Family-run fun in the North Devon countryside
“If you’re looking for the cliché couple who fled the South East rat race in search of a new life in the West Country, that’s us,” admits Andrew Jameson, who together with his wife Jane and two of their three children, swapped Surrey for Bideford in April 2022. “Jane and I both previously ran our own businesses; I bought and sold kids’ trampolines and Jane was an outside caterer. We had reached a time in our lives when we didn’t want to stop working altogether but did want a change and, although this is clearly a departure from our previous careers, we have always enjoyed the concept of delivering ‘happy purchases’ and what could be ‘happier’ than booking a summer holiday? Enjoying other people’s enjoyment, especially that of families and children, is important to us both when it comes to work incentive, so this type of business appealed to us.” Having looked at a number of properties, the couple settled on Robin Hill Farm, a 200-year-old farmhouse with six rental Deciding that they needed a change, The Jamesons swapped their life in Surrey to create a family-friendly retreat in the North Devon countryside.
cottages surrounded by 14 acres of woodland, paddocks and gardens. “We knew we wanted countryside and views
improvement, “When we first viewed it, we could see quite clearly what we could do to make it look a lot better
with proximity to the sea and that’s exactly what we have here. As for the area, not only can you get a lot more for your money here than in South Devon or Cornwall, but you can actually find a place to park at the beach in the summer!” With a 30-year back catalogue of bookings, Robin Hill
for not a huge amount of money; cosmetic tweaks like fresh paintwork, pictures, carpets and sofas inside and new fencing and patios outside all make a big difference to those all- important first impressions without the huge price tag.” Closing for business over the winter to carry out these improvements also taught the couple that this would be an economical move for future years too, “During the winter months you get a fifth of the bookings at half the price as you would
“...we have always enjoyed the concept of delivering ‘happy purchases’ and what could be ‘happier’ than booking a summer holiday?”
Farm was already a very established holiday business. It was sold with 50%
onward bookings for the summer, the majority of which were made by repeat visitors, and an impressive directory of consistently 5* reviews - very appealing to any prospective buyer. Nonetheless, Andrew and Jane could see scope for
during peak season, so for us it just isn’t worth keeping the swimming pools going. Instead we have decided to give ourselves a break in the low season, enjoy our new home and, as a result,
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