We love finding somewhere quirky to stay for the night, and The Shippon in Landscove, South Devon was a fabulously unique discovery. Tucked away on the edge of Dartmoor, this converted cow barn is a cosy sanctuary filled with earthy-toned linens, smooth polished concrete, exposed wooden beams and deep forest green lime-washed walls. It’s cocooning, moody and beautifully designed. The kind of place that makes you want to curl up with a book and never leave.
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A Kitchen Straight Out of The Flintstones (But Make It Chic)
The kitchen gave me elegant Flintstones vibes (in the best way possible) it looks like it’s been carved from stone. There are no traditional drawers or cabinets, just open concrete cubbies with soft, curved edges. Although there wasn’t a dinosaur hiding under the sink waiting to eat your scraps, there was a metal bin that I half expected Top Cat to jump out of!
The Airbnb hosts provided wooden kitchen utensils (perfectly in keeping with the natural theme), along with rustic, hand-thrown-style crockery and glassware. Small Kilner jars housed tea bags, coffee, and sugar, and there was even a little glass bottle of local full-fat organic milk waiting for us in the fridge. Perfect for making a cup of tea the moment we arrived, which is always a win with me.
The only thing that looked slightly out of place in this quirky emerald-green kitchen was the kettle, simply because it was so modern compared to everything else. But regardless of its design, it worked perfectly and made us plenty of cuppas during our stay.
The full-sized electric oven and hob are ideal for cooking up a storm, with a great selection of pots, pans, and dishes to use to your heart’s content. There’s no dishwasher at The Shippon, but the hosts provided eco-friendly washing-up liquid and dishcloths to keep things tidy during our stay.
Relaxed Dining Space for Two
Just beside the kitchen, two wishbone bar stools sit at the breakfast bar, creating a relaxed space for two people to comfortably dine come breakfast, lunch or dinner.
The Living Room: All Eyes on That Wood Stove
Right behind the breakfast bar, there’s a deep and comfortable olive-green sofa that’s covered in earthy-toned scatter cushions. Although the real star of the show is the antique Scandinavian wood stove. A black cast-iron beauty that wears a decorative crown and stands proudly in the centre of the room. We opened up the top door, and discovered a miniature kettle tucked away inside.
I don’t believe guests are able to use it (there were no logs or coal provided anyway) nor is it original to the cow barn building, but it makes a striking focal point and adds to the barn’s character.
A Cosy Mezzanine For Reading or Playing Games
Head up the narrow wooden stairs to the mezzanine level where you’ll find a lovely bright space thanks to the two Velux windows that flood this level with loads of natural light. The rustic wooden beams are full of character and scared with wood worm holes, whilst the wooden clad walls and slatted floor make this area feel warm, natural, cosy and lived in. A small studded armchair sits in one corner, and there’s a large day bed the other end. I loved this area, and found it the perfect place to get comfy and enjoy reading my book and kindle.
It’s also where we ended up spending most of our evening thanks to the hosts leaving a selection of board games to play. We had a laugh playing a quiz card game and it was so lovely to have a night away from electronics, and to simply enjoy each others company in the most simplest of ways. One of the riddles I had to solve was to say “Robert and Richard Purchased a Rottweiler” without using any ‘r’s… comment below if you got it!
Peaceful Reading Nook
If you would prefer a reading nook with more of a view, there’s a cosy window seat in the bedroom that looks out over the hosts beautifully landscaped garden. You just might need to shimmy the massive monstera plant that seems to have claimed the window seat as its own!
The Earthy and Minimalist Bedroom
Slide the rustic barn door and you’ll enter the cosy but minimalist bedroom. The comfortable king size bed is dressed in dark navy linens, and there’s a couple of wall lights that you can control individually for late-night reading. Storage in here is minimal, with just a few wall hooks and hangers. If you’re staying for a long time you might struggle with unpacking as there’s no drawers, cubbies or wardrobe to put your things. As we only stayed one night we didn’t need to unpack, but for anyone booking a longer stay, this could be a bit of an issue?
There’s also a long mirror which you can swivel and a wicker basket full to the brim with extra cushions and blankets.
A Bathroom Full of Rustic Charm
A dark, slightly wonky sliding door leads into a gorgeous vaulted ceiling bathroom, brimming with earthy tones and natural textures. From the wooden walls to the polished concrete floor and rustic hexagon wall tiles.
The walk in shower featured an extra-large rainfall shower head, with water that was powerful, plentiful, and perfectly hot. Fluffy grey towels, eco-friendly toilet paper, and a few thoughtful touches like cotton pads and ear buds were provided. I especially loved the large wooden basin, which looked as though it had been crafted from an old dough tray. There was even a small vanity mirror on an extendable arm, though it was probably a little too dim in here to do your makeup comfortably.
Morning Coffee Spot: The Patio
Just outside the main door, there’s a small patio that overlooks the hosts’ beautifully landscaped garden. Established plants help create a sense of privacy between yourself and their home, so even when the host wandered past with his wheelbarrow, it never felt intrusive. We didn’t end up using the little outdoor bistro set, but it was lovely to have the option and this would make the perfect spot for a morning coffee or evening glass of wine.
Easy Parking at The Shippon
The Shippon has it’s own private parking space right beside the property, and the What3Words took us directly to it. It sits right beside the road, and you’ll need to navigate down some narrow country lanes to get here, the type with grass sprouting up through the cracks in the middle – but that’s all part of the adventure! Plus it means it’s lovely and peaceful on this quiet country lane.
Things to do Nearby in Dartmoor
As The Shippon is right on the edge of Dartmoor, we took advantage of the sunny October weather to explore Burrator Reservoir and hike up to Leather Tor – a beautiful circular walk I’ll be sharing soon. Another great Dartmoor walk is Hound Tor to Haytor Tor.
Final thoughts: A Unique Devon Hideaway
If you’re looking for a cosy and unique place to stay in North Devon for a couple nights, I can’t recommend The Shippon enough. It’s the perfect spot to disconnect from the busy digital world, slow down, and enjoy the simple things – like board games with your special someone, good books, and peaceful walks in nature.
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