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Rack Hays, Payhembury

Visitor Rating
Rating
★★★★★
Exceptional
Devon » Payhembury
8
2
4
3

Rack Hays is a spacious holiday cottage in Devon's Blackdown Hills, perfect for larger groups wanting a peaceful countryside escape. This detached property sleeps up to 8 guests across four well-appointed bedrooms, making it ideal for family reunions or friends gathering together. The enclosed garden with patio and barbecue creates brilliant outdoor entertaining space.

The location sits within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Rolling hills and woodland trails surround the property. You'll find proper tranquillity here whilst remaining within easy reach of Devon's attractions.

Accommodation comprises four bedrooms sleeping 8 people total. There are three bathrooms throughout.

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About Rack Hays

Rack Hays is a spacious holiday cottage in Devon's Blackdown Hills, perfect for larger groups wanting a peaceful countryside escape. This detached property sleeps up to 8 guests across four well-appointed bedrooms, making it ideal for family reunions or friends gathering together. The enclosed garden with patio and barbecue creates brilliant outdoor entertaining space.

The location sits within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Rolling hills and woodland trails surround the property. You'll find proper tranquillity here whilst remaining within easy reach of Devon's attractions.

Accommodation comprises four bedrooms sleeping 8 people total. There are three bathrooms throughout. The ground floor features a generous sitting room with woodburner and a separate dining room. The kitchen comes fully equipped for group catering. A utility room adds practical convenience.

Exeter Cathedral sits 15 miles away (25 minutes). Crealy Theme Park lies 12 miles distant (20 minutes). The Jurassic Coast reaches 18 miles south (30 minutes). Honiton's antique shops are just 4 miles away (10 minutes).

This property suits groups wanting space, countryside walks and easy access to Devon's coast. Rack Hays delivers proper peace without isolation.

Check Prices & Availability »
At HolidayCottages.co.uk

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Local Insights: Rack Hays

Unique information you won't find on booking sites

Payhembury, Devon

Weather & Local Conditions

19°C

Overcast

Updated: 4 Sep 2026, 3:01am

🌡️
19.10°C
Temperature
💨
24 km/h
Wind Speed
💧
87%
Humidity
🧳
Packing Tip: UK weather can turn quickly, so pack layers whatever the forecast. A waterproof and sturdy shoes mean the whole group can head out whatever September throws at you.

What to Expect Through the Year

  • ✓ May - September: Warmest, longest days - ideal for big group days out, gardens and BBQs
  • ✓ October - November: Crisp autumn colour, cosy evenings by the fire, quieter attractions
  • ✓ December - February: Perfect for a snug winter escape - great for Christmas and New Year gatherings
  • ✓ March - April: Spring blooms, longer evenings returning, wildlife becoming active
🌧️
Rainy Day Tip: A large cottage comes into its own on wet days - board games, a long lunch and a film with the whole group beat a cramped hotel any day. Check the tabs here for nearby pubs and attractions with indoor options.

Dark Skies & Stargazing

Rack Hays sits in a location with genuinely dark skies - a real treat for a group, and something you rarely get at home in town.

Bortle Scale Rating

The Bortle scale measures night sky darkness from 1 (darkest) to 9 (brightest urban):

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
🌌
Class 4 - Rural/suburban transition
This location's dark sky rating

What You Can See From the Cottage

The Milky Way is visible overhead, though light domes may be visible on the horizon towards larger towns.

The Milky Way is visible on clear, moonless nights.

Best Stargazing Conditions

  • ✓ New Moon periods: Darkest skies, best Milky Way visibility
  • ✓ Winter months: Earlier darkness, crisper skies, Orion constellation prominent
  • ✓ After 11pm: Neighbouring lights typically switched off
  • ✓ Allow 20 minutes: Let your eyes adjust to darkness before looking up
📱
Pro Tip: Download a stargazing app like "Sky Map" or "Star Walk" before arrival. Mobile signal can be limited, and these apps work offline - a fun activity to share with the whole group.

Location & Elevation

83m

(272 feet above sea level)

Rack Hays sits in a peaceful Devon setting - space to spread out and the perfect base for a group getaway.

🏔️
83m
Elevation
📍
Payhembury
Nearest Village
🌲
Rural
Setting

What the Elevation Means for Your Stay

  • ✓ Fresher air: Expect it a touch cooler than coastal areas - bracing walks and restful sleep
  • ✓ Clearer air: Less pollution and haze, better views and stargazing
  • ✓ Morning mists: Valley fog sometimes forms below, creating magical sunrise views
  • ✓ Walking access: Higher starting point means shorter climbs to hilltops and summits
🚗
Driving Note: The roads to Payhembury are typical Devon lanes - narrow in places with passing spots. If the group is arriving in several cars, share the postcode and a meeting point in advance.

Coordinates

Latitude: 50.8039000° N | Longitude: 3.3107° W

Sunrise & Sunset Times

Today's sun times for Payhembury (Friday, 4 September 2026):

🌅
--
Sunrise
🌇
--
Sunset
📸
--
Golden Hour

Planning Your Days by Season

  • ✓ Summer (Jun-Aug): Sunset around 9:30-10pm - long days for group walks, days out and late alfresco dinners
  • ✓ Autumn (Sep-Nov): Sunset 5-7pm - perfect timing for an after-dinner drink as the stars come out
  • ✓ Winter (Dec-Feb): Sunset around 4pm - cosy early evenings by the fire, ideal for stargazing
  • ✓ Spring (Mar-May): Sunset 6-9pm - watch the evenings grow longer each day
🌙
Golden Hour: For the best light, plan your group photo or evening walk around golden hour (about an hour before sunset). The warm colours make for lovely holiday photos before you head back in for dinner.

September Daylight

This month in Payhembury, you have approximately -- hours of daylight. The shortening days create the perfect excuse for earlier, cosier evenings in.

Practical Essentials

Everything the group needs to know before you arrive at Rack Hays.

Mobile Phone Signal

📱

Signal Strength

Good

Mobile signal is generally good in this area across most networks.

💡
Signal Tip: All major networks should work well here.

Nearest Essentials

🚗
Arrival Tip: Fill up with fuel before you arrive - petrol stations can be sparse in rural Devon. With a larger group it's worth doing one big supermarket shop on the way, especially if arriving late.

Family & Fun

Data updated: 4 Sep 2026 | Location: 50.8039000, -3.3107000

Information unique to this location - not available on booking sites

What Guests Love

What do previous guests think about their group stay at Rack Hays

Spacious accommodation for groups

Five bedrooms sleeping 10 guests means everyone gets proper space. The layout works brilliantly for larger families or groups of friends gathering together.

Enclosed garden with barbecue

The private garden offers safe outdoor space for children and pets. The patio and barbecue make summer evenings special for group dining outdoors.

Blackdown Hills location

Set within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Walking trails start from the doorstep. Proper countryside peace surrounds you whilst attractions remain accessible.

Woodburner in sitting room

The cosy sitting room features a real woodburner. Perfect for gathering the group on cooler evenings after days exploring Devon's countryside and coast.

Well-equipped kitchen for groups

The kitchen handles group catering easily with full equipment. Separate dining room seats everyone together. Utility room adds practical convenience for longer stays.

Easy access to coast

The Jurassic Coast reaches just 18 miles south. Exeter and its attractions sit 15 miles away. You get countryside calm with coastal adventures nearby.

Getting To Rack Hays

Find your way to your perfect countryside retreat

By Car

To reach Rack Hays by car, take the A30 or M5 towards Honiton. Exit onto the A373 and follow signs towards the Blackdown Hills. The property is easily accessible with off-road parking available for multiple vehicles.

By Train

For those travelling by rail, the nearest station is Honiton, approximately 4 miles away. From there, a short taxi journey brings you to your countryside accommodation in the Blackdown Hills.

Off-road parking for multiple cars
Honiton station (4 miles)
Easily accessible from the A30 and M5

Group Attractions & More Nearby

Stuff for larger groups and families to try!

Crealy Theme Park
Distance: 12 miles
EX5 1DR
Exeter Cathedral
Distance: 15 miles
EX1 1HS
Jurassic Coast
Distance: 18 miles
EX10 8LS
Blackdown Hills Trails
Distance: On doorstep
EX14 3HF
East Devon Way
Distance: 2 miles
EX14 3LE
Wellington Monument Walk
Distance: 8 miles
TA21 9PB
Honiton Town Centre
Distance: 4 miles
EX14 1PW
Exeter City Centre
Distance: 15 miles
EX1 1QB
Taunton Shopping
Distance: 16 miles
TA1 3PN
Honiton Bus Services
Distance: 4 miles
EX14 1PW
Honiton Railway Station
Distance: 4 miles
EX14 1PD
Local Taxi Services
Distance: 4 miles
EX14 1PW
Crealy Theme Park
Distance: 12 miles
EX5 1DR
Exeter Cathedral
Distance: 15 miles
EX1 1HS
Jurassic Coast
Distance: 18 miles
EX10 8LS
Blackdown Hills Trails
Distance: On doorstep
EX14 3HF
East Devon Way
Distance: 2 miles
EX14 3LE
Wellington Monument Walk
Distance: 8 miles
TA21 9PB
Honiton Town Centre
Distance: 4 miles
EX14 1PW
Exeter City Centre
Distance: 15 miles
EX1 1QB
Taunton Shopping
Distance: 16 miles
TA1 3PN
Honiton Bus Services
Distance: 4 miles
EX14 1PW
Honiton Railway Station
Distance: 4 miles
EX14 1PD
Local Taxi Services
Distance: 4 miles
EX14 1PW

Is Rack Hays Right For Your Group

Discover why this cottage is the one for your party or family reunion...

For Families
The enclosed garden provides safe outdoor play space where children can run freely. Crealy Theme Park sits just 12 miles away offering rides and attractions for all ages. The Blackdown Hills location means woodland exploration and nature walks start from the doorstep. Exeter's attractions including the cathedral and shops lie 15 miles distant. The property's spacious layout gives families room to spread out comfortably.
Groups Will Love...
The spacious layout across five bedrooms sleeping 10 makes Rack Hays perfect for larger gatherings. The separate sitting room features a cosy woodburner where everyone can gather together. A dedicated dining room seats the whole group for meals. The fully equipped kitchen handles group catering with ease. The enclosed garden with patio and barbecue creates brilliant outdoor entertaining space for summer evenings together.
Pet Friendly
Rack Hays welcomes pets to join your countryside break. The enclosed garden provides secure outdoor space where dogs can exercise safely off-lead. Walking trails through the Blackdown Hills start directly from the property offering excellent routes for daily walks. The countryside location means plenty of open spaces for energetic dogs. The ground floor layout makes access easy for older pets throughout the main living areas.

Dining & Cafes

Taste the local flavours during your stay at Rack Hays

The Holt

Located 3 miles from your accommodation.

Postcode: EX14 3NT

The Turks Head

Located 4 miles from your accommodation.

Postcode: EX14 1PG

Deans Court Cafe

Located 4 miles from your accommodation.

Postcode: EX14 1PX

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to our most common questions about Rack Hays

How many guests does Rack Hays accommodate?
The property sleeps up to 10 guests across five bedrooms. Three bathrooms serve the group comfortably throughout the accommodation.
Is Rack Hays pet friendly?
Yes, pets are welcome at this property. The enclosed garden provides safe outdoor space for dogs to exercise and play.
What sleeping arrangements are available?
The property offers five bedrooms configured to sleep 10 people total. Specific bedroom layouts include various double and twin arrangements suitable for families or groups.
What facilities does the kitchen include?
The kitchen comes fully equipped for group catering with all standard appliances. A separate utility room provides additional practical space for longer stays.
Is there parking available?
Yes, off-road parking is provided at the property. Multiple vehicles can be accommodated for group arrivals.
What attractions are nearby for groups?
Exeter Cathedral sits 15 miles away whilst Crealy Theme Park lies 12 miles distant. The Jurassic Coast reaches 18 miles south with Honiton's shops just 4 miles away.
Are there good walking routes nearby?
The property sits within the Blackdown Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Woodland trails and countryside walks start directly from the accommodation.
What indoor entertainment is available?
The sitting room features a woodburner creating cosy gathering space. Separate dining and living areas give groups plenty of social space throughout the property.

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