Gitcombe House

As the Gitcombe Estate appears through the dense trees and wildflowers that border its long drive, it’s clear you've arrived somewhere very special. The setting, in its own private valley, is both magical and instantly relaxing with rural views stretching as far as the eye can see and, nestled amongst them, two pools, a hot tub, a playground, tennis courts and a cluster of nine elegant cottages sleeping from 2-13 ranging from a Georgian manor house to a contemporary wood-framed and glazed retreat, plus a cluster of converted barns with private terraces offering sweeping views over the valley.

Walk into any of the cottages and it's easy to why they've previously been ranked in a Times newspaper 50 Best Cottages feature. Standards of interiors, furnishings and fixtures are exceptionally high with top quality mattresses, fabrics and hand-painted kitchens with granite worktops and all mod cons including huge American fridge freezers – perfect for stowing a freshly delivered Waitrose shop to last the break! Bathrooms are equally 'top spec' with underfloor heating, quality fittings and luxurious REN toiletries. Despite their high level of sophistication, the cottages are wonderfully child-friendly too with integrated stair gates, window locks and safety corded blinds as standard.

For those who can tear the kids away from the pools, soft play and playgrounds, Gitcombe's location is pretty special too. It's less than five miles from the bistros and boutiques of the yachting town of Dartmouth and roughly the same to the 'Conde Nast Traveller – Best Family Beach' winner, Blackpool Sands.

Accommodation Overview:

Gitcombe house sleeps 13 + infants in five bedrooms and seamlessly blends period features and furnishings with modern essentials and family friendly extras to create the perfect, country bolthole.

Guests enter into a large, flag-stoned entrance hall with coat store and turned staircase leading to the generous first floor landing with armchair and full length mirror.

The generous, kitchen/breakfast room (5m x 5m) has bespoke kitchen cupboards, full 'batterie de cuisine' and ample catering space for large family groups. There's an oil fired Aga along with a conventional electric oven and hob, American style fridge-freezer, walk in pantry, digital radio and Bose iPod docking station. For casual meals there's an in room dining table, chairs and pew bench. The handy utility room is accessed via the kitchen and has a washing machine, tumble drier, sink and drying area.

For more formal dining or special occasion meals there's an elegant dining room with an extending mahogany dining table and chairs. There's a beautiful, french chandelier, open fire place, CD player and antique rocking horse.

The spacious drawing room is an ideal for relaxing after a busy day making most of the grounds. It has sash windows and original shutters to two sides overlooking the front garden and wider estate. There's comfortable sofas, armchairs, an open fire with fender, 47" flat screen digital TV, Blue -ray DVD player and Bose sound dock.

There's also a cosy snug room on the ground floor which acts as the perfect 'chill out' room for little ones with a wide screen TV, DVD player and selection of DVDs and games.

Bedroom one is a fabulously appointed, large proportioned master bedroom with en-suite. It has a super king mahogany sleigh bed, wardrobe, easy chair and writing bureau. There's a TV and space for a cot. The en-suite has a bath with shower attachment, WC, basin and heated towel rail.

Bedroom two is a spacious family room (5.5m x 4m) with super king bed (sip and link beds can be made up as two single beds on request) and a further single bed. There's a huge wardrobe, cast iron fireplace, TV and space for a cot.

Bedroom three is a compact twin room (can be made up as super king on request) at the front of the house with TV.

Bedroom four is another large double room, it has sash windows to two sides and overlooks the front garden and grounds. It has a white forged iron, Victorian style 'And So To Bed' super king bed and space for a cot.

Finally bedroom five is a further large double with mahogany king size sleigh bed, cast iron fire place and room for a cot.

Each bedroom has luxury pocket sprung mattresses and blackout blinds.

The house has four bathrooms in total including the master bedrooms en-suite. On the ground floor there is a shower room with drench head shower, toilet, hand basin and heated towel rail. On the first floor there is a generously proportioned family bathroom with cast iron slipper bath, separate shower with french head, hand basin, toilet and bidet. There is also an additional, separate toilet located across the landing with original and working 'thunder box' WC.

Outside the house has an enclosed garden to the front with lawn, flowers and shrubs. A wrought iron gate leads to parking, grounds and outdoor swimming pool. The enclosed rear garden overlooks the grounds and has a wooden dining table, chairs and BBQ. The rear gate leads out to the grounds and lesuite facilities.

The house has parking for 2/3 cars directly in front of the house and space for further cars in the general parking area.

Two traditional, wooden (assembled) cots are available in this property. Additional pop up style travel cots available by prior arrangement.