be sure this part of Devon will stay the beautiful place you chose to visit.
Waste
Who was it who said 'he who knows he has enough is rich'? That's our ethos - comfort and quality but not throw away consumerism. So everything about the lodge has been done to minimise waste, from using the rubble from demolished walls in the landscaping to insulating the walls with straw bales and the roof with newspaper and recycled bottle products. Even the bathroom tiles were chosen because the British manufacturer recycled 25% of its ceramic waste back into its products. Every room has a story, every item has been chosen with care and to ensure a sense of place. This is the sort of luxury that's worth treasuring, not throwing away for a newer model. And of course you can recycle when you're here. From plastics to paper, tins to tomatos we'll help you make sure what you don't need doesn't become waste.
Balebarn Lodge is an energy efficient building, with 100% renewable electricity, much from Wheatland Farm's wind turbine and solar panels (and green grid back up). You can cut your transport emissions by recharging an electric car (PodPoint), using our bikes, arriving by public transport (we'll collect you), or just enjoying the farm. Local food producers deliver, and you can even have wine delivered by our independent wine merchant.
People
Friends and NeighboursWe want you to enjoy all that this corner of Devon offers. We have extensive information online about local attractions and things to do - all within a 30 miles radius. Whether it's a peddle to the local pub two miles away (borrow a free bike!) or a 40 mile round trip adventure involving trains and the North Devon off-road Tarka Trail. However you get about, be it bike bus car or train, we'll point you to pubs, tea rooms, museums, farm shops and local events that will value your support.
Volunteering and Charity
Over the years our community involvement has included volunteering for the Parish Council, the Devon Countryside Access Forum, the Crediton Repair Café, and Winkleigh's green action group, where we helped set up a plastic recycling scheme and have helped with project such as litter picks, managing the local biodiversity area etc. We're a business supporter of the Devon Wildlife Trust.
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