What’s the Garden Flat like?
This beautiful one-bedroom basement flat is packed with character – and the piece de resistance is the huge garden. The spacious apartment spans the entire lower level of the Victorian property and if you need anything, host Diana lives just upstairs. Tiverton town centre is approximately a 15-minute walk away.
How dog-friendly is the Garden Flat?
Excellent. Dogs are allowed throughout the flat and the enormous tiered garden, which guests have sole access to. The garden is entirely secure and has lots of open grassy areas, mature borders, fruit trees and a greenhouse – although be aware there is also a small pond. There is a lovely covered patio area too, so dogs can still enjoy the great outdoors come rain or shine.
Ernie and Stan had a bag of dog treats waiting for them upon arrival, as well as some poo bags and bowls. There is even a poo bin provided outside, as well as an outdoor sink, and Diana helpfully provides lots of recommendations for dog-friendly walks, places to eat and drink and attractions. There is no additional charge for dogs to stay either, which is great.
Tell me more about the Garden Flat
This beautiful apartment takes up the whole basement-level footprint of the house – which is enormous! You enter into a carpeted hallway with handy storage for coats and shoes, and to the left is the spacious, light-filled bedroom, which opens out into a large conservatory with rattan furniture. This, in turn, opens out into the garden.
From the hall, you can access a standalone loo and a separate bathroom, which has one of the largest, nicest showers I’ve ever used. And the main open plan living space is made up of a modern kitchen/diner and living area, which has a colourful velvet sofa, vintage wood furniture, a smart TV and a door leading out onto the covered patio with garden furniture and dartboard.
Host Diana provides lots of leaflets about the local area, plus recommendations for things to see and do. Guests also have access to an extensive selection of books and games and things like complimentary toiletries are a nice touch. The Garden Flat is accessed by a steep staircase and there is parking for two cars right outside.
What’s the food like at the Garden Flat?
This is a self-catering property so you’ll need to bring your own food along, but lots of essentials were provided for us during our stay including butter, milk, tea, coffee and cupboard staples like condiments and spices. Diana had also kindly left us a bowl of Lindt chocolates and other sweet treats to enjoy – which we duly did!
It was easy to cook up a storm in the well-equipped kitchen, which had lots of utensils, as well as a dishwasher, coffee machine, washing machine and handy water filter. Fresh flowers had been placed on the dining room table and we also enjoyed looking at the framed photos of the kitchen before it was renovated and quirky features like a plasterer’s signature from the 1930s.
There are plenty of dog-friendly places to eat out nearby, too. The Canal Tea Rooms & Garden serves a mean cream tea and the owners also run Duck’s Ditty – a floating cafe on the canal. Dogs are guaranteed a warm welcome at The Fisherman’s Cot, just outside Tiverton, and they’ll love quirky ‘feasting barn’ The Lost Kitchen too, where pets are allowed on the outdoor terrace.
Are there resident dogs at the Garden Flat?
No, but you’re sure to meet plenty of local pooches out and about.
Where are the best dog walks near the Garden Flat?
The Great Western Canal Country Park is just a short walk from the flat and makes for a lovely walk, whatever the weather. It follows the canal for just over 11 miles, from Tiverton to Lowdwells, near the Somerset border. In Tiverton, you’ll find the Canal Visitor Centre and the colourful horse-drawn barge run by the Tiverton Canal Co. Visitors can still enjoy a trip on the barge, but dogs are not allowed as the owner’s Border Collie rules the roost!
Knightshayes, a Gothic Revival house and garden maintained by the National Trust, also has hundreds of acres of parkland to explore. The Trust recommends a 1.2-mile circular walk for dogs that takes in some of the historic estate. Look out for the Turkey oak tree, which is believed to be the biggest in the UK. Click here to see the full route. Exmoor National Park is also a short drive from Tiverton, and boasts more than 1,000km of footpaths and bridleways.
What Ernie and Stan loved about the Garden Flat
The enormous garden, the welcome pack of treats, having so much room to spread out
What I loved about the Garden Flat
The spacious accommodation, the well-equipped kitchen, the great location
How to book the Garden Flat
Short breaks start from £100 per night, plus an Airbnb service fee. A minimum two-night stay applies. For more information or to book, visit the Garden Flat listing on Airbnb.