The Retreat is a luxurious coach house, part of eight other stylish and luxurious character cottages within the exclusive Gitcombe Country Cottages Estate near Dartmouth. Recently listed in The Times' 50 Best Cottages for Summer feature, Gitcombe's cottages each boast tasteful Scandinavian Country-chic influenced interiors and luxurious touches granite topped kitchens plus a scenic and tranquil setting nestling in their own private valley in the heart of Devon's sought-after South Hams region.
As well as a stunningly scenic setting, a short drive from Dartmouth and Conde Nast Traveller award-wining Blackpool Sands, the cottages and coach house have access to a private health club with large indoor heated pool, Klafs sauna and steam rooms, plus a kids soft play area and sun deck with outdoor whirlpool offering truly beautiful inspiring views over the rolling hills, woodland and meadows of the valley setting. There's also an outdoor pool (open in summer), all-weather tennis courts and beautifully hand carved wooden play area.
All in all, Gitcombe is just as enchanting for kids as it is for adults - who could fail to have fun playing spot the moo cow across the valley whilst splashing about in the outdoor hot tub!
The Retreat is an architect designed contemporary coach house style with high beamed ceilings, flagstone flooring, luxurious bathrooms and a special wrap-around balcony accessed from the lounge overlooking the valley - ideal for wildlife-spotting over morning coffee or evening drinks. The spacious lounge offers plenty of space with a log burning fire, flat screen smart TV and Sonos sound system. A perfect space for family celebrations and crawlers and toddlers will love the open plan living, dining, where they can roam safely always in site of grown-ups.
The stylish kitchen area comes complete with granite worktop, dishwasher, washer/drier, fridge (with ice box), microwave, ceramic hob and oven, large kitchen island and dining area with seating for up to 10. There are 4 hotel standard bedrooms, three with en-suite shower rooms, one with a family bathroom just opposite and one with direct access to the private hot tub.
A private garden complete with dining area, barbecue, views across the valley plus space for up to 3 cars.
Short breaks of 3-4 nights are available between Sept-May annually, with shorter stays (min 3nts) 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.
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.Click to enlarge
Check-in time: 16:00
Check-out time: 10:00
Reservation Deposit: 25%
Balance: 56 days prior to arrival
Check-in time: 16:00
Check-out time: 10:00
Reservation Deposit: 25%
Balance: 56 days prior to arrival
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Accomodates 8 adults + 3 infants, 4 doubles (one can be 2 singles) 3 en suite bathrooms, 1 family bath room. |
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![]() | Bristol Airport is 1hr 44 mins drive away. |
![]() | Beautiful Blackpool Sands beach 20 minutes away, privately owned with mother and baby facilities, and the award winning child friendly Venus Café serving organic food |
![]() | Gitcombe has both indoor and outdoor (May - Mid Sept) swimming pools. The indoor pool has Roman style wide steps steps - ideal for sitting and splashing. There's aslo a heated outdoor whirlpool that little ones can use with supervision. |
![]() | Soft play room with ball pool |
![]() | Private chef services available by pre-arrangement |
![]() | List of trusted baby sitters available. CRB checked baby sitters also available. |
![]() | Cots, highchairs, socket covers and plastic crockery are provided on request. Stairgates can be provided. |
![]() | Selection of traditional childrens board games in each cottage. Tennis racquets, tennis balls, buckets, spades, crabbing nets and lines available to use on help yourself basis in wooden shed |
![]() | Pool table and outdoor boules rink |
![]() | Delicious ready meals available for delivery to your cottage. Two waterside pubs within a 10 minute drive, or 45 minute walk (each way). |
![]() | brilliant hand carved wooden playground includes a train, pirate ship and infant, child & garden chair swing, tennis court, basket ball post and net |
![]() | Treatments via a visiting beauty and massage therapist can be pre-booked. |
![]() | Stairgates are provided. |
![]() | Private gardens with far reaching views, outside dining, exclusive use of this private hot tub and barbecue area. |
![]() | Wi-Fi is provided. |
![]() | cows and sheep in surrounding fields and lots of natural wildlife. Resident pooch Tango enjoys playing with children and fetching balls and sticks |
![]() | Several golf courses within a short drive. |
![]() | All weather tennis courts and basketball post. |
![]() | Up to 2x cots and highchairs can be provided. |
![]() | Log burning stove in the lounge. |
Please click the text to scroll through reviews.
Fantastic location; delightful hosts who could not be more helpful; luxuriously appointed property, decorated and finished to the highest quality. Couldn't ask for more.
Our daughter is just learning to walk and the open plan layout of Hayloft was absolutely ideal for her
We stayed in the Hayloft. In retrospect, with a crawling baby/close to walking, a cottage that was not open plan would be more suitable! That said, the accomodation was lovely and no complaints. The location is stunning. So, when I say below I would book the property again, I mean I would book one of the properties at Gitcombe!
The Hayloft was stunning and would be great for a couple or couple plus baby, but wasn't ideal for a toddler.
Idyllic location and very easy with a young child.
We had an absolutely amazing holiday with Jack. Gitcombe was so gorgeous and relaxing that we didn't even notice that we weren't on a beach in an exotic sun drenched location (which is where we would have been before Jack came along...)
We've just returned from our 1st family holiday with out 6 month old
daughter. We stayed in the Hayloft & it was just perfect for our
needs. We loved the contemporary decor & the open plan living space
meant Seren was so happy as mum & dad was in view all week! The fact
that the Hayloft is set aside from the other cottages meant that we
didn't have to worry if we made any noise. As it were, I think we were
all so relaxed, Seren slept better than she ever has. The
facilities were great, we made use of the swimming pool everyday &
Seren loved playing in the soft play area. We also managed to get a game
of tennis in. Although the cottages were fully occupied we had sole use
of the pool every day, it was fab!Gitcombe feels remote, yet
it's just a short drive from Dartmouth & Totnes, with loads of
things to do. We could have easily have filled another week. Seren
enjoyed her first paddle at Blackpool Sands during the fabu ...
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We had an absolutely amazing holiday with Jack. Gitcombe was so gorgeous and relaxing that we didn't even notice that we weren't on a beach in an exotic sun drenched location (which is where we would have been before Jack came along...) Outstanding!
Overall Rating: Excellent
The Hayloft is a lovely place to relax and unwind. Beautiful surroundings and plenty of things to do. Harry loved the swings and the pool and mummy and daddy loved the pool and places to eat! Will be back. Happy days!!
Thank you for a wonderful stay in the Hayloft. A beautiful location with everything we needed! Jessica loved the ball pool and swimming pool. Highly recommend lunch at the New Angel
We are not ready to go home, in fact, my daughter wants to live here! You have thought of everything and with real style... Perfect combination of facilities for us and the baby monitor works from the tennis courts!
The Hayloft exceeded our expectations lovely accommodation in a lovely setting. The area is great for a young family, with plenty of things to do
What a beautiful place, we all had a wonderful time, especially Ella, who loved her first holiday! Beach at East Portlemouth absolutely gorgeous
We were very happy here. Ideal location for Stellas first holiday. Recommend The Cove in Dartmouth for glorious beauty treatments.
A fantastic location, beautiful accommodation and superb facilities. Not even the torrential rain and gales could spoil our stay! Thank you for a lovely break
Excellent accommodation in stunning surroundings. A great base for exploring South Devon. 5 star rating!
We have stayed at Gitcombe on two occasions, and both times we have found it a lovely place to stay. Comfortable beds and a truly stunning location, and the afternoon session in the indoor pool ensured our son was out like a light every night!
Considering the remote nature of this destination, a welcome pack would be much appreciated - this was a comment that was made time and time again in their visitors book.
Fantastic stay in the Hayloft. Loved it. Charlies first holiday (10 weeks)! Will come again
*Ratings by verified BFB guests who stayed here with young children.
Rated by 16 guests.