Houseboat for 2 on a Private Lake with Trout Fishing
- Riverside / Waterfront
- Village / Rural
- Beach nearby
- Cycling
- Fishing
- Golf nearby
- Horse Riding
- Tennis
- Walking
- Watersports
- Ideal for honeymoons
- Other rental properties on site
Blackbird Houseboat is a luxury floating suite for two on a secluded freshwater lake in North Devon. Once a traditional canal boat, the engine has been removed and it’s been totally refitted to create a luxurious living space perfect for two, complete with bankside bathhouse containing an elegant roll-top bath! Fish on the three-acre lake, sit on the bank enjoying the surrounding nature, or explore the nearby Devon and Cornwall countryside by car.
Located at the far end of a privately owned three acre lake teeming with fish and other wildlife, the backdrop of mature oak and beech ensures total privacy for couples looking to escape off grid to this haven of tranquillity, rocked to sleep by the gentle swell of Blackbird on the water. On land there are 20 acres of newly planted woodland to explore on foot and lots of wildlife to look out for. Take a walk, dangle a line in the water to catch a rainbow trout for supper, or just sit back and relax and listen to the birdsong. During the summer months wildflowers flourish attracting clouds of butterflies and dragonflies: Simply bliss.
The local town of Holsworthy (2 miles away) has a butcher, a greengrocer, a chemist, a bakery and a couple of supermarkets, and every Wednesday there is a fantastic farmers’ market with an array of stalls. A 20 minute drive will take you to Dartmoor National Park, the North Devon/Cornwall coast, home to the resort of Bude, and the Tarka Trail, famous for its off-road walking and cycling opportunities. You can surf the nearby beaches in the morning and walk the moors or go on (and off!) road cycling late into the evening. Nearby beaches include Bude (20 mins), Sandymouth (25 mins) and Widemouth Bay (20 mins). Blackbird is in the heart of the North Devon countryside commonly known as Ruby Country- the land between the moors, bordered by Exmoor, Dartmoor and Bodmin Moor. The lake is well stocked with fish for you, so bring your rod and see what you can catch - there is nothing quite as satisfying as catching, cooking and eating your supper!
Getting There:
The houseboat is on Blagdon Water, close to Holsworthy on the Devon / Cornwall border. It’s about 4 hrs 50 mins drive from West London / 2 hrs 20 mins from Bristol / 1 hour from Exeter. As the boat is on a lake at the end of a rough unsurfaced track, it is not recommended that you bring a low sportscar or walk; a taxi can be arranged from the nearest train station.
Nearest Airport:
Exeter, 45 miles
Nearest Train Station:
Exeter St Davids, 45 miles
Nearest Bus Stop:
Holsworthy, 2 miles
Nearest Ferry:
Plymouth, 55 miles
Nearest Restaurant:
Holsworthy
Nearest Beach:
Bude, North Cornwall, 9 miles
Nearest Shop:
Holsworthy
Nearest Market:
Holsworthy
Car Hire:
Advised
Interior Details
The engine has been removed and the boat redesigned to include a comfortable sitting room with cosy woodburner for those chillier winter nights, a compact but fully kitted out galley (kitchen) with built in table for two, a sumptuous king size bed with exceptional lake views and an ingenious showeroom and loo. Just up the gangplank on the lakeside is your own boudoir bath-house with a separate lavatory. Relax in the luxury William Holland slipper bath with magnificent views out over the lake for those indulgent bubble-filled afternoons! The galley kitchen has an electric oven with induction hob, microwave, fridge with freezer compartment, and a good selection of crockery, cutlery and cooking equipment. The bed has 400 thread-count, Egyptian cotton bedding with a feather duvet and two down surround pillows per guest. Each guest also gets a bathrobe and towels (including swim towel), and the bathrooms have a selection of luxurious Amphora Aromatics x Tregulland & Co complimentary Rosemary, Sage & Burdock bathroom products for your use. On the boat there’s a radio and bluetooth speaker. No TV and the 4G reception is patchy so it’s recommended that you download any music / podcasts etc before arrival. The boathouse also has a bluetooth speaker.
Exterior Details
On shore there is an outdoor table, chairs and BBQ, and the sumptuous bathhouse. While there are a couple of other boats moored on the large landlocked lake, each boat is positioned to ensure a totally private outlook, tucked out of view of neighbours.
Conditions of Rental
We offer 3 night weekend stays and 4 night midweek stays as well as whole week stays. No single night stays are available. Sorry, no dogs - as Blackbird is on a lake that is teeming with wildlife, we do not allow dogs. We have new cleaning routines, systems and management plans to ensure we are doing all we can to keep everyone as safe as possible during the Covid Pandemic.
