Secret holiday cottage in Devon

When I used to write travel pieces, people used to ask "do you have a secret place that only you know about?". And I'd lie a little and say "no". The lie was only a little lie, in that, obviously I wasn't the only one to know about my special cottage. But there was no way I was going to write about it and splash it across the papers so it could get booked up and then there'd be no room for me.

This has happened to me before. Many years ago I wrote about the Rasul Mud experience at the Elemis Day spa. This was a totally affordable little treat for two people and I never had any problems booking it. Then I wrote and raved about it and not only was there a six month waiting list but the price rocketed, completely pricing me out. Don't even get me started on the MaltEaster bunny shortage this year which I think is entirely due to me writing about them because of course I like to think that I am that important that I can trigger such an event.

When I first started going out with my boyfy-husband (boyfband? husfriend?), thirteen years ago, he introduced me to this cottage in Devon, just minutes from Dartmoor. It took me a few days to realise how completely special this place was. At the time, I was pretty entrenched in five star hotels (through work) and being flown first or business class. Even though I didn't live like this at all, going away meant a certain amount of luxe. This cottage isn't really about that. Parts of it are a bit ramshackle. But God is it wonderful.

For one, it's down a tiny lane so it's completely secluded. I'm talking peace and quiet like you got in the 1950's. You can't hear any traffic at all. But it's not secluded because the people (lovely, lovey people that are there if you need them but not if you don't) that own it live opposite.  Children can play in the courty-yardy bit at the front. The gardens are spectacular. And there is a - walled - vegetable garden of about an acre that is the finest I've ever seen (and I talk as someone who has been to lots of National Trust places).

So why am I mentioning it now?  Well the whole place is for sale. I don't want it to be sold. We've had the most special holidays there ever. Our eldest loves it. It's got a sort of magic about it even when it's raining. The thought that we might never be able to go there again (we went at Easter this year) or that our youngest won't remember it, makes me sad. But the owners are "getting old" (their words not mine) and it's a big place to look after. So it's very likely this will be the last year you can ever stay there and well, I thought I should be generous.

Also those of you with £2 million to spare might want to buy it. I envy you if you do because I am not sure there is a finer place. (To stay in the cottage is about £400 a week though!)

There is tons to do when you get there. Dartmoor, magnificent, moody, dangerous, is not far at all. Then there are wonderful villages to explore: Chagford, Lustleigh..I will write more about these another time because Chagford contains one of my favourite shops ever. And there's Castle Drogo nearby which is my favourite NT property of all time.