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Farmhouse in peaceful rural Devon (with heated outdoor pool May-Oct)

Farmhouse in peaceful rural Devon (with heated outdoor pool May-Oct)

Photo gallery for Farmhouse in peaceful rural Devon (with heated outdoor pool May-Oct)

Hartwell from the front Garden
Our 5x10m heated pool (May to Oct bookings)
Well equipped farmhouse kitchen, with table seating up to 12 people
Oil fired Rayburn to cook on (plus a conventional oven & hob too if you prefer)
Bush valve radio in full working order.

Overview of Farmhouse in peaceful rural Devon (with heated outdoor pool May-Oct)

Reviews
10 out of 10 Exceptional
5 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 10270 sq m

Popular amenities

  • PoolPoolPool
  • Pet-friendlyPet-friendlyPet-friendly
  • FireplaceFireplaceFireplace
  • KitchenKitchenKitchen
  • Barbecue grillBarbecue grillBarbecue grill
  • WasherWasherWasher

Explore the area

Map
Sydenham Damerel, Tavistock, Devon
  • Popular LocationDartmoor National Park14 min drive
  • Popular LocationCotehele House and Gardens20 min drive
  • Popular LocationSt. Mellion Golf Club21 min drive
  • AirportPlymouth (PLH-Plymouth City)37 min drive

Rooms & beds

5 bedrooms (sleeps 10)

Bedroom 2

1 King Bed

Bedroom 3

2 Single Beds

Bedroom 4

2 Single Beds

Bedroom 5

1 King Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom

Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only

Showeroom

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Garden
Dining Area

About this property

Farmhouse in peaceful rural Devon (with heated outdoor pool May-Oct)

Hartwell is a former farmhouse which was built in the 19th century close to the village of Sydenham Damerel, just 12 minutes from the historic town of Tavistock. Tucked away in the heart of the Tamar Valley, this attractive part of the Devon countryside is officially an ‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.’

We have a 10m outdoor heated pool available for the exclusive use of guests staying between May and October.

The house has modern facilities (including fast wifi, Bluetooth speakers and blu-ray player) but retains its traditional feel, including Inglenook fireplace, original slate flagstones and old wooden floors. There's a large well equipped kitchen containing a Rayburn, and two living rooms each with a cosy wood burner. Furniture is mostly antique or older style, in keeping with the overall feel of the house.

Comfortably sleeping 10 people, the bedrooms are as follows:
Bedroom 1 - (Double) Kingsize four-poster bed
Bedroom 2 - (Double) Kingsize traditional metal bed
Bedroom 3 - (Twin/Double) 2 single beds (which can be made into a super-king double if requested)
Bedroom 4 - (Twin) 2 single beds
Bedroom 5 - (Double) Kingsize double bed
We also have a travel cot if needed.

The large attractive garden is great to explore or to play badminton or perhaps a communal game of cricket, football or rounders. Or you could just relax in the hammock next to the fish pond. And not forgetting the swimming pool!

Surrounded by wildlife, we are regularly visited by owls, woodpeckers, buzzards, pheasants, rabbits and occasionally deer and badgers. We have our own onsite beehives which are in a fenced off area of the garden well away from the house. Neighbouring fields play host to a mixture of horses, sheep and cattle. Footpaths lead in various directions from the house making it easy to explore the local countryside. And there's a 15th Century pub down the hill which used to be frequented by Charles I while on his way to Cotehele to visit his mistress!

Near by, Tavistock is an attractive and historic rural town with a mixture of eclectic local independent shops and eateries as well as a few well known National stores. There is also a cinema/arts centre. Not to mention the wonderful Pannier Market which has been in existence since the 12th century!

A short trip in the car takes you to Dartmoor (Devon) in one direction or Bodmin Moor (Cornwall) in the other, and we're equidistant from the North and South Cornwall/Devon coasts, making Hartwell an ideal base from which to explore the West Country.

See the General Information page for some of the many activities and places to visit in the area. Or look up our site for more information.

Property manager

Angus Deuchar
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Amenities

Pool
Kitchen
Washer
Pet-friendly
Outdoor space
Barbecue grill

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 10:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
Pool and pond in fenced off area

Events

No events allowed
Family gatherings are fine, but no rowdy parties

Pets

Pets allowed: dogs (limit 2 total)
Max 2 dogs. Clean up after pet

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
No smoking in any of the buildings please.

Damage and incidentals

You will be responsible for any damage to the rental property caused by you or your party during your stay.

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Note from host: Family gatherings are fine, but no rowdy parties
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Tavistock

Located in Tavistock, this holiday home is in a rural area. Tavistock Golf Club and St. Mellion Golf Club are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Dartmoor National Park and Tamar Valley. Travelling with kids? Consider Country Cheeses, or check out an event or a game at Home Park. Discover the area's water adventures with fishing and swimming nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with horse riding and mountain biking.
Map
Sydenham Damerel, Tavistock, Devon

What's nearby

  • Tavistock Pannier Market - 12 min drive
  • Dartmoor National Park - 14 min drive
  • Cotehele House and Gardens - 20 min drive
  • St. Mellion Golf Club - 21 min drive
  • Lydford Gorge - 23 min drive

Getting around

  • Gunnislake Station - 11 min drive

Restaurants

  • Stannary Brewing Company - 10 min drive
  • The Cornish Arms - 10 min drive
  • The Annex - 10 min drive
  • Rifle Volunteer - 11 min drive
  • The Union Inn - 10 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Does Farmhouse in peaceful rural Devon (with heated outdoor pool May-Oct) have a pool?

Yes, this property has an outdoor pool. Pool types include heated pools.

Is Farmhouse in peaceful rural Devon (with heated outdoor pool May-Oct) pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 2 total).

What time is check-in at Farmhouse in peaceful rural Devon (with heated outdoor pool May-Oct)?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Farmhouse in peaceful rural Devon (with heated outdoor pool May-Oct)?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Farmhouse in peaceful rural Devon (with heated outdoor pool May-Oct) located?

This family-friendly Tavistock holiday home is located in a rural location, 2 mi (3.2 km) from Tamar Valley, and within 6 mi (10 km) of Country Cheeses and Tavistock Pannier Market. Kit Hill Country Park and Brent Tor are also within 6 miles (10 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 12 out of 12 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 12 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 12 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 12 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 12 reviews" "

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Andrea A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Everything you could possibly need
Hartwell is a real gem of a proerty set in the most beautiful grounds. The best equipped kitchen i have ever seen. Lots of space for everyone to relax. The pool and pool area are wonderful and the hi-light of the kids holiday. Lots of inside and outside games and so much space to play them. Walks if different lengths from the property. Really cannot fault it. Wonderful
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

DEBORAH F., Bristol

Beautiful Farmhouse with a fantastic heated outdoor pool.
Arrived at this farmhouse on a lovely Friday afternoon for 3 night stay with my husband, 3 grown up sons and daughter in law. It is the most beautiful, traditional farmhouse, lovingly looked after, with extremely well kept gardens and the amazing pool. My son (aged 22) was straight in there and we all went in every day for hours at a time - even at 10 pm! We spent quality time together - playing board games - there are many in the cupboard in the lounge - you are well catered for here. We also enjoyed having breakfast on the patio and spotting the many different species of bird including a green woodpecker. We drove to the local pub on Saturday evening - you have to book and had a lovely meal. This pub is just over a mile away but not in my opinion, walkable, the lanes are very narrow and it would not be safe to walk it. I would highly recommend this farmhouse, the property was lovely and clean and Tracey was on hand if we needed anything. We hope to return one day.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2016
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

David A.

Beautiful house and grounds, perfect if you want to relax away from the crowds
What a wonderful property. The house is lovely - everything you could possibly want is in some drawer or cupboard. There is a wealth of books and games, and lots of outdoor equipment (badminton, croquet, swing ball, table tennis, table football, trampoline, football net, etc, etc). We picked a really hot week, so the pool was perfect - a good size, lots of inflatables and lovely poolside furniture. The gardens were sun traps, but with the stone floors, the house stayed cool and was a welcome relief. Several different places to sit outside. Normally the smaller back garden, with its sunny patio, would have been perfect on its own, but the much much larger front garden, with a huge gently sloping lawn, and a hidden area by the pond with tables, chairs and a hammock, meant that you hardly needed to go anywhere. And this was probably the best thing - it is so hidden, several miles from the nearest town, and tucked down a tiny lane used by only a handful of vehicles each day. There is a nice pub with good food about a mile or two away, and shops about 20 minutes away in Tavistock. And that is it. Lots of great walks, but more importantly lots of opportunity to simply do nothing. Angus, the owner, was so helpful - kept in touch with us leading up to the holiday, and always friendly. I'll keep trying to think of a negative for this property, and will write again when I think of something, but I may be a while.....
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Natasha L., Isle of wight

Far exceeded our expectations!!
All I can say is that we want to return! Every year! The house and gardens were amazing. The facilities available were outstanding, the pool... What can I say... Words escape me. We had the most amazing break, BBQ'd, played board games and danced around in fancy dress. Totally secluded grounds, you couldn't keep us out of the pool and I slept in a 4-poster bed (off the bucket list now). Local pub lunch was delicious and Tavistock market was too much temptation for me. Plus the little home touches, made it really special... The perfect way to celebrate turning 40 and for us to escape family demands, take a break and treat ourselves. 👍
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Ben R.

Wonderful holiday home in superb setting.
What a wonderful holiday home; Hartwell is superbly located in the rural Devonshire countryside in an area of outstanding natural beauty. The location is such that one will not disturbed by anything other than the odd owl at night time and perhaps a passing tractor during the day. The tranquility is excellent and allowed us to enjoy the many things to do in and around the property. The house itself is charmingly decorated and furnished inkeeping with the period of the property. It was spotlessly clean and provided all we could wish for and more - the kitchen was well stocked with every type of pot, pan and utensil allowing us to cook many meals for our large party. There is a well considered library, cupboard full of games, DVD collection, piano and guitars. In the garage you will find a table tennis table, BBQ and just about every kind of garden game you can imagine along with a vast assortment of wellies, body boards and anything else you might need for a day out walking or at the coast. There are two gardens at Hartwell a smaller back garden that is fenced in and a larger more open front garden where you will find a trampoline, stone circle and football goal and we should also not forget the fabulous heated outdoor pool where we swam every day. The pool area itself is fenced off and has a variety of sun loungers and chairs and a pool house including pool towels, inflatables and table football. Dealing with Angus the owner was an absolute pleasure and he ensured that we wanted for nothing, I might also add that for those with canine friends he was very accommodating. We split our time between the house itself and the many local attractions - Tavistock is a lovely market town only 10 minutes drive, the local pub in Horsebridge provides good food and drink - the landlord was amiable and welcoming. Such is the location of Hartwell we were able to enjoy days out as diverse as Lydford Gorge, Padstow on the Northern Cornish coast and the South Devon coast, all les than an hours drive from the house. Being well travelled, we've come to expect a high standard, needless to say Hartwell did not disappoint but it was the little things that really set it apart; torches, cookbooks, spare toothbrush, welcome basket of eggs, bread, jam and biscuits are just a few of the thoughtful touches that spring to mind. In fact had we known how well provided for we would be we could have saved lots of space on our packing. I would not hesitate to strongly recommend!

About the host

Hosted by Angus Deuchar

Host profile image
We're a family of 5. I'm a former photographer, now landlord and my wife is a business coach. The children are all in full time education.

Why they chose this property

We wanted to find somewhere in the countryside to escape the rat race, and had always loved Devon having rented many houses there over the years. We viewed scores of potential properties over several years. The house needed to be close to Dartmoor (but not on it), big enough to rattle around in and include a big garden with secluded spots which we could explore or play in for hours on end. When eventually we found Hartwell we knew straight away that it was the right place!

What makes this property unique

We love the fact that the house has not been overly modernised. Much of the furniture is antique (or older style) plus there's a Rayburn and even an old valve radio. We did try to resist the internet for a while, but eventually succumbed; some things are difficult to live without! That said, it can still easily be switched off and hidden if you want to avoid it...

We feel the house is in the perfect location to stay put or to explore both Devon and Cornwall and all they have to offer. We're nicely secluded, but not cut off; outside the village, but only 12 minute drive into Tavistock if you need to stock up.

Now with the pool adding a new layer of luxury, we cant get enough of the place!

We hope that if you come to stay at Hartwell, you will love it as much as we do.
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