Rookwood Cottage Drewsteignton

Best walk in Dartmoor - from Castle Drogo

2012-01-16T22:02:00.002Z

Castle Drogo, near Drewsteignton in Devon

Thanks to the Telegraph for this article which named the Walk from Castle Drogo as the Best Walk in Dartmoor

Bleak and windswept, foggy and damp, bright and crisp – Dartmoor’s notoriously fickle weather can bring all four seasons in one day. At more than 368 square miles, Dartmoor National Park is the largest and wildest area of open country in the south of England, with ancient woodland, high granite tors and vast tracts of rolling moorland. Visit in spring to see lambs gambolling and hedgerows full of wild flowers, while summer invites lazy days picnicking and swimming in cool, clear rivers. In autumn, heather carpets the hills in a thick, purple bristle. Wintry walks over open moorland blow away the cobwebs, with a pint of ale by the fire in a snug pub as a reward.

A word of warning: driving around the moor’s narrow lanes and tight bends is not for the faint-hearted. Bad signage and high hedges make navigation tricky, while tractors, stray sheep, cyclists and free-range children call for slow speeds and fast reactions.

Best walk: Castle Drogo to Fingle Gorge

This two-hour round trip takes you past a dramatic castle and through an oak-lined gorge to an ancient stone bridge and traditional pub – classic Dartmoor sights.

The hike along the River Teign starts at Castle Drogo, a Lutyens-designed fortress completed in 1930 and the last great castle to be built in England. From here the routes to Fingle Gorge are clearly signed. Walk one way along Hunter’s Path, with views down the river valley, the other along the lower, Fisherman’s Path, which traces the spectacular wooded riverbank where kingfishers and woodpeckers dart between shaded pools, and trout, salmon and otters flourish in the clear water.

The small, rocky beaches are perfect for picnics and – in warmer weather – toe-dipping. Look out for glimpses of Prestonbury Castle Iron Age hill fort on the other side of the valley. At the foot of the gorge are the stone arches of Fingle Bridge, and behind it Fingle Bridge Inn, which serves a mean cream tea and has a pretty terrace overlooking the river. In spring the woods are carpeted with bluebells and daffodils (01647 433306; nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-castledrogo). http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/uk/9009985/Dartmoor-ten-of-the-best-things-to-do.html

Thanks for a great review!

2012-01-14T16:00:00.001Z

It is so pleasing when people take the time to comment about Rookwood Cottage when they return the post-stay questionnaire to Helpful Holidays. Mr S. has just written ....
"This cottage went the extra mile. The owners really have thought of everything to make your stay wonderful"

Rookwood cottage in pictures

2012-01-12T10:00:00.000Z

Treat yourself to a massage whilst at Rookwood

2012-01-04T16:13:00.000Z

Philippa Allom has set up a therapy room just up the lane from Rookwood Cottage.
Philippa offers Swedish Massage and Hot Stone Treatment..just the thing to really relax whilst on holiday.
To make a booking call her on 01647 281645 or e-mail doves@herplanet.co.uk

Parking for Rookwood Cottage

2011-11-28T17:54:00.000Z

Regular visitors to the cottage will know that there is parking space immediately in front of the cottage that has been used for many years by Rookwood visitors. Whilst Drewsteignton is a small quiet village it has not been immune to the increase in cars on the road and the space in front of the cottage is not always available but please use it when it is. There is alternative parking however, just a few yards away, alongside the high church wall.
Whilst all the usual caveats apply(!!!) Drewsteignton is the kind of place that you feel safe, wherever you park your car.

Castle Drogo (a lovely walk from Drewsteignton)

2011-11-25T14:30:00.000Z

The 'last castle to be built in England' set above the Teign Gorge with dramatic views over Dartmoor. One of the most remarkable works of Sir Edwin Lutyens and the last castle to be built in England. Tea rooms and gardens.
For more information including opening times follow this link to Castle Drogo

New Sofa and Chairs

2011-11-20T09:26:00.001Z

The new sofa and chairs seem to have 'hit the spot' as far as our guests are concerned. Everyone agrees they look good and even more importantly, feel good. "Very comfortable and suit the cottage well" was the comment from Dave who stayed last week.

Thanks to Nalalie and Rikki of Helpful Holidays for the pictures taken during their recent inspection.

Helpful Holidays' Inspection

2011-11-12T13:38:00.001Z

All Helpful Holiday's cottages get inspected most years and we have just had ours this morning. We look at this as an opportunity to continue to raise our standards and ensure we remain one of their favourite cottages.

We are always impressed at the thoroughness of these inspections - including checking the inventory of cutlery and crockery! Again Rookwood Cottage has passed with flying colours and many thanks to Natalie for taking pictures of our new sofa and chairs for the HH web site.

Saturday 12th November

Holiday Maker's Comments

2011-07-28T22:34:00.001+01:00

It's always good to receive comments from holiday makers especially when they have come from some distance to us in Devon. Great comment from recent visitors from Germany...
""Wunderschönes Cottage als optimaler Ausgangspunkt für tolle Wanderungen ins Dartmoor und nach Cornwall. Nur zu empfehlen! Familie aus Deutschland" Read more (26) other comments
Thanks to Helpful Holidays for the translation: "Beautiful Cottage an excellent starting point for fantastic hikes to Dartmoor and into Cornwall. Highly recommended! Family from Germany"

Superb review for The Old Inn

2011-06-27T23:07:00.006+01:00

Old Inn, Drewsteignton

Jay Raynor gave a superb review of The Old Inn in Drewsteignton in the Observer recently. The review can be seen in full by following this link. Jay Raynor Review.

In his review he says "the evening menu costs £39.50, but you will get some of the most pitch-perfect food I have eaten in a long time, and in a relaxed, elbows-on-the-table style. It's not over-elaborated, it's just smart, technically brilliant cookery, exercised in the interests of lovely ingredients.

Duncan Walker is a Geordie who cooked for years with Shaun Hill at the Michelin two-star Gidleigh Park Hotel at Chagford, then set up on his own before going travelling. A few months back he and his partner returned to this old stone restaurant with three rooms and just 17 covers. They are open for dinner from Wednesday to Saturday, but will take bookings at other times for tables of six or more."
Well done Duncan!
For more information follow this link The Old Inn

Questionaires!

2011-03-01T17:52:00.006Z

Most of our visitors fill in our visitors book at the cottage and occasionally comment on the "Have Your Say" sheet if anything can be improved or needs repair. We love to hear from you about the good times you have had at Rookwood Cottage and I know other visitors enjoy the recommendations of places to visit in the area (or not as the case maybe!).

Please will you very kindly also complete the Helpful Holidays' questionnaire that is forwarded to you after your. We are rated according to your comments and the number of responses received. We already have an excellent satisfaction rating of 4.8 and with your help we want to make that 5!

Special thanks has to go to a recent visitor who wrote "Rookwood Cottage where we stayed was extremely welcoming, comfortable and practical. Bravo to the owner!" Many thanks.... just the comment we love to hear.

More comments are shown on the Helpful Holidays web site (Click Here)

Being 'Dog Friendly'

2011-01-10T20:05:00.003Z

I was asked this evening if we were dog friendly as far as Rookwood Cottage was concerned. My immediate response was "of course we are". I thought it might therefore be worth saying so on this blog site. In fact we are very dog friendly to friendly dogs!

All we ask is that dogs are kept under control and you respect Rookwood Cottage as you would your own home. In fact we are so dog friendly probably over half of guests bring a dog with them and we always leave a little treat for your Fido, Skip or Rover.

Please note dogs are not allowed upstairs or on any of the furniture - I know Rover or Fido may want to join you on the sofa and so we have provided a dog blanket to make them feel equally comfortable on the floor!

By the way, the walking available around Drewsteignton is enough to make any dog want to return next holiday as well. So be warned, Fido or Skip may be complaining if you don't come back to Rookwood Cottage!

PS: we are 'well behaved cat' friendly as well!

December's calendar surprise!

2011-01-10T19:34:00.001Z

I was given a walking calendar for 2010 Christmas a year ago. The calendar "British Walks" featured a major walk every month with some attractive pictures to go with it.

Each month I have enjoyed turning the page and looking at a new area with a featured walk. You can imagine my surprise on the 1st December when I moved from November to the new month to see the Two Moors Way described and there in front of my eyes was a picture of Rookwood Cottage!

The writer's description of the Two Moors Way was concise and accurate and to my delight said ..."After crossing mid-Devon the trail arrives at the delightful village of Drewsteignton, situated on the ridge above the River Teign Gorge and surrounded by some of the most beautiful wooded countryside Dartmoor has to offer... " What a shame I didn't realise it was there in January so I could have looked forward to turning the page to December all year!

Well done Salmon, the calendar's printer, why not now make a calendar just featuring Drewsteignton and the River Teign Gorge, it's such a fabulous area.

Sketch of Rookwood Cottage

2009-01-01T08:00:00.017Z

An artist, well know to some, Clive Hunt, has recently completed a sketch of Rookwood Cottage. We think it has turned out very well and plan to use it on a postcard in the future. If you are interested in receiving a copy then drop an e-mail to us at ian.pickford@rookwoodcottage.com

The Old Inn & the Drewe Arms

2008-08-10T14:51:00.005+01:00

If you are having friends join you for a couple of days or should you want a weekend break in Drewsteignton why not try the Old Inn or the Drewe Arms. Both have comfortable accommodation and are in the village square just a very short walk from Rookwood Cottage. Links to their web sites are given to the right.

Fingle Bridge

2008-08-01T10:35:00.004+01:00

Centuries ago, the 16th century Fingle Bridge was a major crossing point over the Teign between Drewsteignton and Moretonhampstead. It was used by packhorses transporting produce such as corn from Fingle Mill, and wood products.

The rope handrail has gone!

2007-10-24T13:33:00.003+01:00

Thought of as fun by some, hated by others the old rope handrail on the stairs has gone! We were advised that from a health and safety point of view a more robust handrail was preferable. Not wanting to spoil the 'feel' of Rookwood we asked local craftsman Simon to create a handrail
and balustrade that was in keeping with the cottage. These pictures show what a great job Simon has done to keep you safe whilst still looking good. Well done Simon!

Early Beam Repairs

2007-10-24T11:50:00.003+01:00

Visitors to Rookwood Cottage some years ago will remember that there is a low beam in the sitting room which has had a split half way along its length. In May of 2008 we decided that we had to ensure the beam would last for another 400 years and so we looked at what was needed to repair it.

An easy solution would be to fit a metal brace as seen on so many old beams. We didn't want to spoil the look of the cottage and we felt that only the best would be right for Rookwood and so we contracted a specialist contractor to 'mend' the beam a very different way!

The floor boards were lifted in the bedroom above and four tungsten steel rods inserted into slots cut into the sitting room beam whilst it was jacked up from below. Resin was then poured into the slots to harden and create the perfect finished job. The specialist claims that if the cottage was blown to pieces this beam would remain in tact!