Speke's Retreat in Hartland | Pet Friendly Cottage Break

About Speke's Retreat

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Need To Know

✓Barn conversion building located in a quiet and peaceful rural hamlet in North Devon, within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and near an SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest)
✓Oil underfloor central heating system included in the price
✓Electricity included in the rental price
✓Wi-Fi internet access included in the rental price
✓Five bedrooms total: 3 kingsize (5ft) beds and multiple zip and link single beds with pull-out singles allowing flexible sleeping arrangements
✓Five ensuite bathrooms: four with cubicle showers and heated towel rails, one with bath and shower over bath, heated towel rail, and toilet
✓Ground floor living room with Freeview TV, DVD player, CD player, and French doors opening to outside
✓Dining room featuring an electric woodburner for heating and ambiance
✓Fully equipped kitchen with electric cooker, microwave, fridge, freezer, dishwasher, and washing machine
✓Bedroom 1 (ground floor) with kingsize bed, smart TV, and ensuite with cubicle shower, heated towel rail, and toilet
✓Bedroom 2 (ground floor) with zip and link 2 x single beds, smart TV, and ensuite with cubicle shower, heated towel rail, and toilet
✓Bedroom 3 (first floor) with kingsize bed, smart TV, and ensuite with cubicle shower, heated towel rail, and toilet
✓Bedroom 4 (first floor) with zip and link 2 x single beds plus pull out 2 x single beds, smart TV, and ensuite with bath, shower over bath, heated towel rail, and toilet
✓Bedroom 5 (first floor) with zip and link 2 x single beds, pull out single bed, and pull out 2 x single beds (no ensuite)
✓Cot and highchair available for infants
✓Shared tumble dryer facility available on-site with other property
✓Large shared garden with garden furniture and barbecue on terrace
✓Ample on-site parking available for guests
✓Pets allowed free of charge, up to 2 dogs permitted
✓No smoking policy throughout the property
✓Decorated at Christmas for seasonal ambiance
✓Check-in time after 16:00 and check-out before 10:00
✓Located 4 miles from Hartland village with amenities including post office, stores, garage, church, and local pubs serving food
✓Close proximity to English Heritage Coastline (1 mile) with direct access to a maze of coastal footpaths from the doorstep
✓Nearby beaches and coves include Speke’s Mill Mouth, Hartland Quay, Welcome Mouth, Bude Widemouth Bay, and Westward Ho!
✓Nearby activities include golf at Bude, sea fishing, water sports and sailing at Tamar Lakes, and trips to Lundy Island by helicopter or boat from Clovelly or Bideford
✓Nearby towns and villages include Clovelly, Bucks Mills, Appledore, and Bideford
✓Nearby family attractions include The Big Sheep, Milky Way, Docton Mill Gardens, Hartland Abbey, and Clovelly Court
✓Suitable for keen walkers, bird watchers, and naturalists due to location and surroundings
✓Grouped property with one other cottage on site (Aunt Nell’s Cottage), sharing some external facilities such as garden and tumble dryer
✓Bed linen and towels provided for all guests
✓Security deposit or booking details not specified in the data

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Local Insights: Speke's Retreat

Unique information you won't find on booking sites

Hartland, Devon

Weather & Local Conditions

18°C

Mainly clear

Updated: 14 Jul 2026, 2:53am

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17.60°C

Temperature

💨

14 km/h

Wind Speed

💧

81%

Humidity

🧳

Packing Tip: UK weather can turn quickly, so pack layers whatever the forecast. A waterproof and sturdy shoes mean the whole group can head out whatever July throws at you.

What to Expect Through the Year

✓ May - September: Warmest, longest days - ideal for long days out, gardens and BBQs
✓ October - November: Crisp autumn colour, cosy evenings by the fire, quieter attractions
✓ December - February: Perfect for a snug winter escape - great for Christmas and New Year gatherings
✓ March - April: Spring blooms, longer evenings returning, wildlife becoming active

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Rainy Day Tip: A pet friendly cottage comes into its own on wet days - board games, a long lunch and a film beats a cramped hotel any day. Check the tabs here for nearby pubs and attractions with indoor options.

Dark Skies & Stargazing

Speke's Retreat sits in a location with genuinely dark skies - a real treat for a group, and something you rarely get at home in town.

Bortle Scale Rating

The Bortle scale measures night sky darkness from 1 (darkest) to 9 (brightest urban):

🌌

Class 4 - Rural/suburban transition

This location's dark sky rating

What You Can See From the Cottage

The Milky Way is visible overhead, though light domes may be visible on the horizon towards larger towns.

The Milky Way is visible on clear, moonless nights.

Best Stargazing Conditions

✓ New Moon periods: Darkest skies, best Milky Way visibility
✓ Winter months: Earlier darkness, crisper skies, Orion constellation prominent
✓ After 11pm: Neighbouring lights typically switched off
✓ Allow 20 minutes: Let your eyes adjust to darkness before looking up

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Pro Tip: Download a stargazing app like "Sky Map" or "Star Walk" before arrival. Mobile signal can be limited, and these apps work offline - a fun activity to share of an evening.

Location & Elevation

86m

(282 feet above sea level)

Speke's Retreat sits in a peaceful Devon setting - space to spread out and the perfect base for a pet friendly escape.

🏔️

86m

Elevation

📍

Hartland

Nearest Village

🌲

Rural

Setting

What the Elevation Means for Your Stay

✓ Fresher air: Expect it a touch cooler than coastal areas - bracing walks and restful sleep
✓ Clearer air: Less pollution and haze, better views and stargazing
✓ Morning mists: Valley fog sometimes forms below, creating magical sunrise views
✓ Walking access: Higher starting point means shorter climbs to hilltops and summits

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Driving Note: The roads to Hartland are typical Devon lanes - narrow in places with passing spots. If the group is arriving in several cars, share the postcode and a meeting point in advance.

Coordinates

Latitude: 50.9766790° N | Longitude: 4.517267° W

Sunrise & Sunset Times

Today's sun times for Hartland (Tuesday, 14 July 2026):

4:18am

Sunrise

7:29pm

Golden Hour

8:29pm

Sunset

🌅

4:18am

Sunrise

🌇

8:29pm

Sunset

📸

7:29pm

Golden Hour

Planning Your Days by Season

✓ Summer (Jun-Aug): Sunset around 9:30-10pm - long days for group walks, days out and late alfresco dinners
✓ Autumn (Sep-Nov): Sunset 5-7pm - perfect timing for an after-dinner drink as the stars come out
✓ Winter (Dec-Feb): Sunset around 4pm - cosy early evenings by the fire, ideal for stargazing
✓ Spring (Mar-May): Sunset 6-9pm - watch the evenings grow longer each day

🌙

Golden Hour: For the best light, plan your group photo or evening walk around golden hour (7:29pm). The warm colours make for lovely holiday photos before you head back in for dinner.

July Daylight

This month in Hartland, you have approximately 16.19 hours of daylight. The long summer days mean plenty of time for group adventures before a relaxed evening back at the cottage.

Practical Essentials

Everything the group needs to know before you arrive at Speke's Retreat.

Mobile Phone Signal

📱

Signal Strength

Good

Mobile signal is generally good in this area across most networks.

💡

Signal Tip: All major networks should work well here.

Nearest Essentials

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Arrival Tip: Fill up with fuel before you arrive - petrol stations can be sparse in rural Devon. With a larger group it's worth doing one big supermarket shop on the way, especially if arriving late.

Family & Fun

What Guests Love

What do previous guests think about their stay at Speke's Retreat

Getting To Speke's Retreat

Find your way to your perfect countryside retreat

Group Attractions & More Nearby

Stuff for larger groups and families to try!

Is Speke's Retreat Right For Your Group

Discover why this cottage is the one for your party or family reunion...

For Families

Groups Will Love...

Pet Friendly

Dining & Cafes

Taste the local flavours during your stay at Speke's Retreat

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to our most common questions about Speke's Retreat

Popular Stays Near This Cottage

Speke's Retreat Reviews

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Speke's Retreat, Hartland

About Speke's Retreat

Need To Know

More Pet Friendly Cottages You May Like

Weather & Local Conditions

What to Expect Through the Year

Dark Skies & Stargazing

Bortle Scale Rating

What You Can See From the Cottage

Best Stargazing Conditions

Location & Elevation

What the Elevation Means for Your Stay

Coordinates

Sunrise & Sunset Times

Planning Your Days by Season

July Daylight

Practical Essentials

Mobile Phone Signal

Nearest Essentials

Family & Fun

What Guests Love

Getting To Speke's Retreat

Group Attractions & More Nearby

Is Speke's Retreat Right For Your Group

For Families

Groups Will Love...

Pet Friendly

Dining & Cafes

Frequently Asked Questions

Location Name

Popular Stays Near This Cottage

Speke's Retreat Reviews