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Characterful cottage a stones throw from river Dart with front & back patios

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Outdoor dining
Outdoor dining
Outdoor dining
Property grounds
Living area

Reviews

8.4 out of 10
Very good
3 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 5968.8 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Outdoor space
  • Fireplace

Explore the area

View in a map
Dittisham, Devon
  • Place, South Devon
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Place, Greenway House and Garden
    ‪19 min walk‬
  • Place, Blackpool Sands
    ‪21 min drive‬
  • Airport, Exeter (EXT-Exeter Intl.)
    ‪65 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 5)

Master Bedroom

1 Double Bed

Single bedroom

1 Single Bed

Twin Bedroom

2 Single Beds

1 bathroom

Family Bathroom

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Balcony
Garden

About this property

Characterful cottage a stones throw from river Dart with front & back patios

Holly Cottage is a delightful 400-year-old home brimming with character and in touching distance of the Dittisham riverside. Sleeping five in three rooms – and pets are welcome too. A year-round home, a river-view patio at the front and walled patio at the rear are perfect for summer. Inside, plush seating and a log burner make for a cosy stay in the cooler months. Venture a few steps to the riverbank for the popular inn and café or hope on a ferry to Dartmouth or the grand Greenway estate.

Accommodation:

The front door leads you into a small porch with space for coats and boots. The sitting room has many original features including antique furnishings, a stone fireplace, a wood-burning stove, and wooden flooring. There's a sofa and four armchairs, as well as a TV and DVD player.

A few steps up lead to the well-equipped kitchen/dining room. The kitchen has been completely renovated with pine table and chairs and integrated appliances including an electric cooker, dishwasher, fridge, and microwave.

Upstairs there are three bedrooms. The master bedroom has a double bed with iron bedstead, a wardrobe and glimpses of the river. The second bedroom has twin beds, while the third bedroom has a single bed and a chest of drawers.

The family bathroom was recently refurnished and has a bath with an overhead shower.

In the courtyard to the rear, there is an additional WC.

A travel cot and highchair are available.

There are night storage heaters and a wood-burning stove (logs are proved for winter bookings).


Outside:

At the back of the cottage, there is a small paved courtyard garden on two terraces, with garden seating and river views from the top terrace. To the front of the cottage, there is a sheltered patio with garden furniture and river views across to to the grand Greenway estate.

Parking:

Due to the property's location, there is no parking on site. However, it is possible to pull up outside to load and unload. There are two car parks roughly 300m away (a steep hill up to ‘The Level' car park) or there's free on-street parking on Riverside Road.

Nearby:

The Ferry Boat Inn is a one-minute walk down the road (don't worry, it is not known to be noisy). On the quayside, you will also find The Anchorstone Café as well as ferries to Greenway and Dartmouth. At the top of the village, you will find The Red Lion Inn which doubles up as the village shop and Post Office. Down The Lane you will find The Ham; the large grassy playing field and play area. Blackpool Sands is the closest beach - a 10-minute drive, in the village of Stoke Fleming.

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 18
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

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
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room

About the area

Dartmouth

Located in Dartmouth, this holiday home is in a rural area and on the waterfront. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Dartmoor National Park and South Devon, while Dartmouth Museum and Brixham Heritage Museum are cultural highlights. Looking to enjoy an event or a game while in town? See what's happening at Plainmoor Stadium or Torquay United FC.
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Map
Dittisham, Devon

What's nearby

  • South Devon - 1 min walk - 0.0 km
  • Greenway House and Garden - 19 min walk - 0.8 km
  • Royal Naval College - 15 min drive - 7.5 km
  • Blackpool Sands - 21 min drive - 13.3 km
  • Dartmoor National Park - 35 min drive - 30.5 km

Getting around

  • Ivybridge Station - 35 min drive
  • Exeter (EXT-Exeter Intl.) - 76 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Squires - ‬33 min drive
  • ‪The Railway Inn - ‬24 min drive
  • ‪The Creek - ‬26 min drive
  • ‪The Floating Bridge - ‬15 min drive
  • ‪The River Shack - ‬31 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Characterful cottage a stones throw from river Dart with front & back patios pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at Characterful cottage a stones throw from river Dart with front & back patios?

As of 28 Mar, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Characterful cottage a stones throw from river Dart with front & back patios on 30 May, 2026 start from S$340, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

What time is check-in at Characterful cottage a stones throw from river Dart with front & back patios?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Characterful cottage a stones throw from river Dart with front & back patios?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Characterful cottage a stones throw from river Dart with front & back patios located?

Situated on the waterfront, this holiday home is 0.6 mi (1 km) from Greenway House and Garden and within 3 miles (5 km) of South Devon and Battlefield Live Torbay. Churston Station and Dartmouth Museum are also within 3 miles (5 km).

Reviews

8.4

Very good

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 15 out of 31 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 8 out of 31 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 6 out of 31 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 2 out of 31 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 31 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

Lisa T.

Holly cottage

We has a lovely stay at holly cottage Lovely homely cottage everything was clean and well presented lots of room
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Edward L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Stay with my Aussi Mates and Family.

This was one of the nicest properties we have stayed at. Every thing was spotless and clean, with every thing you could want provided for, both pubs were welcoming and great food at the Red Lion. A great place to stay for total relaxation could not recommend it enough, will come again.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023
From a partner site

8/10 Good

Lovely cottage

Lovely cottage for a family with three children and a dog. Lovely location, great views and well-equipped. The only thing was the double bed was tiny!
From a partner site

8/10 Good

Helen R.

Stunning location

Holly cottage is in the most beautiful location. The cottage is a little tired and even in the sunny days was cold in the evening we took wood and kindling, this made a real difference. Garden furniture at the rear of cottage in poor condition. Despite this its location made up for it… we had a fabulous 5 days.
From a partner site

8/10 Good

Gillian L.

a good stay

Holly cottage is perfectly located near the Dart river and close to the ferry crossing and Dartmouth Ferry access and local pub and cafe. We had an enjoyable break in the lovely Village of Dittisham. Not good for less mobile people as the are many different levels. But perfect for us. We would stay again
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

A fantastic cottage in an excellent location

This was our first stay at Holly Cottage and we found it delightful. We were surprised how much sun reached the two terraces which allowed us to sit and eat outside most evenings. Despite the location directly off the street the raised terrace at the front still had a sense of privacy and the “secret” terrace at the back provided a fantastic high level viewpoint. The kitchen and sitting room were spacious and very comfortable. And being able to carry our paddle board just a few yards down to the river at high tide was ideal. We hope to return next year.
From a partner site

4/10 Poor

Extremely disappointing!

We booked Holly Cottage for 4 days over New Year. The cottage has so many issues. Firstly, the old storage heaters do not provide adequate heating from the cottage. It was freezing! Kitchen - dish washer didn’t work, hob kept turning off during cooking, the oven was so old that the symbols around the oven function dial had worn off. The temperature dial came off in my hand when I tried to turn the temperature up. I had no idea which setting I’d selected on the oven or indeed the temperature. Impossible to cook on! All of the window sills had black mould on. The bathroom ceiling had black mould on. The bath panel was coming away from the bath exposing a very dirty bath. Generally the bathroom was not clean. Master bedroom - there was a cable tie on the wardrobe which was used as a handle. The duvet and pillows were very old and poor quality. The duvet was probably 3 togs and certainly not warm even for December (especially when the heating was poor). No appliance manuals in the cottage for kitchen appliances. The hoover didn’t work. The hoover bag was completed jam packed and the nozzle of the hoover was completed blocked. I could on go……… Nice location though
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

Kelly C.

Perfect location

We’ve just had a wonderful break at Holly Cottage. Perfect location with the renowned Ferry Boat Inn and Anchorstone cafe within walking distance. Views of the River Dart and the lovely sounds of wildlife all around. It’s a spacious cottage with a well equipped kitchen, and a handy washer and dryer which came in useful with the wet weather. We’ll definitely be staying here again.
From a partner site

8/10 Good

Lovely Little Devon Cottage In Beautiful Location, Just Needs Some Small Little Things Fixing

We arrived on a wet Monday evening , lovely little cottage,beautiful location.. Enjoyed our stay , just needs few jobs to sort out .. wardrobe doors need fixing , front gate needs fixing , Probably the most important is back yard needs pressure washing as when wet very slippery.. ( accident waiting to happen for someone who is elderly or small child ) Also garden needs some tidying /TLC Saying that we had a lovely time
From a partner site

8/10 Good

Ade K.

A superb location let down by a few basics

'Ditsum' is a magical place and Holly Cottage has a wonderful location with a wealth of features - character, good quality furniture etc. It's just a shame that a few basics were missing: no towels, no dvd and no working shower. A simple welcome pack would also have enhanced the experience, as would literature showing local walks or attractions.
From a partner site

8/10 Good

Eve S.

Holly Cottage

We have stayed at Holly Cottage three times now. It has had some improvements since we last came..new bathroom, outside seating etc. The location is amazing and the cottage is quaint and has everything you need. Things have changed since Covid..the pub and The Anchorstone Cafe are not so accommodating which is a shame..I hope all the lovely things about Dittisham will come back soon. No faults with Holly Cottage though..we will be back !
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

Joe A.

A real gem in Dittisham

What a lovely surprise this cottage is. We have been holidaying in Dittisham for years and have always stayed on the quayside or the shore until this year but have definitely been missing a trick. Holly Cottage is so close to the water that you are still in the prime spot and with a great view of the moorings and across to Greenway. Even better is that both gardens are sunny all through the day and enjoy the evening sun which you don't get on the quayside. The gardens have plenty of seating so you can really enjoy the outside space. The pub is conveniently close but just far enough away to be unobtrusive and the elevated front garden gives you privacy while also being able to enjoy the buzz of the village. Inside, the cottage is roomy, well equipped and very comfortable with nice decor. Headroom is pretty good too - I'm tall so that really matters. We loved it and have already booked again.
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

Fiona D.

Review of holiday stay at Holly Cottage

Very comfortable and well provided for cottage in a great position. Everything has been thought of. Good outdoor seating areas front and back, lovely log burner for the one chilly evening, great layout.
From a partner site

4/10 Poor

Patricia D.

General Lack of care and attention. Not pet friendly on our visit

This property is advertised as pet friendly. In my opinion it is not, it is hazardous to pets in the front garden area due to steep drops. Also the means of fastening the gate giving access to the road was broken. The owner said it ‘only’ broke last week’! The man, who came to fix the smoke alarm! said he would return to fix the gate lock the next day, he didn’t know about it. He never returned. With regards to the smoke alarm it started beeping within hours of us being there..it beeped all night. (The man who came said he had replaced the battery 6 weeks ago and to be fair it looked pretty clean but once replaced the beeping stopped.)I had very little sleep. It was repaired Sunday afternoon.. our arrival day was ruined and so was the next day as we were so tired. Despite lovely weather no heating was available for a very cold lounge but winter duvets were still on the beds in warm bedrooms. By the way the pub is noisy during COVID restrictions because everyone is outside just a hundred yards away. It didn’t bother me as it was a happy noise but it might bother others. Don’t take your DVDs there isn’t a machine despite the blurb saying there is. The owner told me he had taken it out and I could watch Freeview instead. Make of that attitude what you will. The middle single bedroom door is in poor condition (holes) and doesn’t close properly. Neither of the wardrobes had doors that would close. Despite the rules there is no door to the lounge and no other barriers to stop a dog attempting the stairs to the bedrooms. The blurb states you can go to the cottage by car to load/unload only as there is no parking but it does not make it clear that there is a traffic prohibition on turning round in the very narrow road. You have to either reverse in or reverse out on a very steep hill..
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

Paul G.

Holly Cottage Dittisham May 2021

This was a first time for us at Holly Cottage, as we usually stay at a higher priced one on the Quay which was already booked. We were very pleasantly surprised when we arrived, as this one is equally as clean, welcoming and very homely, together with a brand new kitchen for 2021. The facilities are very good and by no means overstated, we would definitely return in the future.
From a partner site

8/10 Good

Keith A.

Holly Cottage

The cottage is very near the riverside which is very lovely and picturesque, however it is quite a walk to the levels car park. It would have been nice to have firewood left for the 1st evening.. My only complaint about the cottage itself was the wardrobe door in the main bedroom which was annoying when it kept opening blocking exit from bedroom. Well equipped, lounge comfortable.
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

Walter M.

Delightful Dittisham

We had a lovely holiday at Holly Cottage. The cottage is spacious,comfortable, clean and well equipped. The location is excellent . It would be nice for logs and kindling to be available on arrival to add that special touch. Overall would thoroughly recommend this cottage and would love to return at some point.
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

Sarah F.

Lovely days exploring the Dart

This is a beautifully appointed cottage in a wonderful location just yards from the River Dart. Ideally located for exploring Totnes and Dartmouth which we did by boat and other places of interest along the Dart Valley like Sharpham Vineyard and Greenway. The new refurbishments downstairs are really lovely, the cottage is well equipped and there are views of the river from the front and back gardens. Dittisham is very picturesque and there is a surprisingly well stocked shop at the top of the village and a great pub and cafe on the waterfront near the cottage. Highly recommended.
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

Corrabeth B.

Beautiful Dittisham Cottage

After 25 years of Sailing we sold our boat and stayed on the village. We could see the kids crabbing from the garden. The FBI is excellent and The Anchor stone cafe. Comfy and everything you need. A lovely seating area in the front and back. It is a busy village and great for people watching.
From a partner site

6/10 Okay

Louise D.

Lovely cottage - very low down Manor Street near the pub and the cafe!

Thank you for a great week in Dittisham - first time we visited was 2003! We love it. Just wanted to share a few bits I have thought of during the week. Holly cottage was great! Location, new bathroom, new carpet upstairs, washing machine and dryer are great. The added outside toilet a bonus (didn’t use the shower but having the extra toilet was good). Good to have the dishwasher, new oven and hob. Cottage was always warm and cosy but despite the instructions on the wall and in the book - we could not adjust the heaters. All ok as it was quite mild and very warm upstairs. One of the controls in the lounge is not attached. Storage heaters are historically quite uncontrollable. Just a few things that might be easy fixes... *new pillows on both beds in the twin room (current ones are very old and flat) *update info on rubbish collection - notes say Saturday but some was taken Monday and then again Friday - no big deal - Bin man said he does Mon +Fri with Saturday collection was summer only. Someone took a bag on Wed too. *light bulb in fridge *light bulb above the hob *light switch on lamp as you enter the double bedroom needs looking at as it is not working very well. Bigger things which would be nice to have - new kitchen would be great and windows fitting a bit better although I get the age of the cottage etc. The lounge window does blow a draught. The back patio and furniture would be lovely with some TLC - would have been great to sit out there but it is very unloved and the furniture is moldy. The two brushes are broken and have been left. I also cleaned inside the cutlery holders and fridge and the top of bin, round the sink - there were some caked on spills which had been there a long while by the looks of things. The dishwasher needed salt and rinse aid - just little things in case you want feedback.
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

Andrew P.

Our holiday at Holly Cottage in beautiful Dittisham

You won’t find a more beautiful location than this, just a few paces from the waters edge and the passenger Ferry to Dartmouth. The area has lots of lovely walks right from the doorstep of Holly Cottage, that lead to you some amazing coastal views and on towards Torquay.
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

Ben T.

Perfect break in difficult times

Having had previous bookings at another of Dart Valleys Cottages cancelled due to covid, we booked Holly Cottage as it was available when our original cottage was not. I'm so glad it wasn't! Holly Cottage is amazing. It has everything you need and has plenty of room. 3 large bedrooms, a newly refurbished bathroom, large lounge and kitchen and lots of outdoor space. The cottage is very quirky, the bed slopes with the floor which is interesting, it has walls thicker than a castle's and the location has to be one of the best in Dittisham. Next to the FBI and the Anchorstone Cafe. Dittisham doesn't change and that's the best thing about it. Those who have been there before don't need me to tell you about the village. I have stayed in Dittisham for nearly 40 years since I was small at various houses in the village from top to bottom and Holly Cottage was way and above the best. I think the biggest mention needs to be for Dart Valley Cottages though, as in these very uncertain times, have excelled in making the week great. The house was immaculate and when we walked in it felt safe and welcoming. Christine worked with us when we had dates cancelled and has provided us with an excellent, relaxing week away. We will return and without doubt will book Holly Cottage again!
From a partner site

6/10 Okay

Liubov B.

Excellent location but cottage needs some attention

The location of Holly Cottage is ideal for a River Dart holiday - a few steps from the water and two pubs/cafes on your doorstep. Sadly the cottage itself was not well cleaned on our arrival, which was a huge disappointment, especially in these Covid19 times. It is a very damp property in need of some love and care. But the cottage was a great base for exploring the area. Dittisham itself is ideal!
From a partner site

6/10 Okay

Alex M.

Unloved.

We had a very good holiday in Dittisham and found our communication with Dart Valley Cottages to be very efficient. They were very helpful. Holly Cottage is very close to the water which was a key priority for us. However, with the pub and cafe only a short distance away we were awoken by deliveries and/or community rubbish collection every weekday morning occasionally at 6.30pm. This wasn't a big problem for us but it might be an issue for other people. The cottage has a nice terrace in the front. The outdoor furniture at the cottage was in a poor state. To the back of the house the table was growing moss and the chairs were covered in green algae. We didn't use them as a result. All the iron chairs at the front had loose backs and one of the benches at the front was coming apart. There is a good washing machine and drying machine but it could have done with a fold away clothes dryer or somewhere to hang wetsuits and towels. We had to leave these drying on the front terrace which was unsightly for everyone. The Kitchen is old and falling apart in places. Although the surfaces and crockery and cutlery were clean the interiors of the cupboards were greasy and the kitchen extractor was dirty. The cupboards were full of broken bits and bobs that hadn't been sorted for years evidenced by pre-referendum paperwork in them. The outside bins had loose rubbish in them when we arrived and smelled unpleasant. When we were told that deep cleaning had taken place and we couldn't arrive until 5pm this seemed a little surprising. We also found children's puzzles under the sitting room furniture. The kitchen is small and in order to seat 5 people you have to pull the table out from the wall, meaning you cannot open the oven door. The shower was great and the bathroom has been modernised. There was plenty of hot water. The floor in the master bedroom slopes which in itself isn't a problem but the bed sloped at the same angle so you felt like you were camping on a slope. My partner and I ended up sleeping separately as a result. The bed also looks cheap with various boards supporting the mattress. The sheet didn't cover the sides of the mattress. A lot of the linen felt old and in some cases showed small stains. We appreciate that things may not be perfect but this house feels like someone wants to make money and I imagine that the occupancy rate is high because of its position. However, it doesn't feel as though someone cares about it and loves it. Many things could easily be rectified in order to make it a real pleasure to stay in.
From a partner site

6/10 Okay

Stacey H.

Great location but be prepared for cold cottage!!!

The location of this cottage is fantastic but when we arrived at the cottage we were met with an overwhelming smell of “Wet Dogs”. Not sure if the people before had dogs but the smell was so unbearable we picked up some air freshener whilst we were out shopping! It was also not bet clean....lots of cob-webs which is to be expected in an old cottage but these had been here for some time! Also the outside shower room was awful, freezing cold, full of cob webs & damp. No heating in there at all! There was also no mention of this in the cottage description so was a littke mis-leading. The cottage also only had a log burner in the lounge for heat as the storage heaters in the property were useless and didn’t keep us sufficiently warm in the evening. A few nights we ended up going to bed as it was too cold to sit comfortably downstairs so we ended up biting 3 extra bags of logs to burn in an attempt to keep warm. The cottage is in a beautiful position but was let down by its lack of cleanliness and it’s heating.

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