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Short Breaks at Dittiscombe
Take a warm and cosy short break in the quieter months. Our cottages are perfect for off-season breaks with woodburners, spa baths and views of the rolling Devon hills from a cottage window.
Our weekend and mid-week short breaks operate between early November and Easter.
We have special offer short break prices which are fully inclusive.
Please check our up-to-date Prices & Availability page for more information.
All Inclusive Prices
There are no ‘extras’ to pay when you arrive on holiday at Dittiscombe. All our prices are inclusive of linen (beds are made up for your arrival), central heating or night-storage heating and electricity, towels are provided in Honeysuckle and The Owlery cottages, and a complimentary basket of logs, firelighters and kindling for those cottages with woodburners.
Just as a ‘taster’ here is a suggested itinerary for a 3-night break:
Friday evening: Dinner at either The Tower Inn or The Queens Arms in Slapton, and a chance to read up on local history in front of a log fire.
Saturday: Drive to Little Dartmouth National Trust Car Park and take the walk to Dartmouth Castle and back. Pick up the car and drive into Dartmouth for lunch, then take the 2 hour Town Trail which includes historic features of interest, and of course wonderful views of the boats on the estuary. Return to Dittiscombe to relax by the woodburner.
Sunday: Drive to Start Point Lighthouse and take the circular walk round to Great Mattiscombe Sands.
Drive (or walk) to Beesands for lunch at The Cricket Inn and take another walk to Torcross to see the Memorial Tank, Slapton freshwater Ley and the birds, finishing with a well-earned cream tea at the Rocket House Tea Rooms on the sea-front. Finally pop in to Stokeley Farm Shop to pick up some local produce to take home to family and friends.
Romantic Breaks and Special Occasions
We couldn’t have found a more relaxing, peaceful retreat for much needed time out together.
We have two charming and detached cottages offering a romantic and peaceful location for that special occasion. Surrounded by an unspoilt landscape there is plenty of space and privacy in which to relax and unwind. Each cottage has a king-size bed, a woodburner and central heating: 
In The Owlery you can cuddle up in the king-size bed or take a luxurious aquamassage in the spa bath which is big enough for two; or in Honeysuckle relax in front of the woodburner and watch the wildlife over the pond and valley from your window (this is a pet friendly cottage). Other cottages at Dittiscombe have king-size beds and woodburners so please visit the individual cottage pages for more information.
Very quiet, stress-free break. Only fault
– we didn’t stay longer!
If it’s wildlife you are after there is still plenty to see during the Autumn and Winter here at Dittiscombe: our resident Little Owl lives in the old long barn and makes regular appearances; ducks and moorhens are easy to see on the ponds; and flocks of goldfinches and starlings are a regular sight. Or a stroll around Slapton Ley may afford some birdwatching opportunities with the Starling roost in the Ireland Bay reed bed, (numbers swell to some 75,000 birds around December), and sightings of other migrant birds on their way south for the Winter .
In Salcombe, Dartington, Kingsbridge, and Dartmouth there are a number of galleries holding art and sculpture exhibitions all year round; and the Guild of Craftsmen at Bovey Tracey is the largest contemporary crafts centre in South West England providing an inspiring venue for artists, potters and sculptors.
A number of National Trust properties are open by February half term, and at Pennywell Farm the lambing special also gets underway in February. Walking Festivals, apple pressing days, rockpool rambles, and hedge steeping are just some of the events listed on the South Devon aonb website.
Or . . . do nothing
‘A perfect retreat for some much needed rest and relaxation.’
If all that sounds just too energetic you could snuggle up in front of the woodburner, watch the wildlife from your cottage window and make a start on reading that new book!