Swallows Reach

Rating
Sleeps 10
Bedrooms 4
Bathrooms 5
Pets Yes
View on map

Features

Swimming pool
Off road parking
Ground floor accommodation
Ground floor bedroom
Open fire
Garden / Patio
Cot available
Highchair available
Washing machine
Dishwasher
Games Room
Broadband / WiFi

Reviews

23 Customer Review(s)

Mr Bitcheno
July 2021

“Fantastic location, really helpful owners, lovely barnhouse accommodation, great swimming pool and kids equipment.”

Small niggle, the floorboards being heard of the main living area by those in the lower bedroom areas. I guess only an issue for families with young children who like to get up really early and play in the living area when others still sleeping downstairs.

- Mr Bitcheno, July 2021
Miss Smith April 2021

“What a wonderful property in a exquisite location”

- Miss Smith, April 2021
Mrs Jones October 2020

“Had a fantastic time at Swallows Reach.”

Brian, the host, is very helpful and friendly. The accommodation is superb. Very well presented and equipped with everything you could need. Superb views. Lovely walk to a local pub. Loved having exclusive use of the pool .... we think this should stay after Covid. Would totally recommend.

- Mrs Jones, October 2020
Mrs Watkins September 2020

“Amazing holiday cottage.”

This is our second visit to Swallows Reach and it did not disappoint. Clean and well equipped with an exceptional location. Dog Friendly. Would highly recommend.

- Mrs Watkins, September 2020
Mrs Nolan July 2020

“Beautiful location”

- Mrs Nolan, July 2020
Mrs Dean January 2020

“Due to a maintenance problem the pool was not as warm as we had expected.”

Brian the owner did explain over the phone and was very apologetic. The pool, fittings, changing rooms etc., are built to an exceptionally high standard. We were slightly irritated by the noise from movement (especially from the heavy feet of the children) over the wooden floors when sleeping in downstairs bedrooms. Some kind of soundproofing between floors would help. Otherwise it is a lovely barn conversion in beautiful peaceful surroundings and in a great location. The owner was very friendly and offered to help with anything if we needed it. We were made to feel very welcome.

- Mrs Dean, January 2020

Dear Mrs Dean, we are glad you enjoyed your stay at Swallows Reach. We confirm the maintenance in the pool has been completed and now the water is up to an optimal temperature Owner relations
Tracey C October 2019

“Family holiday”

Just returned after a 7 nights stay at Swallows Reach. The converted barn is very spacious for a large family, accommodation was clean, and the views from the house were amazing. Fantastic dog walking too. There is plenty to do in the area and we ventured out every day being lucky enough to have a sunny week. The property sits at the end of a group of properties, it was quiet and private. We had a wonderful time. Unfortunately there were a few things that could be improved, toaster not fully working, dishwasher trays broken, light bulbs internally and externally not all working- however these are small things and they did not impact on our stay. The property overall externally now looks like it needs some TLC, garden furniture needs sanding and staining so no longer looks as per the photo on the website. The garden however is very well kept. The swimming pool temperature was too cold to really enjoy a swim and there are various holes on the pool floor where tiles have broken off and are missing in both the main pool and toddler pool which I feel is a H&S issue, this allowing the hardcore base of the pool to be exposed. The ladies changing room however, is very clean and the shower lovely and hot. The play park is unusable as the equipment is damaged and needs a good clean. The trampoline area though looks great and very well kept. We did venture into the games room but deliveries had been made of a new mattress and some boxes so felt that we really shouldn’t be in there as it was being used as storage too. Bedrooms are large and bathrooms are great, clean crisp linen on all the beds. The beds in the upstairs family room that myself and my husband used along with our little girl were very uncomfortable, there are 3 single beds appropriate for children. Beds and mattresses are not very good quality which leads to bad nights sleep and bad backs! Our 16 year old son said his feet hung off the end of the bed in the same style room on the ground floor. A book detailing what to do with rubbish, where to collect logs for the burner etc. would have been helpful on arrival. But, saying all that, the property overall is lovely but with some improvements and some tweaks has the potential to be outstanding - the milk and chocolate cake left for us on arrival was a nice thought and very much appreciated

- Tracey C, October 2019
Mr Funnell August 2019

“The accommodation was outstanding and the facilities and garden were amazing.”

Couldn't be bettered.

- Mr Funnell, August 2019
Mrs Chilcott June 2019

“Our family celebrated my husband birthday at the cottage and we all had a brilliant time thank you!”

All the facilities as were advertised. Really comfortable and quiet location. Sheep and geese wandering in the next fields, amazing! Only a couple of issues. Need a couple of bath mats in the showers over the bath (quite slippery)! A couple of taps need tightening too, also a couple of loose toilet seats! But would recommend to anyone!

- Mrs Chilcott, June 2019

Thank you for taking the time to complete your feedback following your stay at Swallows Reach. We have now added a non-slip mat in the bath. Owner relations
Mr Monelle May 2019

“The place was better than we thought.”

Although we did recently find out we were paying almost the same for three days as we would for a week but thats Sykes we are not overly happy with but understand the reasons behind it. The cottage itself was amazing and the owners were superb, would highly recommend this property.

- Mr Monelle, May 2019
Mr Ling May 2019

“No - all was as it should be.”

The Sykes brochure details were spot on and the quiet rural views from the property were an added bonus.

- Mr Ling, May 2019
Mrs Hutchinson April 2019

“Thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Swallows Reach this Easter.”

The accommodation and facilities to include a pool and games room were perfect for everyone, even the dogs enjoyed themselves! We especially liked the bedroom set up, 2 x double rooms and 2 x triple rooms, great for two families with a combination of 3 boys and 3 girls, all rooms were en-suite which was great all round. If staying here, you will need a car to get around even to the local pub as the roads are not particularly safe for walking. Great location for beaches and local towns, we enjoyed a couple of meals in the town of Totnes which in our opinion was better than Kingsbridge. Highly recommend.

- Mrs Hutchinson, April 2019
Mrs Oconnor March 2019

“We hired Swallows Reach for a family break to celebrate a special birthday.”

We ranged from under one to almost 70 and it was perfect for us all! So clean, lovely facilities (the indoor pool was a massive hit!) and a great location for exploring the South Hams. Tastefully decorated, well equipped and an absolute pleasure to visit with helpful owners available to assist when needed. We’d love to return!

- Mrs Oconnor, March 2019
Mr Ramsay January 2019

“Extremely large, comfortable, warm, private and well equipped accommodation surrounded by orchards and open fields.”

Excellent showers and beds, huge kitchen. Wonderful swimming pool which was kept warm enough to use every day even though it was January. Friendly owner; some very small maintenance issues which didn't affect our stay and were reported to him at the end of the holiday.

- Mr Ramsay, January 2019
Mrs Watson December 2018

“There are a few house keeping issues for example loose taps, very dirty and worn out cusions and doors not shutting easily, due to them being swollen the overall appearance of the house was amazing but is let down by these very small things.”

The owners did come to meet us and we're very happy to help with any problems we may have had. I would like to pass on my sincere thanks for them posting some small items that we left behind.

- Mrs Watson, December 2018
Mr Terry June 2018

“It’s exactly as we imagined a beautiful property in a quiet safe and relaxing location”

- Mr Terry, June 2018
Cutlan May 2018

“The owner Brian was very helpful and friendly , Every requirement was available , The setting is beautiful with walks on the doorstep over the 300 acre farm.”

- Cutlan, May 2018
Mr Martin May 2018

“Wonderful holiday home in a perfect location.”

- Mr Martin, May 2018
barbarahE2430LE December 2016

“Excellant”

The accommodation was excellent. All bedrooms are en suite which was good as our party was 10 people. Plenty of comfortable seating in both lounge area and dining area. I have never been in such a well equipped holiday rental before. There wasn't anything lacking. Owners are lovely people who help if you need it but leave you alone to enjoy your holiday if you don't. Would not hesitate to recommend this accommodation as it is a good location to other places of interest also. Will definitely come back again.

- barbarahE2430LE, December 2016

Many thanks for your kind feedback. We are glad that you enjoyed your stay at Swallows Reach and that everything you needed was available. Owner relations
Ralphus2704 July 2016

“Great base and great facilities”

Swallows Reach is a nice holiday home with good facilities, the pictures do not do it justice. There's pretty much all the mod cons at the house and a large enough fridge and ample cooking facilities to keep everyone happy. The swimming pool is excellent and never busy in our stay, trampoline and play area great. Nice track over the hill to Halwell, dogs can be let off the lead on this track provided you keep them within sight, and they can't jump over or through the gates. Do not be put off by the single track up, only once in a week did we have to give way. Both Totnes and Dartmouth are a short drive away (15-20 mins), both lovely. We would heartily recommend the Round Robin from Dartmouth (Ferry to Kingswear, Train to Paignton, Open top bus to Totnes and River boat to Dartmouth well worth £25.50 for adults) Blackpool Sands beach (shingle no sands but lovely), the Sharpham Wine and Cheese vineyard and taste tour. Top tip: make sure the late/light sleepers go upstairs and not the ground floor, the kitchen sounds are easily heard below. There is Wifi in the games room and good enough to keep teenagers happy, but if you can't do without the internet on an hourly basis then you might find this a pain to walk from the property to the games room. Swallows Reach is almost 5-star, a few refinements and a welcome pack would make it so.

- Ralphus2704, July 2016

Many thanks for your review of Swallow Reach, your comments are most useful. We are delighted to hear that you had the opportunity to explore this wonderful area. Owner relations
Michael A July 2015

“Fantastic family holiday home, so welcoming and accommodating”

We stayed at Swallows Reach for the half term break - 7 of us in total, including 3 children aged 4, 11 & 13, as well as our puppy. Bickleigh Farm is a beautiful location, with owners who are both welcoming and accommodating. The setting is a combination of converted farm land for the cottages, immediately alongside working farmland. Features include heated indoor swimming pool, indoor games room with pool, table tennis and wifi. There is an outdoor play area, as well as a couple of grass areas to play including a large trampoline. Swallows Reach itself is the perfect combination of the old style outer stone farm building, with modern interior. En-suite bathrooms, fitted to a high standard. The first floor has an open plan lounge area leading to the large dining room table and open kitchen with range oven. Bedrooms are on the ground floor and second floor. The building feels spacious, and adaptable to needs for the family - relaxing, versatile, spacious and able to offer fun for the children and individual space if required too. A lovely stay and we greatly look forward to returning to stay at Bickleigh Farm again in the near future!

- Michael A, July 2015

Many thanks for your wonderful review of Swallows Reach; it sounds like the ideal place for a family with plenty on offer to keep the children and dogs busy. The owners would be delighted in knowing that you enjoyed your stay at their property and that they made you feel so welcome, I am sure they would be happy to welcome you back in the future. Owner relations
Manada64 November 2014

“Lovely location well equipped”

The house is located at the edge of a working farm so the geese can be noisy but not a night! The house was we'll equipped for our party and beautifully furnished. The down side is the heating was not on and nor where any of the towel rails so we couldn't get the towels dry. The fire kept everything upstairs lovely and warm but the the ground floor rooms were quite cold. We had a wonderful weekend break but beware of the potholes on the drive up, don't bring the sports car!

- Manada64, November 2014

Thank you very much for providing feedback about your stay at Swallows Reach. I’m glad that you so enjoyed the house. I’ve spoken to the owner about the issues raised in your feedback and he says that there was indeed a problem with the heating, and is sorry for this inconvenience. Unfortunately, he wasn’t aware of this until after your stay and would very happily have arranged for it to be fixed for you if he had been made aware. If you should book with us again and have any issues of this nature, please do let the homeowner or caretaker know at your earliest convenience; if anything should go awry during your stay they are always keen to put it right as soon as possible. You’re absolutely right that the road up to the properties, managed by County Highways, is becoming a little rough. If you have a particularly low slung car, we’d always recommend that you mention this to us at the time of booking and we can let you know the current situation. Thank you again for taking the time to provide feedback, and I’m glad that you had such a lovely holiday. Owner relations
A Holiday Lettings verified reviewer November 2012

“SWALLOWS REACH - TRE-MEN-DOUS!!!!!”

We stayed at Swallows Reach for one week through the October half term - which was one of the best Half Terms we have had with our kids for a long time - we went with another family, and thoroughly enjoyed it - the house is out of this world, and even though it was October, we swam every day in the heated pool, which again was out of this world......very peaceful area - plenty to do in the surrounding area - would highly recommend this to all for a very reasonable weeks stay too the price was fantastic - £1000 for the week between 2 families - you cant go wrong!!!

- A Holiday Lettings verified reviewer, November 2012

Sounds like you had a great time! Thanks for leaving your kind comments which we'll pass on to the owner for you. Happy holiday = good for the soul :-) Best wishes Helpful Holidays Owner relations
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The property

In a peaceful and secluded setting, a mile from Halwell and 1½ from Harbertonford (PO/shop, pub), two cottages and three superb barn conversions at Bickleigh Farm, all sharing an indoor heated swimming pool (39' x 19' x 3' to 4'6" deep, available from 8am to 8pm; occasionally the pool is used by owners' family and friends.) with toddlers' splash pool, children's play area (swings, slides, climbing frame), large trampoline and games room (pool table, table tennis, WiFi).

All are on a 300 acre working mixed farm (often lambs, calves and kittens).

Conservation walks with wonderful views to Torbay and Dartmoor have been laid out across the farmland and the properties are positioned to each have their own patio and barbecue area, and share large lawns and garden.

Professional catering available.

These are very special places to stay.

Swallows Reach is a large, handsome cottage converted from a detached barn on the same farm, sharing the pool, games room and play area.

To one side, a big private patio (table/chairs, barbecue) with lovely long rural views to Torbay; at the back, a large open garden, mostly lawn.

Inside, smart and modern with 21st cent.

insulation and comfort.

Three shallow steps up to large glazed doors to open-plan living/dining/kitchen (dishwasher, washing machine, tumble drier, fridge-freezer, gas hob/electric oven) with granite worktops, woodburner, TV/DVD, iPod dock and oak floor.

Stairs (stairgate) up to two bedrooms, both with big beams - a double (zip-linked 6' bed) plus single (can be three singles) with en suite shower-room (suite), and a double (5' bed) with en suite bathroom (suite, shower over bath).

Stairs (stairgate) from living room down to two more bedrooms, both with glazed doors to outside - a double (5' bed) with en suite bathroom (suite, shower over bath), and a double (zip-linked 6' bed) plus single (can be three singles) with en suite shower-room (suite).

Loo.

TV/DVD in all bedrooms. Halwell: small village (church, good food pub, filling station for basic supplies, bus route) in wooded farmland on the A381 between Totnes (town), 7 miles, and Kingsbridge, 6.

Dartmouth (town) and the sea/beach at Blackpool Sands, 7 miles.

Dartmouth Golf and Country Club (indoor pool), 3 miles; also, leisure park (activities, animals).

Central South Hams base.

Floorplans

2nd Floor1st FloorGround Floor

Summary

Three levels
Two first floor bedrooms: 1 x family room with super king double and single (can convert to three singles) with en suite shower room with shower, WC and basin, 1 x king size double with en suite bathroom with bath, shower over, WC and basin
Two lower ground floor bedrooms: 1 x family room with super king double and single (can convert to three singles) with en suite shower room with shower, WC and basin, 1 x king size double with en suite bathroom with bath, shower over, WC and basin
Lower ground floor WC with basin
Ground floor open plan living space with seating area with wood burning stove, dining area and kitchen.
Central heating, underfloor heating with wood burning stove
Fridge-freezer, tumble dryer, washing machine, dishwasher, TV with Blu-ray, DVD, WiFi, Fuel and power inc. in rent
Bed linen and towels inc. in rent
Cot and highchair available on request
Off road parking for six cars
Childrens play area, barbecue, indoor pool
Three well behaved dogs welcome
Sorry no smoking
Note: Swimming pool is 39' x 19' x 3' to 4'6" deep, available from 8am to 8pm; occasionally the pool is also used by owners' family and friends
Note: During the Covid-19 pandemic, use of the swimming pool is available on a rotation basis with each property allocated a daily 2 hour slot with exclusive pool use enabled for that cottage during those 2 hours
The times for each slot will rotate throughout the week
Whilst this rota is in place, pool opening hours have been extended from 7am – 9pm daily.

Note: This property has a Good Housekeeping bond of £100.

About the location

Halwell

Halwell is a small village in wooded farmland equidistant from the busy little town of Kingsbridge and popular Totnes.

Note: Swimming pool is available from 8am to 8pm, and is closed on Tuesdays from 2pm to 3.15pm and Wednesdays from 9.15am to 10.30am in term time; occasionally the pool is also used by owners' family and friends.

Note: During the Covid-19 pandemic, use of the swimming pool is available on a rotation basis with each property allocated a daily 2 hour slot with exclusive pool use enabled for that cottage during those 2 hours. The times for each slot will rotate throughout the week. Whilst this rota is in place, pool opening hours have been extended from 7am – 9pm daily.

This property offers the following short breaks:

Winter
Off-season
Last minute
Christmas

Swallows Reach

Halwell, Devon (Ref. 976144)

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Features

Reviews

“Fantastic location, really helpful owners, lovely barnhouse accommodation, great swimming pool and kids equipment.”

“What a wonderful property in a exquisite location”

“Had a fantastic time at Swallows Reach.”

“Amazing holiday cottage.”

“Beautiful location”

“Due to a maintenance problem the pool was not as warm as we had expected.”

“Family holiday”

“The accommodation was outstanding and the facilities and garden were amazing.”

“Our family celebrated my husband birthday at the cottage and we all had a brilliant time thank you!”

“The place was better than we thought.”

“No - all was as it should be.”

“Thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Swallows Reach this Easter.”

“We hired Swallows Reach for a family break to celebrate a special birthday.”

“Extremely large, comfortable, warm, private and well equipped accommodation surrounded by orchards and open fields.”

“There are a few house keeping issues for example loose taps, very dirty and worn out cusions and doors not shutting easily, due to them being swollen the overall appearance of the house was amazing but is let down by these very small things.”

“It’s exactly as we imagined a beautiful property in a quiet safe and relaxing location”

“The owner Brian was very helpful and friendly , Every requirement was available , The setting is beautiful with walks on the doorstep over the 300 acre farm.”

“Wonderful holiday home in a perfect location.”

“Excellant”

“Great base and great facilities”

“Fantastic family holiday home, so welcoming and accommodating”

“Lovely location well equipped”

“SWALLOWS REACH - TRE-MEN-DOUS!!!!!”

The property

Floorplans

Summary

About the location

Halwell