Apartment in North Devon District
5 guests · 3 bedrooms · 1 bath
Reasons to book
Guests love it hereGuests give this property a top rating
Great for petsBring all your friends and family, even the furry ones
Well priced for this locationPriced under area average
About this apartment rental
Upper Instow Beach Cottage is a quirky 3-bedroom dog-friendly holiday home that accommodates up to 5. The first floor apartment is perfectly located right on the waterfront overlooking the beach at the very popular North Devon village of Instow, which has everything you need within a 5 minute walk, including places to eat such as the Instow Arms and The Boat House, which are just 200m away and offer some of the finest food and local ales.
The pretty estuary beach is right opposite Upper Instow Beach Cottage and most of it is dog-friendly all year round, it is also a great beach for building sand castles. The bustling village is home to art galleries and an excellent deli plus many more great pubs, which can be found along the Marine Parade, which leads to the sailing club and the Tarka Trail, a largely traffic-free cycleway and footpath.
Upper Instow Beach Cottage is located off Marine Parade and has private parking. You access the apartment from the ground floor, where there is a large entrance lobby with cupboards and storage facilities and loads of room for coats and boots. There is a small lift that takes you to the first floor or there are stairs, however, they are a little steep and narrow, so may be difficult to navigate if not able-bodied.
Once you are on the first floor the apartment has a landing area that leads to a bright and spacious living room with large windows along the sea-facing wall offering wonderful views of the beach, across to Appledore and the open sea beyond. The living room has sofas and chairs and a coffee table plus a flat-screen TV. There is a door, which leads to a lovely terrace with table and chairs and amazing views across the beach and Appledore. Beyond the terrace, down a few steps is a small private garden.
The kitchen can be found to the rear of the apartment and has a lovely contemporary feel plus everything you need for family cooking, including a fridge freezer, an electric cooker and a microwave. Next to the kitchen is a useful pantry and opposite is the dining room with gothic style table and chairs and views over the garden.
There are 3 bedrooms at the apartment, these include a double, a twin and a single. All the bedrooms have wardrobes and handy wash-basins. The family bathroom is found at the centre of the apartment and has a bath with overhead shower with massive "waterfall" shower-head, a wash-basin and a loo.
Outside Upper Instow Beach Cottage has a lovely terrace with table and chairs perfect for alfresco dining with stunning views over the beach, Appledore and the sea beyond. There are some steps down to a small, pretty garden. At the front of the house, there is a garage with a fresh water tap ideal for washing off surfboards or muddy boots.
If bringing a dog to the property, please notify us ahead of arrival. There is an additional charge for dogs at this property. If bringing more than one dog, please check before booking that multiple dogs are accepted.
The pretty estuary beach is right opposite Upper Instow Beach Cottage and most of it is dog-friendly all year round, it is also a great beach for building sand castles. The bustling village is home to art galleries and an excellent deli plus many more great pubs, which can be found along the Marine Parade, which leads to the sailing club and the Tarka Trail, a largely traffic-free cycleway and footpath.
Upper Instow Beach Cottage is located off Marine Parade and has private parking. You access the apartment from the ground floor, where there is a large entrance lobby with cupboards and storage facilities and loads of room for coats and boots. There is a small lift that takes you to the first floor or there are stairs, however, they are a little steep and narrow, so may be difficult to navigate if not able-bodied.
Once you are on the first floor the apartment has a landing area that leads to a bright and spacious living room with large windows along the sea-facing wall offering wonderful views of the beach, across to Appledore and the open sea beyond. The living room has sofas and chairs and a coffee table plus a flat-screen TV. There is a door, which leads to a lovely terrace with table and chairs and amazing views across the beach and Appledore. Beyond the terrace, down a few steps is a small private garden.
The kitchen can be found to the rear of the apartment and has a lovely contemporary feel plus everything you need for family cooking, including a fridge freezer, an electric cooker and a microwave. Next to the kitchen is a useful pantry and opposite is the dining room with gothic style table and chairs and views over the garden.
There are 3 bedrooms at the apartment, these include a double, a twin and a single. All the bedrooms have wardrobes and handy wash-basins. The family bathroom is found at the centre of the apartment and has a bath with overhead shower with massive "waterfall" shower-head, a wash-basin and a loo.
Outside Upper Instow Beach Cottage has a lovely terrace with table and chairs perfect for alfresco dining with stunning views over the beach, Appledore and the sea beyond. There are some steps down to a small, pretty garden. At the front of the house, there is a garage with a fresh water tap ideal for washing off surfboards or muddy boots.
If bringing a dog to the property, please notify us ahead of arrival. There is an additional charge for dogs at this property. If bringing more than one dog, please check before booking that multiple dogs are accepted.
Amenities at Character 3 bed, dog friendly holiday home in Instow overlooking the beach
Non-smoking
Pets allowed
Family friendly
Map of North Devon District
Ratings and reviews
10 / 10Outstanding·Dec 2025
We stayed at Upper Instow Beach Cottage (actually a first floor apartment) for a week over Christmas. As it is a historic building it has some quirks but we quickly got used to its 'personality'. If it was any nearer the beach the sea would be lapping at the front door - and with two pubs and a restaurant within 2 minutes walk its a fantastic location.
Everything we needed was provided. Furniture and bedding were comfortable and the kitchen was (despite its compact size) one of the best equipped we have come across in many years of renting holiday homes.
8 / 10Excellent·Oct 2025
We had a lovely week at the flat , helped by dry weather .
The flat has everything one needs including the little lift that was a great bonus for luggage , and me on occasion! The stairs are very steep . The parking is tight .. but we managed without scrapes.
Beds were comfortable and we loved the washbasins in each room .. and the air raid shelter loo in the downstairs hall ! Very useful .
It is definitely a one person only kitchen , but has everything needed to do light meals .
A house of this age must be so hard to maintain .. so hats off for it being warm with excellent heating and double glazing .
Being two steps from the best Inns is brilliant , as well as two steps to the beach . We enjoyed the ferry to Appledore , and lunch at the Johns family cafe .
I’m sure we will visit again . Many thanks for milk & biscuits etc .
8 / 10Excellent·Oct 2025
Another nice week at Instow with this cottage being ideally situated across from the beach, perfect for dog walking and lovely views. We have been many times over the years and always find the cottage is fully equipped and has everything we need. It is also nice to have a little welcome pack and the towels always smell lovely and fresh.
Just one little point to mention and that is the double bed is very, very bouncy, it would be nice if it was upgraded one day. They have made a lovely job of the beautifully renovated windows so we can see the property is cared for.
6 / 10Average·Sep 2023
Super views and a great location but access off the road is very tight. Some rooms fine but well below the standards of most holiday lets these days. Faded pictures, messy cupboards and even broken furniture. It needs a good clear out and sprucing up. We were lucky we had very good weather and we could sit out on the terrace which has a fabulous view of the estuary - this rescued our stay. The double bed sagged in the middle and could only be used by one person. One of the single mattress was unusable as it was it so noisy every time you moved. The reception hall is a good size which was handy for storing our bicycles but the random, unnecessary old furniture, broken and dangerous settee and musty smell was very off-putting. Some pruning is required to the plants around the front door and over the terrace. We enjoyed our morning walks to John's to buy a newspaper and our evening walks along the beach to watch the sunset and there are lots of lovely places to visit nearby plus the Tarka Trail right on your doorstep. If you are looking for somewhere right on Instow beach and are not too concerned about the condition of the accommodation then you may be ok.
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Top rated by guests
8.6Excellent
(26 Ratings)
"We stayed at Upper Instow Beach Cottage (actually a first floor apartment) for a week over Christmas. As it is a historic building it has some quirks but we quickly got used to its 'personality'. If i..."
Bryan W.Don't miss out! Price and availability may change
