"Secluded among rolling South Hams - a tranquil retreat where the river Dart meets the sea..."

Just 20 minutes drive from the superb blue flag beach at Blackpool Sands and enjoying unspoiled views to Dartmoor, these cottages nestle in a peaceful wooded valley close to the River Dart, half a mile from public lanes, at the end of a private drive.

Located between the village of Cornworthy, and the hamlet of Tideford, in glorious South Devon, Gitcombe is 5 miles distant from both Dartmouth and Totnes, acclaimed as 'the 9th funkiest town in the world!' A 30 minutes or so *walk or, much shorter drive, from your cottage door leads to the creekside village of Tuckenhay, home to The Maltsters Arms, on the waters' edge......or inland to the Hunter's Lodge, a traditional Devon inn, at Cornworthy. At the nearby waterside village of Dittisham, are yet more drinking and dining places to tempt you!

Dartmouth's ancient port offers good shops, inns and restaurants, boat trips on the river and a fine castle (English Heritage), set on rocks at the river mouth. Further up river lies Totnes, a delightful old elizabethan town with many timber-framed buildings, as well as the Devonshire collection of period costume and a museum to explore. On the coast there are superb, clean, safe beaches and more traditional seaside attractions in Tor Bay, less than an hour's drive away. The cathedral city of Exeter and Plymouth's maritime heritage both offer attractions if the weather is less good.

The National Trust offers several houses and gardens to visit, including Coleton Fishacre, Overbecks and Greenways (former home of Agatha Christie) where semi-tropical plants flourish in the wonderfully mild climate of the river valley.

The immediate vicinity offers rich rewards for walkers and bird-watchers. Riding is available locally and golf can be enjoyed just 2 miles away, at Dartmouth Golf & Country Club's 18-hole championship course and on the 9-hole course. River, sea and boat fishing are all available nearby, with trips from local harbours.

And of course the beautiful coastline offers fabulous beaches and coves for swimming, sunbathing, building sandcastles, creating artistic sand sculptures, crabbing and rock-pooling. Not forgeting skiing, surfing, canoing, sailing and the whole range of water sports!

*Most country walks involve footpaths, often across fields, along unlit lanes and bumpy tracks. Be prepared!