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:
Yennadon sleeps 4 plus infants in 1 double and 1 twin bedroom. Like all the properties at Gicombe, Yennadon is finished to a high standard with a contemporary granite-topped kitchen with double door American fridge/freezer, microwave, Miele dishwasher, washer/dryer, Fisher & Paykel ceramic hob & oven. The dining and living area is open planned providing an light an airy space complete with TV, Freeview channels, DVD & CD and wood burning stove. French doors from dining/sitting room open to decked balcony with wooden chairs & table which offers lovely views over the grounds and is perfect for alfresco dining and cooking with its wall-mounted BBQ. There are 2 bathrooms one ensuite from the double and a family bathroom both with wooden floors.
Short breaks of 3-4 nights are available between Sept-May annually, 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.
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
Bookings of 7 nights or more made within 14 days of travelling discounted by 10%
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sleeps 4 + Infants in 1 x double & 1 x twin |
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![]() | Conde Nast Traveller Best UK Family Beach, Blackpool Sands, is just a few miles away |
![]() | 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. |
![]() | The pool house also features an indoor soft play room with ball pit. |
![]() | Private chef services also available by pre-arrangement. |
![]() | Cots, highchairs and plastic crockery are provided on request. Intergal stairgates are fitted to the top of the stairs. |
![]() | delicious ready meals available for delivery to your cottage from several local companies. Great choice of chic cafes and restaurants in nearby Dartmouth. Two waterside pubs within a 10 minute drive, or 45 minute walk (each way).. |
![]() | A beautiful carved wooden adventure playground with baby and older children's swings |
![]() | Treatments via a visiting beauty and massage therapist can be pre-booked. |
![]() | Private chef services and gourmet ready meal delivery can be requested in advance. |
![]() | All weather tennis courts. |
Please click the text to scroll through reviews.
Beautiful setting, great facilities and an extremely warm welcome.Review dated 15/08/2017
An excellent venue that is well set up for kids of most ages. Our toddler loved the soft play area and if the weather was a bit drier would probably have loved the outdoors areas too!Review dated 15/11/2012
Lovely location, stylish properties and good facilities. Could improve with safety sockets and draw locks, otherwise very good.Review dated 01/06/2011
Great cottage, beautifully designed and furnished and equipped with everything we needed. Fantastic facilities, the jacuzzi was bliss and the soft play area was brilliant for our 6 month old baby. Overall Rating "Outstanding"Review dated 26/03/2010
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!Review dated 03/11/2009
Great weather at Blackpool Sands, Crabbing for England at Dartmouth and Brixham. All huge fun and even relaxing in the gorgeous pool complex, a great bonus in the evenings. Evie left off her arm bands for the first time. A red letter visit!Review dated 03/11/2009
Frequently said but very true, a fantastic place! We love Devon but Gitcombe is the icing on the cake. Every day has made a happy memory particularly fond ones of our son finding his water wings in your pools and super hot tub. See you in 2009!Review dated 03/11/2009
Excellent accommodation in stunning surroundings. A great base for exploring South Devon. 5 star rating!Review dated 03/11/2009
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!Review dated 03/11/2009
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.Review dated 03/11/2009
Amazing location and the facilities were just great.Only slight criticsim was accommmodation quite pokey!Review dated 03/11/2009
We have had a lovely relaxing week. We have made full use of the facilities which are fantastic. Yve & Mike have been very helpful so that you for your warm welcome. The area is gorgeous, excellent days out at Blackpool Sands, Paignton Zoo, Salcombe, Dartmouth, Totnes . We shall be back!Review dated 03/11/2009
*Ratings by verified BFB guests who stayed here with young children.
Rated by 7 guests.