Venn Farm Cottages

Since we came to Venn Farm eight seasons ago, our guests have been expressing their views and opinions in our visitor's book about the cottages, hospitality and holidays at Venn Farm. In that time we have not received a single adverse view in over 600 entries representing over 1,900 guests. Here is a very small selection of their comments covering our whole time here:

10 April 2012 : 'It was one of the best holidays ever. I loved it! I am going to miss Yangtse, Delilah, Mille and Belle (the lambs)'

14 April 2012 : 'Thank you for a wonderful week at Venn farm. The facilities are excellent and the time, attention and patience you showed the children was first class. We would definitiely recommend Venn Farm to others and hope we will be able to visit again in the future'

11 November 2011 : 'Delightful place, delightful setting, delightful hosts and a truly delightful holiday. Many, many thanks'

29 October 2011 : 'I had a wonderful time and made lots of new friends. I don't think I would enjoy myself half as much without you two whacky, bubbly kind characters. Spiky and Sherry are missed the most though. Thank you so much. Lots of love'

16 September 2011 : 'Spent an excellent day and night here. Our daughter loved the animal feeding (as did we all). Want to come back already.'

25 August 2011 : 'Thank you so much for a wonderful memorable holiday. We knew that we were in for a special time when David welcomed us and made sure that he knew the names of each of our kids. Both he and Pauline made us feel very much at home and the surroundings and facilities ensured that we will be going home more relaxed and with many happy memories.'

20 August 2011 : 'Lovely cottages. Everything one could need for a fantastic holiday. The children really enjoyed the farm; the tractors and trampoline were a great plus. We will definitiely come back to Venn Farm, Pauline and David are great hosts'

13 August 2011 : 'A wonderful stay and thank you for making us feel so welcome. Our daughter has had a wonderful time and throughly enjoyed feeding the animals, jumping up out of bed every morning. The cottage was well presented and with every last detail thought out.'

10 August 2011 : 'Absolutely lovely holiday, fantastic and warm and, important for us, child friendly hosts. The scones were delicious and they alone were worth making the journey for'

6 August 2011 : 'Our first time here and we had a lovely time. Everything was perfect; the accommodation, location and view'

30 July 2011 : 'Another fantastic holiday and hard to go. Our daughter gains so much from being here. We just love the peace and solitude.'

14 July 2011 : 'Beautiful setting, lovely to wake up to such a fantastic view. Our son will miss collecting the eggs for breakfast. Thank you for making us all feel so welcome'

30 June 2011 : 'Great time, very relaxing, lovely cottage, immaculately clean and very welcoming'

6 June 2011 : 'Amazing stay! Utterly lovely farm and family. Love always'

4 June 2011 : 'Thank you all for a wonderful time, the children are already asking when they can come again. The comfiest beds, the warm welcome; we feel like part of the family'

23 April 2011 : 'This is our fifth time here and every time we love it more. The girls have eaten so many eggs I think they will look like one soon. Next year is already booked!'

16 April 2011 : 'A lovely escape. We've dropped out of the hustles and bustle of everyday life and really enjoyed life at Venn Farm. You are such kind, interesting and welcoming people'

11 April 2011 : 'Another fantastic week; children enjoyed the freedom and unique opportunities on offer at Venn Farm. Fabulous experience in seeing new born lambs. Can't wait to return; yummy scones!'

3 April 2011 : 'Another wonderful week. Cream tea and wine on arrival much appreciated. Had a great time feeding the animals - this place is like paradise'

26 March 2011 : 'The children fell in love with this place, the lambs, the guinea pigs and the chickens were their favourites as well as the play area. There was just so much for them to see and do! The setting is marvellous and the accommodation spotless and very comfortable. We felt very welcome and throuoghly enjoyed our stay. Venn Farm is recommended on all coun ts. Score, eleven out of ten!'

17 October 2010 : 'It takes 100s and 100s of things to get a holiday right. Pauline and David do it perfectly. A wonderful place full of happiness and great memories'

4 October 2010 : 'What a great place to come to and get away from the hustle and bustle. Beautiful surroundings, wonderful animals and welcoming people; what more could we ask for? We all loved feeding and playing with all the animals. We can't wait to come back'

21 August 2010 : 'Thank you so much for the wonderful week. This place is perfect. The children enjoyed so much staying in a farm in a remote location but close to so many attractions and wonderful walking routes. Your warm hospitality is remarkable and very important for the atmosphere of your guests'

31 July 2010 : 'Another fantastic week here. Our daughter has had a wonderful time feeding the animals and playing with the other children. Yet again the weather has been kind and thank you for your welcome and the tractor ride was very much appreciated'

19 June 2010 : 'A perfect family holiday. The boys loved the trampoline and the tractors but especially feeding the animals. Pauline, Mary, David and John made us feel very welcome and have left our son wanting to be a farmer'

28 May 2010 : 'I love this place. It's so cool here and I love the animals. My favourite animals are the lambs and the guinea pigs. I hope we come back soon'

3 April 2010 : 'A very special and successful second stay here. The children loved seeing the lambs they fed two years ago now having their own lambs. The children loved their chocolate lambs and we enjoyed the wine too. All fantastic touches to make the stay even more special'

12 October 2009 : 'Really lovely place to stay; everything was perfect.'

29 August 2009 : 'Had a fantastic holiday and do not want to go home. The girls had a lovely time and learnt lots about the animals. Thank you for the hospitality and we will see you in April next year'

8 August 2009 : 'Thank you so much for a wonderful holiday. Our son enjoyed every minute, especially the diggers. Will be back, no choice as far as our son is concerned.'

30 July 2009 : 'We had a great fortnight here. What a great set up, so friendly and such a beautiful place.The cottage was perfect and so very clean. Venn Farm is great value for a family of five. Thank you very much Pauline, Mary, John and David.'

20 June 2009 : 'Yet another truly superb holiday (3rd year running). Thank you so much. It is such a wrench having to leave but we will be back. Our daughter loved everything and it is a brilliant place for children.'

30 May 2009 : 'Simply fabulous place for kids!'

25 April 2009 : 'Another wonderful holiday and we were made to feel very welcome again. Will definitely be back next year and we shall miss the late night lamb feeds when we go home. Thank you so much.'

11 April 2009 : 'Every time it is different! This year it was visits to Braunton Burrows and Heddon Valley. And 5 new lambs! '

13 September 2008 : 'Had a lovely time, we experienced the warmest welcome and the ongoing treats were great. (Especially the cream tea!). The animal bedtime and breakfast were something to remember. George the cat was a star.'

8 September 2008 : 'Thankyou for a fantastic stay at your farm. The cottage was perfect with great facilities inside and out. Our daughter would like to say thankyou for letting her feed the animals and her chocolate! You were all so welcoming, approachable and friendly. I'm sure we will see you again'

26 July 2008 : 'The best has just got better!! We have all had a wonderful time. We thoroughly enjoyed the friendly atmosphere. This is our second visit but not our last. Thankyou, thankyou, thankyou'

13 June 2008 : 'Thanks for a fantastic five days at your farm. Best holiday I've ever had. Was lovely arriving to a homemade cream tea and chocolate for my daughter. She has loved being involved with the feeding of the animals, especially the bottle feeding of the lambs. Thank you for all the eggs you have given us - voted the best eggs we have ever tasted. Not sure how we'll go back to eating normal eggs. The cottage was lovely and had everything we needed and more!'

19 April 2008 : 'We have all had a really fantastic holiday. You have all been so welcoming and made it feel like home. The children have loved the animals; you will definitely see us again. Thank you for our holiday, my favourite animals were the sheep and lambs and my favourite lamb was Jessica'

22 September 2007: 'We were so excited coming and so sad to be leaving again. The boys love it here, as do we. Thank you again for a wonderful, restful week. We will be back. xxx'

10 August 2007: 'Beautiful cottage, farm and countryside, its a real wrench to have to leave. Thank you for the lovely hospitality and welcome. The children loved the trampoline, tractors and table tennis - so did we!'

9 June 2007: 'Thank you for letting us stay in the fabulous cottage, it was great. My favourite thing was feeding the animals and making a fuss of the cats, especially George. Thank you for the photos they are great. I loved the trampoline and tractors and the eggs and the scones. I hope to come again'

7 May 2007: 'Thank you for a lovely long weekend. Great cottage. Kids love the animals. Can recommend the walk to the Grove; great food. Exmoor Zoo a great day out. Pauline, David, Mary and John have been wonderful hosts and we would love to come again'

9 April 2007: 'Outstanding hospitality, children's paradise. We have everything we need here. You have done a great job and you certainly know how to look after your guests'

22 September 2006: 'Thank you for a lovely week of animals, trampolines and tractors. Our daughter has truly had a lovely time. Thank you for taking the time to show her how to look after them. Wonderful welcome. Well equipped cottage. Hope to see you again'

29 July 2006: 'This is a really lovely place. The warmth and hospitality are marvellous. Thank you'

3 June 2006: 'Thank you for making this a holiday to remember. Everything was just perfect and we had so much fun. See you again next year'

14 April 2006: 'Thank you for a fab week, the children have had a ball. You have made us all feel so welcome it has been a truly lovely week. Thank you again'

29 October 2005: 'Beautiful cottage. Everything we needed and more. Wonderful scenery. Hope to come back soon'

20 August 2005: ' We have had a lovely week. The children don't want to go home. Thank you so much for looking after the children. Very lovely welcome. We don't want to go either. Thank you'

15 July 2005: 'As we sit here with George the cat curled up on our picnic rug and the animals safely to bed, the patchwork of fields and the golden sun is a sight to remember. We have all had a memorable experience here; especially our son who you have treated like a grandchild. Thank you'

4 June 2005: 'It's almost a lie that this is self catering. Everything we wanted was catered for!'

21 August 2004: 'A very peaceful enjoyable week. Our daughter loved feeding the animals! Thank you for the first class service and accommodation; a very enjoyable stay'

14 August 2004: 'We have all had a great time here. Many thanks for all your kindness and hospitality. The girls loved Solo, George and all the gang. Thanks for a lovely two weeks'

9 July 2004: 'Lovely clean and comfortable cottage and such a warm welcome it was like meeting up with family. Would highly recommend to friends and family. Thanks so much'

18 April 2004: 'Lovely relaxing "get away from it all" holiday. Excellent cottage, beautiful surroundings, animals were great for the girls. They had a fantastic time. Thanks to all of you who made us so welcome'

23 August 2003: 'We've had a fantastic time with you all. The welcome you gave us made us feel really at home. The children have loved it here; the ducks, hens, sheep and hay barn have made it a holiday they, and we, will remember for a long time. We certainly hope to come back one day'

18 July 2003: 'Most sincere thanks for a lovely holiday. We really appreciated the personal touches of Cream tea, Chocolate Bunnies and Wine! The children loved helping with the animals; a real highlight for them. We hope to visit you again'

14 June 2003: 'Thank you for a wonderful stay and lovely welcome. The children and us have had a great holiday and hope to be back soon'

19 April 2003: 'Had a great stay, a lovely welcome and always friendly and helpful. The kids loved the hay barn and will miss the animals. Many Thanks'

Many people said they wanted to come again and they do come again to Venn Farm. This year more than half our guests will be return visitors who have enjoyed their stay enough in the past to want to bring their families back.

Venn Farm Cottages, Venn Farm, Kings Nympton, Umberleigh, Devon, EX37 9TR. 01769-572448. E mail vennfarmcottages@msn.com