Notes from the host
Swallows End
Summary
Swallows End is one of two stylish and contemporary apartments, located on the ground-floor designed to accommodate two adults and a small child that includes a private courtyard with a self-maintained, natural, Swedish-style wood-fired hot tub (private for your own use). Surrounded by rolling hills and nestled on the edge of Dartmoor National Park in a small complex of holiday properties, it has access to shared facilities (only with one other small apartment) including an indoor heated pool, sauna and wooded gardens.
The Space
With a wood-fired hot tub and styled with contemporary furniture, this rural hideaway is the epitome of countryside chic. It’s also the perfect secluded sanctuary to enjoy time away as a couple. Spend the day roaming the wilds of Dartmoor or the sandy beaches of the nearby English Riviera before returning home for a swim and sauna. Then fire up the hot tub and relax with a bottle of something chilled before retiring inside for a film. Wake up to views across the pretty wooded gardens – you might spot a deer on its morning outing. However you want to spend your time, this Devon staycation is the place to be.
Country cottage-style apartment on the outside and contemporary comfort on the inside, this ground-floor space offers a stylish escape for two – perfect for a romantic getaway in beautiful, natural surroundings. On arrival, you'll be welcomed by the Scandi-inspired open-plan lounge-kitchen-diner. A rustic flagstone floor is tempered by soft rugs and charming light wooden furniture, an inviting sofa, squashy chairs and smart TV. New high performance Star Link Wi-Fi throughout means you can remain plugged into outside life, should you want to! At the far end of the room, a breakfast bar separates the lounge area from the kitchen, which is equipped with all your self-catering needs including an Nespresso coffee machine with frother, electric oven and hob, microwave and fridge with ice compartment. A separate utility area houses the dishwasher, washing machine and tumble dryer – and a great place to dry off boots and waterproofs if you visit in the winter months and enjoy walking on Dartmoor. And so to bed – enjoy a peaceful night’s sleep in a cosy double bed room decorated in calming pale tones. An additional smart TV means you can enjoy an indulgent lie-in or late-night film. The large bathroom offers a shower-over-bath, WC, wash basin and LED-lit mirror.
Outside, tucked away behind a stone wall, your own private courtyard patio area complete with a gas barbecue and garden furniture awaits. Enjoy a morning coffee and take in the tranquil surroundings or relax in the hot tub after eating al fresco and count the stars. Don’t forget the piece de la resistance: the fantastic vaulted newly refubished indoor pool and new sauna. Let your troubles float away as you swim off the day or simply take a book and relax in one of the comfy chairs as the gentle breeze drifts in through the huge doors. Rejuvenate tired muscles after all that outdoor adventuring in the traditional wooden sauna, before drifting back to Swallows End for dinner or lots of local eateries / pubs, restaurants.
Guest Access
Swallows End is largely a mobility-friendly property on the ground floor; please note that the doors are of standard width and there is a lip through the entrance door. There are steps into the property, and into the bathroom, as well as stairs leading to the pool.
Neighbourhood
Swallows End is professionally managed by Fresh Escapes. A Devon-based privately owned Vacation Rental and Management company who are here to ensure your stay runs as smoothly as possible.
Rolling hills? Stunning walks? Magical waterfalls? This apartment has all that and more, thanks to its fantastic South Devon location in the pretty Teign Valley. It’s right on the edge of the legendary Dartmoor National Park, where you can walk, cycle and pony trek to your heart’s content, taking in wild and rugged views. You’re just a short distance from Stover Country Park, a 114 acre nature reserve where wildlife and nature abound. Follow the 90-metre aerial walkway and explore the Ted Hughes Poetry Trail, which features some of the late poet laureate’s best-loved nature poems, with illustrations by Raymond Briggs. Lose yourself among the ancient woodland, waterfalls and lakes of Canonteign Falls or try Kennick, Trenchford and Tottiford reservoirs for easy and relaxing walking.
Stunning coastal views can be found on the English Riviera. For a relaxed sightseeing tour, take the Riviera Line, the coastal railway route running between Exeter and Paignton, which stops at many of the region’s most interesting and beautiful towns along the way, including Dawlish and Torquay. If you fancy a beach day, it’s a 40-minute drive to Torbay, where there are loads of hidden sandy coves and pretty harbour villages to explore. Twelve miles and 25 minutes' drive to the south is the pretty seaside town of Dawlish, famous for its sandy beachfront, colourful huts and black swans. The bright lights, eateries and entertainment of Exmouth or Exeter can all be reached within 40 minutes.
If you’re a foodie, there’s lots of options, from super-posh Gidleigh Park near Chagford to the high-end Manor Inn at Lower Ashton to the Teign House Inn up the valley near Christow. Other authentic Dartmoor boozers to try are the Bridford Inn at Bridford for a real country atmosphere and good food, the Artichoke at Christow for traditional pub grub and the Cridford Inn at Trusham, one of the oldest pubs in Devon.
Getting around
You will need a car. There is ample off-road allocated private parking available
Other Things to Note
Guests are required to fill the hot tub themselves, and to prepare the burner to heat the water. We recommend starting this procedure soon after you arrive as this can take 2-3 hours.
The apartment is located on the Owners estate that only consists of two apartments (one of which is Swallows End), and the Owners home.
Please enjoy your own patio, garden and the bottom lawn – the rest of the grounds are private property.
Please pick up after your pet and do not leave them unattended. We encourage dogs to be walked down the lane.
Please bag all rubbish in black bin liners before placing in the bins otherwise the bin men will not take them.
For the safety of guests and the security of the property, the pool and sauna areas are monitored via CCTV.
