Before I visit places on holiday nowadays I tend to always check out the customer reviews before booking. However in the case of Kingslakes Holidays Ltd all I did was look on their website as a friend of mine had strongly recommended it. I stayed there for 3 nights in June 2014 and found the place to be an oasis of peace and quiet amid beautiful countryside.

One of the cottages I got a sneak peak in was Holly Cottage, a stone built cottage that has excellent disabled access and facilities including a walk in (or wheel in) shower with a chair for those disabled persons who’d prefer not to sit in their own wheelchair when taking a shower! After I returned home I found the following description of Kingslakes accommodation on Trip Advisor.

“Kingslakes has lovely self catering lodges and cottages sleeping from two to eight people. Situated in the heart of the beautiful Devon countryside, along a private drive and away from any noise. The stone built cottages are set around sheltered water gardens, and enjoy a tranquil rural atmosphere. Mown paths meander in front of the timber lodges and round the lakes, through 40 acres of meadows and woodlands where over 40 species of birds have been spotted.

Enjoy the abundance of wildlife and seven coarse fishing lakes in a peaceful, idyllic setting. A safe environment for children with plenty of space to explore; they can try the nine hole golf, feed the rabbits and ponies, make sandcastles, play on the swings and climbing frame while the adults relax on the patio and tend the barbecue.”

The description is pretty jolly accurate although I would call the nine hole pitch and putt course more a small nine hole putting course more suited to children and families than any golfer (the greens are a bit slow!). Other than that I would thoroughly recommend Kingslakes as a great place to explore the rest of Devon from, and if your into your fishing, it like Disneyland for fisherfolk!

Mark Jonathan, West London