Hidden Escapes: Dittisham Hideaway

by Sophie Yardley

Nestled along the sunken lanes of the Devonshire countryside, you’ll discover Dittisham Hideaway – an idyllic rural retreat where you can reconnect with nature and be reminded of life’s simple pleasures. And by simple pleasures, I’m talking wood-fired cedar hot tubs, underfloor heating, and duvets made from 100% Devonshire sheep wool. I find myself happiest out in nature, though a happy camper I am not. Braving the elements armed with only a tent and a stove has simply never been my cup of tea. This is where Dittisham Hideaway came into its own. The nine-acre private wooded valley is home to five luxury shepherd’s lodges (where I spent my long weekend), four incredible treehouses and an iconic 1950s American Airstream. Now for me, preparation for a long weekend involves never-ending lists, evenings put aside for packing, and loading the car with a baby elephant’s weight in luggage. However, this time it was different – when I say this is a luxury weekend away, I mean it.

With a small suitcase in tow, on a Friday evening, I made the journey of just over two hours from Bristol to Dittisham. The experience began immediately, with electric wheelbarrows to transport our belongings; although with only one small bag, I was able to smugly deny one. We then enjoyed a welcome hamper complete with a bottle of wine (opened within five minutes), along with all the morning essentials for breakfast. The shepherd’s lodges are bigger than most hotel rooms I’ve stayed in and are complete with a double bed made up with the finest Egyptian cotton bed linen, towels and all the basic toiletries you’ll need. Of course, there’s the added luxury of an en-suite, with waterfall shower to boot. I enjoyed my morning coffee on our private terrace, listening to the babbling of the neighbouring stream. Afternoons were spent exploring the woodland walks on the grounds, getting competitive on the ping pong table and boules piste, and venturing into the nearby towns. One mile away you’ll find the picturesque village of Dittisham on the River Dart. Guests of Dittisham Hideaway receive a complimentary voucher for the passenger ferry which takes you across the river to Greenway – Agatha Christie’s holiday home. In my opinion, a must-visit. Twenty minutes away is the quirky market town of Totnes, where we wiled away the hours exploring the independent boutiques, antique and vintage stores, art galleries, and coffee shops. Then a forty-minute drive away is the resort town of Salcombe. We spent the day walking the breathtaking South Hams coastal path along Bolt Head, ending with lunch on the beach at South Sands. Evenings were spent on our private deck cooking up feasts on the BBQ, sipping wine and watching the sun sink across the valley. We also enjoyed frequenting one of the local pubs before settling in for an evening tipple under the stars in the hot tub, listening to the gentle hooting of the resident owls.

For all our pup-loving readers, the accommodation is dog-friendly! For those with families, I’d suggest the treehouses where you’ll find triple-decker bunk beds, outdoor chess boards and foosball tables. For those with accessibility requirements, there’s plenty of options that fit the bill. And for those that enjoy the finer things, there’s even the option to book massages in your accommodation, and hire a private chef to cook you up a banquet.

Discover more about Dittisham Hideaway and book your stay at dittishamhideaway.co.uk