Staying on A Christmas Tree Farm in Devon

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In search of the proper 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 totally different vibe. 

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

And I discovered the PERFECT vacation lodge on your autumn/winter escape on holidaylodges.co.uk: Dartmouth Lodge. It’s a trendy one-bedroom property on a working Christmas Tree Farm. Yep, you learn that proper: this beautiful, 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?

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

My suggestions: search for a lodge within the countryside or a small village, so you possibly can 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 ensure that there’s a well-equipped kitchen, so you possibly can keep in and prepare dinner. Higher but, an outside BBQ or pizza oven. I additionally extremely suggest reserving a lodge with a log burner for enjoyable nights in, and an outside sizzling tub is one other should when you’re on the lookout 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 accomplished the be just right for you, 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 soothing autumn-winter getaway. It’s one in all 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’ve gotten 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 could possibly pop down there for a espresso or a sizzling drink throughout your keep. 

Even when you’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 sights 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 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 – one of the best bit – a big sizzling 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 great about soaking within the outside tub beneath a transparent sky filled 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 possibly can profit from the views, even when the climate exterior is (because the tune goes) frightful!

There’s a cosy little lounge space with a big TV and a beautiful 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, totally outfitted with oven, hob, microwave, and all of the gear it’s essential prepare dinner up a storm. Romantic candlelit dinner, anybody?

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

In brief, it’s a gorgeous 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 beautiful sunsets have been splendidly restorative. 

Exploring Marldon

The tiny village of Marldon could not seem like a first-rate journey vacation spot, but it surely’s the proper location for exploring one of the best 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 proper spot for climbing, biking, and highway journeys with epic views! 

There’s additionally lots to do within the space surrounding Marldon. I’ll be sincere, I didn’t go to any of those on my journey, as a result of I used to be centered extra on unwinding, countryside walks, and forest bathing! However I explored Devon extensively once 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 courting from the early twelfth century. (Open days differ). 

Berry Pomeroy Citadel – an evocative destroy mentioned to be some of the haunted locations within the UK. 

Dawlish Warren Nationwide Nature Reserve – one in all 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 practice from Paignton to Dartmouth. You may return the identical means, or take their “Spherical Robin” journey, which entails a riverboat trip from Dartmouth to Totnes, then a bus again to Paignton. 

Totnes – a reasonably market city recognized for its moral, impartial spirit. The excessive avenue 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 house 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 glorious restaurant. 

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

South Devon Autumn & Winter Highlights

Seal Pups: Gray seal pups are normally born in late summer season by winter, so maintain 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 without doubt one of the greatest occasions of yr to hike the South West Coast Path: it’s much less crowded, and the cooler climate is healthier for climbing. Take care if it’s been raining closely. Respectable strolling sneakers are a should!

Stargazing: Lengthy winter nights afford a few of the greatest stargazing circumstances (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 a few of the greatest months to surf in southwest England. Head to Bantham Seaside, 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 normally run a particular, festively-lit practice service after darkish throughout December, and lots of the native Nationwide Belief homes get a Christmassy makeover. 

Don’t Neglect to Chill out!

With a lot to see and do close by, and each shoreline and countryside in very simple attain, the vacation lodges on Marldon Christmas Tree Farm make for a improbable cosy-season escape. You may fill your vacation with as a lot motion as you want, however I like to recommend taking at the very least a bit time to do completely nothing! Hop within the sizzling tub to unwind, sit by the fireplace with a very good e book, or chill out on the lodge’s patio – forest-bathing amongst the farm’s fir bushes!

The most effective factor about an autumn-winter vacation is taking a while out to sit back out. This season can really feel fairly chaotic, so it’s good to get away from all of it for a couple 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 proper spot for some peaceable solitude or a secluded break as a pair. 

Extra Information

In case you e book 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!