Located off the beaten track in a rather stunning part of North Devon, The Collective at Woolsery is the perfect place to escape for truly sumptuous and endlessly cosy weekends in the British countryside.
Based in the picturesque village of Woolsery in Woolfardisworthy, Bideford, it comprises seven different accommodation options, an award-winning gastro pub, The Farmers Arms, an upmarket fish and chip shop, a vintage style corner shop and post office selling local, artisanal produce, and a 150-acre farm which provides produce for all of the above. A boutique hotel, Wulfheard Manor, is currently in development, too.
Woolsery is surrounded by open countryside and just a stone’s throw from the romantic and dramatic Hartland Peninsula coastline. For exploring the coast’s best beaches, a car will come in very handy. And there is a free off-street parking spot available for each room at the establishment. It’s pretty much in the middle of nowhere (it’s a real escape), with the nearest train station being Barnstaple, which is about a 30 minute drive away.
A historic bolthole that was first mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086, it is centered around a Norman church and expanded to become the quaint village it is today back in the 18th and 19th centuries.
The Collective at Woolsery is owned by US tech millionaires Michael and Xocchi Birch, who founded the social networking site Bebo in 2005 and sold it for a reported $850m in 2010.
Woolsery is Michael’s ancestral home. His great, great grandparents built the village shop, his grandmother was born above it, and his family still live in the village today.
In 2014, Michael and Xochi bought a number of properties in the village. The beautiful thatched inn (The Farmers Arms) has been tastefully restored to its former glory, the fish and chip shop has had a makeover and rebranded as Woolsery Fish and Chips, and in August 2016, plans were approved to turn the manor house into a 19-bedroom hotel and public café, which will be known as Wulfheard Manor and is expected to open in 2025.
Michael originally comes from Woolsery and has a long family connection with the village. Job Andrew, Michael’s great-great grandfather, built Woolsery village shop, which remained in the family until it was sold in 1961. His grandmother, Millicent Andrew, was born in the village shop’s premises in 1900, and his grandfather Joseph Burrow was born at nearby Ashcroft Farm.
Sustainability is at the very heart of The Collective at Woolsery and everything they do. In fact, it’s the very heartbeat of the operation. They are currently in the process of planting hundreds of trees on their farm, which are nurtured through bokashi-composted food waste straight from their kitchen. The use of single plastics is minimised as much as possible and all amenities are both organic and cruelty-free. The Collective also takes part in a monthly scheme where they match all donations for a sponsored local charity.
At The Collective at Woolsey, every detail reflects a deep connection to the village’s history and heritage, which is one of the things that makes it feel so special – so if you’re in the region of looking for the perfect place for a winter break, then this might just be it.
The cottage
I stayed in Rosehill Cottage – which was fully renovated back in 2021 – for two nights. The renovation has successfully retained the cottage’s rather quintessential rural charm but the owners have also integrated a full complement of modern amenities and use the very latest technology to enhance the visitor experience. Think underfloor heating, touch screen lighting in every room and luxury kitchen appliances.
The cottage was quite stunning, and really reflected the eclectic aesthetic of The Collective at Woolsery brand, with rich and vibrant tones, opulent furnishings, and very impressive artwork. If you like interiors that ooze both humour and charm – which isn’t a combination you come across all that often – then you are in luck. Rosehill Cottage combines both nostalgia and vintage glam with modern‑day luxury, and it does it very well.
It certainly delivered a luxurious yet playful take on traditional country living. It’s the sort of place you are happy to hunker down on a wet autumn afternoon and read a book next to the wood burner, or snuggle up by the fire with a glass of wine.
The cottage comes with a very well-equipped and spacious open plan kitchen and dining area, the focal point being a large central island with seating which provides the perfect spot to socialise with your travel companions over a drink and some snacks.
The living room is also a good size, and is decorated in a gorgeous olive green, with a stylish blue sofa, two armchairs (pink and red – see pics), large beige/stone coloured rug (again see pics), widescreen TV, and an off white log burner that sits in a traditional exposed stone fireplace and wooden coffee table. The colours are warm and add real depth to the room, with a good use of textures and fabrics, such as the large jute rug and sumptuous cushions, while the lighting helps to create a warm and intimate setting for a cosy, relaxing afternoon in front of the television.
When it comes to getting a good night’s sleep, the cottage sets guests up for a restful stay with two bedrooms, which are both very spacious and rather eccentrically decorated with painted wood panelling and playful touches like the artworks that hang on the walls. Every tiny detail has been well thought out and you can certainly tell that a lot of love and affection has gone into the interior design (by Hannah Lohan Interiors) of both rooms, with both exuding a really personal and bespoke feel and their own unique sense of character.
I stayed in the master bedroom, which offered the perfect setting in which to relax and wind down, with its exposed wooden beams helping to add that rustic country house feel. The industrial looking bronze bed frame and retro lighting were interesting touches that added intrigue. The king size double bed was a pure delight, super soft, plush and ever so comfortable. In fact, it was so huge that you could easily get lost in it, which made it very difficult to get out of in the mornings.
The master bedroom also offered a good-sized on-suite bathroom with a rather impressive walk in double shower. The rainfall shower was one of the best I have experienced in a long time and comes highly recommended. There is also a small room attached that serves as a walk in wardrobe but also offers a washing machine and tumble dryer.
Continuing the rather impressive interiors leads us on to the main bathroom. Soft blue glossy tiles line the bathroom walls and are complemented by a decorative tile/tile effect flooring. A stand-alone stone-topped wood vanity unit is adorned with vegan friendly land&water toiletries and luxury is felt underfoot with underfloor heating. Those in need of a long soak after a coastal walk will be pleased to find a bathtub, while a rainfall shower above will wash the day away, and the stylish bronze fixtures and fittings add an additional touch of luxury.
The cottage also comes complete with a Sage coffee machine, TV, sound-system, alcoholic drinks tray and an extensive and rather tempting snack drawer.
A large garden which can be accessed by the beautiful French doors offers alfresco eating and lounging opportunities in the warmer months. And the cottage also has its own private entrance to the garden of The Farmers Arms, which makes wandering home after dinner and drinks very easy.
A quite delicious breakfast is served to the cottage, with guests asked to choose their options the night before. There is an incredible choice such as Birch Farm hog’s pudding, a casserole of two eggs from the farm and smokey bacon beans and quince brown sauce; homemade whiskey and honey porridge and yoghurt; muffins and sourdough crumpets with butter, all baked in the kitchen. It’s utterly mouth-watering and the perfect start to the day.
Rosehill Cottage offers the perfect setting for both families and friends looking for somewhere special to stay in rural north Devon. Everything is carefully curated with the visitor experience in mind.
And, like the other cottages at The Collective at Woolsery, it’s dog friendly, too. Pooches can stay in the cottages but not in the shop rooms or suites for an additional charge of £15 a night; just contact the hotel directly to let them know you’ll be bringing yours in advance.
Aside from Rosehill Cottage, guests can also opt to stay at the Old Smithy or Hillside Cottages. The Old Smithy, with its polished cement floors and exposed beams offers the perfect fusion of traditional country house styling with modern luxury. As the name would suggest, the building was once a blacksmith’s workshop, making it a unique accommodation option that features an upside-down layout comprising one guest bedroom, a private bathroom with walk-in rain shower, wood burner and a free-standing tub.
Hillside Cottage is great for larger groups, with space for six to eight guests, four spacious bedrooms and roomy social areas, including an expansive garden that is perfect for al fresco dining during the summer months.
The Farmers Arms
Michael and Xochi, in collaboration with conservation and historic building architectural firm Jonathan Rhind and New Heritage Design, have certainly breathed fresh life into this Grade II-listed former coaching inn and blacksmith’s.
The original building which, in part, dates to the mid-17th century, has been treated to a beautiful light-filled dining room extension, while the outdoor area has been remodelled and planted with a stunning array of herbs and flowers. Rustic wooden tables and a covered seating area, complete with heated stone benches, have also been added to offer all-weather alfresco dining for guests.
The interiors match the quality of the food, and continue the playful, humorous and nostalgic values of the Collective brand. From its lenticular artwork of David Bowie to pewter plates, studio pottery and the wooden cow’s heads on the walls – The Farmers Arms is a place of loving charm and real intrigue. It’s interesting, exciting and trust me, a place you won’t want to leave – especially when it’s wet and windy outside.
This was easily one of the very best ‘gastro pubs’ I have ever visited. From the stylish yet playful interiors to the ‘Michelin quality’ food, it’s utterly sublime, and it’s easy to see why discerning diners travel from far and wide to enjoy and savour its farm-to-fork spin on British classics.
The executive chef is Ian Webber, formerly head chef of Michelin‑starred Gidleigh Park on Dartmoor. His experience working under the iconic chef Michael Caines certainly has not gone to waste, as he delivered nothing short of a gastronomic master class on the night of my visit.
His mouth-watering dishes are centred around the rare heritage breeds reared on the pub’s own Birch Farm. Here, pigs and sheep are butchered on‑site into traditional cuts of meat, sausages and air‑dried charcuterie. The farm also provides just-harvested fruit and vegetables, while foraging trips along the nearby coast and woodlands yield mushrooms, sea vegetables and unusual ingredients that Ian uses to add taste, texture and intrigue to each dish.
This is hyper-seasonal produce at its very best, with generous portions and artfully rustic presentation. It’s very British, imaginatively creative, but not too over the top and pretentious, hearty, and allows the quality of both the ingredients and the cooking to do the talking.
Dining highlights on the night included the chicken liver parfait, apple chutney, and sourdough toast for starters (very simple but mouth-watering and melt in the mouth stuff) and the prime cut and braised shoulder of Birch Farm hogget, served with courgette, tomato and lavender for the main. The hogget was the star of the show here, offering rich and deep flavours and was perfectly cooked so very tender. For dessert, the sticky date pudding was pure autumnal heaven; it was served with ginger, toffee sauce, lime leaf and a yoghurt sorbet.
Sunday lunch here is a must, with a mouth-watering three-course menu served from 12pm – 3pm. Starting with a sharing selection of cured meats and snacks, soup or natural ferment sourdough bread, the mains are, as you’d expect, rather special. Diners can choose from Kenniford Farm pork, Exmoor brisket of beef or, for a meat-free alternative, the beetroot, Sharpham spelt, horseradish and hazelnuts. All are served with perfectly crispy roast potatoes, cauliflower cheese and yorkshire pudding, as well as some more seasonal vegetables and lashings of gravy. If you’ve still got room, then there’s a sharing selection of puddings to round things off in the sweetest and most sociable of ways, too, all coming together to make for a thoroughly indulgent Sunday afternoon treat.
Also on site for those looking for a more casual dining experience is Woolsery Fish and Chips, which offers takeaway fish and chip dinners that you can enjoy in the privacy of your cottage. But these aren’t just your run-of-the-mill ‘chippy teas’; Woolsery Fish and Chips serves the very freshest offerings, including favourites like crisp battered haddock and cod, and in the summer, specials straight off the day boats. Accompanied by the perfect chips – crunchy on the outside but soft and fluffy on the inside, this is top quality stuff, and if fish isn’t really your thing then you’ll also find burgers on the menu, which are made using meat sourced from Birch Farm.
On that note, guests at The Collective can also pay the farm a visit to see for themselves what it’s all about – and it’s certainly worth taking the time. This 150-acre organic set-up is overseen by head gardener Josh Sparkes, who draws on natural farming methods used around the globe to produce food sustainably for The Farmers Arms. He has transformed 15 acres into an experimental plot that is inspired largely by the principles of Japanese natural farming, with elements taken from other systems such as permaculture, agroforestry, regenerative agriculture and rewilding.
For local and artisan produce, you can pop into the J. Andrew Shop and Post Office – a nostalgic village favourite that will whisk you back in time in some ways, but is also a handy place to source modern everyday products, as well as edible treats and handcrafted products from local makers. The shop is supplied with its heritage meats, fruits and vegetables from Birch Farm, so if you’re in the mood for doing a spot of cooking for a cosy evening in back at your cottage, then look no further.
To do
The Collective at Woolsery is the perfect base from which to explore the local area, with plenty of walks and hiking trails that can be started from nearby – and from light village strolls to dramatic coastal walks, whatever you’re in the mood for, you’ll likely find it with relative ease.
The South West Coast Path can be accessed just a stone’s throw from The Collective, and is characterised by rugged cliff tops and spectacular scenery, with hidden beaches, trickling waterfalls and plunging valleys keeping things interesting however far you decide to go.
The Bucks Mill walk, which starts just ten minutes from The Collective at Woolsery, is worth the six mile hike if you’re up for the challenge, and will take you along a deserted but beautiful stretch of coastline. For a more leisurely day, choose the Brownsham to Blackchurch Rock circular walk with peaceful woodland trails and yet more breath-taking coastal views.
In a nutshell
If you’re looking for a quaint and quintessentially English hideaway for your next staycation, then The Collective at Woolsery is just the place. Exuding rustic style and classic charm with a touch of luxury, its cottages provide some cosy options for a weekend away or a longer break in the beautiful North Devon countryside, and with all you need in easy reach, it promises a relaxing and restorative stay.
Factbox
Address: Chapel St, Woolfardisworthy, Bideford EX39 5QS
Website: woolsery.com
