Instow, North Devon

Sky Blue Holiday cottage

Property details

Sky Blue
Instow, North Devon — Sleeps 8 — Dogs welcome

Sky Blue is a four-bedroom house in the centre of Instow, a small estuary village on the Tarka Trail where the Torridge meets the sea. It sleeps eight, has a hot tub in an enclosed rear garden, a games room, an EV charging point and estuary views from the first floor bi-folding doors and outdoor dining terrace.

The Tarka Trail — 180 miles of traffic-free walking and cycling routes through north Devon — runs directly through the village. The summer ferry to Appledore crosses from the end of the road. Westward Ho! beach is five miles by car. Two dogs welcome.
The estuary beach at Instow is a short walk from the door. Saunton Sands, one of the longest beaches on the north Devon coast, is eight miles south. The deli and café on the village high street is the obvious first stop of the morning.

Sky Blue is managed directly by the owner. The link below takes you straight to their website to check availability.

Check availability at Sky Blue.

Interior

The entrance hall on the ground floor has space for boots and outdoor kit. All four bedrooms are on this level, each with oak effect parquet flooring and a Smart TV. Two super-king bedrooms, both with en-suite shower rooms and WCs. Two zip-and-link bedrooms — one with access to a Jack and Jill bathroom (shared with the corridor) with a bath, overhead shower and WC. The integral storage area off the ground floor hallway has space for bikes, surfboards and pushchairs, and houses the separate washer and dryer.

The staircase leads up to the first floor open-plan living, kitchen and dining space. High ceilings, estuary views and a kitchen running along one wall with a breakfast bar island and a layout that works for a group of eight cooking properly. The sitting area has a media wall with a Smart TV and a flame-effect log fire below. The dining table sits directly in front of the bi-folding doors, which open onto an outdoor dining terrace with glass balustrades and the same estuary view.

Two dogs welcome.

Exterior

The outdoor dining terrace off the first floor connects via a decked bridge to the rear enclosed garden — mainly lawn, with a patio, a private hot tub and a gas BBQ. At ground level, a lower patio has an outside hot shower for rinsing off after the beach. The games room has a large Smart TV and a two-in-one pool and tennis table. Driveway parking for two to four cars, with an EV charging point included.

Booking terms

What to know before you arrive

Instow sits on the Torridge estuary directly opposite Appledore, with the Tarka Trail running through the village and the estuary beach a short walk from the property. The beach at Instow is open to dogs beyond the seasonal restriction zone — the section from the Quay to Lane End Road restricts dogs from 1 May to 30 September — but beyond Lane End Road the beach is open year-round. The water is calm estuary water rather than open Atlantic — better for paddling than swimming.

The summer passenger ferry crosses from Instow to Appledore, where the quay has independent shops, galleries and several dog-friendly pubs. Westward Ho! is five miles south — the northern end of the beach, accessed via Northam Burrows, is open to dogs all year. Saunton Sands, eight miles south, is open to dogs beyond the initial lead zone and is one of the longest beaches on the north Devon coast.

The Tarka Trail from Sky Blue runs north toward Bideford and Barnstaple, or follows the estuary south toward Braunton. Flat, well-surfaced and entirely traffic-free — good for dogs of any fitness level and in any weather.

Browse all Devon cottages.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sky Blue dog-friendly?

Yes. Two dogs are welcome. The rear garden is enclosed — mainly lawn with a patio and hot tub. There is also a lower patio at ground level with an outdoor shower for rinsing dogs after the beach.

How far is Sky Blue from the beach?

The Instow estuary beach is a short walk from the property. Westward Ho!, with the northern section open to dogs all year via Northam Burrows, is five miles by car. Saunton Sands is eight miles south and open to dogs all year beyond the initial lead zone.

Does Sky Blue have a hot tub?

Yes — a private hot tub in the enclosed rear garden, accessed via a decked bridge from the first floor outdoor dining terrace or from the lower ground floor patio.

Does Sky Blue have EV charging?

Yes — an electric vehicle charging point is included in the driveway. Confirm the connector type with the owner before arrival.

Can dogs go on the Tarka Trail from Sky Blue?

Yes — the Tarka Trail runs directly through Instow village. Dogs are welcome on the trail throughout. The section from Instow toward Bideford follows the estuary — flat, well-surfaced and approximately three miles to the town quay.