Discover Your Riverside Escape
Rockford Cottage
Escape to a nature lover's paradise in the breathtaking Exmoor National Park. Our pet-friendly, self-catering holiday rental comfortably accommodates up to 9 guests, making it the perfect getaway for families and friends. Experience the beauty of the great outdoors while enjoying the comforts of home in a truly special setting. Book your unforgettable retreat today.
Discover the beauty of Exmoor
Rockford Cottage offers a unique blend of natural beauty and comfort. Nestled in the heart of Exmoor National Park, our self-catering holiday rental provides the perfect setting for family gatherings or group holidays. Immerse yourself in the breathtaking landscapes while enjoying the comfort of a cozy cottage and easy access to the picturesque riverside and dramatic coastline.
Testimonials
Jane, May 2025
"This is a very good house. - very well equipped. A lot of space and a wonderful location. The river walks are literally 50m away. We had an extremely good time. And Simon rang us when we arrived to make sure everything was good. Not everybody does that!"
Ali, Nov 2024
"A great cottage which felt very homely and in an amazing location next to the river with a very friendly and welcoming pub. The walk to Lynmouth was really great too. Many thanks"
Marita, Aug 2023
"We had a wonderful week at Rockford Cottage. The cottage was spacious, comfortable and well stocked, with a lovely back garden overlooking the river. Our kids and dogs loved the daily walks through the woods and along the river to Lynmouth."
Availability and Booking
Check available dates and place a booking for your stay through our partners at The Best of Exmoor or contact us directly.
Inside Rockford Cottage
With its classic charm and picturesque riverside location, Rockford Cottage has been a family holiday home for over 30 years. It's the perfect place to immerse yourself in nature and make memories with your friends and family. You are welcome to bring up to 2 dogs.
Living room
A warm, inviting space designed for gathering and relaxing
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New wood-burning fireplace
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Comfy sofas and armchairs to relax in
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Sky TV, books, and board games
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Streaming services available through Sky box (subject to wifi speed)
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Views towards the river and surrounding greenery
Kitchen/Dining/Utility
Perfect for cooking together after a day exploring North Devon and Somerset
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Fully equipped open plan kitchen/diner with oven, hob, larder fridge, freezer, microwave, kettle, Nespresso machine and toaster
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All cookware, utensils, and tableware provided
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Large dining table ideal for family meals or game nights
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French doors leading directly to riverside patio with large gas BBQ.
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Grocery delivery services are available (we use Sainsbury's). Small shops can be found in Barbrook and Lynton.
Bedrooms & Bath
Thoughtfully arranged to give everyone space and comfort.
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Sleeps 9 guests across 5 bedrooms
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Comfortable mattresses and quality bedding and bath towels provided (beach towels not supplied)
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Plenty of storage
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Sink in each bedroom
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2 first floor bathrooms and a ground floor wc
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Travel cot for infants available (without bedding)
* Please note that all bedrooms and bathing facilities are upstairs. Keep in mind for any guests with mobility issues.
Outdoors
Rockford Cottage sits within a steep narrow gorge through which The East Lyn river flows offering a picturesque combination rapids, waterfalls and peaceful pools.
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Peaceful, private garden with patio overlooking the river. Perfect for morning coffee and evening drinks.
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Gas BBQ (Weber)
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Direct access to riverside walks
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Parking for 3 cars
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EV car charging
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Wonderful for bird spotting such as herons
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Salmon and trout fishing
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Located in a tiny hamlet with a lovely pub directly opposite
Unique layout
Originally built as two cottages, the property has also been a b&b and tea house before it became our family holiday home. The layout makes it ideal for multi-generational or multi-family holidays.
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Two cottages have been joined on the ground floor to share kitchen, dining room, living room, utility and wc, but each side has its own separate first floor with separate stairs.
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Ash cottage (on the left side) sleeps 4 with a double room and twin room. The bathroom has a bath, and separate electric walk-in shower.
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Rockford Cottage (on the right side) sleeps 5 with a double room, twin, and single. the bathroom has a shower above the bathtub.
* Please note that the image is for illustration purposes only and is not to scale. All bedrooms and bathing facilities are upstairs. Keep in mind for any guests with mobility issues.
Local Information
Explore the beautiful surroundings of our cottage and discover endless possibilities for adventure. Here are a few of our favourite activities and sights to enjoy during your stay. From scenic to charming local attractions, there's something for everyone to experience and cherish.
Food & Drink
Here are a few of our favourite restaurants and pubs. While this isn't an exhaustive guide to the wonderful eateries out there, we've handpicked some gems that we think you'll love. We recommend calling ahead to make a reservation, as these popular spots can fill up quickly.
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The Rockford Inn (cosy, friendly and just steps away)
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Staghunters Inn, Brendon (walkable - with pool table)
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Blue Ball Inn, Countisbury (walkable , but uphill on the way there)
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The Rising Sun, Lynmouth
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Esplanade Fish Bar, Lynmouth (Fish & Chips)
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The Coffee Shack by the Sea, Lynmouth
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Restaurant Kensington, Lynton (amazing steak house, but not ideal for small children)
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The Oak Room, Lynton (tapas)
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Charlie Fridays, Lynton (family friendly cafe)
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The Exmoor Forest Inn, Simonsbath
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Black Venus Inn, Challacombe
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Pyne Arms, East Down
Walks
No visit to Exmoor is complete without enjoying a wonderfully scenic (and occasionally bracing) walk. Here's some of our personal recommendations, but there are so many more to explore.
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Rockford to Watersmeet - an easy 2mile walk along the river. Stop along the way to skip stones in long pool, and stop for a refreshment at Watersmeet National Trust Cafe. Don't forget to checkout the waterfall.
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Rockford to Lynmouth - once you get to Watersmeet, you're about halfway to Lynmouth. You could also make it a circular walk and include Countisbury Hill in your route, if you're up for a climb. You can prebook a taxi return, if you don't fancy the walk back.
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Heddon's Mouth - an easy, fairly flat walk starting at the Hunter's Inn and finishing at a stunning secluded beach with crashing waves.
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Valley of the Rocks - Breathtaking rock formations, cliffs and sea views, just past Lynton. Keep an eye out for the wild goats.
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Lorna Doone Valley
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Tarr Steps near Dulverton - an easy walk with a 3000 year old clapper bridge to cross. Don't forget to book if you want to eat at the Tarr Farm Inn.
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Southwest Coast path - spot various scenes from the Salt Path film. The famous path starts about 13 miles east in Minehead, but you can dip in and enjoy bits of it all along the coast heading to Cornwall.
Beaches & Seaside
With some of the best beaches in the country in easy reach, we like to visit the seaside every time we stay at Rockford Cottage, no matter the season.
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Lynmouth Beach- to the east of the town (near the new Coffee Shack) is a lovely little pebble beach. Great for a visit with kids and dogs for rockpooling, stone throwing and shell collecting. At the west end of town you'll also see intrepid surfers when the waves are right.
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Woolacombe Beach - a 40 minute drive takes you to one of the best beaches in Europe. It's a 3 mile stretch of golden sand with life guards, toilets, cafe, parking and shops. The Putsborough end of the beach is arguably the prettier and quieter end, but with small children, we find Woolacombe provides the perfect beach day. Get ready for surfing, body boarding, swimming, sand castles and beach games. Its the quintessential British seaside experience.
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Lee (Abbey) Bay - a lovely secluded cove just past the Valley of the Rocks.
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Woody Bay
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Lee Bay
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Watermouth Cove - popular for paddle boards and kayaks.
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Ilfracombe Tunnel Beaches
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Porlock Weir
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Kilve Beach - there are various places along the coast near Watchet which are great for fossil hunting. Kilve beach is one of the best. Check tide times before going.
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Saunton Sands
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Broadsands Beach - a real stunner but currently only accessible via kayak, SUP, or boat from Combe Martin or Watermouth Harbour.
Towns and Culture
While you are guaranteed beautiful surroundings on your visit, we can't guarantee sunshine every day. So here's some of our favourite places to visit when a walk or beach day are off the cards.
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Lynton and Lynmouth - wonderful array of independent shops and restaurants. You can ride the Victorian steam powered Cliff Railway to get between the two towns.
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Ilfracombe
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Porlock & Porlock Weir
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Dunster & Dunster Castle
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Arlington Court
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South Molton
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Barnstaple
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Watchet
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Clovelly
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Minehead
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Taunton (don't miss the Museum of Somerset)
Family Activities
We've been visiting Rockford Cottage with our son since he was a newborn. While playing in the garden, and larking about along the river beside the house are always fun, here are some more ideas to keep the whole family entertained.
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Lynmouth - playground, 36 hole putting golf and tennis courts. Also the model railway village and Glen Lyn Gorge
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Lynton and Lynmouth cliff railway - always a family favourite
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Lynton - Toy museum and shop, Lynton museum, Lynton Cinema
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Arlington Court and National Trust Carriage Museum
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Exmoor Zoo - get to meet up close "little (&BIG) friends"
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Combe Martin Wildlife and Dinosaur Park
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Watermouth Castle
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The Big Sheep
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Quince Honey Farm
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Dunster Castle
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Brendon Manor Riding Stables
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Wimbleball Lake (boat hire and other activities - seasonal)
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Check National Trust website for special activities during school holidays at Lorna Doone Valley and Watersmeet
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Crabbing at Porlock Weir
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Lynton & Barnstable Railway (check website for dates & times)
Why choose us?
Rockford Cottage offers a unique combination of a stunning location and all the comforts of home. When your friends and family walk out onto the patio overlooking the river, you'll know you have discovered a real gem. A place to create your own memories just as our family has done for over 30 years.
Comfortable Accomodation
Our cottage is designed to provide a cozy and comfortable stay, ensuring that every guest feels at home. The cottage sleep 9 people, making it the perfect destination for family gatherings and friendly get-togethers. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or just spending quality time together, Rockford Cottage is the perfect home away from home.
Picturesque Surroundings
Wake up to the breathtaking views of the national park and surrounding landscapes. Our riverside location offers excellent walking paths straight from your door or head out to one of the many amazing places nearby in North Devon and Somerset. Alternatively, unwind in the garden, where you can listen to the soothing sounds of the river and the vibrant wildlife around you.
So much to Explore
Discover the endless activities and breathtaking places to explore in Exmoor and its surrounding areas. From historic castles and charming towns to scenic walking trails and beautiful beaches, there’s something for everyone. Adventure awaits at every turn, ensuring you’ll never be bored. Come and experience the beauty and excitement of Exmoor.