Peace & Tranquility

Painted Lady butterfly on buddleiaBring your binoculars

Here at Dittiscombe we have a large network of Devon hedgerows, ponds and a spring-fed stream, a woodland of mixed deciduous trees, and eight acres of grassland, all of which provide habitats for a variety of birds and insects. Many previous guests have enjoyed spotting our visiting and resident birds such as skylarks, pied-wagtails, little owl, long-tailed tits, snipe, moorhen, kestrels and sparrowhawks. Birds pop in and out of the cottage gardens as there is cover in hedges and shrubs, and there are always plenty of trees nearby. A little further afield there are various vantage points for birdwatching: around the ponds; in the woodland; or from the flat area which gives a wide view of our u-shaped valley.  Stone Chat

During 2009 we saw hundreds of Painted Lady butterflies heading north from South Africa.  Many stayed and had two or even three broods.  Other butterfly sightings include Brimstones, Wall Browns, Speckled Woods, Commas, Marbled Whites, Small Tortoiseshell, and Small Coppers.

 

Star gazing

With light pollution affecting so many parts of the country most of us are unable to see the wonderful patterns, shapes and colours of the stars.At Dittiscombe we keep the outside lighting to an absolute minimum so that guests can step outside the cottage door and see the night sky.On a clear night you can see most constellations, and even the milky way.

 

Reduce your carbon footprint

Kayaking on the River AvonThe car may be a large part of our everyday lives, but in South Devon visitors have the opportunity for non-vehicular activities. For instance canoeing or kayaking along the River Dart or the River Avon, swimming in the sea and rivers, cycling the network of lanes and bridle paths, or horse-riding on Dartmoor.

 

 

 

We would recommend you check the following websites before your holiday.

www.visitsouthdevon.co.uk »
www.southdevonanob.org.uk »
www.visitdevon.co.uk »
www.canoeadventures.co.uk »
www.kayaksandpaddles.co.uk »
www.mountainwaterexperience.co.uk »

 

Walking the Green Lanes of South Devon

The Green Lanes of South Devon

These lanes offer a wonderful way to explore the countryside and provide an outstanding haven for plants, birds and other wildlife. Many of the green lanes, originally tracks connecting farms and dating back hundreds of years, have been restored by the local council.

This is a great opportunity to get a close-up, more intimate view of the hedgerows, fields, farms and hamlets which make up a large part of our area.

At Dittiscombe we provide a map for the walk to Slapton Village and a book of Green Lane walks in South Devon. Visit our Experiences page for more information.