Overview
It’s a rare pleasure, Gitcombe Estate. Tucked away in Devon’s lush landscape, with just 8 contemporary cottages nestled amongst 14 acres of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the generous guests: gorgeous grounds ratio is just the beginning of a long list of parent pleasing perks. Starting with the home-from-homes themselves. Interiors have been cleverly tailored for both adult aesthetics and family friendliness, whilst traditional self-catering facilities have been turned a notch with designer kitchens and bedrooms that could easily go toe-to-toe with 5* boudoirs. A weatherproof nirvana, mini meltdowns are easily avoided (come rain or shine), thanks to the heated indoor & outdoor pools (the latter open from the last May Bank Hol through ’til the second week of September), tennis court, adventure playground and small soft play. While boredom is a word that’s yet to be uttered at Gitcombe there are endless local pursuits on your doorstep too, if you can drag yourself away from the estate. Lungfuls of fresh air fun and fabulous facilities aside, what really sets this rural retreat apart is Gitcombe’s ‘anything is possible’ attitude. With a genie-in-a-bottle-esque concierge service that will bend over backwards to make your every wish come true, Gitcombe is the name to know for next-level homestay luxury
Mama
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Nearest station
Nearest train station is Totnes, around a 20 minute drive away
Best time to visit
With plenty of space to hunker down inside or run wild outside, there’s no bad time to visit Gitcombe Estate. If we had to choose, our favourite season would be spring. The uninterrupted views of rolling pastures are nothing short of magical when the flowers start bursting into life
Favourite room
Gitcombe Estate’s collection of contemporary cottages sleep between 4 – 13 guests
The entry level cottage is Meavy, sleeping up to 4 guests and an infant
Larger groups will love the 6 bedroom Gitcombe House. This grand Georgian manor is an essay in easy elegance, with an enclosed garden, formal dining room and carefully curated antiques.
For an ultra modern take on country living, book 4 bedroom Gitcombe Retreat. Indoor / outdoor living is the name of the game here, with spectacular floor-to-ceiling windows, a wrap around terrace and private hot tub. The Retreat is also accessible for wheelchair users
Nearby
A unique utopian retreat unlike any other, it’s highly possible (and in fact advisable) to hole up at Gitcombe Estate and never leave. That being said, a symphony of Devon’s highnote hitting hotspots are all in easy reach; from the best beaches through to locally loved restaurants and parent pleasing pubs
Price
You’ll find our price guide to the cottages at Gitcombe Estate below:
Meavy: from £600 p/3 night minimum stay in low season and £2950 p/week in high season: sleeps 2 adults, 2 children, 1 infant and a mezzanine large single bed
Yennadon: from £650 p/3 night minimum stay in low season and £3000 p/week in high season: sleeps 2 adults, 2 children, 1 infant
Maristow: from £600 p/3 night minimum stay in low season and £3100 p/week in high season: sleeps 2 adults, 2 children /small adults, 2 children under 12, 1 infant
Haytor: from £650 p/3 night minimum stay in low season and £3300 p/week in high season: sleeps 2 adults, 2 children /small adults, 2 children under 12, 1 infant
Burrator: from £650 p/3 night minimum stay in low season and £3300 p/week in high season: sleeps 2 adults, 2 children /small adults, 2 children under 12, 1 infant
Garden: from £850 p/3 night minimum stay in low season and £4450 p/week in high season: sleeps 4 adults, 2 children /small adults, 2 children under 12, 1 infant
Retreat: from £1500 p/3 night minimum stay in low season and £8000 p/week in high season: sleeps 6 adults, 2 children or adults, 2 infants
Gitcombe House: from £1500 p/3 night minimum stay in low season and £7880 p/week in high season sleeps 11adults, 2 children or adults, 2 infants
FAQs
What family facilities are there, and how much do they cost?
The extensive family facilities at Gitcombe Estate are free for all to use, and include:
A small soft play (handily located next to the indoor swimming pool), open from 9am – 8pm
An indoor heated pool, open year-round from 8am-8pm, sauna & steam room, alongside an outdoor jacuzzi
A heated outdoor pool, open from the last Bank Holiday in May through ’til the second week of September (subject to change dependent on the weather!)
Outdoor adventure playground with swings, slides and a climbing wall
Tennis courts
14 acres of land to explore!
Which equipment is available to borrow for babies & children?
Ready and waiting for you inside the cottages you’ll find: cots, highchairs, potties, baby baths, changing mats, booster seats, bed guards baby cutlery and plates
You can also request prams and bouncers, simply email their very helpful team!
A real highlight of Gitcombe is the fully stocked ‘seaside staycation’ toy shed, where you’ll find crabbing lines & nets, bucket & spades, bodyboards, kites and even wellies & wetsuits
What’s the dining set up?
The kitchens within Gitcombe’s generous cottages make self-catering a breeze. You’ll find:
All general kitchen crockery and utensils etc
Dualit Kettle
Dualit Toaster
Dishwasher
Washing Machine/Tumble dryer
An oven, hob & microwave
American style fridge/freezer
Herbs, spices, salt & pepper mills
Coffee machine & cafetiere
Supermarket deliveries can be arranged prior to your arrival, and the nearest one for stocking up on any essentials is within a 5 minute drive
The two closest pubs to Gitcombe Estate are The Maltsters Arms and The Waterman’s Arms. You’ll find more local recommendations, here
Is there housekeeping?
Housekeeping services can be arranged bespoke to the needs of your family, simply drop the team an email at point of booking your trip
Meet the family...
Anna
Parent to Tiny Traveller aged 5
We’ve been to Gitcombe three times already and will return many times more. It’s the nearest we’ve found to hotel accommodation in a self catering setting, with truly everything covered. The facilities are second to none. There’s an indoor pool, sauna and steam room, plus a hot tub with the most incredible views. As well as all the equipment and things to do, the houses themselves are dreamy. They’ve managed to create a place that’s amazing for families, but hasn’t scrimped on the luxury bits that adults want too!
Worth waking the baby for
01
Blackpool Sands
The golden crescent of shingle sands and calm turquoise waters of this award-winning Blue Flag beach is as close to the Med as Britain gets. There’s summer lifeguards, sand pits for castle-building smalls, a shop and cafe dishing up delicious local food. Plus, newly opened is the seafront sauna – available for public and private sessions, sweating has never been more scenic!
02
The Anchorstone Cafe
A seasonal spring/summer cafe with a heavy hitting reputation for fine fish fare. Parents will love the picture perfect riverside setting and fantastically fresh crustaceans, whilst for tiny travellers, crabbing straight off the pontoon awaits
03
Dartmouth Steam Railway
A pilgrimage for pint-sized train lovers, tiny transports fans can hop onboard one of the finest heritage railway lines in the country. Chugging along the coast expect views of beautiful beaches, a resplendent river and plenty of witty commentary
Reviews from other parents
I couldn’t imagine an easier - or more relaxing - multi gen getaway than at Gitcombe. Our group ranged from 3 months old, right up to 86 years, and absolutely everyone was catered for. From whole cupboards of baby bits to accessible bedrooms, it has very obviously been designed to suit the whole family - from granny to the newest of additions. The indoor and outdoor pools, softplay, tennis court and playground provided hours of entertainment and the stunning setting? Well, the photos speak for themselves
Mama Becky, Tiny Traveller aged 3
We decamped to Gitcombe en mass as a group of 10 adults and 4 children and found the set up both at the Georgian Gitcombe House and the impossibly dreamy estate to be perfect for everyone. If you're looking for a special celebratory spot, Gitcombe is definitely worth a spot at the top of your bucket list. We hired a private chef for dinner one night and there's more than enough on the grounds to appeal to all ages. A really gorgeous, and unique, positioning, you'll find the fabulous facilities at Gitcombe nestled deep into a hidden valley - meaning it's totally safe (not to mention incredible serene!), for little legs to run around
Mama Frankie, Tiny Travellers aged 3 & 1
We felt so at home with the farm & cottage style of the property, the views were spectacular and we were truly submerged in nature. It was peaceful, quiet & luxurious. Our toddler loved the shed full of beach, tennis and crabbing gear, every morning he would pick what he wanted to borrow for the day & we even replicated the shed in our garden when we got home! He is sports mad, so the basketball & tennis court was a dream, and we were fully equipped for the beach with chairs & windbreakers, along with kids toys. We would absolutely recommend. Photos do not do this place justice, we can't wait to return
Mama Amy, Tiny Travellers aged 2 & 9 months old
