Kaywana Hall

near Dartmouth, Devon, United Kingdom
Book from GBP Book from £250 per night

Kaywana Hall

near Dartmouth, Devon, United Kingdom

A unique architectural gem of a B&B, set in tranquil woodland within minutes of Dartmouth and the south Devon coast

A unique architectural gem of a B&B, set in tranquil woodland within minutes of Dartmouth and the south Devon coast

At the end of a drive that winds uphill into 12 acres of private Dart Valley woodland, Kaywana Hall was built in 1962 by south Devon architect Mervyn Seal. A cantilevered glass rectangle, jutting out of a hillside like some misplaced California canyon house, it has his signature butterfly roof (each inverted pitch sloping upwards). It was built for sunshine and brilliant blue skies. And for current owners Tony Pithers and Gordon Craig it was love at first sight - though the house they bought was not as healthy as it looked.

When demolition seemed the only option, the couple hired a younger architect, Stan Bolt, who agreed to rebuild the house along its original lines: keeping the same footprint, the same style, the retro carport and fish-bone staircases, the wing-like roof. The guest rooms - reached via steps and outdoor walkways lined with pebbles - were planned into this build. They look out over trees, the glamorous heated pool and the spectacular house (all glassy geometry, split-levels, light and shade), and they each come with a private terrace. Like most examples of contemporary architecture, it won’t please everyone, but for lovers of modernism, this is a rare treat.

Highs

  • Perfect for R&R. Tony and Gordon really look after you and there's a wonderful sense of privacy - each self-contained room has its own entrance, its own decked terrace
  • We loved the juxtaposition of secluded forest and space-age architecture: treehouse meets the Thunderbirds' Tracy Island
  • Spoiling details in your room include robes, slippers, umbrellas, candles, homemade fudge, fresh milk, wine glasses…
  • Excellent breakfasts, and a 10-minute walk to the ferry port for foodie Dartmouth; Tony and Gordon can recommend the best places
  • The heated pool and pool house equipped with complimentary snacks and drinks and a relaxed lounge area

Lows

  • Kaywana doesn’t serve dinner so you will have to walk or drive to Kingswear or Dartmouth
  • With only 4 rooms, you will need to book well in advance - especially at weekends
  • A slightly tricky turn-out from the drive - watch the traffic as you edge onto the road
  • Not suitable for kids or those with mobility issues (there are lots of steps)
  • Closed Nov-April

Best time to go

To get the most out of the California poolhouse experience and the rooms’ private outdoor decks, visit in late spring, summer or early autumn. Key local events include Dartmouth Royal Regatta (late August) and Dartmouth Food festival (mid-October). Tony and Gordon close Kaywana Hall November-April.

Our top tips

Architecture buffs may like to do a little research on Mervyn Seal, the Torbay architect who designed Kaywana Hall - one of a series of distinctive butterfly houses built in the area in the 1960s. The name Kaywana, by the way, was inspired by the Kaywana Trilogy, a set of novels penned in the 1950s by Guyanese author Edgar Mittelholzer.

Foodies should book ahead for a cookery course at Manna from Devon, next door to Kaywana Hall. Choices include bread making, fish dishes, wood-fired cooking or Asian specialities.

Great for...

Great Outdoors
Romantic
  • Boutique B&B
  • 4 rooms
  • Breakfast only (restaurants nearby)
  • Over 18s only
  • Closed: November - April
  • Heated Pool
  • Spa Treatments
  • Beach Nearby
  • Pet Friendly
  • Disabled Access
  • Car not necessary
  • Parking
  • Restaurants Nearby
  • WiFi
  • Air Conditioning
  • Guest Lounge
  • Terrace
  • Garden
  • Gym
  • Electric car charger
Room:

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 grey plastic cover - which is brought out in the evenings to help keep the heated water warm - but everything else was perfect.

Ash and Oak are set into the hillside above the house and are accessed via steps and walkways. They are 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 a 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
  • Bluetooth sound system
  • Central heating
  • Hairdryer
  • Iron
  • Minibar
  • Radio
  • WiFi

Eating

A superb breakfast is served - more or less on demand - in the lovely pool house, providing an opportunity to admire Kaywana’s woodland-framed pool and the drama of that sloping roof. We loved the pretty white dishes of Gordon's homemade granola, fresh seasonal fruit compote, warm pastries (chocolate croissants, local champagne bread), and excellent juices. Hungry types can order cooked dishes too: our seasonal 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. Ninety percent 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). Note that Dartmouth and Kingswear are small towns, so restaurants can get booked up in advance and most places are not open every day of the week - do your research before your stay.

Features include:

  • Breakfast
  • Coffee maker
  • Communal dining
  • Organic produce
  • Restaurants nearby
Eating:
Activity:

Activities

  • Stroll down to pretty Kingswear (a 10-min walk) 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 (guests of Kaywana get discounted ferry tickets)

  • 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:

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

Kids

This is an adults-only place.

Kid Friendly:

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. You'll need to get a taxi from there.

Getting around:
There is a bus stop right in front of the hotel, with regular services between Dartmouth and Paignton.

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

More on getting to the UK and getting around

Airports:

  • Exeter 55.0 km EXT
  • Exeter 154.0 km BRS

Other:

  • Beach 5.0 km
  • Shops 1.0 km
  • Restaurant 1.0 km

Our guests' ratings...

Based on 5 independent reviews from i-escape guests

10/10
Room
10/10
Food
10/10
Service
10/10
Value
10/10
Overall

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Rates for Kaywana Hall

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