Magpie Cottage is one of the selection of cottages available at Willowfield Lake Cottages, which boasts a superb location within Braunton Burrows Nature Reserve, close to five miles of golden sands and surf and just 1½ miles from the Tarka Trail cycleway. Nestling amidst mature trees and shrubs, and enjoying soothing views over unspoilt countryside, this cluster of single storey cottages is surrounded by 12 acres of pastureland, where mown paths meander through wildflower meadows to picnic areas and a picturesque, tranquil lake – stocked to satisfy the most ambitious coarse fisherman. Here visitors can try their luck angling for mature carp up to 25lbs, tench up to 7lbs and roach up to 1.½lbs, or simply delight in warm summer evenings' rowing peacefully across the water. Children will find adventure amongst the trees in the fort and play area; giant chess is also available and the grounds offer plenty of space for ball games.

Perfect for family holidays, Willowfield Lake also offers an excellent range of facilities. In addition to the lake, there is a lovely indoor heated swimming pool, with a shallow end, changing and shower amenities, and hot tub. The games room houses table tennis, pool and table football as well as an enclosed toddlers' play area.

Accommodating from two to five visitors, all the cottages are tastefully furnished and comprehensively equipped to include widescreen televisions with digital freeview and DVD players, and each enjoys either its own garden or a shared one.

Braunton Burrows Nature Reserve – a designated UNESCO Biosphere – covers more than 1,000 acres of one of Britain's finest sand dune areas, a fascinating landscape whose marram-grass covered dunes shelter rare toadflax, sea stock and marsh orchids. A half hour's pleasant stroll (or 5 minute drive) leads to famous Saunton Sands beach, where huge Atlantic rollers create some of the best surfing in the world, and Saunton is also home to a championship links golf course. There is excellent walking and level cycling to be enjoyed locally and, stretching for 180 miles from the north Devon coast through lush valleys to Dartmoor, the nearby Tarka Trail follows the estuary as far as Torrington. Further up the estuary is the ancient port of Velator, now a quiet mooring for pleasure craft and a favourite haunt of bird watchers and artists, whilst south of Willowfield Lakes lies Crow Point, a windsurfing and water skiing centre.

Just 2 miles inland lies Braunton, with its good pubs and shops, restaurants to suit all tastes and pockets, renowned art gallery and craft centre and cycle hire. Nearby, the pretty thatched villages of Croyde and Georgeham offer fine inns and restaurants, whilst the lovely old market town of Barnstaple, winner of 'Britain in Bloom' in Europe, is just 7 miles. The myriad delights of the National Trust properties of Arlington Court, Lundy Island and Heddon Valley are well worth exploring, and Dr Smart's garden at Marwood and the RHS gardens at Rosemoor are among other attractions within easy reach.

FACILITIES

• Indoor heated swimming pool 31' x 19' (open 9.00am – 9.00pm, 11.00am – 9.00pm on Saturdays) with children's shallow end, changing and shower facilities. • Indoor hot tub (seating 5), sunbed (coin operated). • Games room with table tennis, pool table (coin operated) and table football. • Toddler's enclosed play area. • Children's adventure play area with fort, climbing frame and swings. • Toddler's play area with Wendy house and slide. 12 acres of grounds with picnic tables, benches, trees and shrubs, wild flower area and lakeside footpaths. • Ball games area and giant chess. • Coarse fishing lake with rowing boat (mayure stocks of carp, up to 25lbs, tench up to 8lbs and roach up to 1½lb) barbless hooks, fishing foc subject to own licence bring own fishing tackle. Night fishing permitted (conditions apply).

ACCOMMODATION

• Linen (duvets) inc • Elec and panel heaters inc • TV/DVD (Freeview) • Microwave • Laundry room with 2 auto wms and 2 t/dryers foc • Highchair • Parking • Small portable barbecues