Holiday cottages in Dartmoor

Ashburton: ancient, busy little town on Dartmoor’s edge. Within 4 miles is the moor’s most spectacular part (around Buckland, Widecombe, Manaton); within 2 miles, a beautiful stretch of the River Dart leading to Dartmeet, and an ‘adventure park’ (for all ages). Buckfast Abbey, 4 miles; Totnes, 8; the sea at Torbay, 12.

Holiday cottages in Ashburton, Devon

Belstone: little high village (good food pub, church, village green) on the edge of the open moor, brilliant base for walking Dartmoor's highest hills and wildest valleys. Okehampton (small town, golf, tennis, leisure centre, cinema), 3½ miles; Chagford, 8; sea/sand/surf at Bude, about 30. Riding/pony-trekking locally. Filling station/shop, 1 mile.

Holiday cottages in Belstone, Devon

Bovey Tracey: large village (shops, pubs, restaurants) on Dartmoor’s south-eastern edge. 2 miles away is Haytor, one of the moor’s most spectacular tors. Good golf, 4 miles; riding and many good village pubs locally. Newton Abbot (swimming pool/leisure centre), 7 miles; sea/beaches (Teignmouth, Shaldon), 10 miles.

Holiday cottages in Bovey Tracey, Devon

Brentor: hamlet (ancient cottages, church) on the western side of Dartmoor. Its even older church clings precariously to the summit of a massive volcanic outcrop with probably the finest views in Devon; Iron Age earthworks defend the site. Lydford, 3 miles.

Holiday cottages in Brentor, Devon

Bridford: little village (fine church, pub) within the Dartmoor National Park, high amid lanes and rocky hill-farmland a mile or so from the beautiful wooded River Teign valley and good fishing reservoirs (trout/bird-watching/walking). Moretonhampstead, 5 miles; the open moor, 7; golf, 2 miles; Exeter, 12. Sea/sandy beach: Dawlish, 15.

Holiday cottages in Bridford, Devon

Buckfastleigh: pleasant little old town beside the River Dart and Buckfast Abbey, close to Dartmoor. Outdoor swimming pool. Dart Valley steam railway. Butterfly and otter sanctuary. 4 miles to Holne en route to the moor, 6 to Totnes (attractive old town, summer boat trips to Dartmouth; Torbay (seaside), 12. A good base.

Holiday cottages in Buckfastleigh, Devon

Buckland in the Moor: very pretty, tiny village (15^th cent.church, many ancient thatched cottages) in a thickly wooded part of the Dart Valley. Widecombe in the Moor, 3 miles. Ashburton and A38, 4 miles.

Holiday cottages in Buckland in the Moor, Devon

Chagford: lively, friendly little town (pubs, shops, outdoor swimming pool, tennis) away from main roads in the shelter of high Dartmoor. Past it the River Teign (fishing) hurries through woods and meadows below Castle Drogo (Nat. Trust). Excellent walking; superb views. Open moor, 2 miles; golf, 3; Exeter, 17; sea/beaches, about 20.

Holiday cottages in Chagford, Devon

Christow: village (shop, good pub, fine church) in hilly wooded farmland on the eastern edge of the Dartmoor National Park above the River Teign valley, about 10 miles west of Exeter. The open moor, about 9 miles; sea/beaches at Teignmouth/Shaldon/Dawlish, about 12 miles.

Holiday cottages in Christow, Devon

Cornwood: village (pub, shop, church) on the sheltered southern South Hams edge of Dartmoor. Many prehistoric hut circles on the open moor above, around the beautiful River Yealm. Ivybridge, 3 miles. Plymouth and the sea at Mothecombe (unspoilt, sandy beach) or Noss Mayo/Newton Ferrers (yachts, very pretty), all about 8 miles.

Holiday cottages in Cornwood, Devon

Dartmeet: where the East and West Dart rivers meet in a beautiful moorland/wooded valley. Car park and café where the road bridges the river, but beyond is some of Dartmoor’s most glorious scenery. Pub and riding stables, 1 mile; Poundsgate (good pub), 2½; Ashburton, 8; Tavistock (good shops), 12; sea/beaches (south coast), about 20.

Holiday cottages in Dartmeet, Devon

Doccombe: pretty hamlet in hill farmland close to the River Teign valley (Steps Bridge, 1½ miles). Moretonhampstead, 2 miles; Exeter, 11. Starting point for excellent walks.

Holiday cottages in Doccombe, Devon

Doddiscombsleigh: little village (famous pub/restaurant) in lovely hilly and wooded farmland above the River Teign valley, 9 miles west of Exeter. Chudleigh (small town), 6 miles. The sea/beaches at Teignmouth/Dawlish, 14 miles.

Holiday cottages in Doddiscombsleigh, Devon

Drewsteignton: exceptionally pretty village (good food pub, PO/shop, restaurant, church) on a ridge a mile from the most spectacular part of the River Teign valley (wooded river-bank and heathland walks). Marvellous scenery; fishing; extraordinary Castle Drogo (Nat. Trust); Chagford, 3 miles; the open moor, 6; Exeter, 14.

Holiday cottages in Drewsteignton, Devon

Dunchideock: tiny dispersed village/hamlet (church, hotel/restaurant licensed for non-residents) in the beautiful Haldon Hills, 4 miles south-west of Exeter. Nearest shop at Ide, 2 miles. Close to the attractions of a city but out in peaceful country. Nearest beach at Dawlish, 10 miles; golf, 5 miles; Dartmoor National Park, 5 miles.

Holiday cottages in Dunchideock, Devon

Dunsford: little Teign valley village (thatched cottages, PO/shop, good pub), 4 miles down river from Drewsteignton. Exeter, 8 miles.

Holiday cottages in Dunsford, Devon

Dunstone: hamlet of Saxon origin in which the ancient Dun Stone stands on a tiny green (site where rents were laid for payment to the Lord of the Manor). Widecombe-in-the-Moor, Dartmoor's most famous pretty village (splendid church, Fair in September) between steep tor-topped hills, 1 mile. Excellent walking base for the moor's most spectacular part; riding stables/pony trekking. The sea (Torbay ), about 19 miles.

Holiday cottages in Dunstone, Devon

Gidleigh: pretty hamlet with 16th cent. church and castle (in private grounds), 2 miles from Chagford, ¾ mile from the open moor (short walk to fine prehistoric stone circle and a lovely stretch of the North Teign River - swimming), and on the beautiful Mariners’ Way footpath.

Holiday cottages in Gidleigh, Devon

Haytor Vale: attractive hamlet of cottages adjacent to old good food pub, sheltered by the massive outcrop of Haytor (stunning views from top across the whole of Devon). Bovey Tracey, 3 miles. Widecombe-in-the-Moor, 5 miles.

Holiday cottages in Haytor Vale, Devon

Hennock: little village (good food pub) on the south-east edge of the Dartmoor National Park, with immense views, almost to the sea. Bovey Tracey, 2 miles; leisure centre (indoor pool), 4; fishing reservoirs, outdoor pool, tennis, golf, riding stables, 2 miles; open moor, about 5; the sea at Teignmouth/Shaldon or Dawlish, 7, or Torbay, 10.

Holiday cottages in Hennock, Devon

Higher Ashton: little village (thatched PO/store, good pub, medieval church) on the side of the beautiful wooded Teign Valley: lots of footpaths and bridleways. Exeter, 8 miles. The sea at Dawlish, Teignmouth, Shaldon (beaches, watersports), 12 miles; Dartmoor National Park, 1 mile. River/reservoir fishing, 2 miles; riding stables, 4; golf, 2.

Holiday cottages in Higher Ashton, Devon

Holne: village in one of the most beaufiful, wooded, sheltered parts of the National Park. Lovely walking/riding (stables nearby), salmon/trout fishing in River Dart (bouldered, beautiful). Ashburton (small town) and A38 road, 5 miles. Dartmeet, 4 miles. The sea at Torbay, 15 miles.

Holiday cottages in Holne, Devon

Ilsington: pretty little village (church, shop, good-food pub) on Dartmoor's farmed and wooded south-eastern slopes, 2 miles below Haytor. Easy access: A38, 2½ miles.

Holiday cottages in Ilsington, Devon

Ivybridge: small town (shops, arts centre showing films and live events, leisure centre with indoor/outdoor swimming pools, railway station, start/finish of the Two Moor’s Way footpath) at Dartmoor’s southernmost edge. From it the beautiful River Erme valley leads through oak woods to moorland (prehistoric remains). Mothecombe (sandy beach), Plymouth and Noss Mayo/Newton Ferrers, 8 miles.

Holiday cottages in Ivybridge, Devon

Landscove/Woolston Green: small village (good pub, excellent playground, tea rooms) round a green in lovely hilly, wooded, rich farmland, 2½ miles from Buckfastleigh, 4½ from Totnes. Ashburton, 3 miles. The sea/sandy beaches at Torbay, 9 miles. The River Dart, 1½ miles, Dartmoor, about 4. Lots of footpaths locally. Golf, 7 miles.

Holiday cottages in Landscove, Devon

Lustleigh: pretty village nestling into the eastern edge of Dartmoor: pub, church, several shops: ½ mile to famous Lustleigh Cleave (dramatic, tree-filled river valley); close beyond it, the most varied and beautiful part of the moor. Walking, riding, fishing (river/reservoir). Golf, 3 miles; sea at Teignmouth, 10 miles, or Torbay, 12.

Holiday cottages in Lustleigh, Devon

Lydford: village (two good food pubs, shop, church) on Dartmoor’s western edge, famous for its gorge/waterfall (Nat. Trust, very beautiful walk deep in woods). Trout fishing in the Lyd; riding stables locally. Sea/beaches, about 25 miles, north or south coasts. Roadford Lake, 9 miles. Tavistock (market town), 5. Brentor’s tor-top church, 3.

Holiday cottages in Lydford, Devon

Manaton: pretty little village (pub, tennis court, playground, church) in a beautiful part of Dartmoor, and close to spectacular rock tors (Hound Tor, Bowerman’s Nose) and lovely tree-filled valleys (Lustleigh Cleave). Golf driving range, 5 miles. Nearest shop, 5 miles. Riding stables not far; Chagford, 6; the sea (Teignmouth/Torbay), 15.

Holiday cottages in Manaton, Devon

Mary Tavy: village (shop, church, pub) on the western edge of Dartmoor’s high moor, 3 miles north of Tavistock. Two miles away is Brentor’s landmark church on a peak; 4 miles to Tavy Cleave one of Dartmoor’s most spectacular places. Plymouth 18 miles. South Devon and Cornwall coast villages/beaches, about 25 miles.

Holiday cottages in Mary Tavy, Devon

Meldon: hamlet on Dartmoor’s northern edge, close to Meldon Reservoir (fishing), in a valley below the moor’s highest peaks, starting point for lovely walks. Okehampton (small town, cinema, golf, tennis, indoor pool/leisure centre, cycle route), 2 miles. Steam railway between Meldon and Okehampton. Bude (sea/beaches), 25 miles (good road).

Holiday cottages in Meldon, Devon

Middle Corscombe: hamlet, just off the A30 (hidden but audible) 2 miles from Okehampton (Pubs, shops, indoor swimming pool, steam railway), 1 mile from Belstone . Sampford Courtenay, 2 miles.

Holiday cottages in Middle Corscombe, Devon

Milton Combe: village (pub) near the River Tavy, 8 miles from Plymouth (theatre, cinema, aquarium, airport). Dartmoor, Yelverton (essential shops, pubs, golf) and the Plym Valley cycle track, about 4 miles. Tavistock (good shops), 8. Buckland Abbey (Nat. Trust), 1 mile; within 15 miles are other Nat. Trust houses/gardens, fishing villages and sandy beaches.

Holiday cottages in Milton Combe, Devon

Moretonhampstead: friendly, busy, gateway-to-Dartmoor village (shops, good food pubs, church); heath-topped and hills around; good walks locally and reservoir/river fishing not far. Two miles to one of the most beautiful parts of the moor, round Manaton; popular Miniature Pony Centre, 2½ miles. Chagford, 5 miles; Exeter, 13; the sea at Torbay/Teignmouth, 19.

Holiday cottages in Moretonhampstead, Devon

Murchington: tranquil hamlet of ancient cottages and farms deep in tiny, pretty wooded lanes on Dartmoor’s north-eastern corner. Very peaceful, lovely walks. Chagford, 1 mile. Open moorland, 1 mile.

Holiday cottages in Murchington, Devon

North Bovey: postcard-pretty village (pub, medieval church) with tree-shaded green in the beautiful wooded valley of the mini River Bovey, two lane-miles from the spectacular open moor around Manaton or Moretonhampstead. Bovey Castle (hotel, good restaurant, golf), about 2 miles.

Holiday cottages in North Bovey, Devon

Ponsworthy: tiny farming village in lanes (ford) in the valley of the bouldered, pooled and tree-lined little West Webburn river. Lovely woodland walks beside the river and to tors and moorland. Poundsgate (good food pub), 1½ miles; Dartmeet, 2; Widecombe, 2½; Ashburton, 6; the sea/beaches, about 18. Riding stables nearby.

Holiday cottages in Ponsworthy, Devon

Postbridge: tiny oasis of a village (pub, shop/PO) in a shallow valley in the very middle of Dartmoor beside the East Dart River (clapper bridge). Golf, 8 miles. Plymouth and nearest beach, 19; Exeter, 20.

Holiday cottages in Postbridge, Devon

Poundsgate: tiny village (good pub, shop, garage) in one of the most beautiful, sheltered and varied parts of Dartmoor, between the River Dart (Dartmeet, 2½ miles) and the deep wooded valley of its tributary, the Webburn. Widecombe, 3½ miles; Ashburton, about 5; sea/beaches, 17.

Holiday cottages in Poundsgate, Devon

Sigford: wonderfully tucked away and paintable hamlet - thatched cottages, stream, fine woods around - on Dartmoor's south-east edge. Ilsington (pretty village with PO/shop, good food pub, church), 1½ miles; Widecombe and the heart of the moor, 6 miles; Haytor and the open moor, 2 miles; 2½ miles to A38 road so easy access; Bovey Tracey, 3 miles; Newton Abbot (town, shops, cinema), 8; the sea/beaches at Torbay, about 12.

Holiday cottages in Sigford, Devon

South Brent: large, friendly village (good shops, pubs) on the southern edge of Dartmoor, a mile off the A38, so easy access. Lovely walks on to the moor from Shipley Bridge (2 miles). Totnes (attractive town - boat trips to Dartmouth in summer), 7 miles. Sea/sandy beaches at Torbay or Thurlestone, 13-15 miles. Golf locally.

Holiday cottages in South Brent, Devon

South Tawton: old and pretty little village (good food pub, fine church and church house) neighbouring South Zeal and Sticklepath about ¾ mile from each, Chagford, 7 miles: Okehampton, 4 miles; Exeter, 20; sea/sand about 30.

Holiday cottages in South Tawton, Devon

South Zeal: handsome, lively old granite village, once coaching and industrial, in a valley on Dartmoor's northern edge, neighbouring Sticklepath, Belstone and South Tawton; famous and beautiful 15th cent. pub, shop/PO. Start of many superb walks on the moor's highest part within 1 mile or so. Okehampton (golf, tennis, heated swimming pool), 5 miles; Exeter, 20 miles; the sea/sandy beaches at Exmouth, 30 miles, or Bude, 36 miles (fast roads).

Holiday cottages in South Zeal, Devon

Tavistock: fine ancient town on the River Tavy on the edge of Dartmoor, evolving around an abbey founded in 974, and once Sir Francis Drake’s home. Lots of interesting shops, farmers’ market, little theatre, leisure centre. Golf, 4 miles. Plymouth (theatres, cinemas, shops, aquarium, watersports and Saltram House (Nat. Trust), 9.

Holiday cottages in Tavistock, Devon

Throwleigh: little village (modest PO/shop, pretty church) in lanes below Dartmoor’s edge, on the lovely Mariners’ Way walk. ½ mile to pub, and to open moor; 2 to service station (shop); 5 to Chagford and Okehampton (golf, tennis, indoor pool, leisure centre, cinema). Exeter, 18. Fishing and riding not far.

Holiday cottages in Throwleigh, Devon

Trusham: little village (church, pub, no shop, large lawned children's playground) in the farmed hills and lanes above the Teign valley, 10 miles south-west of Exeter; Chudleigh , 2½ miles; the sea (beaches) at Teignmouth or Dawlish, about 11 miles. River and reservoir trout fishing within 5 miles.

Holiday cottages in Trusham, Devon

Widecombe-in-the-Moor: Dartmoor’s most famous village. Beautiful position in deep farmed valley between steep tor-topped hills; good food pub, splendid church, pretty round it. Fair (Uncle Tom Cobley and all) in September. Excellent walking base for the moor’s most spectacular part; riding stables. The sea (Torbay), 19 miles.

Holiday cottages in Widecombe-in-the-Moor, Devon

Yelverton: village (churches, pubs, PO/shops, golf, tennis/badminton, riding) in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on the edge of Dartmoor. 13th cent. Buckland Abbey, once Sir Francis Drake’s (now Nat. Trust), and The Garden House (magical gardens), 2 miles. Tavistock, 6. Plymouth with theatres, cinemas, shops, aquarium, watersports and Saltram House (Nat. Trust), 4½.

Holiday cottages in Yelverton, Devon