12 holiday cottages with Swallows and Amazons moorings

Set sail in style on your own heart-warming adventures from these waterside holiday homes…

Late summer comes on a glorious wave of nostalgia – gingham and Victoria sponges in the Bake Off tent, ballroom bling on Strictly, Britain proud to be Great in the Olympics, and children travelling on steam trains and messing around in boats in Swallows and Amazons.

The new on-screen adaptation of Arthur Ransome’s 1930s novel appeals to our romantic notion of an age of innocence, when children hadn’t discovered Minecraft and smartphones and everyone was either a baddie or built dens in the wood and had crumpets for tea.

If you hanker for the days when you’d wave children off on bikes in the morning, equipped with nothing more than sandwiches wrapped in greaseproof paper, hard boiled eggs and a bottle of ginger pop, and modern technology was an extra tough sou’wester, we may have the solution – your very own Swallows and Amazons holiday home.

Show your children a boat tied up at the end of the garden and it could challenge WhatsApp for their attention. At the very least, paddling your own boat provides a good selfie opportunity. We’ve a dozen cottages with moorings, where you can head out for adventures on the water, exploring rivers and creeks, and return home at the end of the day bronzed by the sun and cheerfully weary. Bring your own boat or hire one locally.

Farthingfield, South Pool, Devon (sleeps 8)

South Pool is a picture-postcard village at the head of a creek leading to the Kingsbridge estuary, with beaches, a slipway, pontoon and moorings. When you’re ready to let someone else take the strain, catch the little ferry to boaty Salcombe or picnic in the paddock beyond the five-bar gate.

Valley House, Halberton, Devon (sleeps 12)

You can launch your boat at nearby Sampford Peverell and moor it directly outside this big house which sits directly beside the towpath on the bank of the Grand Western Canal – look out for the barges gliding by.

Regatta Cottage, Feock, South Cornwall (sleeps 6)

On the shores of Restronguet Creek, a wonderfully tranquil cottage lazily eyeing the extensive estuary and numerous creeks, with waterside lawn for daydreaming or launching small boats from.

1 River Cottage, Calstock, South Cornwall(sleeps 5)

Within yards of the water, a cottage in a picturesque spot in a time-forgotten village on the wooded Cornish side of the River Tamar. The fun canoeing expeditions take you downriver through the World Heritage Site valley full of birdsong.

Gillyweed, Newton Ferrers, South Devon (sleeps 6)

At the foot of the Newton creek which separates Newton Ferrers from Noss Mayo, part of a converted malthouse on the waterside, with a shared slipway for launching boats. Paddle down the valley between oak-wooded hillsides or stop off at one of the riverside pubs.

2 Trerise Cottage, Manaccan, Lizard, Cornwall (sleeps 5)

A cosy cottage near Frenchman’s Creek in the Helford Passage Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. A couple of miles down the road there are boating facilities and parking available to you at the natural harbour at picturesque Gillan Cove. Boats can be hired at St-Anthony-in-Meneage which is also good for river swimming.

Drift Cottage, Turnchapel, South Devon (sleeps 6)

A former pilot boat house in an historic fishing village across the River Plym from the city of Plymouth (little water taxis cross over). A private decked area sits on the water and you have your own shingle foreshore. You can even catch crabs from the garden! The nautical theme continues inside with original ship’s cabin beds and a 19th century warship’s log burner.

Sandpipers, Feock, South Cornwall (sleeps 9)

Superb for family gatherings, this fabulous house sits right on the waterfront with moorings for boats and kayaks and access to Restronguet Creeks and the Carrick Roads waterways, perfect for messing about on the river. Kayak, boat and bicycle hire can be arranged for you.

Karenza, Gillan, Lizard, Cornwall (sleeps 4)

On a private road a mile from beautiful Gillan Creek, a relaxing cottage where you can feast on hearty Cornish breakfasts in the owner’s neighbouring B&B before heading out on to the water on the Helford River in Falmouth Bay. There’s plenty of space for your kayaks, surfboards and bikes.

Galanda Treetops, Newton Ferrers, South Devon (sleeps 8)

In an idyllic location amongst trees on the banks of the River Yealm, one of two apartments which have a shared slipway and a mooring for a small dinghy (which can be hired locally).

White Cottage, Port Navas, South Cornwall (sleeps 6)

Down a private lane beside the wide Helford River is an infinitely peaceful hamlet of cottages, looking over it and Frenchman’s Creek. White Cottage is a great place for kayakers and boaters, with 100ft of river frontage, a private slipway to a beach and shared use of two inshore and one offshore moorings.

Your search returned 152 cottages.

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Bradbridge Barn

Newton Ferrers, Devon
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- Sleeps4
- Bedrooms2
- PetsYes
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Detached Grade II listed barn on the edge of popular riverside village. Traditional features and modern comfort. Sheltered private garden. Open plan living space. In Newton Ferrers. (Ref. 976177)
7 nights from £379

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The Cider Barn at Home Farm

Down Thomas, near Plymouth, Devon
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- Sleeps6
- Bedrooms3
- PetsYes
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Smart spacious converted barn on a small traditional Devon farm. Enclosed suntrap garden. wood burning stove. En suite bedrooms. Countryside views. Hotel bar/restaurant 350 yards. Plymouth 5 miles. (Ref. 976244)
7 nights from £638

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Acorn Cottage

Meavy, near Yelverton, Devon
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- Sleeps6
- Bedrooms3
- PetsYes
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Attractive, pet friendly cottage with open fire and conservatory in very pretty village. Parking. WiFi. Yelverton 1.5 miles. (Ref. 975804)
7 nights from £405

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Mill Barn

Woolston, near Salcombe, Devon
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- Sleeps14
- Bedrooms6
- PetsYes
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Huge spacious converted barn in Woolston hamlet. Enclosed courtyard. Orchard with games barn. wood burning stove. Catering available. Beaches nearby. Kingsbridge 3 miles. (Ref. 976163)
7 nights from £1330

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The Stone Barn Cottage

Holne, Devon
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- Sleeps6
- Bedrooms3
- PetsYes
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Comfortable cottage in the Dartmoor village of Holne. wood burning stove. Enclosed lawn garden. Lovely walking and riding countryside. In Holne. (Ref. 975811)
7 nights from £440

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2 Hazeldene

Salcombe, Devon
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- Sleeps4
- Bedrooms2
- PetsNo
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Comfortable first floor apartment ½ mile from Salcombe centre. Sea views. Balconies. Shared lawn garden. En suite bedrooms. WiFi. North Sands 500 yards. (Ref. 976247)
7 nights from £458

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Old Armoury Barn

Ashburton, Devon
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- Sleeps4
- Bedrooms2
- PetsNo
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Beautiful converted barn in the town of Ashburton in Dartmoor. Woodburning stove. Amenities walking distance. Exposed wooden beams. Dartmoor National Park. (Ref. 980894)
7 nights from £407

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The Cottage

Loddiswell, Devon
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- Sleeps4
- Bedrooms2
- PetsYes
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Pretty, thatched, Grade II listed, detached cottage. Pub and shops, 150 yards. Enclosed garden. Storage for bikes/surfboards. Stylish décor. wood burning stove. In Loddiswell. (Ref. 976223)
7 nights from £451

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The Shippen

Tavistock, Devon
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- Sleeps4
- Bedrooms2
- PetsYes
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Peaceful cottage in a tranquil rural spot. Long views to Dartmoor. Plenty of footpaths for walking. Secure bicycle storage. Tavistock 2 miles. (Ref. 975735)
7 nights from £394

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Rock View Cottage

Gulworthy, near Tavistock, Cornwall
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- Sleeps2
- Bedrooms1
- PetsNo
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Luxurious, stone-built single-storey cottage, surrounded by woodland with hot tub. Parking. WiFi. Tavistock 3 miles. (Ref. 976106)
7 nights from £386

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