The Stables Oakhurst

26/04/2026

New Hedges, New Life

There’s something quietly exciting about planting a hedge. It doesn’t look like much at first, just a line of slender whips in the soil, but given time, it becomes a living boundary, a shelter, and a haven for wildlife.

Here at The Stables, our journey to create a richer, more wildlife-friendly landscape continues. Thanks to a successful grant from the Woodland Trust, we’re now planting a brand-new hedgerow along one of our fields, 180 metres of future life, structure, and seasonal change.

This latest project builds on work we began three years ago, when we were fortunate to receive over two hundred young tree saplings through an earlier grant. Those small, hopeful plantings have taken root and, pleasingly, the vast majority have thrived. Now, with spring bringing everything back to life, we’re beginning to see their true character emerge, the first real glimpse of how they will shape the land in years to come.

The new hedgerow will be a diverse mix of native species, interspersed with silver birch, creating not just a boundary but a layered habitat. Over time, it will thicken and mature, offering food, shelter, and nesting opportunities for birds, insects, and small mammals.

Beyond its beauty and ecological value, the hedge will also serve a practical purpose, helping to slow and manage water runoff from the field above, protecting the land while quietly doing its work.

It’s a long-term investment in the landscape, one that will change with the seasons, grow with the years, and, we hope, become a thriving corridor of life for generations to come.

20/04/2026

First guests stay at The Stables

After 18 months of careful renovation, breathing new life into the old stable block while putting the finishing touches to the main house, we were finally ready to open the doors to The Stables.

Our very first guests made the occasion all the more special. Lynn and my father travelled over from Florida to stay with us as we celebrated Dad’s remarkable 90th birthday. It felt a fitting way to mark both milestones: a family celebration and the beginning of a new chapter for the property.

Though the landscaping is still a work in progress (the ever-present rain has had other ideas), they were able to enjoy everything we’ve created so far, and seeing it through their eyes made all the hard work worthwhile.

We’ll soon be ready to welcome more guests to The Stables, and we’re genuinely looking forward to sharing it with you.

19/04/2026

Rubens Southey (1881–1933) was a quietly observant British landscape painter, born in Somerset, whose work captured the understated beauty of rural England. Best known for his delicate watercolours, though he occasionally worked in oils, Southey had a particular affection for the wild, open spaces of Dartmoor, as well as Britain’s rugged coastlines and gentle countryside.

His paintings often evoke a sense of calm and timelessness, focusing less on dramatic spectacle and more on atmosphere, light, and the changing moods of the landscape. Although he never achieved widespread recognition during his lifetime and exhibited only modestly, this relative obscurity lends his work a certain charm today, offering a glimpse into a quieter artistic voice, deeply connected to place rather than prominence.

Both of these paintings by Rubens Southey capture the quiet, atmospheric character of Burrator Reservoir (a 15 minute walk from The Stables), but they do so in subtly different moods.

The first painting feels almost poetic in tone. A low stone structure (the dam) stretches gently across still water, its arches reflected in the warm glow of a setting sun. The sky is alive with soft pinks and oranges fading into dusk, while a small flock of birds drifts across the horizon. In the foreground, two small figures stand near the water’s edge, adding a human presence without disturbing the calm. The dark silhouettes of trees frame the scene, creating a sense of shelter and intimacy. It’s less about topographical accuracy and more about mood, tranquil, reflective, and slightly nostalgic.

The second painting is broader and more descriptive, offering a wider view of the reservoir and surrounding hills. Here, Southey leans more into the landscape itself: rolling Dartmoor slopes, the curve of the shoreline, and the dam structure anchoring the foreground. The colours are cooler and more naturalistic, soft greens, muted browns, and pale blues, suggesting daylight rather than sunset. A winding path leads the eye through the composition, giving a sense of journey and scale. Compared to the first, it feels more like a studied landscape, capturing the geography and openness of the moor.

Together, they show two sides of Southey’s approach: one intimate and atmospheric, the other expansive and observational, both rooted in a deep appreciation for the quiet beauty of Dartmoor.

05/04/2026

Sunny Easter Dartmoor Walk

This delightful circular walk offers a perfect blend of open moorland and tranquil woodland, making it an ideal outing on a sunny Easter day.

Setting out from The Stables, the route begins with a gentle climb up Lake Lane. Crossing the main road, you continue onto Iron Mine Lane, gradually leaving the village behind as the landscape opens onto the sweeping expanse of Yennadon Down. Here, the character of Dartmoor reveals itself, wide skies, open ground, and a sense of space that immediately lifts the spirit.

Continuing up towards Lowery Cross car park, turn right and follow the quiet road as it descends towards Burrator. This stretch offers ever-changing views, with glimpses of rugged moorland Tors giving way to the wooded edges of the reservoir below.

Partway down, leave the road by climbing the bank to cross via an old stone/timber bridge. Beyond it, a peaceful woodland track leads you gently along the hillside, above the reservoir. Through the trees, filtered views of the water add to the sense of calm and seclusion.

The path gradually descends to a small waterfall, where the sound of tumbling water provides a natural pause point. From here, rejoin the road and continue towards the dam.

At the public toilets, leave the road once more and pick up the path alongside the Drakes Leat. This historic watercourse guides you through a particularly tranquil stretch of woodland, the path gently descending as it follows the leat part way to the picturesque village of Meavy.

No visit to Meavy would be complete without a stop at The Royal Oak. Whether for a refreshing drink or a more substantial meal, it’s a welcoming and well-earned break in the heart of the village.

Refreshed, the return leg begins with a steady climb up to Dousland. Passing through the village, back to the crossroads and back down Lake Lane, returning to The Stables.

Allow just over two hours for the full circuit, including a leisurely stop in Meavy. This is a walk that rewards at every turn, perfect for a relaxed morning/afternoon out, whatever the season.

31/03/2026

A must have for anyone planning on visiting Dartmoor this coming year.

View and download a copy of the Visit Dartmoor guide below. You can also have a printed version posted to you!

This beautifully designed Visit Dartmoor guide has 60 linked pages of information and pictures to show you – where to stay, what to do and where to eat whilst visiting and staying within this special National Park!

You can also stay up to date with latest news and developments on our social media channels and through our e-newsletter.

https://visitdartmoor.co.uk/visit-dartmoor-guide/

15/03/2026

Happy Mother’s Day to all the amazing mums, the loving, thoughtful, and hardworking women who mean so much. To those we are lucky enough to still have with us, and to those we hold forever in our hearts, we send our love today. Wishing each and every one of you a beautiful day.

28/02/2026

Home is where the heart is.

Furnishing The Stables has taken us on a little journey back in time, to those early days when we first moved in together. Choosing furniture, soft furnishings and even the everyday kitchen essentials has stirred memories of setting up our very first home together.

This time around, we’ve found ourselves selecting pieces we genuinely love, items we’d be happy to live with and use ourselves, because that’s exactly how we want The Stables to feel: welcoming, comfortable and lived-in rather than simply styled.

There’s still plenty of shopping to do, but somehow it doesn’t feel like a chore anymore, it feels like the finishing touches to something special.

As you can see, the bed (with the mattress arriving shortly) and bedroom furniture are now in place, giving the room real shape and comfort. It’s already starting to feel like somewhere you can properly unwind.

The kitchen is taking shape too. The essentials are in, including a beautiful green Denby dinner and tea set that perfectly complements the colour of the units, along with cutlery and pans, all ready for slow breakfasts, easy suppers and everything in between.

It’s all coming together to make your stay as relaxing, comfortable and enjoyable as possible.

The to-do list is still proudly pinned up, curtains to soften the windows, soft rugs to step out of bed on to, breakfast bar stools for lazy morning coffees, lounge furniture to sink into, and fresh bedding and towels to add that home-ready feel.

But that’s all part of the fun. Piece by piece, it’s coming together, and we’ll keep you updated as each new addition finds its place and the space continues to take shape.

25/02/2026

Good afternoon, it would appear one of our white chickens has wandered off again, hopefully she’s just exploring. If anyone sees her could you please let us know. We haven’t found any feathers scattered locally so we’re hoping Mr Fox hasn’t paid us a visit.

She’s a different breed to the one in the picture.

We’re located on Lake Lane, Dousland.

19/01/2026

Northern Lights

What an unforgettable moment, our first glimpse of the Northern Lights here at The Stables.

To the naked eye they were shy, little more than a whisper in the sky. But through the lens of a phone camera, they revealed themselves in full splendour, unfurling soft ribbons of light across the darkness.

The Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, are born far beyond our skies. Charged particles from the Sun stream towards Earth, drawn by the pull of its magnetic field and guided to the poles. When they collide with gases high in the atmosphere, energy is released in a quiet celestial dance, painting the night in luminous greens, blushes of red, and hints of violet.

Standing beneath them, even fleeting and faint, felt like witnessing a secret, a reminder that nature’s most extraordinary performances often arrive softly, rewarding those who pause long enough to look up.

31/12/2025

Happy New Year!!

We’d like to take this opportunity to wish all of our friends and followers a very happy, and prosperous, New Year. We’re looking forward to welcoming our first guests in early 2026.