The Den
My husband and I, along with our 5 year old son, have just returned from the most amazing stay at Pickwell Manor’s tree-house, The Den. Originally we booked for November 2020 but lockdown stopped that and we decided to book a Pre-Christmas stay and I am so glad we did.
Everything…everything was absolutely perfect.
Cleanliness (even though dogs are allowed) is spot on and the whole layout works effortlessly; we were welcomed with a wide selection of welcome gifts and helpful information packs to make us familiar with our setting and location.
Facilities: all you need is there, just bring food/drink and containers/foil/Tupperware. The beds were cosy and clean and ever so comfortable. Our son absolutely loved the bedroom bunks and the storage stairs.
Beach: There is a parking permit for the local beach otherwise it’s £6 per car for parking. It’s an amazing beach and seems to never end. Definitely aiming to explore it more when we return.
Our highlights:
We ate breakfast with the bar-windows open (yes in December!) and we saw a buzzard grooming itself on a branch just a couple of metres away.
At night we fell asleep listening to an owl hooting in the trees.
Access to the hot-tub meant hours of fun for both adults and our son: he learned to ‘swim’ with his face fully submerged.
Feeding the animals on the last day with Simon was also a huge highlight - thank you for that. Harry the dog led us into the different pens and our son was able to hand feed the goats, the pigs, the Guinea pigs and rabbits and the chickens.
Never before have we rebooked a holiday whilst on holiday but this time we did. We contacted Julia to ask for specific dates and this was accepted and confirmed within an afternoon.
As a family we feel this is a place where you’re encouraged to have fun and encouraged to explore nature. The attention to detail is exquisite: we absolutely loved opening the shed and gaining our keys, lantern and wheelbarrow!
The games rooms is well equipped and the selection of books make for great bedtime reading.
We can not wait to be back and we can not recommend The Den enough!
Beautiful setting
We stayed in The Hideaway for 3 nights and loved it. The treehouse is beautifully made and so comfy. We loved the hot tub and the view from the balcony. Waking up amongst the trees was very special and we enjoyed being able to walk to the coast path.
Phenomenal
I booked this place to celebrate my 21st birthday and I was not disappointed with any part of it. The fairy lights to the hot tub to the view on the balcony. Everything was perfect and will definitely be coming back at the first opportunity I get!
The best experience in along time
Quite honestly, we cannot explain how fantastic this is. Everything about it reeks class and is so well done. We had the Hideaway for a few nights and have already re booked. Book it, you will not regret it.
Great self catering apartments
Really comfortable well set up apartments set in beautiful surroundings. All basics provided including fun welcome pack. It is a wonderful place to relax and unwind with family and friends. Close to Puttsborough beach and other great walks.
Fantastic place to stay in beautiful part of north Devon
This was our first visit to Pickwell Manor, and it won't be our last - we have already rebooked for next year!
We stayed as a family, plus dog, in Grace Apartment and were bowled over by the whole experience: a truly fantastic apartment in a beautiful and thoughtfully preserved and updated manor house, some parts of it dating back to Saxon times.
Julia and Simon and Harry were wonderful as hosts, taking calls late in the evening and always ready to answer questions about the house or the local area, and to chat in general! They told us that there were 55 people on the site during the week we were there but you would not have known that at all from the peace and serenity at the Manor.
A truly wonderful place to relax and enjoy being in, or out.
Amity - Quirky and perfect!
A very relaxing stay, Amity was perfect for us, very tastefully decorated and has everything you could possibly need for a stay here. We loved the quirkiness about the apartment, it reminded us of a very grand beach hut 😊 the grounds itself are spectacular and has a lovely area to watch the sunset over putsborough beach.
Romantic get-away
We stayed in the chapel for 3 nights. It is small but very sweet and beautiful. It was very well equipped and furnished (pretty kitchen with everything we needed, comfy bed with lovely linen and towels) and the fairly lights were a nice touch. Despite the gale force winds we enjoyed the use of the outside bath each evening! The setting is gorgeous - beautiful manor house with stunning views and grounds, and we loved the animals. We walked 20km each day, going both ways along the coastal path and back cross country along tiny lanes and footpaths - perfect - especially with all the spring wild flowers. The only very slight negative was the tiny shower room/ wet room. We will be back as we couldn't have had a nicer time!
Treehouse Heaven
My family and I stayed in The Den treehouse for a long weekend (Fri-Mon). From arriving to leaving the experience was wonderful.
The owners have really thought through the entire experience and made it easy and fun. Arriving and 'checking-in' was simple and even included a wheelbarrow to make moving suitcases easy. The accommodation was superb with real attention to the finish and quality of the items provided. There was a wonderful welcome basket, again well thought through.
The grounds of the manor are not huge but they are so well kept - clean and tidy where needed and left to nature where they should.
Although there were other people staying in nearby treehouses and in the main house, we saw very little of them and had a great deal of privacy.
Pickwell is an east 15min walk to the beautiful beaches - slightly longer return walk due to the hill!
Nearby there are so many things to do. We focused on outdoor beach activity and had a great time paddle boarding and surfing.
The single negative point was that we had to leave at the end of our stay. We would very much like to return and stay longer.
Wonderful Weekend
We had the pleasure of a three night stay in the Jubilee suite.
The apartment was huge and well equipped. Enjoyed the log burner most evenings.
The Pickwell Manor estate is beautifully maintained and set in the most picturesque setting. We loved visiting the resident animals each day, particularly the little rabbit ‘Natasha Mustasha’.
Very well located with three fantastic beaches within a short drive, as well as some lovely dining options in local Croyde.
Julia was a wonderful host and always on hand to offer recommendations.
Highly recommend a stay here
The Den - wow!
Jaw dropping moment walking into the gorgeous den! Seeing the kids faces light up in amazement was priceless. Just when you thought couldn't get any better, seeing the hot tub area - wow!
Set in beautiful woodland really adds to the magic.
Super cosy, very clever use of space, The attention to detail & cleanliness really stand out.
What an amazing place. Simply LOVE it here! It has everything going for it. Stunning location, beaches, views, local pubs, friendly/welcoming locals.
Practically - there is access to washing/drying facilities, tennis, basket ball, woodland trail for the kids to go off & safely explore, pubs within easy 1 mile walk, sea views, beach within 2 miles (they even give you a free pass for your stay to Putsborough beach (saving of £9 per day!) This beach has everything to suit the whole family - soft sand, rock pools, cafe & great surfing/body boarding.
We've also stayed in the Loft tree house (without the kids last year) which is when we first fell in love with the place - There really is something for everyone here whether as couples or a family.
Would we visit again? YES!
Already booked for next year!
Last but not least - thank you very much to all the staff at Pickwell - you've been super helpful, friendly & considerate, cant wait to see you again”.
Birthday getaway for two!
The Loft Tree House completely exceeded our expectations (and they were quite high!).
It was the perfect luxurious retreat to relax, unwind and bask in the beautiful surroundings, not only of the tree house but of the woods it's nestled in.
It has been decorated, styled and furnished with top of the range things that suit the feel of being amongst nature.
We loved watching and hearing the birds, woodpeckers and squirrels whilst curling up on the sheepskin rug in front of the wood burner.
Lazing in bed looking at the ocean was a real treat too!
Would 100% recommend it and would go back again in a heartbeat! - Mary-Anne R
perfect for our honeymoon break
Driving through tiny lanes of north Devon, car wing mirrors clipping each hedge, we were filled with a mix of trepidation & stomach fluttering anticipation to see the holiday venue of choice for our ‘minimoon’.
Having married 48 hours before, we had booked a trip on the spur of the moment after being gifted a voucher for Canopy and Stars as a surprise wedding present. As we rounded the hairpin corner of Pickwell Manor we were not disappointed! Before us lay beautiful manicured grass & a driveway with stone pillared electric gates. A wonderful welcome awaited us from our host before we were shown to our magical ‘hobbit house’ hidden in the trees.
Up a short flight of wooden steps we found a terrace bathed in dappled sun and an idyllic little pod inside of which was everything we could possibly wish for. The treehouse was warm, comfortable, quirky and luxurious - perfect for our honeymoon break.
We realised immediately that rather than go out to eat we would rather stay in our little haven and take in the distant sea views as the sun set with a glass of fizz in hand. We lit the log burner & cuddled up listening to the twilight birdsong & pondered how very very lucky we were!
Treehouse mini-moon in The Loft
We booked a 2 night stay in The Loft treehouse for a little mini-moon following our wedding, and it was amazing - absolute bliss! The accommodation is fantastic - clean, comfortable, stylish, practical, luxurious and overall is 5 star! We settled in very quickly, and enjoyed quite a lot of time sat out on the balcony. You feel like you are in the middle of nowhere - and have the most beautiful views of the coast/sea and of course the forest. All the practical stuff needed for a short self-catering stay is provided, but all the little extras really made it 5*; woodburner, hot water bottles, dressing gowns, very comfortable bed, amazing shower etc! It was absolutely fantastic, and we would return immediately if we could!
The location itself is great, we enjoyed the coastal walk to Woolacombe and back and also nipped into Braunton to have a look around! Lots of great places to eat and explore nearby! Pickwell Manor offers more accommodation than just the treehouses. If the other accommodation there is anything like The Loft, then I expect its great - it looks good for family holidays too!
Overall, it was superb, a real gem!
Incredible few days at Peaceful Pickwell
This is our third visit to Pickwell, this time we took the children. Pickwell is set in such peaceful surroundings and the layout of each individual unit, creates privacy for occupants. Everything you could possibly need, is on hand. From picnic rucksacks, to surf boards and bicycles.
The facilities are very well maintained and the beds are the comfiest.
If you are happy with self check-in, everything is straight forward with the Pre-arrival information providing you with all you need. Nonetheless, Simon and Julia are on site to offer a warm welcome. The children were lucky enough to feed the pigs and Pygmy goats, with Simon and were sent back with fresh hens eggs for breakfast.
We will definitely be returning again, with and without the children! - Kirsty Mather
Everything was perfect
I booked Bliss and Grace apartments for a family visit to North Devon and am so pleased I did. Everything was perfect - luxury accommodation, peaceful location and a real family feel. The Pickwell team even arranged for the children in the group to meet the animals on the farm including hunting out a personalised egg in the hen house. The care and attention to detail made for a truly special weekend. Please pass on my sincere thanks to the whole team.
Kind Regards,
Ellie
the most wonderful weekend
"We’ve just returned from the most wonderful weekend away in one of Pickwell Manor’s treehouse. We could not fault it. The beautiful views across to the sea from the treehouse were to die for, the estate is kept immaculate and has everything you need! I have already recommended it to friends and after seeing our photos they’ve booked as well! 5 star facilities, location and experience. The perfect romantic weekend away whatever the weather. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️" - Laura Paveley.
Peaceful Perfection
The hideaway treehouse at Pickwell Manor is pure bliss. With numerous luxuries and mod-cons inside, nothing has been forgotten and every little extra is full of thoughtfulness and care. From chocolate to hair dryer, prosecco to an outdoor swing, and underfloor heating to a wood burner...
We thoroughly enjoyed our weekend stay, the weather was a bonus, but even if the weather had turned bad the cosyness of the hideaway would have been plenty.
Julia and Terri were both friendly and on hand at all times if we had a problem.
Lots of things to do in the area , suggested by the hosts, for families, adults and children.
We would definitely return to the hideaway treehouse a beautiful, comfortable, luxurious alternative to camping . We will be recommending it to all!
Amazing!
We wanted to try something different so booked one of the new stunningly designed treehouses at Pickwell Manor for the weekend and were so impressed we didn't want to leave! The attention to detail inside the treehouse is second to none: stylish interior design, fully kitted out modern kitchen, awesome shower room and cosy kingsize cabin bed with views over the surrounding countryside. It's been so lovely to escape London life, wake up to the sound of birdsong and have breakfast on the treehouse terrace - bliss. Great for any time of year - fabulous in the summer and cosy and romantic in the winter snuggled up in the evenings by the beautiful wood burner. Plus the owners are super lovely and around to help if you need anything at all. I can't recommend it enough! - Jane Akers