The Boathouse

4
1

Near Totnes, Devon

From £250/night

Location, location: a beautiful little hideaway on the banks of the River Dart, part of an award-winning wine estate (sleeps 2 or 4)

Child friendly

Close to a beach

Parking

Walk to a pub

Walk to a shop

WiFi

Woodburner

This might just be the most magical spot in Devon. On the banks of the River Dart, a little 1850s boathouse, once a bathing house, is now the loveliest hideaway for 2-4. Inside, it’s all soft edges and river light; the oak floors glow, the water throws its reflections up onto the ceiling and the open-plan living space feels like an artist’s retreat, with its petrol-blue sofa and framed maps nodding to voyages past. Floor-to-ceiling French windows open to a balcony that hovers above the tide — your front-row seat to kingfishers and passing boats — and upstairs, the master bedroom has a little Juliet balcony — leave the curtains open and wake to mist rising off the Dart. The next-door twin is calm and pretty, its greens mirroring the leaves outside.

Beyond your little jetty, South Devon unfolds in all directions. Taste Sandridge Barton’s award-winning wines then wander down to Stoke Gabriel for riverside pub lunches and crabbing off the quay. Dartmouth’s galleries, Totnes’ markets and Torbay’s beaches are all close, yet the Boathouse feels a world apart. Come evening, light the barbecue, uncork a bottle of the estate’s finest English wine, and dine on fresh fish from Brixham as the river darkens to silver. Very special.

Getting here: drive, or train to Paignton or Totnes and taxi (10 / 15 mins)

Special touches.

+ Pre-book a daily tour and tasting
Treat yourselves to a wine flight accompanied by local cheeses in the on-site bar.

 

Book this hideaway.

Surprise gift on arrival when you book with Kip!

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People in vineyard, Devon

Tucked away on the tranquil banks of the River Dart in South Devon, our lovingly restored 1850s Boathouse offers the perfect hideaway for those seeking peace, nature, and a touch of adventure with uninterrupted views, birdsong, and the gentle lapping of the tide. Inside, you’ll find a cosy, characterful space designed for slow mornings, long lunches, and evenings under the stars.”

My Kip favourites

They love
“The breathtaking, panoramic views of the River Dart from the balcony — perfect for evening BBQs with the water as your backdrop.”

We love
Arrival. You pull up to the Sandridge Barton estate then wander past rows of vines and down through a tunnel of ancient beech trees, before emerging into what feels like another world.

You may not love
Bookings are Fri-Mon (3 nights) or Mon-Fri (4 nights). Sorry, no pets. Accessed via 71 steps; not for the less mobile.

Sustainability.

Solar energy, air-sourced heat pumps, and rain and spring water harvesting systems.

Surrounds.

  • Estuary
  • Sandridge Barton Estate
    Sandridge Barton Estate
  • Oddicombe
    Oddicombe
  • Greenway
    Greenway House
  • Sample Sandridge Barton’s award-winning wines and have a Friday night meal in their fantastic restaurant, ROAM — there’s a discount for Boathouse guests.
  • Follow the estate’s walking trail through woodland and up to their new vineyard, ‘Stonyfield’ (1.5km/30 mins, can get muddy).
  • Stroll along the river to the pretty village of Stoke Gabriel where you’ll find local pubs, a village shop and The River Shack restaurant.
  • Hire watersports equipment to explore the River Dart: you can kayak or SUP all the way to Totnes.
  • The seaside town of Torbay – nicknamed the English Riviera – is known for known for its lovely beaches, including Babbacombe and cliffside Oddicombe.
  • Characterful Brixham is the place to buy fish straight from the boats. Bring home monkfish, scallops, red mullet and lobster and BBQ up a feast to eat on your riverfront balcony.
  • While there, go for a swim at Elberry Cove: a sheltered bay, the water is crystal clear.
  • Dartmouth is packed with independent shops and eateries, plus a steam train (the ‘Round Robin’ route is a great day out). Nearby beaches offer long stretches of golden sand, secluded coves and shingle beaches flanked by cliffs.
  • Said to have more listed buildings per head than any other town in the UK, Totnes has a Norman motte-and-bailey castle and a reputation for being a quirky spot thanks to a plethora of eccentric independent shops.
  • Greenway House – situated on a promontory of the River Dart, this National Trust property was Agatha Christie’s holiday home and has been the location for various Poirot films.

Details.

  • Boathouse on the banks of the River Dart, part of the Sandridge Barton estate
  • 2 bedrooms: 1 x super-kingsize with ensuite shower bathroom and Juliet balcony; 1 x twin
  • Additional shower bathroom
  • Toiletries provided
  • Open-plan living area
  • Kitchen and dining area with floor-to-ceiling French windows opening to the balcony
  • Basic supplies and a welcome hamper
  • Sitting area with woodburner
  • Smart TV and WiFi
  • Baby cot and highchair to borrow
  • Off-road parking for 1 car
  • BBQ
  • Sorry no pets
  • Walk to the on-site shop, bar and restaurant, and Stoke Gabriel’s pubs, shops and restaurants
  • Manager available by phone
  • Booking conditions: a 3-night minimum stay over weekends (checking in Friday), or 4 nights midweek (checking in Monday only)
  • Security deposit: £350, payable directly to the estate after booking
  • Remember to pack: torch, binoculars, wellies for river and woodland walks; beach towels and watersports gear

40% deposit on booking, with the balance due 12 weeks prior to stay.
Cancellations permitted 12+ weeks prior to stay, with deposit refunded minus a £30 processing fee.
No refunds if booking cancelled within 12 weeks of stay.

FAQs.

In 3pm / out 11am

Note, arrival needs to be before 5pm, so they can welcome you and help with your luggage before dusk. The Boathouse is only accessible by boat when the tide is out or by Landrover through a private lane when the tide is in.

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