ABOUT
COVE VALLEY
ABOUT US
Cove Valley is the passion project of Yolanda and Ben - two people united by a deep love of the land and a belief that nature, given the chance, knows how to heal itself.
Yolanda grew up in Devon and went on to study Animal Science and Conservation at university, where she met Ben, whose family had spent generations involved in nature restoration work across Europe and the Scottish Highlands. Together, they bought land in Devon and began with traditional farming - but the steep, challenging terrain had other ideas. Inspired by visits to the renowned Knepp Estate, they made a pivotal decision: to stop fighting the land, and start listening to it.
Over the past five years, they've let the land rest, conducted ecological surveys, and carefully reintroduced animals that belong here - English Longhorn Cattle, Iron Age Pigs, and Ponies, alongside the resident Red and Roe Deer. Wild Beavers now inhabit the stream feeding into the River Exe, White Storks are breeding on site, and Turtle Doves have been welcomed back to the land.
What started as 130 acres has grown, with neighbouring landowners, into a 300-acre rewilding project. At the heart of it all is a farmhouse, a family - Yolanda, Ben, their daughter, and a wonderfully chaotic mix of chickens, deer, and dogs - and an unshakeable commitment to the land, to wildlife, and to a wilder future for Devon.
REWILDING
Our rewilding project spans 300 acres of Devon countryside, brought to life through a collaboration between three neighbouring landowners in Cove. Guided by Yolanda and Ben's deep knowledge of ecology and conservation, we are steadily restoring the natural rhythms of this landscape — creating a rich mosaic of habitats where wildlife can thrive and people can reconnect with the natural world. From grazing animals to returning species, every decision is made with the long-term health of the land in mind.
Stay at Cove Valley
Immerse yourself in nature without sacrificing comfort. Our three bespoke glamping cabins - designed in collaboration with HÁM Interiors and named after Old American culture - are nestled quietly in the woods, each one thoughtfully crafted to blend into its natural surroundings. Inside, you'll find open-plan living spaces, a comfortable bedroom, and everything you need to slow down and breathe. Outside, a private wood-fired hot tub, an outdoor cooking area, and sweeping views of an ever-changing landscape await. This is luxury, but not as you know it - shaped entirely by the wild world around you.
retreats at Cove Valley
Cove Valley is a rare and special setting for retreats - intimate, immersive, and deeply restorative. Groups can make use of our bespoke cabins alongside additional camping space, with compost toilets and showers on site. The estate's varied terrain lends itself beautifully to outdoor activities, and our six-metre Roundhouse provides a stunning communal space for yoga, ceremony, and gathering. Whether you're leading a wellness retreat, a creative residency, or something entirely your own, Cove Valley offers the space - and the stillness - to make it truly memorable.
