La casa de la escuela, Countisbury

Countisbury is a tiny hamlet perched high on the Exmoor coast above Lynmouth, roughly two miles east along the A39. It has a 13th-century coaching inn, a historic church, and some of the most dramatic coastal views in Devon.

The hamlet sits at the top of the famous Countisbury Hill, where the road descends steeply into Lynmouth with gradients reaching 25%. This stretch of the A39 is one of the most spectacular drives in the country, with views across the Bristol Channel to Wales on clear days. The name Countisbury derives from a Saxon word meaning 'camp on the headland', referring to the Iron Age hill fort at Wind Hill nearby.

For everyday amenities, the twin villages of Lynton and Lynmouth are your nearest ports of call, just two miles away. Lynton sits on the cliff top and has a good range of shops, cafes, restaurants, a small supermarket, post office, chemist, and the Lyn and Exmoor Museum. The harbour village of Lynmouth sits below at sea level, connected by the famous water-powered cliff railway. Both villages have a welcoming selection of pubs, tea rooms, and independent shops.

The larger towns of Barnstaple (approximately 20 miles) and Minehead (approximately 20 miles) offer supermarkets, high street banks, and a wider range of services.