Strete Barton House
Strete, near Dartmouth, Start Bay · Guest House
View on Google MapsPhoto: Elliot Gardiner
An AA five-star guest house in a 16th-century manor at Strete, with five rooms, a cottage suite and views over Start Bay towards the coast path.
Photos
Photos via Google
About Strete Barton House
Strete Barton House is the oldest surviving building in the village of Strete, a 16th-century manor house on the coast road between Dartmouth and Slapton. Stuart Litster and Kevin Hooper have run it for years as an AA five-star guest house, and it holds an AA breakfast award. The house sits above Start Bay, and the sea views from the front rooms and the garden take in the whole sweep of the coast.
There are five bedrooms in the main house plus a separate cottage suite. All were redesigned by the owners and have a contemporary feel that sits comfortably against the old building: Graham & Brown wallpapers, Farrow & Ball paint, artwork and wall sculptures collected on their travels, silk cushions and good mattresses on king or super-king beds. The cottage suite is the most private option and works well for guests staying several nights. Guests are met with coffee and cake on arrival, and there is a sitting room with a wood-burning stove for cooler months.
Breakfast is freshly prepared with Devon produce, and the owners are open about where the food comes from and about the house's environmental policies. There is no restaurant, but the village pub is a short walk and Dartmouth has plenty of choice fifteen minutes away by car.
The setting suits walkers and beach-goers. The South West Coast Path passes through the village, Blackpool Sands and Landcombe are close by, and Slapton Ley nature reserve and Slapton Sands are a short drive south. Dartmouth, Totnes and the Dart valley are all within easy reach, and the Start Point lighthouse walk is one of the best in the area. It is a small, quiet house best suited to couples rather than families with young children.
Reception hours
- Monday
- Open 24 hours
- Tuesday
- Open 24 hours
- Wednesday
- Open 24 hours
- Thursday
- Open 24 hours
- Friday
- Open 24 hours
- Saturday
- Open 24 hours
- Sunday
- Open 24 hours
Current hours may differ from the usual schedule above (e.g. holidays) — check Google Maps for today's hours.
What guests say
Lucky to snag a parking spot on a Saturday afternoon as it was quite full. Beach was chilled and relaxing and free from rubbish. Nude section less busy. Water was colder than nearby beaches but we got to hang with the resident seal
3 weeks ago · via Google
Beautiful beach with clear water. It was really quiet on a beautiful Saturday afternoon in July. Parking can be done at the machine with coins or via the app, I had good reception on the beach so did it there.
a month ago · via Google
Lovely quiet beach. Beautiful clear sea with the odd moon jellyfish and blue jellyfish. Would recommend decent footwear as the pebbles are sharp in places
5 months ago · via Google
It's a long, pebbly beach - so long that there is always space and very rarely feels crowded. It's not a 'cosy' one (for that, go around the corner to Blackpool sands) but neither does it feel over-exploited. The broken road makes for a sight-seeing visit at the moment! And the pub on torcross remains open and delicious, despite some of their car park being damaged 💪
6 months ago · via Google
Visitors say this beach is long, pebbly, and rarely feels crowded, offering plenty of space for activities like fishing and sunbathing. They also highlight the clear water and the quiet atmosphere, even on busy days. Guests mention the free toilet facilities and that dogs are allowed all year.
Summary via Google
At a glance
- Address
- Strete Gate, Dartmouth, TQ6 0RR Get directions
- Property type
- Guest House
- Location
- Strete, near Dartmouth, Start Bay
- Star rating
- 5 star
- Guest score
- 9.5 / 10 (360 reviews)
- Prices from
- £145 per night
- Good for children
- Yes
- Destination
- Devon