beautiful isolation
This repurposed fisherman’s cabin will make adventurers’ hearts sing. Everything is centred around the River Dart which runs straight past the front door. You can jump on a paddleboard straight after breakfast, spend long and lazy afternoons with just a rod and the kingfishers for company, then wrap up in blankets and huddle around the fire pit at sunset watching the bats swoop and skim the water for their dinner. Off season you’ll feel completely alone; in summer the river will be a hive of activity. There are acres of woodland to tramp through, as well as the attractions of Dartington Estate itself: grand gardens, a café and pub, even its own independent cinema shared with guests from the campsite nearby.
Back at base it’s all neat, simple, and completely off-grid. There’s a basic kitchen in its own cabin that supplements the barbecue on wetter days; fresh water comes from the pump outside and the facilities are a sink and a compost loo (hot showers can be found in the campsite a short drive away). Indoors your bed is on the mezzanine level under the low roof beams and the wood-burner keeps everything cosy. You might find yourself ensconced on the sofa with a good book or be tempted out onto the terrace with a game and a cold beer. Whatever you choose, the majestic river views will be sure to provide the loveliest of distractions.
essential details
The important stuff
Check in: 3 pm, Check out: 10 am
Please be aware that access to the double bed is via a steep wooden ladder. Please bring torches, battery packs (if wanting to charge your phone) and warm clothes.
Please be aware that in the height of the summer the river can get busy. There is public access on the opposite side of the river but your side is completely private/fenced in.
Coal and firewood provided. No mobile phone signal. No WiFi
Sleeping arrangements
One small double bed on mezzanine level access via a steep ladder
Cooking
Small camping hob in the kitchen shed
Small private fridge
Fully equipped kitchen
Washing
Compost toilet behind the cabin
No bathroom or hot water on site
You can have access to warm showers on the Dartington Estate campsite which is a 5-minute drive from the entrance to the woodland
Heating, lighting & bedding
Bed linen and towels provided
Wood-burner
Solar lighting
No plug sockets
Gallery
book now from £85/night
2023 SEASON: 1 APRIL – 30 SEPTEMBER
2024 SEASON: 1 APRIL – 30 SEPTEMBER
On the booking form below, choose your arrival date and the number of nights you want to stay. Available stays will be highlighted in green.
If you are a Dartington Member, click ‘I have a promotional code’ to enter the discount code provided to you in your member pack.
contact us
Bookings can be made at any time via the booking facility above – but you can contact our friendly team at campsite@dartington.org with any enquiries.
What you said
All reviews collected by our partners, Canopy & Stars
Was just like the photos, absolutely breathtaking, beyond beautiful setting and the breathe of fresh air we wanted. Quite spacious considering we expected even smaller, facilities as expected, walking around amazing and what we wanted. Kitchen area good and sufficient, nice little deck bit and toilet was clean for being an outside loo. Provision of towels good and outside little seats nice to sit in by the water and enjoy the scenery. Good instruction sent about access and everything easy to find in terms of the hut.
– Sophie
– Kathryn
My partner and I stayed in the River Dart Cabin this past week. The cabin was basic, but everything we needed was there. The bed was comfortable, the deck was beautiful and the location next to the river was really special. Check in was super easy and the booking process was no trouble at all.
– Beth
– Emily
We stayed in the cabin at the end of July. It was amazing – for a couple that have never left their two kids overnight with a grandparent before it was amazing to have time to ourselves and the cabin was the perfect retreat! So relaxing, so much to see and so nice to live a bit “off-grid” for a weekend. We saw the kingfisher flying down the river, swam and kayaked in the river Dart, made a log fire in the wood burner – it was perfect.
– Eve
In summer I bet this place is stunning! Visiting in October might’ve seemed crazy to a lot of people, but it added to the perfect, idyllic, and serene feel the cabin gives you. It meant bundling up in your jackets and hats, getting the fire going whilst using your headtorch to do so. It meant sitting on the decking with a warm brew in your hands watching the wildlife on the banks and listening to the steam train chug by.
– Hayley
We absolutely loved the stay in the cabin. The location was just incredible – the river, the walks & the estate was all so great. It felt private and secluded and also very safe. The set up was good and we felt we had everything we needed. It is very compact and basic but was exactly what we wanted
– Jess
Loved it – it was so great! The location was absolutely beautiful and exactly what we hoped for. The really in depth descriptions of how to get there, and instructions with photos made it super easy to get to. We are outdoorsy people which is why we picked this place, and it was everything we needed. The most peaceful two days I think I’ve ever had! The little touches of fresh flowers, fresh milk and a pile of logs for the fires really added to the experience too.
– Rachel
