Nettle and Dock Farm

Nettle and Dock Farm sits in the hamlet of Hillerton, central Devon, on the fringe of Dartmoor National Park. The Two Moors Way and Mary Michael Pilgrims Way both run through the area, so you can walk straight off the property onto proper long-distance trail. The farm is surrounded by rolling pastures and ancient woodland, and on a clear night the skies are dark enough to make the Milky Way worth looking for.

The accommodation is a converted barn and a shepherd's hut, both equipped with the kind of care that makes self-catering genuinely easy: towels, good bedding, well-stocked kitchens. Outside areas are private to each unit, which means a glass of wine at the end of the day stays yours. Owners Mitch and Ilona live on site and are consistently praised for being present when needed and invisible when not. The farm also has tent pitches for those who want to camp properly.

The nearest pub, the Tom Cobley, is around 3.8km away and comes recommended by the hosts themselves. Exeter is a short drive for supplies or a day out. This is a place that earns its quiet reputation through the quality of the operation, not the volume of its facilities.