Dog Friendly Cottages Devon

Reviews

What our customers say about their holidays

• Pamela - Verified booking

  We loved Moonrakers Cottage and will definitely stay again if we visit Dartmouth in the future.

  Great location, amazing views, well equipped cottage with great facilities. It was a huge positive having our own car parking at the property, however we could only get our car (Volvo XC60) partially into the open garage but it was enough so that next door could get in and out of their garage/drive. People with very large cars would struggle. The location of the property is also a big plus with lots of amenities within a short 'flat' 5 minute walk. However, the steps and path from the garage to the cottage would not be suitable for anyone with a mobility problem or bad knees/hips. We are all relatively fit and active but still found the steps and path a challenge after a busy day walking coastal paths. Dartmouth is not for the faint hearted. The scores given above reflect a few minor issues which we reported to the office but none of these issues would stop us staying here again or from us recommending to others as they are all minor safety and maintenance issues: 1. The wooden porch beside the garage was in a bad start of repair when we arrived. Wood rotten causing the door to come off some of the hinges and the doorframe to snap on the Monday of our stay due to heavy rain and wind conditions. The door had to be left balanced which was precarious when we were using it multiple times in the day when going out and about. 2. The house had changed colour from the photos on the website. House is now blue instead of yellow. This would not have been an issue if we had not been looking for yellow house because the signage for Moonrakers had washed off the house sign (piece of slate which was lying on the ground). 3. As mentioned above the house signage has come off the house sign so we found 20 Clarence Street so knew we were in the right location but went to drive pass 22 because no sign visible from the street and as I mentioned above the house we thought we were looking for was yellow not blue. 4. The hedge which runs the full length of the path was overgrown which meant it was awkward walking up and down the path particularly with luggage and bags. This hedge needs to be trimmed right back. We didn't notice this when we arrived but we think it sprouted because it was very hot Friday/Saturday/Sunday and then very heavy rain on the Monday and it was after this that the hedge was covering almost half the width of the path. Points 2, 3 and 4 are all quick and easy fixes which would help with visitors first impressions. Also I think it would be useful to update the notice in the kitchen regarding recycling. We took our glass bottles to Mayors Car Park but as we couldn't find any info regarding what to do with paper and plastic we brought our recycling home. When I popped into the office to hand the keys back the very helpful staff member said we could have put all our recycling in a black bag and these would be taken away and sorted when the rest of the rubbish was removed. This would be useful information to know. Thanks again for a great stay. We loved Moonrakers Cottage and hope to visit again if we are back in this area in the future. Thank you to Coast and Country for great communications and excellent customer services.

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• Kaylee - Verified booking

  Here are some tips for locating this charming cottage: When you consult the map on Sykes Cottages, which mistakenly estimates it to be before the right-hand bend.

  Be sure not to stop at the first thatched cottage you see and the property you need is actually located at the very end of the road (about 1.5miles in), which, like many lanes in Devon, may appear unclassified. The property’s What3words address is: ///shipyards.nurture.wisdom. As you turn in and drive down the gravel driveway, you’ll find the cottage with a large gate in front of you, surrounded by a few other properties on the land, one of which belongs to the owners. We were warmly welcomed by Malcolm, who we saw each morning as he let the ducks out to protect them from foxes. Malcolm is friendly and a treasure trove of local knowledge. After a while, we were also welcomed by Zoe who popped her head over the fence to greet us. Adjacent to the property is a large field that leads to the Tarka Trail. Most mornings, our dog loved playing in the field until the sheep arrived. Even then, Malcolm generously offered us access to the field that separates our property from theirs, which was incredibly kind, especially on days when our dog needed extra exercise. A note for dog owners: dogs are not allowed upstairs (if your furry friend typically sleeps with you). We also noticed the house rules about not leaving dogs unattended, as there were some noticeable scratches on the doorway, its likely this is to prevent damage from pets that struggle in unfamiliar places or have separation anxiety. The information book provides some options for nearby eateries. We particularly enjoyed The Kings Arms in Winkleigh—just a heads up, though: most local restaurants don’t serve food until 5:30 p.m., and reservations are often necessary. We didn’t explore too many local dining options, as the cottage is conveniently located for trips to North and South Devon and even Cornwall. One unsuspecting highlight was the Puffing Billy Cafe in Torrington, about 30 minutes away, where we indulged in a delightful cream tea too! For the extremely light sleepers in our group, the sound of the buzzing cesspit and the creaky stairs did disrupt their rest, so if you're a light sleeper too you may opt for ear buds. We recommend discussing your return times with the owners too, particularly as the winter months approach, if you'd prefer a hot shower or bath on your return to adjust the times for a warm one. Fortunately, Malcolm was quick to accommodate the changes for us. The cottage is well-equipped with everything you could need for a comfortable stay. Based on previous reviews, we opted to bring a few of our own items, as it noted that some essentials weren't provided. However, there is a Coop in nearby Hatherleigh. The surroundings are stunning, and the night sky is absolutely breathtaking! All in all, thank you for a lovely stay in such a beautiful place—it’s incredibly spacious and perfect for dogs!

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• Richard M - Verified booking

  Really nice House with stunning views over Dartmouth.

  I found the Sofa a little uncomfortable, back rest not high enough for me. House contains everything you will need for a really comfortable stay, including a Lovely Big Bath. There is easy access to the rear garden for dog owners from the lower floor, so you can dry your dog off in the porch after it has been outside. Parking is a little bit tricky but we were able to Park two normal sized cars without obstructing the next doors garage. Had a leak in the ceiling of the Kitchen bay window Christmas morning, as we had high winds and torrential rain, so ended up mopping up the floor and table before we could do anything else Christmas day. This happened once again when we had high winds and rain from a certain direction. We did notice brown marks on the ceiling when we moved in, but thought it only to be damp stains, (Have reported the facts to the office on departure). Apart from that we had a really comfortable and relaxing week in the house, my daughter says she had the best nights sleep in the upper bedroom, than she's had for years. Just a word of warning reference the steps and slope leading up to the house, they will certainly keep you fit.

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• Nadia - Verified booking

  Gorgeous homely cottage.

  Super nice owners that are on hand if needed. The surrounding grounds, cottage and barns also beautiful. Just be aware of track/lane down to cottage in wet weather is slippery and muddy. Also Google with Post code took me to half way down lane. Ignore that just keep going right to the end and new drive being done. I found hot spotting my Internet from ee provider worked very well with my amazon fire stick. I did a little work on laptop too. The fur kids loved running through the field, stream and woods. Watched the world go by with the friendly ducks.(owners put away and let out each day, which my girls took while to except it was OK so no need to Bark!silly monkeys) You are fully enclosed in once gate is shut so very settling as a dog owner. Wood floors so easy with dogs. Lovely bath and powerful shower. I forgot to take salt and pepper and hand soap, but easily pick up down in village shops or Okehampton. Good spot to go to dartmoor and surrounding area. Or pop across the coast. Then come back for hot chocky in front of the lush log burner. Definitely a lovely cottage to stay and relax in :)

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• Sally-ann - Verified booking

  Perfect location for our dogs!

  Once the gate was closed they were able to run round as much as they wanted to. Make sure you keep driving on the lane because it is a dead end where the cottage is so don't think you've missed it! Agree with other comments in that you have to take all the basics with you as the only thing there was toilet paper & hand-wash. There were a lot of flies in the cottage as it was so warm & the windows were open but I'd taken a citronella candle with me which really helped. Also, lots of cobwebs & spiders but it's in the middle of the country so it's to be expected Only disappointment was that there wasn't a welcome pack there which I've always had at previous cottage bookings. Even something as simple as a couple of teabags & a pint of milk would've been gratefully received. However, it was in a perfect location for Devon.& Cornwall & loads of National Trust properties within an hour's drive & I would definitely stay there again.

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