2016 brochure from West Country Cottages featuring nearly 130 holiday homes

West Country Cottages' new 2016 brochure features around 130 quality holiday homes in Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset and Hampshire's New Forest. Sleeping two to 11 guests, properties range from romantic retreats to beautifully converted barns and large family houses in coast, country and village settings; over 50 also welcome pets.

Every property is inspected by a member of the agency's team and 'Sun Graded' with one to five suns according to its quality, ambience and facilities. Short breaks are available at many properties low season, or occasionally for late bookings at other times.

Prices range from £252 to £483 per week in Little Hollybrook, a contemporary house for two in the rural Somerset village of Batcombe graded 3½ suns. Sleeping up to 11, Breaches Barn, which has 4½ suns, costs between £1,011 per week low season to £2,304 high season; situated on a working farm near Rockbourne, Hampshire, this large holiday home is reminiscent of a medieval great hall with its huge wide open living space, high raftered ceilings exposed brickwork and oak timbers. There is also a hard tennis court, which guests are welcome to use.

2016 highlights include:

Holiday homes on former Quaker farm, East Devon

Two holiday homes, Quakers and Chaffinch, converted from ancient barns on a former Quaker farm and meeting place near the unspoilt village of Membury in East Devon, sit peacefully among country lanes overlooking the surrounding Blackdown Hills, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Each has a small sunny sitting out area and shared use of seven acres of beautifully kept grounds, a thatched summer house and barbecue area.  Sleeping four in two ensuite bedrooms, Quakers is attached to the Grade II listed farmhouse, which has its origins back in the 14th century. Inside pretty cottage furnishings complement carefully retained period features including exposed stonework and timber beams. Chaffinch is a cosy ground floor retreat for two with a spacious living room and ensuite bedroom. A week's stay at Quakers (graded 4 suns) is from £346 and at Chaffinch (graded 3½ suns) £312; dogs welcome at both.  

Thatched and detached Thorn Cottage, Dartmoor

Peacefully tucked away in a quiet hamlet just over a mile from Chagford in the heart of Devon's Dartmoor, picture postcard thatched and detached Thorn Cottage, which sleeps six, has a great choice of woodland and moorland walks all around.  The comfy living room has an attractive granite open fireplace, perfect to snuggle around on chillier evenings, while upstairs three bedrooms are tucked under the thatch, all with lovely countryside views. A small cottage garden leads to a one acre paddock with summerhouse. Graded 4 suns, a week's stay is priced from £549; dogs welcome.

South Devon retreat for two with river views

Amongst the smallest is Tanglewood, a delightful retreat for two above an open-sided garage and attached to the owner's home at Kingswear in South Devon with stunning views over the river Dart. Inside furnishings feature natural materials and attractive wall hangings; a traditional weaved willow screen separates the bedroom from the living room. Patio doors lead to a private sitting out area, while the hillside garden is shared with the owners. Graded 4 suns, prices at Tanglewood start from £357 per week.  

Victorian townhouse for 11, South Devon

One of the largest with space for 11 is Sunny Mount in the heart of the beautiful South Devon resort of Teignmouth. This terraced Victorian townhouse has been lovingly refurbished retaining some of the original features. A nautical theme sails through the property including the four-bedded bunk room, which is ideal for children or adults alike complete with portholes and a pirate chest. Hub of the house is the huge kitchen/diner which has a snug at one end and leads out to a small courtyard. The master bedroom and second floor double bedroom have views across the roof tops to the beach and pier. Given a top 5 sun grading, a week's stay at Sunny Mount is priced from £938 for 11 guests, reduction for smaller parties.    

Two dogs welcome in former Dorset cart shed

West Country Cottages have several holiday homes welcoming more than one dog. Among them is Bramble Barn, converted from a three bay cart shed at Longcross, a mile from the historic Dorset town of Shaftsbury. Sleeping four plus two dogs, the attractive cottage has been built from local Shaftesbury green stone and Gillingham brick, and has lovely views over the ancient woodland of Duncliffe Hill and Blackmore Vale. The original openings for the carts have been replaced with floor-to-ceiling windows and a sliding glass door onto the patio, which is in the shape of half a cartwheel. Inside the lounge/diner has oak floors, a refectory table with pews and an impressive stone fireplace with woodburner. Graded 4 suns, a week's stay is priced from £386. 

Four cottages on Cornish farm with stunning sea views

Sleeping two to five guests, the four Calartha farm cottages at Pendeen in far west Cornwall all have lovely sea and country views. Owned by the same family for over a century, the farm is now worked in a small way with some free range poultry, but most of the animals are retired.  Full of character and dating back to 1798, The Old Farmhouse (4 suns), is the largest with space for five; whitewashed and exposed stone walls are complemented by beamed ceilings and a huge inglenook with woodburner in the dining room and a smaller woodburner in the lounge. The beamed and vaulted living area in The Old Barn (3½ suns) is on the first floor to admire the sea views, while two bedrooms sleeping a total of four are below; it also has a large enclosed garden where children can play. Four hundred year old, stone built Jenny's Cottage (3½ suns), which features a large inglenook, and the more contemporary single storey, detached Quillet (3½  suns), both sleep two. Calartha Cottages are set within a World Heritage Site half a mile from the nearest pub and close to the South West Coast Path and Portheras Beach. Prices start from £312 per week.    

For a free copy of West Country Cottages 2016 brochure call 01803 814000, email holidays@westcountrycottages.co.uk or visit www.westcountrycottages.co.uk. Every holiday home in the brochure is featured on the website and West Country Cottages can be followed on Twitter @WestCountryCots, Facebook and Pinterest. West Country Cottages is part of the Helpful Holidays group.

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For press enquiries and images, please contact:

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Tel: 01494 764932 / 07836 786043                     

December 2015