Kaywana Hall

Rooms

One of the big advantages of purpose-building a B&B was the opportunity to plan every detail. There are 4 lovely rooms, all self-contained with their own front doors and decked terraces, and all offering simple, unfussy modernist design: wood floors, contemporary art, floor-to-ceiling windows and lots of natural light.

We stayed in Beech, a large and airy, elevated glass cube, with a terrace overlooking the garden, and steps down to the pool. A free-standing storage unit cleverly divides the room into 2 - a kingsize bed on one side, and a comfortable sitting area on the other. The bathroom has both a tub and a lofty semi-circular walk-in shower of white mosaic tiles. The view of the pool was slightly marred by a blue plastic cover - which helps keeps the heated water hot - but everything else was perfect.

Ash and Oak are set into the hillside above the house and are accessed via steps and walkways. They slightly smaller, but Oak's bed is a super-kingsize and Ash has a super-kingsize which can be converted into twins. Both have smart bathrooms with slate floors and a separate shower and tub.

As for The Roundhouse, this is the newest and most striking room, with curved walls of glass looking onto woodland, a lovely bathroom boasting freestanding tub and double sinks, and a circular private sundeck outside. It's a truly decadent space perfect for a special occasion.

All rooms include luxurious beds and linens, robes and slippers, homemade cookies and fudge; for the terrace, citronella candles, deckchairs and sun shades; and, in the bathrooms, Bramley natural toiletries. There are towels for the pool, umbrellas in case it rains, and roller blinds on the windows to cut out the light.

Features include:

• Bathrobes
• Bose sound system
• Candles
• Central heating
• Deckchairs
• Hairdryer
• Ipod dock
• Iron
• Phone
• Pool towels
• Radio
• Satellite TV
• Terrace
• Toiletries

Eating

A superb breakfast is served - more or less on demand - in Tony and Gordon’s dining area, providing an opportunity to admire Kaywana’s decked open-plan living spaces, the dreamy views and the drama of that sloping roof. We loved the pretty white dishes of homemade granola, fresh seasonal fruit compote, warm pastries (chocolate croissants, local champagne bread), and excellent juices. Hungry types can order cooked dishes too: our daily specials included crumpets dipped in beaten egg served with crispy bacon and maple syrup, or homemade smoked haddock and salmon fishcakes served with a poached egg. Most of the ingredients are sourced within a 5-mile radius.

For lunch and dinner, there’s a wealth of good places nearby. Tony and Gordon recommend Dartmouth's waterfront seafood restaurant The Seahorse run by Mitch Tonks (Devon's answer to Rick Stein), or his Rockfish Restaurant housed within Brixham fish market. For Michelin-starred cuisine, book The Elephant in Torquay; for something simpler, try The Weary Ploughman in nearby Churston (big portions, open daily).

Features include:

• Breakfast
• Coffee / tea making
• Coffee maker
• Communal dining
• Minibar/fridge
• Organic produce
• Restaurants nearby

Activities

• Stroll down to pretty Kingswear - it's a scenic 10-min walk along the river - for scenic views across the water to Dartmouth, a bustling harbour slipway, and the salty old Ship Inn
  
  
• The Harbour Cruise takes in Kingswear and Dartmouth castles, Dittisham village and Britannia Royal Naval College; or water taxis will whisk you further afield to secret coves and coastal walks. Or jump on the curious Lower Ferry - a tray-like float with room for 8 cars and a few pedestrians, pulled across the water by a tug
  
  
• Salubrious Dartmouth is a maze of narrow back streets lined with Tudor buildings (including the Grade I-listed Butter Walk), arcades, boaty quays, galleries, delis and an open-air market
  
  
• Board the delightful steam train between Kingswear and Paignton (runs from April to October): a half-hour journey along the “Geopark” coastline and through the Dart Estuary woodlands
  
  
• Lace up your hiking boots for the lovely Dart Valley Trail to Greenway (former home of Agatha Christie, now National Trust) - Tony and Gordon will point you in the right direction
  
  
• Of south Devon's many beaches, we love Blackpool Sands - one of the cleanest in England, and only 5 miles away via the Dartmouth ferry; busier Torquay and Paignton are also within 20 mins' drive
  
  
• For a change of scene drive to Totnes, which, aside from a reputation for alternative culture, offers the 15th-century St Mary's Church, the 11th-century Guildhall and the healing waters of Leech Wells
  
  
• Just hang out on the deck or in the heated pool: there are sun loungers and parasols for the vagaries of Devon's weather

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Beaches
• Boat trips
• Cooking classes
• Cycling
• Hiking
• Historical sites
• Museums / galleries
• Sailing
• Shopping / markets
• Steam train excursions
• Swimming

Kids

This is an adults-only place.

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Kaywana Hall is set in its own woodland in the Dart Valley, near the small village of Kingswear, across the estuary from Dartmouth in Devon, southwest England.

By Air
The nearest airports are Exeter (55km) or Bristol (154km). Kaywana Hall can arrange a taxi transfer or you can hire a car.

By Car
A car is handy but not essential (there's plenty to explore on foot or by bike). It is a 4-hour drive from London, 2 hours from Bristol and 45 minutes from Exeter. There's free parking at the B&B.

By Train
Totnes station (18km away) is on the main line from Paddington to Penzance via Exeter.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.

More on getting to the UK and getting around