Staying on A Christmas Tree Farm in Devon

Some posts on this website comprise affiliate hyperlinks. In case you ebook or purchase one thing by way of these hyperlinks, I earn a small fee (at no further value to you). Check out my privateness coverage for extra data.

On the lookout for the right cosy-season staycation in England? This vacation lodge on a Christmas tree farm in South Devon is right for an autumn/winter getaway!

With its golden sandy seashores and historic seaside resorts, southwest England has firmly cemented itself as a summertime vacation spot. However go to South Devon in autumn or winter, and this attractive nook of the UK has a really completely different vibe. 

With the summer time vacationers gone, you’ll discover the windswept seashores and clifftop coast paths empty – and prime for a bracing stroll. That is the right season for a comfy getaway: plenty of pub dinners, roaring fires, and walks within the countryside.

And I discovered the PERFECT vacation lodge in your autumn/winter escape on holidaylodges.co.uk: Dartmouth Lodge. It’s a classy one-bedroom property on a working Christmas Tree Farm. Yep, you learn that proper: this gorgeous, fashionable vacation house is on an precise Christmas tree farm, surrounded by fir bushes and with unbelievable countryside views. It’s the dream spot for an escape this season… 

Is a Vacation Lodge Proper for Autumn/Winter?

Suppose vacation lodges are only for summer time getaways? Suppose once more! A cute log cabin or trendy vacation lodge is right for a low-effort luxurious keep within the cooler months. Suppose scorching tubs steaming on a chilly night time, or snuggling up beneath a blanket with a glass of wine beside a log fireplace after a protracted stroll. 

My ideas: search for a lodge within the countryside or a small village, so you’ll be able to encompass your self with scenic views – and luxuriate in extra-dark nights for stargazing! A pub inside strolling distance is a bonus – but in addition make certain there’s a well-equipped kitchen, so you’ll be able to keep in and cook dinner. Higher but, an out of doors BBQ or pizza oven. I additionally extremely suggest reserving a lodge with a log burner for enjoyable nights in, and an out of doors scorching tub is one other should for those who’re searching for an expensive keep. You are able to do a search on holidaylodges.co.uk to search out your excellent keep – however I’ve already completed the give you the results you want, as a result of Darmouth Lodge has all of it!

The Final Cosy-Season Staycation at Dartmouth Lodge

Tucked away on Marldon Christmas Tree Farm in South Devon, Dartmouth Lodge is the last word spot for a calming autumn-winter getaway. It’s one among a number of lodges on the farm (with extra coming quickly), however they’re all so unfold out amongst the bushes that it seems like you have got the place to your self!

At any time of yr, you’ll be surrounded by fir bushes with views of rolling countryside all the way in which to the peaks of Dartmoor. However from late October, the farm launches its festive season: folks go to to select their tree for December, and a Christmas store and festive cafe open on website in November. Even Santa comes to remain for some time – so that is an additional particular time of yr to go to!

I used to be right here simply earlier than their large opening weekend in mid-October, and it was already feeling tremendous festive! The seasonal cafe on website is a pleasant little bonus, too, as you would pop down there for a espresso or a scorching drink throughout your keep. 

Even for those who’re not Christmas-crazy (like I’m!), there’s one thing splendidly wintery about being surrounded all these pretty spruces, pines, and fir bushes. Good for a spot of “forest bathing” – which you are able to do proper from Dartmouth Lodge’s patio! And the farm’s countryside location means loads of good walks and points of interest within the space, a village pub inside strolling distance, and a stunningly darkish sky for stargazing after darkish. 

Dartmouth Lodge Tour: Exterior

Let’s begin with the showstopper: the outside! Dartmouth Lodge has an enormous patio with unbelievable views throughout the farm in the direction of lush inexperienced valleys – all the way in which to Dartmoor’s rolling hills. There’s backyard furnishings, a big stone BBQ (for al fresco meals on crisp autumn days) and – the most effective bit – a big scorching tub! 

This was attractive for warming up after a cold day strolling within the countryside – and it’s within the excellent spot for having fun with these early autumn/winter sunsets. After darkish, when the farm was quiet and it felt like I had the entire place to myself, there was one thing fantastic about soaking within the outside tub beneath a transparent sky stuffed with stars. 

Dartmouth Lodge Tour: Inside

Inside, the lodge is trendy and fashionable: white partitions, impartial colors, and some vibrant splashes of native artwork. There are large patio doorways on the entrance, so you’ll be able to take advantage of the views, even when the climate exterior is (because the music goes) frightful!

There’s a comfortable little lounge space with a big TV and a stunning log burner, excellent for getting cosy on chilly winter nights! 

Some vacation lodges include tiny kitchens. Not this one! It’s a full-size kitchen, absolutely outfitted with oven, hob, microwave, and all of the gear it’s essential cook dinner up a storm. Romantic candlelit dinner, anybody?

The bed room is straightforward however attractive, with a giant cozy mattress, a small window overlooking the encircling bushes, and big sliding wardrobes with loads of storage (so you would simply keep for every week or extra!). The massive rest room additionally has a window searching onto the encircling bushes, which makes it really feel slightly such as you’re showering within the forest! 

In brief, it’s a lovely little lodge which might be excellent for a vacation at any time of yr! I adored my keep right here – a much-needed solo reset, with days spent studying and watching the birds from my patio, surrounded by lush evergreens. The peaceable nature and gorgeous sunsets had been splendidly restorative. 

Exploring Marldon

The tiny village of Marldon could not appear to be a primary journey vacation spot, however it’s the right location for exploring the most effective of South Devon. It’s a brief drive from Torquay and the English Riviera, a summertime seaside hotspot which you’ll discover pleasantly quiet throughout autumn/winter. It’s additionally simply 40 minutes or so from Dartmoor Nationwide Park, a large, wild expanse of moors, forests, and boulder-topped craggy hills – the right spot for mountain climbing, biking, and street journeys with epic views! 

There’s additionally lots to do within the space surrounding Marldon. I’ll be trustworthy, I didn’t go to any of those on my journey, as a result of I used to be targeted extra on unwinding, countryside walks, and forest bathing! However I explored Devon extensively after I wrote the Lonely Planet Devon & Cornwall guidebook final yr, so these are my prime picks within the native space…

Locations to Go to Close by

Compton Citadel – a medieval manor relationship from the early twelfth century. (Open days differ). 

Berry Pomeroy Citadel – an evocative wreck stated to be one of the crucial haunted locations within the UK. 

Dawlish Warren Nationwide Nature Reserve – one among Southwest England’s greatest birdwatching places, particularly in Autumn & Winter, when hundreds of migrating birds flock right here to overwinter within the Exe Estuary. 

Dartmouth Steam Railway – trip a historic steam prepare from Paignton to Dartmouth. You’ll be able to return the identical method, or take their “Spherical Robin” journey, which entails a riverboat trip from Dartmouth to Totnes, then a bus again to Paignton. 

Totnes – a fairly market city recognized for its moral, impartial spirit. The excessive road is crammed with indie boutiques, zero-waste retailers, and vegan cafes. Don’t miss the views from the 900-year-old Totnes Citadel. 

Brixham – a really fairly harbour city with one of many UK’s largest fishing fleets, and the unique dwelling of the good Rockfish restaurant chain. 

Sharpham Wines – an award-winning winery within the Dart Valley. Go to them at Sandridge Barton Winery for excursions, tastings, or a meal within the wonderful restaurant. 

Greenway – Agatha Christie’s former vacation dwelling, a lovely Georgian Manor now managed by the Nationwide Belief. 

South Devon Autumn & Winter Highlights

Seal Pups: Gray seal pups are often born in late summer time by way of winter, so preserve a watch out for them on seashores and rocky outcrops as you stroll the coast paths. Attempt Berry Head and Churston Cove in Brixham, or Hopes Nostril close to Torquay. 

Coastal Hikes: Autumn is among the greatest occasions of yr to hike the South West Coast Path: it’s much less crowded, and the cooler climate is best for mountain climbing. Take care if it’s been raining closely. First rate strolling footwear are a should!

Stargazing: Lengthy winter nights afford among the greatest stargazing situations (when the skies are clear), particularly on Dartmoor. I used to be awarded an unbelievable nighttime show from my patio at Dartmouth Lodge!

Browsing: October and November are among the greatest months to surf in southwest England. Head to Bantham Seashore, South Devon’s premier browsing spot. 

Christmas Enjoyable: Marldon Christmas Tree Farm will get festive from mid-October, whereas December brings a slew of festive occasions to the realm. Dartmouth Steam Railway often run a particular, festively-lit prepare service after darkish throughout December, and lots of the native Nationwide Belief homes get a Christmassy makeover. 

Don’t Overlook to Calm down!

With a lot to see and do close by, and each shoreline and countryside in very straightforward attain, the vacation lodges on Marldon Christmas Tree Farm make for a unbelievable cosy-season escape. You’ll be able to fill your vacation with as a lot motion as you want, however I like to recommend taking a minimum of slightly time to do completely nothing! Hop within the scorching tub to unwind, sit by the hearth with a great ebook, or chill out on the lodge’s patio – forest-bathing amongst the farm’s fir bushes!

The very best factor about an autumn-winter vacation is taking a while out to relax out. This season can really feel fairly chaotic, so it’s good to get away from all of it for a number of days of nature, stargazing, and quietude. Though I used to be staying on a working farm, it actually felt like I used to be the one one there (particularly after darkish) so that is the right spot for some peaceable solitude or a secluded break as a pair. 

Extra Data

In case you ebook a keep at Darmouth Lodge (or any of the opposite properties on Marldon Farm) this autumn/winter, let me know within the feedback! I’d love to listen to about your journey!