Branscombe, Devon
Hole Mill
A Devon Mill House Unlike Any Other
350 years of history. Organic swimming pond. Wood-fired hot tub. Two private acres in a hidden Branscombe valley. Sleeps 12+.
A luxury countryside retreat in Devon
Where history, nature, and modern luxury come together in a hidden Devon valley.
Organic Swimming Pond
A stunning natural swimming pond, 3m deep, with a diving jetty. A wildlife haven — home to newts, waterfowl, and wildflowers.
Wood-Fired Hot Tub
New for 2025. Soak under the stars in the handcrafted wood-fired hot tub. Perfect for evenings after a swim or a coastal walk.
Two Private Acres
Set in a secluded valley outside Branscombe. Woodland, a stream, wildflower meadows, and complete privacy.
High-Spec Kitchen
A brand-new 2024 kitchen designed for groups. Large dining area under a glass roof. Ideal for long shared meals.
Historic Character
Original flint stone walls, Douglas fir floors, exposed beams, vaulted ceilings. 350 years of history with modern luxury.
30 Min to the Beach
Walk to Branscombe Beach via the valley. The South West Coast Path, the Mason's Arms, and a beach sauna are on the doorstep.
The kind of stay
Made for Stays Like These
Hole Mill is built for hot and cold wellness stays, swimming pond retreats, luxury family gatherings, Jurassic Coast nature escapes and quiet restorative breaks. Whichever you're looking for — or all five at once — the mill, the pond, the hot tub and the valley have been set up to deliver it.
Hot & Cold Wellness Stays
Soak in the wood-fired hot tub. Plunge into the cold organic swimming pond. Repeat. The hot-and-cold contrast is one of the oldest wellness practices in the world — and our setup, in a Devon valley with no neighbours and almost no light pollution, makes it as restorative as it gets. Dawn dips, starlit soaks, and a 350-year-old mill in between.
Swimming Pond Retreats
The pond is the centrepiece — three metres deep, naturally filtered, spring-fed and chemical-free. Alive with newts, waterlilies and dragonflies, with a wooden diving jetty, and open year-round for cold-water and winter swimming. Few cottages in Devon offer wild swimming on this scale right outside the back door.
Luxury Family Gatherings
Five bedrooms, four bathrooms, sleeps 12+ across the cottage and the mill. A high-spec 2024 kitchen and a glass-roofed dining hall built for long shared meals. Two private acres for kids to roam free, a hot tub for the grown-ups, and proper disconnection without losing a single thing in the way of comfort.
Jurassic Coast Nature Escapes
The South West Coast Path runs from our valley straight down to Branscombe Beach — one of the quietest stretches of the UNESCO Jurassic Coast. Fossil hunting at Charmouth, smugglers' caves at Beer, the Donkey Sanctuary near Sidmouth, and the wild beavers and birdlife of Seaton Wetlands are all an easy drive away.
Quiet Restorative Breaks
Hole Mill sits at the bottom of a hidden valley with no through traffic and no neighbours in sight. Starlink keeps you online if you need it — but most guests come precisely to put their phones down. Read by the stream, walk the meadows, sleep under heavy blankets, wake to birdsong.
What Guests Say
Over 45 reviews — rated Guest Favourite on Airbnb.
“Beautiful property — pictures don't do it justice! Kitchen and bedrooms are a dream to stay in and the outside stream and pond is magical on a summer's day. Family of 10 with 2 kids and we had a lovely 4-day stay. Would definitely recommend.”
Hadiya
August 2025
“Nine of us stayed at Hole Mill for four nights in October. The property is just like in the pictures — private, spacious, clean and full of character, set in beautiful grounds. The games room and selection of games provided kept us entertained in the evening, and the kitchen had everything we needed. We would highly recommend Hole Mill.”
Katie
October 2025
“An effortless five-star review! We had the most wonderful weekend at this stunning country house. The property is immaculate, spacious, and beautifully decorated, all set in a truly idyllic location — I couldn't recommend it highly enough. There were 12 adults in our group and we made the most of the ping-pong table and swimming pond too!”
Annabel
March 2026
Host Something Unforgettable
From intimate weddings and birthday celebrations to yoga retreats — Hole Mill provides a unique and secluded backdrop for your next event.
Good to Know
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about staying at Hole Mill — from sleeping arrangements to swimming-pond etiquette.
How many guests does Hole Mill sleep?
Hole Mill comfortably sleeps 12+ guests across 5 ensuite bedrooms and 4 bathrooms. The mill is regularly booked by extended families and groups of friends — typical bookings are 8 to 12 adults with children. Travel cots and high chairs are available on request.
Is Hole Mill suitable for children?
Yes — Hole Mill is a wonderful place for families. The two private acres include woodland, a stream, wildflower meadows and a wood-fired hot tub, and there are travel cots and high chairs available. Please note the organic swimming pond is 3 metres deep at the centre and is a sensitive ecosystem, so children must be supervised at all times near the water and on the diving jetty.
Are dogs allowed at Hole Mill?
Yes — well-behaved dogs are welcome at Hole Mill at no extra charge. The grounds are private and there are countless dog-friendly walks from the doorstep, including direct footpath access to Branscombe Beach and the South West Coast Path. Dogs are not permitted in the organic swimming pond (to protect the ecosystem) but love the stream and woodland.
How far is Hole Mill from the beach?
Hole Mill is roughly 1 mile from Branscombe Beach, a beautiful Jurassic Coast pebble-and-sand beach. It is a 4-minute drive or a 25–30 minute walk through the village or along the South West Coast Path. Branscombe Beach also has a wood-fired beach sauna and the highly-rated Sea Shanty café.
Is there parking at Hole Mill?
Yes — Hole Mill has private off-road parking for up to 6 cars, plus a dedicated 7kW Type 2 EV charger on-site. Access is via a single-track Devon lane and the driveway is lit at night.
Can you host a wedding at Hole Mill?
Yes — Hole Mill is a private exclusive-use venue ideal for intimate weddings, celebrations and yoga retreats with up to 12 overnight guests, plus additional day guests by arrangement. The glass-roofed dining hall, organic swimming pond and secluded valley setting make for an exceptional backdrop. Visit holemill.co.uk/events or contact us to discuss your plans.
What is the organic swimming pond like?
The organic swimming pond at Hole Mill is hand-dug, spring-fed and naturally filtered — no chlorine, no pumps, just clear cold water and a thriving ecosystem of newts, dragonflies and waterlilies. It is approximately 3 metres deep at the centre with a wooden diving jetty and roughly 50cm at the edges. Spring algae is normal and beneficial. We recommend swimming only for confident cold-water swimmers.
Is there WiFi at Hole Mill?
Yes — Hole Mill has fast Starlink WiFi covering the entire house and grounds, perfect for remote working, video calls and streaming. Mobile signal in the secluded valley is patchy on most networks, so the WiFi is the recommended way to stay connected.
What is the minimum stay?
The minimum stay at Hole Mill is typically 3 nights off-peak, rising to 7 nights during school holidays, summer, Christmas and New Year. Last-minute 2-night stays are sometimes available — check live availability or our last-minute offers page for current options.
Be the First to Know
Sign up to receive alerts when new dates open, get exclusive last-minute offers, and earn referral discounts for friends.
Create a Free Account