The Cosy Cowshed at Sleepy Owl

The Cosy Cowshed is a romantic cabin retreat in North Devon, designed to suit couples, small families or close friends, with a wood-fired hot tub, outdoor shower and a warm, cabin-like feel designed for relaxed stays with just the two of you, family, friends and with the option to bring up to two dog guests. 

Escape to Cosy Cowshed at Sleepy Owl for a romantic stay designed for slowing down together. With its huge outdoor terrace perfect in any weather, you can spend long afternoons stretched out on the sofa, then slip into the hot tub for stargazing as night falls. Wake to steaming  showers and birdsongs at the background, enjoy candlelight dinners, and cosy up by the fire for uninterrupted conversations — or simply snooze side by side on the sofa. It’s intimate, relaxed, and effortlessly romantic.

Once a traditional cowshed, this beautifully converted boutique retreat now offers a wonderfully snug escape that feels both rural and refined. The Cosy Cowshed has a calm, cocooning atmosphere – the kind of place where days slow down naturally and evenings are something to look forward to. Set within the Sleepy Owl estate, it’s surrounded by woodland, wildflower meadows and open countryside, with nature close at every turn.

Designed to suit couples, small families or close friends, the cabin balances comfort with character. Inside, you’ll find warm textures, carefully chosen details and everything needed for an easy, indulgent stay. Outside, the terrace and garden invite you to spend time outdoors – soaking, cooking, reading or simply listening to the sounds of the countryside.

The Cosy Cowshed sits alongside The Nest Treehouse and The Hideout Treehouse, forming a small, carefully curated collection of retreats at Sleepy Owl. Each offers a slightly different experience, united by design-led interiors, sustainability and a shared sense of calm.

Why Choose The Cosy Cowshed

• A beautifully converted former cowshed with a cosy, cabin-like feel
• Wood-fired hot tub and outdoor shower set within a private terrace
• Clawfoot bath with rainfall shower for long, indulgent soaks
• Cinema screen in the master bedroom for relaxed evenings in
• Suitable for families, and those travelling with dogs

Inside The Cosy Cowshed

The Cosy Cowshed is designed to feel warm, welcoming and easy to settle into, with carefully layered interiors that balance rustic charm and modern comfort.

Bedrooms

• Master bedroom with a super-king bed, luxury bedding and a pull-down cinema screen
• Twin bedroom for children, complete with magical canopies overhead and a telescope for stargazing

Bathroom

• Statement clawfoot bath with an over-bath rainfall shower
• Luxury towels, robes, slippers and high-quality toiletries provided

Living space

• Open-plan living, kitchen and dining area
• Well-equipped kitchen and dining table seating four
• Comfortable sitting area with sofa and log burner
• WiFi throughout, along with board games, books and magazines

Guests also have the option of hiring a private chef, or booking a pampering treatment during their stay.

Outdoor spaces

Outdoor living is a highlight of staying at The Cosy Cowshed, with spaces designed for both relaxation and easy, informal dining.

• Private terrace with a wood-fired hot tub and outdoor shower
• Pizza oven and barbecue for slow, outdoor meals
• Day bed and hanging egg chair for lounging in the sunshine
• Two hammocks in the attached garden, ideal for afternoon naps or reading

With woodland and open space all around, it’s easy to spend as much time outside as in.

Dogs welcome

The Cosy Cowshed is dog-friendly, welcoming up to two four-legged guests. Dogs are well catered for with bowls, treats, toys, blankets, towels and a dedicated bed provided, along with a dog shower for muddy paws and a light-up collar for evening walks. The outdoor space offers peace of mind, while woodland paths make daily walks effortless.

Family-Friendly Breaks

Ideal for small families, The Cosy Cowshed includes practical touches that make travelling with children easy. A cot, highchair, baby bath and child-friendly crockery are available, while the twin bedroom and outdoor space offer plenty of room for imagination and play.

Sustainability at the Cosy Cowshed

Sustainability is quietly woven into life at Sleepy Owl. The Cosy Cowshed forms part of an award-winning, sustainability-led retreat, where low-impact living and comfort sit side by side. Energy-efficient lighting, careful land management across the estate’s wildflower meadows and support for biodiversity all help protect the landscape that makes this place so special.

Explore the Dramatic North Devon Landscape

The Cosy Cowshed is tucked away within the Sleepy Owl estate in North Devon, surrounded by woodland, meadows, and gently flowing countryside. Dark skies overhead make evenings especially memorable, while the quiet setting encourages slower days and a closer connection to nature.

The nearby village of Hartland is around ten minutes away, offering independent shops, cafés and welcoming pubs for easy days out.

Nearby Beaches

North Devon’s coastline is wonderfully varied, and several beaches are within easy reach of the estate – ideal for those looking for a coastal retreat.

• Hartland Quay – Around 15 minutes away, this dramatic pebble beach is backed by cliffs and rock formations, with a wild, untamed feel that suits coastal walks and bracing sea air.
• Sandymouth A popular but unspoilt, dog friendly beach of pebbles and sand backed by incredible twisted cliffs.
• Westward Ho! a renowned 2-mile (or over 3-km) stretch of golden sand backed by a unique pebble ridge and the Northam Burrows Country Park
• Summerleaze in Bude – Summerleaze Beach is Bude’s central hub of sand, surf and sun

Further along the coast, you’ll also find a mix of sandy bays and rugged coves, perfect for exploring at different times of year.

Local Attractions

There’s plenty to discover nearby, whether you’re travelling with children, planning active days out or keeping things low-key.

• Outdoor adventures – Horse riding, cycling, coasteering and guided walks are all available locally.
• Watersports – Surfing, paddleboarding and kayaking along the North Devon coast, with lessons for beginners.
• South West Coast Path – Far-reaching coastal walks with spectacular views.
• Clovelly – A steep, cobbled village with a working harbour and timeless charm.
• Combe Martin Wildlife & Dinosaur Park – A popular family attraction.
• Watermouth Harbour & Castle – A nostalgic coastal day out with gardens and rides.
• Milky Way and Big Sheep – children indoor/outdoor theme parks

Getting Here

• By car: Easily reached via the A361 North Devon Link Road, with the final approach along quiet country lanes.
• By train: The nearest station is Barnstaple, with direct services from Exeter, followed by a taxi journey.
• By air: Exeter Airport is just over an hour away by car.

A Cosy Countryside Escape

The Cosy Cowshed is a place for slowing down and settling in. Mornings tend to start gently, with coffee on the terrace, plans made loosely, and the countryside just outside the door. Days might be spent exploring the coast, wandering the estate, or simply staying close to home, while evenings are for lighting the fire, cooking outdoors and sinking into the hot tub as the sky darkens.

Inside, the space feels warm and comforting without being overly styled – somewhere that works just as well for quiet moments as it does for shared time around the table. Children have room to imagine and play, adults have space to properly unwind, and everyone can enjoy the simple luxury of being together without distraction.

Whether you’re visiting as a couple, a small family or with close friends, The Cosy Cowshed offers a stay that feels easy, grounding and genuinely restorative. It’s the kind of place you return from feeling rested – and quietly keen to come back.