Ashley's Shack
30086.2 miles W of Dartmouth / Sleeps 2 + cot*
7 Nights from £340
The location of attractions is intended only as a guide. Distances are 'as the crow flies'.
Nearest pub
The New Inn Morleigh (1 ½ miles)
This pub dates all the way back to the 17th century and was at one time the original courtroom for the Standborough Hundred District. These days traditional food is served seven evenings a week plus Sunday lunch. Booking is recommend even in the quieter months as they have a strong local reputation for good steaks and generous portions.
Nearest beach
Blackpool Sands (6 ¼ miles)
Just around the corner from Dartmouth, Blackpool Sands is known for its clear waters. Backed by heavily wooded cliffs, this crescent-shaped beach is one of the prettiest in the area and being privately managed means it is clean with good facilities.
Mrs Gage September 2012
A Great Beach
A beautiful privately managed beach with an excellent cafe. The beach is shingle with 2 sand pits for children (or adults) to make sand castles.
Simon Tregoning July 2008
A great cafe
A beautiful, well protected beach with a great cafe. Not a sand beach and forget the surf boards because it shelves steeply.
Nearest walk
Dartington from Totnes Walk (4 miles)
Walking Britain have some great walks and this is no exception. At two and a half miles this pushchair friendly walk follows the river Dart to Bidwell Brook and to the heritage centre at Dartington.
Nearest town
Harbertonford (1 mile)
A working village set on a tributary of the River Dart, there are local shops, a church and pub all set around this brookside location. It was very much a cottage industry settlement as recently as the 1950s, with wool and edge tool mills. Now, it's a pretty little south Devon village, typical of the area and perfect for a stroll to appreciate the vernacular.
Also nearby
Greenway (5 ½ miles)
Agatha Christie's holiday home nestles on a crook of the River Dart in a beautiful woodland garden that is home to such horticultural treasures as Monterey pines, eucalyptus, China roses, myrtle and Turkey oaks. For a magical experience that's also kind to the environment, travel there by boat. 'Green ways' ferries leave from Dartmouth, Brixham and Torquay. Following a major restoration project, The National Trust has re-opened the house to the public, where quirky collections of memorabillia offer a glimpse into the private life of the well-loved crime writer. For house opening times and an events list, please visit the Web site.
Dr Brown July 2014
The journey to the house by way of the National Trust ferry was enjoyable as was the walk back to Dartmouth along the Dart Valley Trail and ferry (higher or lower will do, the former is cheaper). Unfortunately the house itself was a little disappointing with an over cluttered interior that did not really tell any particular story. There were bits and pieces of interest but overall it seemed as though everything from different times and sources was put in that could be which detracted. The entry to the house is timed but we still felt that it was over-crowded and NT should consider making the house visits guided only. The walled gardens were good with a beautifully restored peach house providing a highlight.
June 2013
Well worth a visit to this house, an effort to get there as you can't go by car unless you pre-book. It was a nice ride there in the boat but you would need good weather. Lovely spring flowers in the grounds. Cafe/restaurant disappointing as there were no main meal available.
Viv Chandler May 2012
Enjoyed by All
A lovely house in beautiful surroundings on the banks of the River Dart. Good to see the interiors haven't been messed around with and still look as if Agatha and her family have just popped out for a minute. I can see why she loved it so much and the gardens are a delight. Thoroughly enjoyed by all - including a 22 year old male! Well worth a visit but, if arriving by car, don't forget to pre-book a parking space.
Mrs Quigg November 2011
A lovely boat ride from Dartmouth, but overall the house was disappointing. A hotch potch interior and hard to believe it was inhabited up until 2004. All furniture pre-dates the turn of the last century. The children did enjoy completing their quiz sheets 'can you find' and I can really recommend the pasties in the coffee takeaway shop (not the main cafe).
March 2010
An inspirational place!
This beautiful house set in wonderful surrounding is well worth a visit. It is easy to see why Agatha Christie loved this place and penned a number of her novels here. The surrounding woodlands with views of the River Dart are superb. You can take a ferry from Dartmouth to get to Greenway but we chose to take the foot ferry from Dittisham (another charming little place). I would highly recommend a visit to this lovely area.
March 2009
Visiting Greenway is a lovely way to spend the day, they also have occasional events so it is worth having a look before you go to see if any take your fancy. If you like gardens, I would recommend visiting Greenway as I thoroughly enjoyed it.
November 2008
'The Loveliest Place in the World'
Agatha Christie was right to call this the 'loveliest place in the world'. Arriving by ferry is really the best way to see it. A stroll in the pretty woodland gardens followed by some delicious homemade food in the Barn Cafe, rounded off with the return trip on the ferry makes for a thoroughly enjoyable day out.
Bantham (11 miles)
Bantham Beach is set within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and has numerous awards tucked under its sandy belt. Overlooking Bigbury Bay and Burgh Island, you can take the famous sea tractor and head to the island or sit and enjoy the views from the shore. A great surfing beach, the huge swathes of sand and sea allow plenty of space for everyone. Well-provisioned and life guarded in the summer, Bantham is a fantastic family-friendly beach.
September 2008
Privately owned beach open to the public. A truly beautiful beach. Wide sands, surfing and wind-surfing, rock pools and a delightfully gentle introduction to the South West Coast Path with views over Burgh Island. No dogs allowed during the summer months. Charge made for car parking.
August 2008
Great family fun beach
Lovely beach with little coves to hide away in, rock pools and lovely clean sandcastle sand; wide enough for kite buggies, best surfing beach on the south coast along with Bigbury on Sea beach opposite. Burgh Island out to sea with its restored evocative 1930's hotel clinging to the edge was the inspiration for Enid Blyton's Kirrin Island as well as a number of Agatha Christie novels! Dogs allowed on the beach Oct- April and then along the far right hand side (west) during the remainder of the year. Beach balls and skimboards etc plus coffees and teas available from the post office cafe back in the village- great estuary view while sipping away on the deck out back. Lunch or supper in the Sloop pub- best to pre book in season
Woodlands Leisure Park (2 ¼ miles)
Lots of indoor play here plus some alarming looking rides outside. You'll need a full day here.
Mrs Quigg November 2011
A very good half day out and well worth it. My 7 & 9 year old loved it especially the one 'big' ride, The Pirate Boat. Some lovely animals including Raccoons, deer, Emus, Pygmy goats and of course the snakes in the reptile house. Good value food and drinks too. Grandmother really enjoyed it too and thought it was great value for money.
Mr and Mrs Bramworth June 2011
A mixture of activities to suit all ages (height restriction on many rides)…you will need a full day in here.
March 2010
A Great Day out
Woodlands has something for everyone, a very large 5 storey indoor play area where children of all ages can let off steam on a wet day. Lots of out door activities including a castle with a sand base and a play village with lots of little shops and schools for young children and lots of rides and watershoots for older kids. It is all nicely done within a wooded area and so many things to do it takes two days to see it all!
The Sportsman's Arms (3 ¼ miles)
A family pub with West Country ales and fresh local homecooked produce. Game is their specialty and they are apparently renowned for their Sunday carvery.
Mrs Childs October 2016
Mr and Mrs Childs.
We stayed close by Monday to Friday . We had an evening meal and a couple of drinks here. Just wanted to say what a fantastic meal, with a lovely, warm open fire and atmosphere, friendly staff and local ales. Thank You.
Totnes (3 ¾ miles)
An old market town with archetypal crooked, narrow lanes and quaint cottages. Totnes now has a slightly bohemian air, with lots of tempting delicatessens, eco-friendly shops and wholefood cafes. There's a special buzz in the air on market days (Fridays and Saturdays).
Mrs Gage September 2012
Totnes
An old market town with high street shopping (no malls). Take a walk through the town and sit and relax by the River Dart. Or you can take a boat trip.
Simon Tregoning July 2008
Not coastal, but a nice town.
A pleasant market town and a good base for trips on the River Dart.
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