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16th Century Grade II Listed Cottage in Heart of Dartmoor National Park

Photo gallery for 16th Century Grade II Listed Cottage in Heart of Dartmoor National Park

A stone cottage with a small porch and a door, surrounded by lush greenery and flowering trees.
A natural rock formation with a clear sky.
A cozy living room with a stone wall, a fireplace, leather sofas, and a coffee table.
A room with two beds, each with a quilted bedspread, a bedside table with a lamp, and a wall-mounted light fixture.
A house with a sloped roof surrounded by snow-covered ground and leafless trees.

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional

Highlights

  • Barbecue
    A rare find - perfect for a relaxed, outdoor grilling experience.
  • Walkable and wonderful
    Guests love the walkable location for its easy access on foot.
  • Discover nearby landmarks
    Close to Dartmoor National Park
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 4

Popular amenities

  • Onsite parking available
  • Pet-friendly
  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Barbecue grill
  • Garden

Explore the area

View map
newton abbot, devon
  • Place, Dartmoor National Park
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Place, Jay's Grave
    ‪15 min walk‬
  • Place, University of Exeter
    ‪52 min drive‬
  • Airport, Exeter (EXT-Exeter Intl.)
    ‪57 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 4)

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Bathtub · Toilet

Spaces

Kitchen
Garden
Dining area

About this property

16th Century Grade II Listed Cottage in Heart of Dartmoor National Park

Step back in time in this 16th century Grade ll listed cottage, situated on its own in 2.5 acres of woodland abundant in wildlife. Rabbits, foxes, squirrels. badgers deer and many species of birds are often seen. Because of it's location (the cottage is completely surrounded by moorland) it is a true walker's paradise. The moorland villages of Ashburton, Bovey Tracey, Chagford and Widecombe-in-moor are within 15 minutes drive.

Please note we only accept bookings from Friday to Friday.
There is no vehicular access to the property, you park at the top then walk 250m down hill through the woods, we supply a wheelbarrow for your luggage
The property is not suitable for those with walking difficulties

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House Rules

Check in after 2:00 PM
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

Check-out instructions

The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks and take out the rubbish
Turn off the lights, lock the doors and return the keys
If the heating is on, please turn it down to 15 degrees
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.

Important information

You need to know

Property # 8036309
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 not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit

About the area

Newton Abbot

Located in Newton Abbot, this cottage is in a rural area. House of Marbles and Old Walls Vineyard are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those looking for area attractions can visit Devon Guild of Craftsmen and Pixieland. Higher Knowle and Stone Lane Gardens are also worth visiting. Swimming offers a great chance to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with mountain biking, cycling and hiking/biking trails nearby.
View more Cottages in Newton AbbotOpens in a new window
Map
newton abbot, devon

What's nearby

  • Dartmoor National Park - 1 min walk - 0.0 km
  • Jay's Grave - 15 min walk - 1.3 km
  • Exeter Cathedral - 50 min drive - 40.2 km
  • Princess Theatre - 51 min drive - 35.6 km
  • University of Exeter - 52 min drive - 41.2 km

Getting around

  • Ivybridge Station - 28 min drive
  • Exeter (EXT-Exeter Intl.) - 49 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Pinocchios Cafeteria - ‬17 min drive
  • ‪Cromwell Arms - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪The Bell Inn - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪The Old Pottery Restaurant - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪The Cleave - ‬16 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is 16th Century Grade II Listed Cottage in Heart of Dartmoor National Park pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

How much is parking at 16th Century Grade II Listed Cottage in Heart of Dartmoor National Park?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at 16th Century Grade II Listed Cottage in Heart of Dartmoor National Park?

Check-in begins at 2:00 PM.

What time is check-out at 16th Century Grade II Listed Cottage in Heart of Dartmoor National Park?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is 16th Century Grade II Listed Cottage in Heart of Dartmoor National Park located?

Situated in a rural location, this cottage is 0.9 mi (1.4 km) from Jay's Grave and within 3 miles (5 km) of Becky Falls and St Pancras Church. Grimspound is 3.1 mi (4.9 km) away.

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

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. 51 out of 57 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 5 out of 57 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 57 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 57 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 57 reviews

9.4/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

John O.

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

The perfect hideaway.

This cottage was exactly what we needed, a perfect warm and cosy retreat , surrounded by nature and the amazing moores. We absolutely loved it 😍
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Sarah S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The property was amazing, clean and exactly as described. Host was very helpful and checked in with us by text to make sure ok. A steep path down to property which is slippery when wet -the description made this very clear. We loved our stay!
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

paul m.

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

hideaway

very private, secluded cottage, lovely walks from the front door, nice pubs, perfect peaceful hideaway.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Stephanie S.

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

The perfect vacation

Photos and reviews don't do this property justice, it was absolutely amazing. It was the perfect place to get away and quiet the mind, do a little art, and enjoy nature! I will definitely be back!
Stayed 7 nights in May 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Ellen S.

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

Serenity

What a beautiful and peaceful place! We had a wonderful week walking the tors and coming home to the bird songs. Thank you for a perfect respite!
Stayed 7 nights in May 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

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

Hidden gem

A beautiful cottage in a peaceful wood surrounded by wildlife. It is a short walk up onto Hound Tor. Miles of walks from the door. Very relaxing stay.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Stephen B.

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

Breakfast with the birds

An absolute gem of a place. We were blessed with a week of good spring weather, which meant that every day we were able to have breakfast outside and enjoy the plentiful variety of bird song in the woodland. The walk down and up from the property is definitely not for those with any mobility or strength issues, but it just added to the sense of peace and isolation for us.
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2025
Verified review

8/10 Good

Ewald E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Location is best we ever had in the past 30 years in the UK. Because the cottage is a grade listing building (16th century) it's not easy to modernise (we talked with the incredibly sympathetic owner mrs. Clare Head).But after some days we got used to it and often stayed home enjoying the silence and abundance of fauna.
Stayed 28 nights in Aug 2025
Verified review

8/10 Good

Jane W.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautifully Rustic

Horrendous weather impacted hugely but still a lovely break. The cottage was very damp but once the heating and fire were on it was. The bathroom left a little to be desired but as long as you are prepared to rough it a bit a great way to enjoy Dartmoor rain or not.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Tony C.

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

Wonderful little hideaway

This place is truly wonderful, almost like something out of a fairytale. Deep in the heart of Dartmoor, 300 yds from the road, down in a beautiful valley, you come across this gorgeous 500 year old cottage. Totally silent and truly cut off from “civilisation”, this is the place to be if you are looking for peace and quiet. I loved it and will be back for more, sooner rather than later. Ten out of ten, highly recommended.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2019
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Katharina S.

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

THE best hideaway

This cottage is a magical place. It is completely hidden from the world and breathes another time. Birds and squirrels come to visit, even a fox lives on the grounds. The fireplace is where you snuggle up at night - like once upon a time. Although we had to battle the damp due to very wet weather we had THE most wonderful week. Thank you, Clare, for having us.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Miriam B.

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

A magical place

I immensely enjoyed my stay in Gratnor Cottage. What a magical, enchanting place! Don't miss the remains of the ancient settlement next to Hound Tor and the walk down into the woods. So beautiful. I will definitely come back. It's perfect to recharge your batteries and forget about the worries of the world. Very friendly contact with host Clare. If I could I would give 10 stars.
Stayed 10 nights in Jun 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Michael R.

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

Best week ever

What else can I say beyond the title of this review? Best means best. I extend my warmest thanks to our gracious host. We will visit again soon. Be forewarned: you must be in good physical condition to be able to walk up and down the steep path between your car and the cottage. Do NOT choose this property if 1) you have heavy or oversized luggage AND/OR 2) you are in any way unable to manage—let alone enjoy, as we did—the strenuous walk required to get there.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Katrina R.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect getaway from everything!

Gratnor is a fairy tale place. Leave your car at the top of the hill, walk across a field and down through the woods, over a little stream and into another world. You could stay here the whole time and not see another soul (other than the sheep in the field next door), or you can walk up on the moors all day and return for an evening by the fire. One week at the end of March and we had sunshine, torrential rain, high winds, hail, snow, thunder and lightning and a mini flood. And we loved every moment. If you like an old world adventure, this is the place to go.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Penny H.

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

A hidden little gem

This place is so remote, with only wildlife for company. A gorgeous cottage set amongst the woods with the moors to one side. The cottage is so well equipped with lots of nice little homely touches and an amazing log burner. The garden full of birds complete with feeders and a small pond, beautiful to sit in on a warm day. You could spend the whole time here and not see a sole (apart from maybe the farmer on his tractor in the nearby fields). It is a bit of a walk to get down through the woods but so worth it when you get there. Getting back up the hill takes a little longer!! A true hidden little gem.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Penelope B.

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

Red Riding hoods Grandma's house, Idyllic!

We had an amazing week at this little idyllic cottage. Family of 4, the 'Kids' are 16 and 20 happily shared the twin room. I wished I had taken less when we first descended the steep path through the woods, but after a couple of ventures out, it became the perfect warm up to our Dartmoor tor adventures! We cooked, talked, played games by the fire and my son took his guitar to entain us. It really was the most perfect holiday. The circular walk from the cottage around Houndtor to Haytor (8miles ish) was our favourite day. It was an easy walk with moderate elements. It was a hot day and we cooled off in streams along the way. The medieval village was beautiful.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Elisabeth C.

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

A real one off and a beautiful place to stay

The owners have done a wonderful job of adding just enough of the modern world in to the cottage so that you're comfortable, without drawing attention away from the charm and beauty of such a unique historic home. The house was extremely clean when we arrived, the WiFi is good, but the views surrounding the garden, the lambs and sheep in the field next door and the array of birds visiting the garden (often tapping on the windows in the morning) were the real treats to wake up to every day. Its like the cottage is in its own little world. I was expecting it to be a little chilly/ draughty as the cottage is so old, but despite horrendous weather on our first night we were perfectly cosy as the cottage is well looked after, heating is brilliant and you get a stunning open fire too! Clare was really friendly and great at providing directions, tips for using the fire and looking after the cottage while we were there. We'd certainly stay again!
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Manuela F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Ein wunderbares Kleinod mitten im Nationalpark. Vogelbeobachtung, Ruhe und sofort mitten im Park. Etwas Kondition sollte vorhanden sein, um den Weg vom Cottage (wunderbar durch den Wald) nach oben bewältigen zu können. Frühstück mit den Vögeln und Abendessen mit Grauhörnchen, ein Idyll.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Martin M.

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

Ultieme rust in Dartmoor.

Geweldige tijd gehad in Gratnor Cottage! Omringd door natuur, vogels, schapen en een familie vossen. Knus huisje, met een fijne houtkachel, die we vanwege lage temperaturen echt nodig hadden. Aanrader!
Stayed 11 nights in Jun 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Michael B.

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

At last the solitude I crave

The cottage is beautiful and completely secluded. The woodland is full of life and the ancient landscape of Dartmoor is all around.
Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Ryan M.

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

Lovely break

Lovely break , quiet and relaxing . Everything you need is in the cottage .
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Rene d.

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

Fantastic week!

The cottage is complete, comfortable en is very special and privatly situated. We had a wonderful week and for sure want to come back here!
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Alan H.

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

Outstanding

Outstandingly cottage located in its own woods in the Dartmoor National Park. 5 minute walk and you are out on the moor with miles of walking available. Abundance of wild birds, roe deer and foxes within view of the cottage. Would definitely recommend to anyone who wants some time a way from it all. Thank you!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Anya S.

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

House in the wood

It was a wonderful place to stay, quiet and peaceful, totally relaxing. Lots of birds to see and hear in the garden. Loved it.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2022
Verified review

6/10 Okay

Sally L.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Peaceful

Loved the location, house needs a bit of updating.
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2022

About the host

Hosted by Clare Head

Host profile image
I live in Devon with my husband and two children. My husband and I run a successful piano tuning and sales company. I am a keen naturalist, enjoying the delights of Dartmoor and the countryside around it. My interests include walking, cycling, dancing, and travelling, our family are active members of the Devon Wildlife Trust.

Why they chose this property

Gratnor Cottage was inherited by my in-laws. My self, my husband and brother in-law have now taken on the running of Gratnor. It is such a unique place, the first time I came to the cottage was on a hot summers day in 1989, Julian my husband (then friend) invited me to one of his legendary cottage party as I walked down the path through the woods I wondered if I was in the right place, as I rounded the corner I saw the cottage it was like something out of a fairy tail, it feels totally remote and you can feel the stress of modern day living draining away as soon as you arrive. we as a family have spent some very happy times here,I like the fact there's no TV. We walk,talk,read and play games. There is such an abundance of wildlife,Fox's,badgers,deer,barn owls are just some of the regulars.

What makes this property unique

Although Gratnor feels remote its in a great location for exploring Dartmoor, the moorland villages of Ashburton, Bovey Tracey, Chagford and Widecombe-in-moor are all within a 10 minutes drive. If you love the countryside and particularly enjoy the wilderness and wildlife that Dartmoor offers, Gratnors the place to come, its a walkers paradise you just walk out the garden and your on the open moor, and when you come back you have the wood-burning stove to cosy up to. Its such a special place over 70% of our bookings are return visitors.

Languages:

English

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