The Old Forge

Sleeps 6
Bedrooms 3
Bathrooms 2
Pets No
View on map

Features

Ground floor accommodation
Ground floor bedroom
Garden / Patio
Pub/shop < 1 mile
Washing machine
Dishwasher
Broadband / WiFi

Reviews & Ratings

Accuracy of the listing

Cleanliness

Comfort

Facilities

* Based on a combined average customer score

29 Customer Review(s)

Geoffrey
May 2022

“What a perfect place for visiting Devon and especially Dartmoor walking.”

The cottage, like the owners are, is warm and welcoming. We had everything that we needed and more for our delightful stay at The Old Forge. The village of Islington is charming and having a local community run shop and welcoming pub round’s everything off. Would love to return without hesitation. Geoff and Shirley.

- Geoffrey, May 2022
Jill December 2021

“The Old Forge is a lovely, comfortable, warm cottage for a lovely break.”

Set in a picturesque village with Dartmoor all around is a big plus.

- Jill, December 2021
Michael December 2021

“Cosy cottage but plenty of space for family of four, very well equipped, clean and tidy, good location,”

- Michael, December 2021
Andrew August 2021

“The cottage was the perfect, quiet hideaway.”

A great base to get out and about. We would come again

- Andrew, August 2021
Michael August 2021

“Great place to stay between high moors and coast.”

Beware of sat navs, it tends to direct you down very narrow lanes with little if any passing places. Very good village shop and very reasonable prices. Lovely pub also. Very Covid secure. Ideal for two generations of family. Thank you very much for a very enjoyable holiday.

- Michael, August 2021
Mike August 2021

“Beautiful cottage which was deceptively larger than I’d imagined.”

We had everything we needed and more. We loved the cottagey feel and the beautiful surroundings. The local pub was excellent and the village shop was surprisingly well stocked. We didn’t go to any supermarkets as we had all we needed from the little shop. The memory foam mattresses are probably due for replacing but other than that everything was perfect.

- Mike, August 2021
Jonathan July 2021

“The TV was very difficult to Operate due to some wobbly and dodgy sockets at the back of the human box.”

This meant that reception came and went which was very frustrating. I always feel that when paying a significant amount for a rental that the kit in it should be similar to home and with 5 of us using our phones constantly there really should be a WiFi enabled music system. Same goes for the TV really.

- Jonathan, July 2021

Thank you for your feedback, we have spoken to the owners and they have responded with the following, we are sorry you had trouble with the TV and WiFi. The Ilsington area suffers from relatively slow download speeds because the local telephone exchange in Haytor has not yet been updated to fast broadband. The TV works well in Standard Definition but there is often insufficient bandwidth for HD which causes pixilation and buffering. This is beyond our control, there is however, a WiFi booster in the cottage and also a Bluetooth music system. Both the TV and Humax box are of good quality, relatively new and the gold plated HDMI connection between the box and the TV is of the highest quality. Property Owner
Lucy July 2021

“A delightful cottage in a very special and quiet place.”

We were reassured that the wonderful local pub and shop still employs social distancing rules. Be mindful of narrow roads and drive carefully, but so worth being off the beaten track.

- Lucy, July 2021
Philippa May 2021

“Lovely cottage, very clean and comfortable.”

Good area for exploring dartmoor and coast. Local village pub good.

- Philippa, May 2021
Tracy May 2021

“This is a great cottage, a home away from home.”

Very clean and comfy place to stay. Good location to visit Dartmoor and the coast. Clear instructions from the owners about how things work if there are any issues (which they weren’t), and on how to leave the cottage at the end of your stay. Would definitely recommend

- Tracy, May 2021
Susan April 2021

“Wonderful cottage.”

Well kept and extremely helpful/ welcoming owner. My main gripe was that I used Vbro and ended up with Sykes and so had to pay extra for that but then I assume it was the owners choice not to list it directly with Vbro and I wouldn't have found the cottage otherwise.

- Susan, April 2021
Ben April 2021

“Comfy beds, well equipped, clean, great location.”

Just what we hoped for.

- Ben, April 2021
Andy October 2020

“Cosy cottage with great local facilities - pub, country house hotel and village shop, all within walking distance.”

Loads of great walking from the door or a short drive away.

- Andy, October 2020
Terry and Gill September 2020

“Good location for walks and exploring Dartmoor: well equipped, clean, tasteful decor, lots of helpful information about the cottage and the area made available, friendly contact from owners.”

Convenient pub and well-stocked local shop.

- Terry and Gill, September 2020
Andrew August 2020

“A lovely cottage, well kept and cleaned for our arrival.”

Local pub (literally just round the corner) was very good as was the food (not a huge menu but had 2/3 vegetarian options) and friendly staff. Parking by the cottage means under trees full of crows etc so car will take a good clean afterwards!!

- Andrew, August 2020
Julie August 2020

“The cottage is beautiful and in a lovely village with a good pub and local shop.”

It is comfortable, well equipped and clean. We all enjoy sitting on the patio at the back, listening to the birds singing and the church clock chiming. My older relatives appreciate the downstairs bedroom and shower room with grab rails. Also, having 2 shower rooms is very useful.

- Julie, August 2020
David December 2019

“The old forge is a lovely cottage in a beautiful little village.”

The cottage has everything you need and was clean,tidy and warm. The two seperate toilets and showers were very handy and there are well thought out additions throughout the cottage. The moor is only just up the road and there are footpaths very nearby. The local pub has good ale,cider and food. We had a great time over the New Year holidays. We would definitely go back.

- David, December 2019
Julie October 2019

“The cottage is an ideal place to stay whilst visiting beautiful Dartmoor, it's cosy and practical but stylish and quirky .”

Islington is a friendly village with a good pub and shop. Wouldn't hesitate to stay again if we come back to Dartmoor!!

- Julie, October 2019
Denise July 2019

“A very cosy cottage with everything you need.”

It is in a good location to visit the Moors or coast. The village shop and pub is a short walk away. We had good meals at the Welcome Stranger and the Half Way Inn. It was a nice touch to have a bottle of wine and a pint of milk. I will definitely book this lovely cottage again.

- Denise, July 2019
Nadja May 2019

“Just two marginal inconveniences: 1) parking at the cottage is complicated.”

2) it would be great if one could get through to the care taker via phone. Cottage itself was superb, comfy and great to stay in! :-)

- Nadja, May 2019
Kirsten April 2019

“A perfect location for Dartmoor, lovely cottage, fully equipped in a lovely village.”

Everything we could have hoped for.

- Kirsten, April 2019
John February 2019

“All went well, with ease.”

No problems.

- John, February 2019
Shaun August 2018

“Pros Very comfortable and well thought out house.”

Well equipped throughout and in the Kitchen there is nearly every aid. Location in a small quiet village but with a pub and good shop within easy walking distance. Different colour towels for each person so no chance of mix up. Hooks on the back of every door for practicality WiFi that works The hot water failed and was fixed very rapidly. Eventually one of our boys, 41 years old French admitted to going through the English menus on the the thermostat and possibly causing the problem. Cons These are very minor cons Close to road. One wall and several windows are directly on to the road. Not really a problem as 1. The sound insulation is very good. 2. Theere are only about 5 cars per hour and it is not a problem. 3. There are only about 2 people per hour who pass on foot. Access to the village is by some single track road so passing can be interesting. Again traffic is very light so the chances of encountering another vehicule is low. Only one medium sized frying pan. If you are cooking eggs for 6 people it has to be done in batches.

- Shaun, August 2018
James June 2018

“Excellent cottage in a local village Thanks”

- James, June 2018
David June 2018

“Heavy winter duvets should be changed lighter, low tog for summer use.”

we bought two low tog duvets much more comfortable.

- David, June 2018
Julie May 2018

“This is a beautiful cottage both inside and out.”

It is well situated for us, being in the village and near the moors. We find having two shower rooms particularly useful, especially having grab rails in one. The kitchen is well equipped and all the rooms are comfortable. We love sitting out on the patio and listening to the church bells. There was plenty of information to hand and we had no difficulties using anything. We had a fantastic week - thank you.

- Julie, May 2018
Peter May 2018

“The owners of the Old Forge had anticipated all our needs and much much more.”

..A beautiful cottage with a delightful courtyard (we had all our meals out of doors as the sun shone for us...)and, inside, the furniture together with excellent china, glass and cutlery more than met all our expectations, down to tasteful stylish furnishings and lovely pottery on the windowsills with the feeling everywhere of being in a centuries-old much-loved home. The kitchen was well equipped which suited us as we spent the days out delighting in Haytor, Widecombe, Parke, Hound Tor and many other local places, on the way exploring whole fields of bluebells and buttercups and delighting in the ponies and sheep who wandered not only on the moors but also in the road...and then we came back to cook in the evening, eating either in the courtyard or in the dining room which had a large pine sideboard table and chairs, interesting paintings and wall art and a wooden floor. The village shop, open 12 hours a day, and run by volunteers, stocked a very wide range of comestibles including local cheeses jams and chutneys. Everything was perfect.

- Peter, May 2018
Mary May 2018

“Forge Cottage was set in a beautiful village.”

Cottage had all the facilities you need for a comfortable break. The village pub and shop were excellent. Roads were a challenge but that is Devon, if you can drive in Devon you can drive anywhere.

- Mary, May 2018
Wendy April 2018

“Very comfortable cottage that was full of charachter.”

Very well located for walking on Dartmoor and local shop and pub. Our three teenage children were happy with it too.

- Wendy, April 2018
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The property

Just 150 yards from the pub and shop in Ilsington and for centuries the village forge, the prettiest of thatched, detached cottages with a sunny little enclosed garden (table/chairs, bench and bicycle store) looking to the neighbouring church (bells Sunday mornings/Wednesday evenings). Inside, comfortable and welcoming with good-sized rooms, polished wood floors (rugs) and, from upstairs (high apex beams, Veluxwindows/sloping eaves), pretty countryside/church views.

Terracotta-tiled entrance lobby (space for coats/boots) to comfy living room (TV/DVD/PVR) with living flame gas stove.

Kitchen/dining room (dishwasher, microwave, fridge, gas hob/electric oven, Bluetooth stereo).

Ground-floor double bedroom.

Two smart shower-rooms (suites) with tiled floors.

Rear porch/utility (washing machine, freezer) with stable doors to garden.

Upstairs (steep narrow stairs, rope rail), making the most of the lofty eaves space and the views, a double bedroom and a room with two singles (both doors/lintels approx. 6' x 2').

No children under 6, except pre-crawling babies, due to steep stairs.

A chocolate box cottage in a friendly village location, an excellent base for wonderful walks and cycle rides. Ilsington: pretty little village (church, shop, good food pub) on Dartmoor's farmed and wooded south-eastern slopes, through which flows the River Lemon to Teignmouth, its ancient wooded valley a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and habitat for woodland birds and butterflies.

Haytor (massive granite outcrop), 2 miles.

Easy access to A38, 2½ miles.

Floorplans

1st FloorGround Floor

Summary

1 x double bedroom downstairs and two shower rooms with showers, WCs and basins
Two bedrooms upstairs: 1 x double, 1 x twin
Downstairs kitchen with dining area
Sitting room with gas stove
Lobby.
Oil fired central heating with gas burning stove
Microwave, fridge, freezer, washing machine, TV with DVD, WiFi, induction hob
Fuel and power inc. in rent
Bed linen and towels inc. in rent
Parking is usually available on a quiet road nearby
Enclosed garden
Sorry no pets and no smoking
Pub less than 1 mile from property
Note: This property does not accept children under 6, except babes in arms, due to steep stairs.

Note: This property has a Good Housekeeping bond of £100.

About the location

Illsington

Pretty little village (church, shop, good food pub) on Dartmoor's farmed and wooded south-eastern slopes, through which flows the River Lemon to Teignmouth, its ancient wooded valley a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and habitat for woodland birds and butterflies. Ashburton and Bovey Tracey, 5 miles. Haytor (massive granite outcrop), 2 miles. Easy access to A38, 2½ miles.

Note: This property does not accept children under 6, except babes in arms, due to steep stairs.
Note: Booking.com Traveller Review Awards 2020 - 8.3 out of 10

This property offers the following short breaks:

Winter
Off-season
Last minute
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Features

Reviews & Ratings

“What a perfect place for visiting Devon and especially Dartmoor walking.”

“The Old Forge is a lovely, comfortable, warm cottage for a lovely break.”

“Cosy cottage but plenty of space for family of four, very well equipped, clean and tidy, good location,”

“The cottage was the perfect, quiet hideaway.”

“Great place to stay between high moors and coast.”

“Beautiful cottage which was deceptively larger than I’d imagined.”

“The TV was very difficult to Operate due to some wobbly and dodgy sockets at the back of the human box.”

“A delightful cottage in a very special and quiet place.”

“Lovely cottage, very clean and comfortable.”

“This is a great cottage, a home away from home.”

“Wonderful cottage.”

“Comfy beds, well equipped, clean, great location.”

“Cosy cottage with great local facilities - pub, country house hotel and village shop, all within walking distance.”

“Good location for walks and exploring Dartmoor: well equipped, clean, tasteful decor, lots of helpful information about the cottage and the area made available, friendly contact from owners.”

“A lovely cottage, well kept and cleaned for our arrival.”

“The cottage is beautiful and in a lovely village with a good pub and local shop.”

“The old forge is a lovely cottage in a beautiful little village.”

“The cottage is an ideal place to stay whilst visiting beautiful Dartmoor, it's cosy and practical but stylish and quirky .”

“A very cosy cottage with everything you need.”

“Just two marginal inconveniences: 1) parking at the cottage is complicated.”

“A perfect location for Dartmoor, lovely cottage, fully equipped in a lovely village.”

“All went well, with ease.”

“Pros Very comfortable and well thought out house.”

“Excellent cottage in a local village Thanks”

“Heavy winter duvets should be changed lighter, low tog for summer use.”

“This is a beautiful cottage both inside and out.”

“The owners of the Old Forge had anticipated all our needs and much much more.”

“Forge Cottage was set in a beautiful village.”

“Very comfortable cottage that was full of charachter.”

The property

Floorplans

Summary

About the location

Illsington