Wednesday 1 April 2009

The perfect blend of ancient and modern…


We ventured southwards deep into unknown East Devon lanes on a gloriously warm early March day, leaving a surprisingly dusty cloud for spring behind us. Farmers on the rush, dragging massive rollers across grass meadows and spreading fertiliser with their hopes fixed on that first cut of silage hopefully before Devon County Show in mid May so they can squeeze a few hours away before life becomes too hectic.

Eventually gentle wooded valleys with a blush of green lead to the ancient site of Sutton Barton Farm with its 500 acres of arable and dairy and a holiday home with a mixture of ancient old features and the modern facilities of saunas and hot tubs – who’d have thought them so useable in mid March! It might even be warm enough for a bar-b-que in the sheltered terrace next to the massive games room with its own bar – sadly you have to stock it yourself…

An ancient Collie dog lies flat-out in the sun-lit courtyard and cows can be seen getting their first taste of spring grass in a distant field. It’s nearly 10 years since Sutton Barton and Helpful Holidays first got together and many, many bookings later it remains one of the most popular of the 600 plus holiday homes the company has on offer.