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  • A stone house with a slate roof in a green field with two horses and large trees at Swallows Reach in Halwell
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Swallows Reach

(Ref. 1166125)

Halwell, Devon Show on map

Customer rating 4.5

How reviews work

A property's star rating is the average of the star ratings received from guests that wish for their review to be published

Sykes rating

  • 10 Guests

  • 4 Bedrooms

  • 4 Bathrooms

  • Pets: Yes

Features

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

Reviews & Ratings

Accuracy of the listing
Cleanliness
Comfort
Facilities and Maintenance
  • All reviews
  • property (8)
  • pool (7)
  • room (6)
  • great (6)
  • lovely (6)
  • no (6)

12 Customer Reviews

  • "If you want comfortable beds, lovely hot showers and a spacious property to gather a group of friends or family this is perfect, the whole first floor is open plan kitchen/ dining /lounge and a great space to relax."

    The pool and games room are a bonus especially when the weather isn’t great. Couple of issues: stair gates weren’t installed well enough to contain a toddler, he’s quite good at stairs but this could be dangerous for a younger child and a few cooker rings were not working.

    Thank you for taking the time to complete your feedback. We are glad you had an enjoyable stay. We will certainly check the stair gates and the cooker rings. It is a real shame that you did not mention this to us at the time of your stay, as we would have done our utmost to have resolved them for you at the time. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Rachel4.0Feb 2026

  • "Just returned home after a fabulous stay at Swallows Reach celebrating our beautiful granddaughters 30th birthday with eight family including our daughter,grandson,and our very special great grandson Beau who is two and there partners."

    The property was much bigger than we expected and the photographs don’t do it real justice we were very pleasantly surprised. The owner Brian had left the heating on high for us so although the property was big it felt lovely and warm and cozy too. Brian made us very welcome and even left us a very nice chocolate cake on arrival and he also kindly provided us with a large basket of logs for the log burner which he insisted on carry up the stairs for us. The property offers stunning countryside views and has plenty of parking right outside your door great when unloading and loading. The indoor pool and games room were great lovely and spacious and warm. We would recommend a trip to Dartmouth which is easily accessible and very pretty. We had a lovely celebration at the Sail Loft which was not only stylish and comfortable but the food was amazing and the staff extremely helpful plus they have two wood burners one upstairs and one downstairs and very comfortable chairs too. We highly recommend Swallows Reach and would like to thank Brian very much for his kindness during our stay. We would definately like to return in the future. 10/10 for everything

    Reviewed by Stuart5.0Jan 2026

  • "Swallows reach was a lovely property!"

    The views couldn't be beaten. The swimming pool was used by us everyday.

    Reviewed by Susan5.0Nov 2025

  • "Grateful for the cake and milk provided on arrival though we did not see the owner until we were departing."

    The property could have done with an information / instruction book. We could not find the children’s play area and only discovered the games room after a search in the daylight. It could be made clearer that the main entrance to the property is on the ground floor, where there are two bedrooms, then you have to go upstairs to the living room/ kitchen- not so friendly for our elderly relation. Though the property had a few minor maintenance issues such as light bulbs not working, overall it was a very good place to stay.

    Reviewed by Chris4.0Nov 2025

  • "Fantastic property and amenities, perfect location very rural but not far from Totnes and Dartmouth."

    Reviewed by Christine5.0Oct 2025

  • "Needs a little TLC in some areas especially new mattress in one of the bedrooms!"

    ! Some of the tea and coffee mugs were chipped.. Pool area didn’t seem to be maintained and there are broken tiles in the children’s pool also a lot of sand in the bottom of the main pool.. Saying this we still had a great time at Swallows reach! Maybe a little sharpen in places is needed !

    Thank you for taking the time to complete your feedback. A new mattress has been ordered. We will check the tea and coffee mugs for chips. There are some tiles which have come off but we have filled and levelled the hole and the tiles will be replaced in due course. We are glad that you had a good time and we would love to welcome you back on a future date. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Anthony3.0Jul 2025

  • "Swallows Reach is a delightful cottage in lovely surroundings with a great games room and indoor heated swimming pool on site."

    The cottage's particularly well laid out accommodation makes it an ideal choice for extended family/friends' visit - especially with dogs! Lovely walking locally and great food at pub at 30 mins walk. Only drawback was very poor lighting in kitchen - which did impact things slightly. But unquestionably a great holiday & would recommend and re-book.

    Reviewed by Stephen4.0Jun 2025

  • "Well presented and equipped property in lovely grounds with good facilities within property boundaries."

    Owners friendly and helpful. Good location with easy access to local towns, villages and coast. An enjoyable stay.

    Reviewed by Andrew5.0May 2025

  • "We really enjoyed our stay at swallows reach, and in general everything was great."

    Overall, the property had everything we needed for our stay. The property and facilities would both benefit from a little TLC, just small things like the oven not heating up very good and outside the BBQ needed some work. The pool also needed a deep clean. We would still stay here again, as none of the little things affected our stay and we all enjoyed being at swallows reach.

    Thank you for your feedback. We are glad that you enjoyed your stay. The oven and BBQ have been replaced. The pool has also been cleaned and hoovered. We are glad that you enjoyed the property and hope to maybe welcome you back again for another stay Property Owner

    Reviewed by Sarah4.0Apr 2025

  • "Our second stay at Swallows Reach, & it really is an excellent property for a big family group & the location is perfect."

    A few things to note: The property is in dire need of some tlc!! Kitchen kick boards broken & loose. Sealant around shower trays/kitchen worktop missing & poorly applied resulting in water ingress to various areas. Decor, in general, is shabby. Lack of child friendly plates/bowls etc. No "welcome pack" of instructions/guides/advice/welcome!! Smoke detectors are all expired (as they were last time we visited, in 2023!!) Some of the electrics seem a bit dodgy. Some sockets don't work & one of our party had a shock from one of the light switches. We stayed in the top bedroom & the Rooks nesting in the roof sounded like they were in the room! Not great for putting the kids to sleep at dusk & the 4am wake up calls didn't make for relaxing lay ins. The pools: cold & poorly maintained. Both pools were freezing, which was a shame as my youngest (2) didn't swim all week & I only went in once. There are tiles missing from the pool linings. After a few minutes of people being in the pool, you couldn't see the bottom due to loads of sediment being stirred up. The toddler pool was particularly grim. Clumps of hair floating about & god know what else! The saddest thing is, a lot of the things I've mentioned have been brought up in the visitors book & online reviews on many occasions, over many years and yet nothing has been done. I get that it's a working farm & that side of things takes priority, but regular routine maintenance is crucial, especially when it comes to the safety of paying guests!! Expired Smoke detectors & poor electrics could very easily result in deaths & law suits!! Why take the risk!?!?

    Thank you for your feedback. We are trying to source some new kickboards for the kitchen and once we have found the right ones, we will replace them. We have a rolling schedule for painting at the property. We don't provide child friendly plates or bowls, as people with young children, quite like to bring their own with them. All of the smoke detectors have been replaced. We have checked all of the sockets and they are all working fine. We constantly need to turn on and off the lights in the property during the changeovers and none of our team have received any electric shocks from the switches. There is a Jackdaws nest in the eaves, and there isn't anything we can do about this, the birds should hopefully soon fly the nest in a month or so. We try to keep the temperature of the main pool at a temperature of 30 degrees, and the pool will be retiled at some point. The chlorine eats away at the grout which causes the sandy feel/ sediment. We hope aside from these issues that you had an enjoyable time with your family and were able to enjoy the nearby towns and beaches. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Ioan4.0Apr 2025

  • "Had a lovely stay."

    The accommodation was really nice home from home

    Reviewed by Ann5.0Feb 2025

  • "The games room could do with the ball cues being replaced as there was only 1 cue stick that was acceptable."

    Thank you for your feedback. It is a shame that you didn't make us aware during your stay about any issues with the cues, as we would have replaced them during your stay. We will check the cues and any that need replacing will be replaced. Property Owner

    Reviewed by David5.0Feb 2025

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Summary

  • Over three floors
  • 1 x family room with double and single (zip/link, can be three singles on request) with TV and en-suite with walk-in shower, basin and WC, 1 x king-size with TV and en-suite with bath, shower over, basin and WC
  • 1 x lower-ground-floor family room with double and single (zip/link, can be three singles on request) with TV and en-suite with walk-in shower, basin and WC, 1 x lower-ground-floor king-size with TV and en-suite with bath, shower over, basin and WC
  • Lower-ground-floor cloakroom with basin and WC
  • Ground-floor open- plan living space with kitchen, dining area and sitting area with woodburning stove
  • Shared games room
  • Gas central heating, underfloor heating
  • Electric oven, gas hob, microwave, fridge/freezer, washing machine, tumble dryer, dishwasher
  • TV with Blu-ray, DVD, 4 x TV with DVD, WiFi
  • Fuel, power and starter pack for woodburning stove inc. in rent
  • Bed linen and towels inc. in rent
  • Travel cot and highchair available on request
  • Off road parking for 6 cars
  • Private patio with furniture and barbecue
  • Shared garden with lawn, children's play area (swings, slides, climbing frame), indoor swimming pool, toddlers' splash pool, trampoline and games room
  • Three well-behaved dogs welcome
  • Sorry no smoking
  • Shop 1.7 miles, pub 1.4 miles
  • Note: The shared 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

The property

Swallows Reach is a large, handsome cottage, expertly converted from a detached barn on a 300-acre working farm in Halwell, Devon.

Ideal for families or friends, this pet-friendly retreat offers contemporary comforts, a private patio with exceptional countryside views, and access to shared amenities including an indoor swimming pool and games room.

Head up a few steps of this enchanting abode and through glass doors into your light, modern open-plan oak-floored living space complete with comfortable seating around a warming woodburning stove, ideal for those chillier evenings.

Gather around the dining table set for ten, awaiting dinner party natter and family bonding, and make a toast to an unforgettable getaway.

The kitchen is fully-equipped with all the appliances needed to prepare delicious meals for the group, or you can fire up the barbecue and enjoy dining alfresco on your private patio, all while taking in the stunning views all the way over Torbay.

At the rear is an expansive lawn area for stretching out in the sun or running around as your four-legged friends stretch their legs.

The shared amenities, including a swimming pool and games room, offer plenty of extra entertainment options to enjoy throughout your stay.

When the day draws to a close, retire to one of the four beautifully appointed bedrooms located on the first and lower-ground floors.

Each room is equipped with a TV for relaxed mornings in bed, generous storage for all your holiday attire, and en-suite facilities for a spot of opulence.

The family rooms are perfect for young children or friends sharing, while the king-size rooms are equally as inviting, providing a peaceful retreat for couples seeking relaxation and comfort.

A lower-ground-floor cloakroom with a basin and WC completes the interior of this delightful property.

If you can pull yourself away from this inviting retreat, a wealth of exciting attractions awaits.

Adventurous families will enjoy a visit to the renowned Paignton Zoo Environmental Park and Woodlands Family Theme Park, offering endless entertainment for all ages.

Animal enthusiasts shouldn't miss a fun-filled day at Pennywell Farm where a host of friendly creatures await.

Beach lovers will delight in a trip to the pristine Blackpool Sands, an idyllic location for a seaside picnic or a refreshing dip.

For those interested in history, the National Trust's Greenway, the former holiday home of Agatha Christie, Dartmouth Castle, Totnes Castle, and Bayard's Cove Fort are all within reach and are sure to fascinate.

However you choose to spend your Devon holiday, ensure Swallows Reach is your home-from-home.

Note: This property has a Good Housekeeping bond of £200.

Where you’ll be staying

View on map

HALWELL

Totnes 6.2 miles; Dartmouth 8.6 miles; Buckfastleigh 11.2 miles.

Halwell is a small village in wooded farmland equidistant from the busy little town of Kingsbridge and popular Totnes. Positioned in a wonderful region of the South Hams District, near the south coast of Devon, this village is home to a pub and there is a petrol garage with a shop, as well as access to the surrounding attractions for a fun-filled holiday. Just a short drive away is the wonderful Woodlands Family Theme Park, offering an exciting day out for all the family with rides and attractions. Walkers can delight in venturing into the South Devon Area of Outstanding Beauty to explore the stunning natural landscapes, and following the meandering River Avon down within the Avon Valley. Less than 10 miles away is the fantastic riverside town of Dartmouth, bustling with life, expect to discover exquisite restaurants, exciting river adventures and a host of attractions in the scenic setting. With all of this and more to be discovered in the neighbouring Dartmoor National Park, Halwell is a great base for an escape to Devon.

This property offers the following short breaks:

  • Winter
  • Off-season
  • Last minute
  • Christmas