Couple opens unique wedding retreat

In a bold move from the corporate world to the landscapes of North Devon, a husband and wife duo have embarked on a new adventure with Harta Retreat in East Down.

Aaron Cousins and his wife Miranda are the faces behind the new venture. 

ABOVE: Husband and wife duo, Aaron and Miranda have taken on the venture

Aaron, who grew up in Sutton, Surrey, transitioned from a successful career in Quality Management and Regulatory Affairs in the Med Tech industry to pursue personal fulfilment in nature. 

Miranda's interest in the hospitality sector complements Aaron’s passion for exceeding customer expectations and creating unique experiences.

Their journey to Harta Retreat began when they discovered Cleave Farm, a site nestled in a secluded valley near the North Devon coastline. “We spent nearly two years looking for the right location,” Aaron explained. 

“After living in Plymouth for a few years in my 20s, I knew I always wanted to come back to Devon at some point. We initially looked at properties and land on the south coast, but we decided it was too busy in the summer. When we began exploring North Devon instead, we realised it was perfect; beautiful, spacious, popular with tourists, and relatively undeveloped. The road infrastructure is excellent, and everything, beaches, countryside, and towns, are easily accessible throughout the year.”

Although the location was perfect, Cleave Farm required significant renovations. 

“The farmhouse and converted barn hadn’t been updated for many years, and we were unprepared for the extent of the work needed. There were times when we questioned our decision, but the natural beauty and tranquility here make it all worthwhile,” Aaron shared.

Over the past two years, Aaron and Miranda have transformed the retreat into a collection of boutique glamping tipis and a luxury barn conversion. 

“The tipis blend the comforts of luxury with the beauty of nature. After experiencing various accommodations during our travels, we wanted to create something unique that combines five-star amenities with an outdoor experience,” Aaron said.

This summer, they completed The Lounge, a 240-square-metre tipi designed to serve multiple purposes: a bar, restaurant, yoga space, wedding venue, and live music venue. 

“We needed a great space for guests to socialise in the evenings that aligned with our vision for Harta Retreat,” Aaron noted.

“The Lounge is constructed with wooden poles and canvas, making it low-impact on the environment while still offering a luxurious experience. We hope it will become an asset to the local community, providing a space for locals to gather, listen to music, and enjoy great food.”

The recent open day marked a significant milestone for Aaron and Miranda as they welcomed the community to see their vision come to life.

“We were excited to share what we’ve created. There have been challenges along the way, but we look forward to showcasing Harta Retreat to everyone,” Aaron expressed.

Their journey began just weeks before the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020. 

Despite the difficulties of renovating during the pandemic, including staff illness and material shortages, Aaron and Miranda managed to stay on track. 

“Running a major renovation during lockdown wasn’t straightforward, but we found a great team to help us. When renovating an old building, it’s wise to budget and then double it!” Aaron advised.

As the couple settles into their new venture, they are eager to continue sharing their journey and love for the community. 

“We hope the local area is as excited as we are about The Lounge. In addition to providing a unique wedding venue, we have plans for some great events including live music, movie nights, curry nights and wellness experiences.

“This venture is centred around our passions, and we want to bring joy to everyone who visits,” Aaron concluded.