Ottery Tor

We spent much of the week enjoying the gardens and the apartment, since our boys, aged 3 & 5, didn’t have the stamina for long days at the nearby attractions. They loved the bunk beds, and the shared fenced play area meant they could play with other children without wandering towards the car park. Apple Tree felt private and tucked away in the far corner of the site. The living room had windows on two sides, sliding doors, sunset views, and its own outdoor space. The layout suited us, with a kitchen that was fine for evening meals and reliable free Wi-Fi. David greeted us warmly and offered useful local advice. We’d definitely stay again.

We were delighted by how quiet it was. I’m a light sleeper, and the peaceful countryside setting was a real plus. We’d come for a week at Devon Palm Accommodation to visit friends who had recently moved nearby, and we like to bring our dog and stay somewhere rural when we can. Helen and Dave have recently taken over the site, formerly called Crossways. They’re friendly, helpful, enthusiastic, and working hard on plans to modernise it. They were considerate and didn’t disturb us. There are spring flowers, a big open garden, an enclosed children’s area, fields on three sides, and sea views. We could walk our dog in the fields across the road, and the area around our Apple Tree apartment was secure for her to be outside. We followed the excellent directions instead of SatNav, which suggested a more complicated route. Teignmouth and Torquay both impressed us. The bus stop right outside made it easy to visit without dealing with parking. The welcome pack meant we didn’t have to rush out for supplies. The beds were made, and the apartment was clean, though a little dated. We weren’t charged extra for heating or showers, despite a review from last year saying otherwise. We only cooked breakfast, but the kitchen seemed to have what we needed. Helen and Dave suggested nearby places to eat, including an award-winning fish and chip shop. We had a great evening at ………. for the Tuesday open mic and good food. We’re looking forward to coming back in the autumn.

The setting and views were amazing, with buses taking around 20 minutes, up to 30, and routes in either direction. We took the boat across to Brixham, where we had what I thought was the best fish restaurant, speaking as an ex-chef. The harbour views from the boat were lovely, and the return trip was only £3. We’d just spent a long weekend here. Our apartment was clean, freshly painted, and had the facilities to eat in or out. The owners were so hospitable and couldn’t do enough for us. A special thank you to Helen, who was wonderful to meet. We stayed in the Top Apartment and thought it was amazing. We’ll be back!

The accommodation was very basic, with a small double bed. Torquay may be only two miles away, but there’s no walking route because the road is narrow and very busy. A bus stop is across the road, though buses come hourly and the last one in the evening is at 7.00pm.