In Sampford Spiney, peacefully at the end of a private drive off narrow, winding moorland lanes, a detached single-storey cottage converted from a sturdy granite barn, surrounded by an enclosed courtyard (table/chairs, barbecue) with pond (netted), over which a bridge (handrail) leads to gently sloping hillside garden and arbour with spectacular long views to a panorama of tors.
To one side, the friendly owners' home and a resident neighbouring cottage, all bordered by horse-grazed fields through which you can wander.
Lane walk to the open moor: Crip Tor and Ingra Tor, around ¾ mile.
From parking area, gravelled pathway to 7 big uneven granite steps (alternative level access via gravelled courtyard) up to front door (5'5" lintel); spacious beamed open-plan living/dining/oak fitted kitchen (washer-drier, microwave, fridge-freezer, gas hob/electric oven) with armchairs and sofa bed (converts to double bed for alternative sleeping), TV/DVD, iPod dock, table/chairs for 4 and glazed double doors to courtyard.
King-size bedroom with en suite bathroom (suite with separate shower).
Spring water.
The best of both worlds here: scenic and secluded, yet close to interesting moorland towns.
Sampford Spiney: hamlet (church, cottages, scattered farms) in the River Walkham valley on the scenic western slopes of Dartmoor.
Dousland (pub, PO), 3 miles; Yelverton (shops, pub, golf), 4; Tavistock (interesting shops, markets, pubs, restaurants, wharfside theatre), 6.
Plymouth and south coast, 13 miles.
