3 Bed Cottage in Mary Tavy

About this property

4 Zoar cottages is a true hidden gem, nestled in a particularly beautiful and wild valley in the heart of Dartmoor’s 365 square miles of National Park - its the perfect escape for lovers of wilderness, horse riding, hiking, cycling, secret wild swimming, and stargazing in properly dark skies after a sundowner in the garden.

The cottage is almost unique in being on the moor itself: Dartmoor’s famous wild ponies will wander up to the garden gate and the uninterrupted view up the Tavy valley encompasses half a dozen of Dartmoor’s magnificent granite-crowned Tors, including Tavy Cleave, perhaps the most spectacular wild swimming spot on Dartmoor.

Strolling out the garden gate, the vista is unmatched: a dozen of Dartmoor’s grandest Tors, including Dartmoor’s best preserved neolithic hill fort.

A ten minute walk from the cottage, down the footpath to the salmon-ladder at Hill Bridge, takes you to the secret lichen-covered Jurassic World of Creason Wood, gorgeous walks along the wooded banks of the River Tavy and hidden pools and waterfalls amidst the lush jungle valley - perfect for a summer post-picnic dip.

Dartmoor is one of the few places in England perfect for horse-riding off-road and off bridlepath, and Zoar is the nearest holiday cottage (20 minutes walk across the moor) to the main remaining Dartmoor riding stable with direct moorland access – top-rated Cholwell Farm.

A 12 minute drive brings Michelin-recommended gasto-pubs including the Dartmoor Inn at Lydford and the Cornish Arms in Tavistock, and Tavistock’s cafes, shops and famous “Pannier Market”. Slightly further are Steven Spielberg’s War Horse filming locations, the Hound of the Baskervilles' deadly mire (it is real – don’t fall in), and the beaches of Cornwall and Devon

The property itself retains many historic features. Downstairs is open plan with a well-equipped kitchen, traditional slate floors, worktops, antique dresser and Esse Ironheart wood-burning cooking stove with an Aga-style oven and hob – and a selection of the owners’ favourite cook-books for you to borrow! Local produce abounds. Slow roast a local lamb shoulder from Cholwell Farm (the riding stables and farm just a walk away), or visit the highly-rated farm shops in the area. Coupled with the kitchen is the cosy dining and living area where you can unwind with a glass of wine after a day exploring. The living area features a smart TV and DVD player (with extensive selection of DVDs for those cosy days if the weather closes in) as well as a Bluetooth speaker and traditional radio/CD hifi, well stocked library and boardgames galore. There are three spacious bedrooms, (one with king-size bed and ensuite shower room/toilet, and two with two twin beds) a further bathroom with bath and shower over.

Ground floor

Kitchen/Living/Diner:

Esse Ironheart wood-fired oven and cooking stove, Electric oven, electric cooker, dishwasher, microwave, Lazazza a Moda Mio coffee machine, 32" TV with Freeview, DVD player, Bluetooth speaker, a traditional HiFi CD player, two sofas, one freestanding armchair and a selection of books, jigsaws and board games.

Utility room: Washing machine, tumble dryer, fridge/freezer.

Bathroom: Shower over bath, WC, Hand basin.

Bedroom 2: 2 x single beds, chest of drawers.

1st Floor

Master Bedroom: King-size bed, bedside cabinets, wardrobe, chest of drawers. Ensuite shower, WC and wash basin

Bedroom 3: Twin (3') singles beds, large build in wardrobe with shelving internally and bedside cabinets.

Outside Space: At the front of the property, there is a well sized enclosed garden area with outdoor with picnic bench table. Please note access to the rear garden is for a neighbouring property only.

Parking: Space for 2 cars inside/outside the gated drive.

Changeover Day: Friday - Arrival 4:00pm - Departure 10:00am

Security Deposit: This property has a refundable Accidental Damage Deposit of £250, which is payable to Blueriver Cottages with the final balance of your holiday, eight weeks prior to your arrival, and is refunded within 5 working days of your departure. Alternatively, you may wish to pay a non-refundable Accidental Damage Deposit Waiver which covers you for the full value of the Accidental Damage Deposit, should any damage occur during your stay.

Pets : Due to grazing animals, pets are not allowed.

Power and Heat: Gas and Electricity included in rent.

Internet: Wifi provided (superfast full fibre broadband).

Bed Linen and Towels: Cotton bed linen and cotten towels provided.

Baby Equipment: Travel cot and High Chair (please bring your own bedding for the travel cot)

Shop: 0.5ml Pub: 0.5ml

Notes - Non-smoking property. WiFi Provided. Excellent 4G EE Mobile Network Coverage indoors and outdoors but other networks generally have a poor reception, please check the mobile coverage for your network

Short Breaks - Short Breaks are accepted from January - end of June, from September - December, minimum of 3 nights. Short Breaks are not accepted during the months of July and August.

Additional information and rules

No dogs allowed

- 3 bedrooms – 1 king-size, 2 twin rooms

- 2 bathrooms – 1 bathroom with shower over the bath and WC on the ground floor; 1 en-suite with walk-in shower and WC on the first floor

- Esse Ironheart wood-fired oven and cooking stove, electric oven and hob, dishwasher, microwave, Lazazza a Moda Mio coffee machine

- Utility room with washing machine, tumble dryer and fridge/freezer

- Travel cot and highchair available

- Smart TV, DVD player, Bluetooth speaker, Hi-Fi with CD player

- Excellent 4G EE Mobile Network Coverage indoors and outdoors but other networks generally have a poor reception, please check the mobile coverage for your network

- Wifi provided (superfast full fibre broadband).

- Enclosed lawn garden to the front of the property with picnic table; rear garden for neighbouring property only

- Fishing can be booked at Tavistock Trout Fishery approx. 3 miles away

- Private parking for 2 cars

- Selection of books, DVDs, jigsaws and board games available

- Shop and pub 1.5 miles

- Please note the arrival day is Friday for 2025 and changing to Saturday from 2026