Summary:
It’s hard to find a cottage so enchanting. You’re nestled in the heart of Dartmoor National Park, in a small hamlet of thatched cottages with nothing but the forest around you. Step through the door and feel instantly at home; the cottage boasts traditional features alongside modern sensibilities. When you’re not warming your toes in front of the fire, you’re outside in the tranquil traditional Dartmoor garden exploring or soaking up the sunshine in this peaceful pocket of Devon.
The Space:
This little corner of Devon is so magical and this cottage is the perfect place to soak it all up. A small group of chocolate box cottages sit around a small green with a vast background of the forest all around. Step through the door and you'll feel instantly at home. The living and dining room boasts traditional wood beams, cobbled stone walls and a huge log burner for those chilly evenings. Having been recently refurbished, you can expect crisp white walls and fresh carpets too. Next door, the country kitchen has everything you need to cook up hearty meals. Pick up delicious, locally-sourced produce from nearby farm shops - a lovely holiday treat.
When it’s time to sleep, head upstairs and find two cosy double bedrooms plus an additional single. The master has an en-suite with a shower, plus there’s an additional contemporary family bathroom with a bath and shower. All with wonderful views of the scenery surrounding.
Out through the back door you'll find a beautiful garden. Spanning across multiple layers and with its own gate leading into the forest, it feels utterly magical. Find small bridges crossing trickling streams, plus ample seating spots for afternoons reading or evenings dining under the stars. Walkers and cyclists will be in complete paradise; set off on trails straight from the door and explore the wild beauty of Dartmoor National Park. Then it’s time to finish the day with a pint of fresh ale at the local pub - total bliss. Find ample free parking in the nearby streets.
Guest Access:
Guests have access to the whole cottage.
The Neighborhood:
The cottage is located in the peaceful scattered village of Manaton, located in the heart of Dartmoor National Park. The setting is rural and serene, with beautiful forest land and rolling hills all around. Manaton is home to some amenities, including the local pub, Kestor Inn. However, it is most famous for Becky Falls - an ancient moorland park that’s home to waterfalls, hikes, animal enclosures and an indoor theatre. Manaton also boasts the formation known as "The Bowerman's Nose" a much photographed landmark on Dartmoor. Plus, the bronze age settlement "Grimspound" lies in the north of the parish.
This is a hikers and cyclists paradise and you’ll find so much of the moor literally on your doorstep. Further afield, in under 15 minutes drive you will find some of the famous Tors - iconic in the national park. Haytor and Hound Tor to name just a few - plus, there’s a deserted medieval village to explore at the latter. As well as tors and historical landmarks, the park is also home to woodland, castles and gardens all reachable by bike or car. Please find all of our local tips and recommendations in the Guest Guide, which is available upon booking.
Dartmoor is truly idyllic: ponies wander freely and sheep graze beside the road. Plus, it’s an outdoor activities hot spot for hiking, cycling, riding, climbing and white-water kayaking, and has plenty of rustic pubs and country-house hotels where you can hunker down when legs get tired.
The nearest town to the cottage, the quaint Bovey Tracey, is less than 15 mins drive, with its Devon arts and craft centre and local shops including supermarkets, delicatessen, restaurants and pharmacists. The larger market town of is a further 10-minute drive where you’ll find larger high street stores, superstores, retail parks, a cinema and train station. Continue south and you'll enter reach the beautiful South Hams. It’s a lovely area for a day visit, where you can pick up locally-made gifts in local markets or tuck into delicious organic food at the famous Riverford Organic Farm. With the English Riviera and other popular seaside resorts only a 40 minutes drive, you can also experience a day at the seaside with beautiful beaches, swimming, sailing and paddle boarding options in abundance. There is so much to do and see in this peaceful corner of Devon, if you want to, you certainly won’t struggle to keep busy!
Getting Around:
Due to the remote nature of Dartmoor National Park, we would recommend bringing a vehicle for your stay. There is ample parking space for cars in the surrounding lanes.
Other Things to Note:
The cottage has a traditional Dartmoor garden with boulders and uneven surfaces. In the top half of the garden, there is a shallow stream/mill leat which in places also has steep sides. The back door of the cottage leads directly into the bottom half. Young children in any part of the garden should always be supervised.
BBQs and open fires are not permitted in the garden due to this cottage, and adjoining cottages, being thatched and the surrounding woodland.
The cottage is located in a beautiful and tranquil part of Dartmoor. Guests are asked to respect the peace and quiet of the location, refraining from excess noise and keeping noise to minimum outside after 9pm.
We welcome one well behaved dog at a fee of £20/dog. It is on the condition they are not allowed on any of the soft furnishings or upstairs. If you would like to bring more than one dog, please get in touch.
