Dittisham Hideaway Review: Escape London on the Devon Coast

Any available time to relax is eaten up when you're trying to fit too many social and family engagements into too little time. 

Combine that with the usual over-indulgence, lack of exercise (or any real movement at all for that matter), and a bout of the ‘not Covid but feels like Covid’ flu that did the rounds in London at the back end of last year, and the idea of getting away from the city certainly seemed appealing.

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Luckily Dittisham Hideaway in Devon provided the opportunity for my wife and I to escape the hustle and bustle for an off-peak getaway on the south coast.

The aptly-named destination is about a 15-minute drive from the popular seaside town of Dartmouth, and it really does feel like you are hiding away from everything.

The deck of one of the treehouses. Picture: Dittisham Hideaway (Image: Dittisham Hideaway)

Guests have a choice of treehouses, shepherd’s lodges or even an original American Airstream, in a valley where the only thing you can hear is the gentle sound of a stream trickling through the woods.

We enjoyed our stay in one of the lodges, but I was lucky enough to be shown around the other options too.

They all provide a similar snug, cosiness, with underfloor heating and a wood burner, while also having everything you need for a comfortable stay, such as a spacious shower and kitchen.

There are no concerns over privacy in the treehouses. Picture: Dittisham Hideaway (Image: Dittisham Hideaway)

The lodges, which have a similar set up to the Airstream, are perfect for a couple on a romantic weekend getaway, while the treehouses suit families, with  more indoor space and an extra bedroom with bunkbeds for the kids.

They all come with wood-fired hot tubs, although it was a bit too cold for us this time. And if you have any furry friends to bring with you, they are happily accommodated, but sadly our two cats weren’t up for the drive down.

Dittisham Hideaway also has its own woodland walk and outdoor games such as petanque, as well as EV charging points and electric wheelbarrows to help you carry your luggage around easily. 

What to do

We really enjoyed the opportunity to chill out in front of the fire and watch films, venturing out for walks and to visit the local sights without the throngs of tourists in the area that you would expect to see in the summer.

The view out to sea from Little Dartmouth (Image: Simon Murfitt)

We visited Little Dartmouth, a nature reserve offering unbridled views out to sea, and took the ferry across the River Dart to get to Coleton Fishacre, a National Trust estate that is well worth a visit.

Another National Trust property, Greenway House – once the home of author Agatha Christie – is also within an easy drive, via a ferry, or you can get a ferry straight from Dittisham to the estate.

It’s also worth having a stroll around the streets of Dartmouth and drop into one of its many charming pubs for a bite to eat. 

View of the harbour from outside The Floating Bridge in Dartmouth (Image: Simon Murfitt)

Where to eat

As well as cooking for ourselves in our lodge, we had a lovely hearty lunch at The Floating Bridge in Dartmouth, which offers great views of the estuary of the River Dart, as well as a cracking fish and chips.

In Dittisham itself the Ferry Boat Inn sits right on the shore, with views out to the quay. If you’re keen for a break from the serenity of the hideaway, then I would suggest dinner in the pub’s eclectic surroundings on a Friday night, when it will be busy with locals.

For more information about Dittisham Hideaway go to dittishamhideaway.co.uk