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Willow Cottage One of Devon Hideaways’ hand-picked luxury properties. Perfectly located to discover Devon, a rural, romantic retreat for two, on the edge of Dartmoor National Park. This cozy cottage is one of a number of self-catering options located on 24 acres of rural tranquility at Little Dunley Cottages near Bove Tracy and Newton Abbot.

Little Dunley is quietly secluded but within walking distance of the local pub, The Collector’s Arms, and only a 20 minute drive to the nearest beach. It is a beautiful place that reminds visitors that Devon is one of England’s favorite counties as well as a state of mind holiday.

A relaxing land of bucket and spade beaches, fish feasts, headland walks, indulgent ice creams and smugglers’ coves. A place where imagination comes to life.

Yet nearby Dartmoor is a rugged terrain of granite, tussocks and tors lying on the cold lava of a volcano that has been extinct for 280 million years: a place for wild climbing, swimming and walking adventures.

Does any other country have such diverse beauty?

Welcome

The codes for the door to Little Dunley and the key box for Willow Cottage were e-mailed in advance of our arrival. Then it’s just a few yards from our parking lot to the front door to unpack.

cottage

Willow Cottage is one of four single storey properties accessed via a nicely landscaped pathway.

The open-plan living provides a light and spacious area for the kitchen, dining area and lounge. A two-seater sofa is positioned for entertainment from a 54-inch flat screen smart television that allows you to sign in to your regular apps.

The bedroom has a king-size double bed and attractive decor in contrasting creams and greys. Rustic sheep prints and flowery landscapes remind us that we are hidden deep within the patchwork of Devon’s green valleys.

A large walk-in shower, both rainfall and directional, has Elsyl toiletries to carry in the bathroom.

Underfloor heating, making Willow Cottage a cozy retreat, is controlled by two thermostats: one in the living area, the other in the bedroom.

facilities

The covered patio hosts the hot-tub, which is always set at 38 centigrade and is serviced twice a day by Little Dunley’s staff. All we have to do is uncover it, step in and relax.

Thick evergreen hedging and hazel hurdle fencing provide privacy for the astroturf lawn garden, sun-loungers and tables and chairs for al fresco dining.

There is a small laundry room with washing machine and dryer outside the neighboring Hazel Cottage.

In addition, it is only a three-minute walk to the tennis courts, floodlit for evening play. Four different species of carp swam across two fishing lakes with a 12 pounder the biggest catch ever.

location

Willow Cottage is on the shoulder of 368 square miles of Dartmoor National Park. Over 450 miles of paths invite visitors to explore the highest point south of The Pennines in England.

Africa may have its Big Five but Dartmoor has its Little Five which can be equally elusive. A threatened marsh fritillary butterfly, a cuckoo wintering in the Congo, 20 cm. Look for the world’s largest snails, otters and the rare blue ground beetle growing up to Black-faced sheep, ponies and thick-haired Galloway cattle are easy to spot.

At the heart of blanket bogs, mysterious mires, gray granite and The Hound of the Baskervilles On the mist that forms Dartmoor sits Princetown. It has a free entry Dartmoor National Park visitor center with all the maps, history and information you need to explore.

A short distance away, the Dartmoor Prison Museum tells the story of the institution that was originally set up to house prisoners from the Napoleonic Wars and the 1812 War with America. There are 1217 French and 271 American prisoners who died in the cemetery.

The Macabre Museum records that prisoners left arrow marks on their boots so that they could be found if they escaped. However Frank Mitchell, the Mad Axeman, was never recaptured.

Exhibits range from cardboard model F1 cars to menacingly improvised guns, knives and knuckledusters topped with 6-inch nails that inmates make to pass the time.

At Buckfast Abbey, which celebrated its millennium in 2018, a floor-to-ceiling stained glass window of Christ offering his body and blood in the Eucharist attracts visitors. Scholars believe that the facial colors echo the colors on the Shroud of Turin.

The English Riviera, a short drive to the south west, is where the palm leaves flutter in Brixham, Paignton and Torquay.

Another nice touch

Within an hour of arrival, Dominic, from the Little Dunley staff, knocks on the door to check that all is well and that we are settled.

A bottle of sparkling prosecco is part of the welcome pack which also provides tea, coffee, sugar and milk.

expenses

Short breaks start from £510 while seven-night breaks start at £705.

The best bit

Devon is a foodie’s dream. A well-equipped kitchen – complete with tall fridge-freezer, hob, oven and dishwasher – encourages guests to work their culinary magic with fresh produce from the county.

Nearby Ashburton, with its independent shops, hosts a food festival. While, usually in late September and early October, the English Seafood Feast, which includes an early morning trip to Brixham Fish Market, takes place in more than 30 eateries across the English Riviera.

final judgment

Willow Cottage offers clean, crisp, contemporary comfort away from the crowds. Yet it is within easy driving distance of the contrasting landscapes of pristine Dartmoor and the stunning English Riviera. A romantic escape for all seasons.

Disclosure: We were sponsored by Invest Devon Hideaways.