Located within the idyllic village of Drewsteighton, Rookwood Cottage is a brilliant base for a couple or group of four looking to explore the best of Dartmoor National Park. This traditional countryside cottage intertwines a stylish, contemporary interior full of character, situated in picturesque Devon with so much to see and do from it’s doorstep – the perfect escape for friends and family.
Rookwood Cottage is the longest standing property with Helpful Holidays, joining us 40 years ago. Owner Michael talks to us about his experience with holiday letting so far and whether holiday letting is what they expected.
Letting with Helpful Holidays
How has your experience working with Helpful Holidays been?
I don’t want to sound falsely overly enthusiastic. But let me put it this way. I bought the cottage, put it in the holiday let market and had faith that it would be marketed and administered financially and otherwise in capable hands whilst I was not running it myself. And to that extent, from an accounting, reporting and marketing point of view to choosing my day-to-day manager to welcome guests with a gift pack. I have an all-round service including marketing, a full time administrator that everybody loves, and that’s all provided by Helpful Holidays.
Having gone through the whole process, is there anything that you would do differently?
Well, no, because I didn’t even know when I started the process that I would get such a good service in the first place. I can’t imagine how else it could be done better.
Do you have any tips for prospective owners thinking about getting into holiday letting?
Bathrooms are important! When we bought Rookwood, there was only one bathroom downstairs, so we built an en-suite upstairs which we think is a nice thing to have and attractive to guests.
Another tip would be to, if you can, invest in a skilled interior designer that understands the property. We did this with the help of Helpful Holidays who provide this service. Rookwood is a 400-year-old traditional farmers cottage, we furnished the inside so that people get the double experience of the old home – pockets of character, with a contemporary, comfortable feel. The absolute luxury and convenience of tastefully decorated up to date furniture, but that’s not to say modern, in sync with the house is worth every penny. Just because it’s an old house doesn’t mean it should have old furniture!
What was your motivation for getting into holiday letting?
Well, the motivation was, firstly, to buy a good asset that would appreciate over time. Secondly, to have an asset that would produce an income and most certainly pay its way in terms of any holding expense, or other use of capital such as putting it in a bank. Thirdly, to make it holiday let, meant that I could use it myself when I wanted to. And the reason I bought it in the first place is that I so liked it, I wanted to stay there myself. I knew other people would want to so that’s why it’s a holiday let.
Why did you choose to let with an agency? And was there any question of moving agent when you bought Rookwood?
No, we made inquiries and went to see Helpful Holidays in Chagford who described the services and advised us on the legibility, and we were otherwise nervous about how we would run it. And there was Helpful Holidays, now owned by Sykes, who just provided the whole service that we didn’t even know existed. So, I wouldn’t move as they provide the service that I’ve described.
Any special, unique features of the property?
First of all sitting in that the lounge with the inglenook fireplace and original beams. Secondly, there’s a little table as you come into the lounge where I can sit and work and be near the window. Thirdly, the kitchen is very cutely done up with an induction stove and Belfast sink. The courtyard at the back has got a wooden bench and chairs and to sit there with a glass of wine, cheese, cold meats, and crackers is wonderful in the good weather, in bad weather you’re in the house.
Outside, a plethora of excellent walks and pubs surround Rookwood. The Drew arms – a 14th century pub is a walk away through the churchyard of a 14th century parish church, there’s also the Fingal Inn on the Thame River, which is a marvellous pub and restaurant, just a walk away or short drive from Rookwood. Fingal wood which is now in the National Trust hands, the Hunters way, the Fisherman’s way, and the walk to Drogo Castle are all wonderful walks. If you want to go to the sea it’s not too far to get to all of the popular places by the sea.
What makes this part of the UK, specifically Devon special to you?
Well it’s got to be the scones, jam and cream, the Devon way rather than Cornwall obviously! The Dartmoor ponies are special. The natural beauty of the countryside is pretty special throughout the seasons, the Dartmoor ponies, and the farm fields with different crops and livestock happily grazing the lush green grass.
Let your property with Helpful Holidays
Helpful Holidays’ offers over 700 holiday homes across the South West, making us one of the largest self-catering agencies in the region. Paired with nearly 40 years of holiday letting experience, we can offer valuable knowledge and advice to help you find your ideal property. If you’d like to know more about letting a property with Helpful Holidays, visit our Let Your Cottage page.
Here you can download our FREE owner’s guide with detailed information about the services we offer. As well as the marketing coverage and how to get more for your money.
