Two en-suite rooms — each with its own private lounge — surrounded by superb walking country, our beloved 'Flerd' of rescued animals, and a kitchen that has been quietly making vegans happy for decades.
For more than two decades, we've been welcoming travellers, walkers, animal lovers and the plant-curious into our home in mid-Devon. Twelve acres of countryside sit around us — five of them culm grassland, awarded a Countryside Stewardship grant and rich with wildflowers — with the B3137 running past our door, and Exmoor and North Devon spread out at our gate.
Fern Tor is small on purpose. Two en-suite rooms, each with its own private lounge, a generous breakfast, the occasional evening meal, and conversation that will probably involve at least one dog, several rescued chickens and a goose called Geoffrey.
Everything we cook is vegetarian or vegan. Cordon Vert trained, but home-style at heart. Pets are welcome. Children are welcome. People who arrived expecting a "diet" and discovered they could eat seven puddings are very welcome.
Vegetarian and vegan, made from scratch, generous to a fault. We are very fond of pudding.
Jane is Cordon Vert trained. Real cooking from organic vegetables, often grown here or sourced from Riverford Farm just down the road. Not "we'll do you an omelette."
Multi-course evening meals on selected nights, served at separate tables, by candlelight when the nights are long. Bring your own wine — no charge.
Described by guests as "wicked", "heavenly" and "sinful". There is also a slightly less decadent breakfast version — "more of a party than a breakfast."
Jane makes a vegan apricot sticky pudding that stays on the memory taste buds forever — and is one of the best in the universe.— Kamy Cunningham, Animalprints
Both en-suite, both non-smoking, both with king-size beds. The kitchen/dining room on the first floor can be booked for the exclusive use of either room — perfect for self-catering breakfasts watching the animals out the window.
The Garden Suite sits on the ground floor and consists of a double bedroom and its own private lounge — both with direct access to a large private patio. There's a fireplace for chillier nights, a TV in both rooms, and a separate table for private dining if you'd like.
The double bed is king-size — a generous 5 feet wide. En-suite bathroom with both bath and over-bath shower.
The Green Room sits upstairs, on the first floor, and is our larger room — a large double bedroom with its own adjoining private lounge. Plenty of light, comfortable furniture, and the same warm Devon character throughout.
The double bed here is a gigantic 6 feet wide — for the genuinely good night's sleep. The first-floor kitchen/dining room is just along the corridor: equipped with cooker, hob, dishwasher and fridge/freezer, with French doors and a short bridge straight to the outside. Ideal for breakfast while watching the animals.
We follow the Little Silver River through five acres of culm grassland — a Countryside Stewardship-protected habitat, rich with bluebells, wild garlic, orchids and butterflies that change with the seasons.
Spring transforms the meadow. Bluebells and wild garlic carpet the woodland edges — visit in April or May for the best of it.
Several species of orchid flower under our apple trees in early summer. We have a species list drawn up by English Nature and the Devon Wildlife Trust.
Solar panels on the roof help heat the hot water and generate electricity. No down or feathers in pillows or duvets. All cleaning products animal-free and not tested on animals.
"Flerd" is what we call our resident flock-and-herd: rescued and adopted animals who run the place, mostly with our co-operation. Geoffrey the goose, free-range hens that supply our breakfast eggs, sheep, the bunnies whose hay is lined with your old newspapers, and a rotating cast of farmyard helpers.
Your dogs, cats and well-behaved companions are also welcome — please tell us in advance so we can plan introductions and make sure everyone gets along.
Bonus: our four-legged rotovators are also available for hire. Ask Cliff.
Some of the finest walking country in southern England, and easy day trips to North Devon's beaches and Exmoor's high moors.
Wild moors, ancient woodland, the wild ponies. Lynton & Lynmouth, Dunkery Beacon, the Valley of Rocks — all within a comfortable drive.
Croyde, Saunton, Woolacombe — three of England's best surf beaches. Rockpools, fish & chips, and breath-taking cliff walks.
Alswear, Meshaw, South Molton — proper Devon villages with proper Devon pubs. The kind of country where you'll hear a tractor before you hear a car.
Fern Tor, Meshaw
South Molton
Devon EX36 4NA
England