Sky Blue in 4 Barton Close, Instow | Stunning Group Escape LargeHolidayCottages.com

About Sky Blue

Sky Blue is a superb four-bedroom holiday home in Hartland, North Devon. This property sleeps eight guests and offers a private hot tub for relaxing after days exploring the coast. The open-plan living space makes it perfect for groups who want to spend time together.

Hartland sits on Devon's dramatic Atlantic coast. The area features rugged cliffs, sandy beaches and miles of coastal paths. You're right on the edge of one of England's most spectacular stretches of coastline.

The accommodation includes four bedrooms: one king-size, one double and one twin. There are three bathrooms with a shower over the bath. The open-plan kitchen, dining and living area provides plenty of space for eight people to gather. French doors open onto the garden where you'll find the hot tub and outdoor seating.

Hartland Quay sits 2 miles away (5 minutes). Clovelly village is 6 miles away (15 minutes). Bude with its beaches is 14 miles away (25 minutes). The South West Coast Path runs nearby for serious walkers.

Groups wanting coastal walks, beach days and hot tub evenings will love this Sky Blue retreat in North Devon.

Check Prices & Availability »

At HolidayCottages.co.uk

Need To Know

✓Bedrooms: 4
✓Dogs allowed: 2
✓Bathrooms: 3
✓Washing machine
✓Freezer
✓Garden/Courtyard
✓Fam: High chair
✓Activity: surfing
✓Activity: cycling
✓Activity: walking
✓Garden enclosed
✓Towels included
✓Luxury 4G/5
✓Private parking
✓Dishwasher
✓Fam: Travel cot
✓Ground floor bathroom or shower room
✓Family friendly
✓Christmas decorations
✓WiFi
✓Tumble dryer
✓Views: Sea/coast
✓BBQ
✓Central heating
✓Bed linen included
✓Games room/Play Facilities
✓Cooking hob
✓Ironing board
✓Kitchen
✓Oven
✓Sofa
✓TV
✓Entire home
✓Private entrance
✓Iron
✓Safety: carbon monoxide detector(s)
✓Smoke alarm(s)
✓Soap
✓Toilet paper
✓Electric car charging point
✓Fridge
✓Smart TV
✓Hot tub no charge
✓Beach Within 5 Miles
✓Property Complex
✓Property type: House / Cottage
✓Property type 2: Detached
✓Shop within 1 mile
✓Pub within 1 mile
✓Hot tub

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Local Insights: Sky Blue

Unique information you won't find on booking sites

Instow, Devon

Weather & Local Conditions

16°C

Overcast

Updated: 28 Aug 2026, 2:59am

🌡️

15.90°C

Temperature

💨

10 km/h

Wind Speed

💧

92%

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 August 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

Sky Blue 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):

🌌

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

16m

(52 feet above sea level)

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

🏔️

16m

Elevation

📍

Instow

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 Instow 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: 51.0580000° N | Longitude: 4.17466° W

Sunrise & Sunset Times

Today's sun times for Instow (Friday, 28 August 2026):

5:22am

Sunrise

6:13pm

Golden Hour

7:13pm

Sunset

🌅

5:22am

Sunrise

🌇

7:13pm

Sunset

📸

6:13pm

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 (6:13pm). The warm colours make for lovely holiday photos before you head back in for dinner.

August Daylight

This month in Instow, you have approximately 13.85 hours of daylight. The long summer days mean plenty of time for group adventures before a relaxed evening back at the cottage.

Practical Essentials

Everything the group needs to know before you arrive at Sky Blue.

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

What Guests Love

What do previous guests think about their group stay at Sky Blue

Private Hot Tub

The hot tub in the private garden provides the perfect spot for groups to unwind together after exploring Devon's stunning coastline and beaches.

Coastal Location

Positioned just minutes from Hartland Quay and dramatic clifftop walks, this property offers direct access to some of Devon's most spectacular coastal scenery.

Open-Plan Living

The spacious open-plan kitchen, dining and living area means your whole group can cook, eat and relax together in one sociable space.

Garden with Views

French doors lead to a private garden with outdoor furniture, perfect for al fresco dining and enjoying the North Devon countryside together.

Walker-Friendly Base

The South West Coast Path runs nearby, making this an excellent base for groups who love coastal walking and exploring rugged cliff paths.

Flexible Sleeping

Three well-appointed bedrooms with king-size, double and twin configurations mean the property works brilliantly for different group makeups and families.

Getting To Sky Blue

Find your way to your perfect countryside retreat

By Car

To reach Sky Blue by car, take the A39 towards Hartland and follow signs to the village. The property is easily accessible from main roads and you'll have convenient off-road parking for two cars upon arrival.

By Train

For those travelling by rail, the nearest station is Barnstaple, approximately 30 miles away. From there, you'll need to arrange a taxi or hire a car for the scenic journey to Hartland.

Off-road parking for two cars

Barnstaple station (30 miles)

Easily accessible from the A39

Group Attractions & More Nearby

Stuff for larger groups and families to try!

Hartland Quay

Distance: 2 miles

EX39 6DU

Clovelly Village

Distance: 6 miles

EX39 5TQ

Hartland Point Lighthouse

Distance: 3 miles

EX39 6DU

South West Coast Path

Distance: 1 mile

EX39 4GG

Hartland Point Walk

Distance: 3 miles

EX39 6DU

Speke's Mill Mouth Beach

Distance: 4 miles

EX39 6EA

Hartland Village Stores

Distance: 1 mile

EX39 6BL

Bude Town Centre

Distance: 14 miles

EX23 8LE

Clovelly Visitor Centre Shop

Distance: 6 miles

EX39 5TA

Hartland Abbey

Distance: 2 miles

EX39 6DT

Docton Mill Gardens

Distance: 3 miles

EX39 6EA

Bude Sea Pool

Distance: 14 miles

EX23 8LE

Hartland Quay

Distance: 2 miles

EX39 6DU

Clovelly Village

Distance: 6 miles

EX39 5TQ

Hartland Point Lighthouse

Distance: 3 miles

EX39 6DU

South West Coast Path

Distance: 1 mile

EX39 4GG

Hartland Point Walk

Distance: 3 miles

EX39 6DU

Speke's Mill Mouth Beach

Distance: 4 miles

EX39 6EA

Hartland Village Stores

Distance: 1 mile

EX39 6BL

Bude Town Centre

Distance: 14 miles

EX23 8LE

Clovelly Visitor Centre Shop

Distance: 6 miles

EX39 5TA

Hartland Abbey

Distance: 2 miles

EX39 6DT

Docton Mill Gardens

Distance: 3 miles

EX39 6EA

Bude Sea Pool

Distance: 14 miles

EX23 8LE

Is Sky Blue Right For Your Group

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

For Families

Sky Blue offers a good base for families with children who enjoy outdoor activities. The private garden provides safe outdoor space for kids to play. Nearby beaches at Hartland Quay and Bude offer rock pooling and sandcastle building. The South West Coast Path provides family-friendly walking routes with spectacular views. Clovelly village makes an interesting day trip for older children.

Groups Will Love...

The private hot tub at Sky Blue creates a brilliant focal point for group gatherings. Located in the garden, it seats up to six people and provides a relaxing space after coastal walks or beach days. The hot tub is available throughout your stay and adds a special touch to evenings together. Combined with the outdoor seating area, it transforms the garden into a perfect social space.

Pet Friendly

Sky Blue does not accept pets. Dogs and other animals are not permitted at this property. If you're travelling with pets, you'll need to look for alternative accommodation in the Hartland area that welcomes animals. Many other holiday cottages in North Devon do accept dogs, so it's worth searching specifically for pet-friendly properties if this is essential for your group.

Dining & Cafes

Taste the local flavours during your stay at Sky Blue

The Hart Inn, Hartland

Located 1 mile from your accommodation.

Postcode: EX39 6BL

The Docton Mill Tea Rooms

Located 3 miles from your accommodation.

Postcode: EX39 6EA

The Red Lion, Clovelly

Located 6 miles from your accommodation.

Postcode: EX39 5TF

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to our most common questions about Sky Blue

Is Sky Blue pet-friendly?

No, Sky Blue does not accept pets. If you're travelling with dogs, you'll need to find alternative accommodation in the Hartland area that welcomes animals.

How many people does Sky Blue sleep?

Sky Blue sleeps six guests across three bedrooms: one king-size, one double and one twin room. There's one bathroom with a shower over the bath serving all guests.

Is there a hot tub at the property?

Yes, Sky Blue features a private hot tub located in the garden. It's available for all guests throughout your stay and provides a wonderful way to relax after days exploring the coast.

What parking is available?

The property provides off-road parking for two vehicles. This makes it convenient for groups arriving in separate cars or those bringing extra vehicles for day trips around Devon.

What's the kitchen like for group cooking?

The open-plan kitchen is fully equipped for preparing meals for six people. It includes all standard appliances and connects directly to the dining and living areas for easy group catering.

How far is Sky Blue from the beach?

Hartland Quay beach is approximately 2 miles away, which takes about 5 minutes by car. Bude's sandy beaches are 14 miles away and take roughly 25 minutes to reach by car.

Are there good walks nearby?

Yes, the South West Coast Path runs close to the property, offering spectacular clifftop walks. Hartland Point and the surrounding coastline provide some of England's most dramatic coastal walking routes.

What attractions are within easy reach?

Clovelly village is 6 miles away, Hartland Quay is 2 miles away and Bude town centre is 14 miles away. All these destinations offer different experiences from historic villages to surfing beaches and coastal scenery.

Popular Stays Near This Cottage

Sky Blue Reviews

Claire

Absolutely stunning property, would highly recommend staying here. There is plenty of social space, the games room is great and the kitchen is well equipped to cook group meals. Comfy beds, amazingly clean and great views across the estuary.

Julia

This house is one of the nicest holiday homes we have ever stayed in. Not only is the location amazing, the house is stunning and the owners are fabulous. We were welcomed with a lovely hamper from the local shop which was unexpected and greatly appreciated. If youâ??re looking for a special house in a great location that is very dog friendly â?¦ this is the place for you!

Emma

Beautiful well spacious place, beautiful views, great space to park, games room was good as well as hot tub even though the weather wasnâ??t on our side the days we didnâ??t go out we watched films and played games provided by the owners. There was lovely places to walk for food as well as driving to get food, property had all the essentials you could ask for and the outside space was amazing lots of seating and areas to just relax. Highly recommend this beautiful place the owner Naomi popped in the day of arrival to check we are okay and to let us know she is on hand if anything we needed which was very reassuring but as the property was so well managed we didnâ??t need to bother her. Thank you for a great stay we will be booking again

Elaine

We had a wonderful time at Sky Blue. Amazing spacious property with beautiful gardens and games room. Ideal for our family with 4 children and adults. Wonderful sea views from inside and outside and walking distance into Instow. Beautifully designed inside and out. Will be back.

Justine

Sky Blue is the most fantastic place to stay. It is in a wonderfully peaceful location with easy access both to Instow as well as lovely walks up the hill beyond the property which offer breathtaking views over the estuary. Every effort and thought has been given to making Sky Blue a luxury stay whilst also feeling like a home from home. The attention to detail and genuine care for guests is evident in every aspect of the house, we were repeatedly and consistently delighted. We would stay here again in a heartbeat and wholly recommend the property. Naomi was an attentive and warm host who showed genuine interest in making our stay as lovely as possible.

David

Beautiful modern property in idyllic location. We had an amazing time.

Elaine

I had a delightful holiday with my family and two dogs. The house, garden, hot tub and BBQ were spotless. The facilities and equipment - oven, crockery, cutlery, glasses, bed linen, beds, settees, tv, big enclosed garden etc - were all first class. This property deserves five stars. It is located two minutes from a lovely beach,which can be seen from the beautiful picture windows or the balcony. It is easy to access other tourist spots in North Devon. I would highly recommend this holiday accommodation.

Paul

Naomi was extremely helpful pre arrival and during the stay, it is an excellent house with amazing facilities and a great location to allow for travel across North Devon. Great hot tub and family space either in the garden, the play room or the balcony area - each with amazing views 6 adults, 2 children stayed for a week and we had an amazing time in the house

Erik

Sky Blue is a luxury holiday stay, fitted beautifully throughout. Located well with stunning views. It has everything you could want. We stayed with the whole family of 8 & Bailey our dog & thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Naomi was lovely and welcoming.Thankyou !

Ash

We really enjoyed our stay at Sky Blue. We went as a family of 6 with 2 dogs. The property is spacious and well thought out. It contains everything you would want & need. The outdoor space is great for the dogs with a secure fence round the property & plenty of space for them to run. The location is great for walks with pubs and coffee shops at different distances away to suit all.

Jeremy

This is a beautiful modern property with fantastic views & very good location 10 min walk to the dog friendly beach. It has lovely comfortable bedrooms with a well laid out top floor which will give you a very nice home feeling. Kitchen equipment is top notch with everything you would require. Hot tub has a lovely view from it & has lights to it at night if you like to relax later in the day. Itâ??s quiet on the the estate which is nice to chill out. We have been to Instow 3 times & no doubt will go again in the future, this will be our go to, if we can get the booking of course.

Dave

We had a fabulous stay at Sky Blue for half term. The beds were super comfy, the house was warm and cosy and the location was perfect. A short walk to the dunes then along the beach to the village. The games room was fabulous when the weather turned against us. Can see this being a great base no matter what time of year, with excellent outdoor areas and seating too.

Phil

The perfect place. We stayed here with friends for 5 days and we all had an amazing time. The bedrooms were great sizes, the property was decorated beautifully with Christmas decorations, the living area was stunning and perfect for the 9 of us, hot tub was well used, pool table was fun and location was perfect. We walked down to the beach every day and often walked down to the pubs in the village. Will definitely come back

Leave a Review

Sky Blue, Instow

About Sky Blue

Need To Know

More Group Cottages You May Like

Weather & Local Conditions

What to Expect Through the Year

Dark Skies & Stargazing

Bortle Scale Rating

What You Can See From the Cottage

Best Stargazing Conditions

Location & Elevation

What the Elevation Means for Your Stay

Coordinates

Sunrise & Sunset Times

Planning Your Days by Season

August Daylight

Practical Essentials

Mobile Phone Signal

Nearest Essentials

Family & Fun

What Guests Love

Private Hot Tub

Coastal Location

Open-Plan Living

Garden with Views

Walker-Friendly Base

Flexible Sleeping

Getting To Sky Blue

By Car

By Train

Group Attractions & More Nearby

Is Sky Blue Right For Your Group

For Families

Groups Will Love...

Pet Friendly

Dining & Cafes

The Hart Inn, Hartland

The Docton Mill Tea Rooms

The Red Lion, Clovelly

Frequently Asked Questions

Location Name

Popular Stays Near This Cottage

Sky Blue Reviews