We arrived back last week after spending a wonder week at Hartwell House with our children and grand children. On arriving at the house we were met with the keys by the lovely lady Tracy who lives opposite, she showed us around and told us everything we needed to know. The house and grounds were everything portrayed on the website and more, it was beautiful. It was a real 'home from home', equipped with everything a family could need for a comfortable stay. The house is full of personal items which gives it a really homely ambiance. It was spotlessly clean and everything was of a really high quality. Each couple in our party did a 'come dine with me' evening. The kitchen was extremely well equipped with everything we needed for the wide variety of dishes cooked. The grounds are also beautiful and very well kept. We had a large dog with us , he had great fun running around off lead everyday. The pool area was amazing - a real treat. We had great weather, it was really sunny. It was the nearest thing to hiring a villa abroad without leaving the country. Although the house is quite secluded, its only a 6 mile drive into Tavistock - a beautiful market town well worth a visit. There is a lovely local pub 'The Royal Inn' 1 mile right turn out of the house. We spent 3 nights in here, each night being made very welcome by the locals and staff. We also had a meal one night which was fabulous and really well priced. We took a walk the first night. It is a bit of a hill on the way back, but we had great fun with the aid of our torches ( a few drinks helped). We then ended up in the pool for a midnight swim - what a night! We had no negatives to report about our holiday at Hartwell, but the only suggestions we would make to make it even better would be a fridge in the summer house and maybe a bit more freezer space. The communication throughout the booking process and during our stay with the owner, Angus, was also top notch All in all we had a brilliant time at Hartwell House, it was the perfect location to catch up and chill out with family. Hopefully during this week we have created lots of happy memories our children and grand children will always remember. We would all love to visit again - maybe next year.

After a long, long drive south braving the Friday traffic from Liverpool, and also a few wrong turns along the way (nothing to do with the owner's extensive directions I might add, just our complete lack of navigational skills) we were all a bit exhausted. However once we saw the cottage we soon forgot about any thoughts of tiredness. The cottage is absolutely beautiful - quite stunning in fact! Its set in the middle of nowhere (well for us city folk it is anyway) and has extensive and immaculately maintained gardens. When you climb up the hill in the back garden you are greeted with most incredible views of the rolling Tamar Valley hills. The property has a recently installed modern swimming pool half way up the back garden. The pool area again benefits from the views of the rolling greener than green fields and valleys. We were fortunate with the weather that weekend (plus 20+) but the pool was warm enough even if you were to have the more customary British summer weather. There is also a relatively secluded seated rockery area with a small pond (and a hammock no less) further down the garden. As I said before, all the of the little divided garden areas are wonderfully maintained. The house and area just feels so tranquil - the only sounds that you are likely to hear are from the near by sheep! The house itself is your atypical Devon country cottage. The kitchen is as you would expect of a country cottage: a brilliantly glowing Rayburn (great for cheese on toast or Devon butter); exposed floor boards etc. The owner has supplied and fitted the open plan Kitchen with every item that you could think of and some that you wouldn't (and then even more!). Honestly, apart from food you wouldn't need to bring anything with you at all. Little touches and thoughtfulness from the owner stand out throughout the cottage (he even has family photos adorning the walls). When we arrived on the oak kitchen table there were Devon shortbread biscuits, local tea leafs, bananas laid out in a box - little thoughtful gestures like this do make a difference. As do the extensive array of diverse books which the owner has accumulated, which cover the whole wall in the second main sitting area (the cottage has three rooms/areas downstairs where you can relax). There is also, what looked to an amateur like me, an expensive telescope so that you can stare into the dark Devon night sky. The two bigger living room areas (next door to each other) both have large old fashioned open fires

We recently had a family reunion at Hartwell house... We were 9 people, including 3 children under 10. We traveled to Hartwell from the UK, USA and Turkey. It was an amazing experience! The house was impeccably clean and was very tastefully furnished. I cannot think of anything that seemed "cheap" in this house. Several alternative living areas, spacious rooms with great views of the beautiful gardens provides many alternatives to be together, or have privacy if you wished. The kitchen was very well equipped, and I cannot think of anything missing. Beds were comfortable and the house was warm at night, especially if you used the wood burners. There is a very nice pub (Royal Inn at Horsebridge) within walking distance, that presents the chance of admiring the night sky on the way back home. Gardens and the pool really made a difference. Children were the happiest I have seen them in a long while, and had the time of their lives. There is a myriad of outdoor toys as well as a collection of all imaginable board games. All in all, I would recommend this house to everyone; and especially families. The owners are great, and very helpful, and the manager lives next door, and is keen to provide assistance and advice should you need it. We were very sad to leave. If you want to enjoy the countryside, I don't think it gets better than this.

We stayed at Hartwell for a long weekend with family and I have to say that it far exceeded our expectations. The house is in a stunning location, with views from the garden across rolling hills. It is located on a small country road, with virtually no traffic, so it's extremely peaceful. The house itself is beautifully furnished, very clean and well-equipped. We loved sitting around the large kitchen table with a cup of coffee or glass of wine and could have happily stayed in that room alone for the duration of our holiday! The gardens are wonderful and have many places to sit with a book or play a game of boules. An excellent place for adults and children and one that we would love to return to!