Vintage footage shows Woolacombe during World War II

Amazing old footage of a beach just a few miles from Smythen Farm has been released by a film company. British Pathé has released a series of videos containing historic footage of North Devon through the ages and some of it features incredible scenes from our own doorstep. One of the videos released shows allied troops training on Woolacombe beach during World War II, just a few miles from the farm where our Woolacombe holiday cottages are located. The fascinating old footage of North Devon is part of British Pathé’s archive of 85,000 films, which the company has recently uploaded to Youtube. The video of Woolacombe beach shows British troops tackling an assault course in 1939 while another shows the Queen visiting Barnstaple in 1956. In the description of the Woolacombe video on Youtube British Pathé calls the course “a baptism by fire”. Watch the video here. 22.4.14

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Our Luxury Holiday Cottages


Honey Pot Cottage
Honey Pot Cottage

Honey Pot is a beautiful, compact cottage ideal for couples. Honey Pot is dog-friendly and fully equipped for a comfortable break in North Devon.

  • Sleeps: 2. Rooms: 4
  • Dog Friendly:
Primrose Lane  Cottage
Primrose Lane Cottage

Primrose Lane cottage is a dog-friendly, compact cottage. Boasting a double bedroom, Primrose Lane cottage can sleep up to 3 with a pull out sofa bed ideal for children

  • Sleeps: 2. Rooms: 4
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Buttercup Cottage
Buttercup Cottage

Buttercup Cottage is an ideal cottage for families, especially those with fury members as its dog-friendly. Located in the courtyard, Buttercup cottage can sleep 4

  • Sleeps: 4. Rooms: 4
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Honeysuckle Cottage
Honeysuckle Cottage

Located in the courtyard, Honeysuckle Cottage is dog-friendly and ideal for families of up to 4.

  • Sleeps: 4. Rooms: 4
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Sea View  Cottage
Sea View Cottage

Sea View cottage is a superb, dog-friendly holiday cottage with stunning views across the North Devon coast. Ideal for families of 5. The bedrooms have the amazing view across the Sterridge valley and the Bristol Channel to Wales

  • Sleeps: 5. Rooms: 4
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Sunalways Cottage
Sunalways Cottage

Sunalways Cottage is a spacious, family-friendly cottage sleeping 5 with beautiful views of the Sterridge valley. The vaulted ceilings give a large bright spacious living area

  • Sleeps: 5. Rooms: 4
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Fisherswood  Cottage
Fisherswood Cottage

Fisherswood Cottage is a large and spacious cottage with beautiful vaulted ceilings. Sleeping up to 5 guests.

  • Sleeps: 5. Rooms: 4
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Forest View  Cottage
Forest View Cottage

Forest View Cottage is a large, spacious cottage ideal for large families. This cottage is dog-friendly and can sleep up to 6 guests.

  • Sleeps: 6. Rooms: 4
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Meadow Sweet Cottage
Meadow Sweet Cottage

Meadow Sweet is dog friendly and the largest cottage at Smythen Farm. Book this cottage early as its well sort-after for large families or 2 families sharing. Meadow Sweet boasts stunning views across the Sterridge Valley.

  • Sleeps: 10. Rooms: 4
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