Lion House, Moretonhampstead

Dartmoor. Sleeps up to 3

Settled in the centre of the popular town of Moretonhampstead within the Dartmoor National Park is this unique, characterful holiday home, Lion House. This quirky dwelling was a former bank and still retains some original features including the vault door and gate into what is now the kitchen/diner. Step inside the glazed entrance lobby and into the elegant sitting room with tall ceilings throughout the ground-floor and a lovely arrangement of plush seating to relax on, along with a Smart TV and a woodburner. Carry on through the inner hall to find a cloakroom and a pretty single bedroom featuring an ornate feature fireplace and a window overlooking the tiny courtyard. Pass through the original strong room door and prison-like gate into the beautiful country kitchen where a gas fired AGA and plenty more excellent appliances can assist you in rustling up some fabulous meals to be enjoyed around the dining table. Take the stairs up to the first floor holding onto the rope handrail as you go and passing the quaint porthole window at the top of the stairs before coming to the spacious master bedroom, boasting a super-king-size bed, a TV and antique furnishings. From here you can access the wonderful roof terrace with its decorative balustrade overlooking the cobbled, bustling town square below, perfect for winding down in the evening sun with some drinks and tales of the day's adventures. Freshen up in the bathroom on the first floor which houses a bath with an overhead shower, noticing the eye for detail in the lion motif within the basin. The quaint streets of Moretonhampstead make a charming setting for your holiday to Devon, with lots of independent shops, restaurants and pubs to frequent, along with being just a stone's throw from beautiful countryside scenery. Explore the landscape on foot with The Dartmoor Way being a perfect way to start with this 90-mile circular route linking pretty hamlets and villages with a range of scenery from quiet country lanes to sheltered valleys or wild upland, with one route for walkers and the other for cyclists. Keen cyclists will enjoy the challenge of the hilly terrain in and around Moretonhampstead with a network of bridleways, byways and quiet lanes to discover whether you're embarking on a long day in the saddle, off-roading or simply taking a leisurely cycle to take in the views. Mountain bikers will love cycling across the moorland and along forest trails, with a stunning technical trail beginning at North Bovey leading to Lustleigh Cleave. Enjoy a visit to the National Trust's Castle Drogo, 'the last castle to be built in England', found resting above the Teign Gorge and home to amazing landscaped gardens, or venture over to Parke Estate spanning over 200 acres for a day wandering through the wooded valley of the River Bovey stopping for a picnic and soaking up the gorgeous setting. Spend your dreamy break to Dartmoor at Lion House, part of the Helpful Holidays collection of properties.