Burrator

BFB's Overview.

As the Gitcombe Estate appears through the dense trees that border its long drive, it’s clear you've arrived somewhere very special. The setting, in its own private valley, is both magical and instantly relaxing with beautiful rural views stretching as far as the eye can see. Recently listed in The Times' 50 Best Cottages for Summer feature, the cottages themselves are stylish, luxurious, and, despite their high level of sophistication, wonderfully child-friendly. The location is pretty special too being less than five miles from the bistros and boutiques of the yachting town of Dartmouth and roughly the same to the award-winning and beautiful bay at Blackpool Sands. The eight stylish cottages boast luxurious bathrooms and designer kitchens and share facilities that could rival a five star hotel with an elegant pool house complete with indoor heated pool, Klafs sauna and steam rooms, outdoor sundeck with hot tub, outdoor pool, tennis courts and pre-bookable beauty treatments. Gitcombe is as enchanting for kids as it is for their parents thanks to the carved wooden playground, indoor soft play room and opportunity to play spot the moo cow across the valley whilst splashing about in the outdoor hot tub!

Accommodation Overview:

Burrator, and its neighbours Sheepstor and Maristow, sleeps 6+ infant, with one double bedroom with king size bed, one twin and one children’s bedroom, with L shaped cabin beds. All have 'upside-down' designs to maximise their stunning views. They boast light and airy vaulted ceilings, pale wood floors and underfloor heating. Their open plan living, dining areas have TV, Freeview, DVD/CD and cosy log burner. The others (linked via button on bottom of grey box, right) have French doors to enclosed roof terrace with wooden table and chairs plus charcoal BBQ and stunning views over grounds and surrounding countryside, but Maristow benefits from both a small Juliet style balcony in living area and a furnished patio opening from the ground floor twin bedroom, with open access to the grounds. All have sleek, well equipped kitchen areas with granite work tops, stainless steel American style fridge/freezers, Miele dishwaters, Miele washer-driers, microwave and Fisher Paykel oven and hobs. Contemporary family bathrooms and an ensuite (to the twin room in Maristow) with limestone floors. Help yourself log and kindling wood store.





Short breaks of 3-4 nights are available between Sept-May annual, with shorter stays (min 2nts) and flexible arrival days accommodated Nov-Mid March. See prices tab for more details and use 'Ask the Owner a Question' under 'Owners' tab for special requests.

PLEASE NOTE: Gitcombe provides un-assembled ‘pop up’ style travel cots, so please be aware that you will need to erect the cot before bedtime.

Location Information

Gitcombe lies in Devon’s exclusive South Hams, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with beautiful coastline to the south and the wild landscape of Dartmoor National Park to the north. Blackpool Sand, voted Best Family Beach in Britain by Conde Nast Traveller Magazine is just a few minutes drive away and boasts a special toddler’s sandpit, paddling pool area and an award winning café/take away serving organic childrens meals.

Further afield are the glorious sandy beaches and coves of Salcombe, Hope Cove, Bigbury, with shallow shelving waters, ideal for paddling and little swimmers. May be take a ride on the sea tractor to Burgh Island with it’s unique Art Deco hotel (non residents not actively encouraged in the hotel). The nearby pretty waterside village of Dittisham on the River Dart, offers unbeatable crabbing opportunities, the perfect low cost activity to while away hours for little ones and parents alike. Then stop at the ever popular Anchorstone Café for a glass of wine and some local mussels whilst you watch the boats sail past. Also within a short drive is Pennywell Farm with its brilliant hands-on attractions. Don’t miss their adorable miniature pigs.

Venture up on to Dartmoor and see ponies and their adorable foals wandering freely and then head to the Miniature Pony Centre at Mortonhampstead, they have miniature donkeys too. There are two steam railways in the area to spoil the boys, one chuffs along the coast over at Kingswear and the other winds up river to Buckfastleigh. Woodlands leisure park has a vast indoor play zone for little one and more to amuse older children outside.

Nearby Dartmouth is a stylish little town, set on the River Dart, with a long waterfront and lots of boats and waterside activity to enjoy, not to mention chic art galleries, boutiques and fabulous eating places. For relaxed fine dining try Angelique restaurant now run by the Michelin star group 10 in 8 who run several restaurants across the country including L'ortolan in Reading. Also worth noting is the new Rockfish Grill owned by Mitch Tonks' group the owner of the fabulously popular Seahorse restaurant, Rockfish Grill offers equally popular more family orientated dining. For traditional fish and chips why not try Rockfish takeaway in Bayards cove ( Dartmouth), perfect enjoyed quayside in the summer whilst watching the boats float by. For a gourmet treat they also offer takeaway lobster.

A little further afield, lies Salcombe, another chic waterside town. Riverford Field Kitchen, part of the Riverford group(who can deliver fresh organic food boxes to Gitcombe cottages), offers farm tours, sometimes tractor tours, to see how their organic vegetables are grown and then lunch in it’s fab Field Kitchen, with great food and canteen style tables and benches. The menu caters for meat eaters too. And for lovers of wine and cheese, don’t miss Sharpham Vineyard, at the forefront of wine making in the UK. Visit its winery for some great award winning white wines and the farm shop for divine Sharpham cheeses made at its own creamery. Then head for the Vineyard Café for more excellent food.

A big hit with guests in the Totnes Rare Breeds Farm which is right on Gitcombes doorstep and offers plenty of opportunity for stroking, patting and cuddling the animals.