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Fingals Barn

Dittisham, Devon
Self-catering
+44 (0)1803 722398
Visit owner's website

From
£200 - £350
per night

From
£1300 - £2345
per week

In the gardens of a laid-back country house, a barn with books, games, faded rugs and a grand piano – a treat for convivial families

4 beds

3 bedrooms

Sleeps 6

Children welcome

Pets welcome

Babies welcome

The Experience

Unusual, quirky and fun. Fingals is a magical collection of self-catering spaces and loyal fans return year after year for the old manor’s laid-back charm. In a rolling green valley half a mile from the river Dart, all you need is here: there is shared use of a games room with a snooker table and table tennis, a grass tennis court, gym, sauna and heated pool.

Reached from an outside stair, your huge oak-framed barn has massive beams and floor-to-ceiling windows. Find polished oak floors with faded oriental rugs, well-snuggled-in sofas, a rocking horse, grand piano and books and games.

The master bedroom (en suite) is downstairs with its own enclosed garden; the extra two alcove bedrooms are smaller but charming. Sheila leaves you drinks and snacks, eggs from her hens (when they’re laying), fresh flowers and vegetables in season from the garden. It’s a wonderful place for happy family holidays with lots of things to do without going out.

We think you'll love

Trying your luck at lawn tennis, swimming in the pool, lounging in the sauna or getting fit in the gym
The beautiful, very rural setting with stunning walks from the door and the river Dart nearby for watery fun
Exploring little towns, heading out to some great restaurants or beaches

You should know

Dogs are welcome, £5 per dog per night – in early summer there are many ticks in the woods so make sure they've had their treatment
The barn won't suit anybody who finds stairs a challenge

Essentials

EV charger
Self check-in
Swimming pool
Hot tub
Garden
Open fire / woodburner
Breakfast included
Breakfast available
Meals available
Vegetarian meals
Oven
Parking on premises
Free parking nearby
Accessible by public transport
WiFi
Television
Central heating
Limited mobility
Wheelchair access
Mobile reception
Hob
Barbecue
Paid parking nearby
Air conditioning
Relaxation areas
Washing machine
Tennis court
Microwave oven
No smoking
Credit cards
Working farm
Owner has pets
Electricity included
Dishwasher
Pets welcome

Family friendly

Baby monitor
Books and toys
Children welcome
Babies welcome
Stair gates
High chair
Fire guard
Cot available

Nearby

Pub/bar within 3 miles
Restaurant within 3 miles
Shop within 3 miles

Activities

Bikes available
Food courses
Kayaking
Other courses
Sailing
Surfing
Wild swimming

Nightly price: from £200
Weekly price: from £1300
Surcharges: Short Breaks £390 to £975.

1 Barn for 6: From £2004 beds3 bedrooms

Information

Booking information

Check in

4pm

Check out

10am

Other details

Minimum stay: 3 nights, 7 nights in high season.

Closed

Never.

No smoking

Smoking not permitted anywhere in the property.

Owner has pets

Animals living on the property

Dogs

Advice on walks, dog towels, resident friendly lurchers to play with - and plenty of love and attention!

Dogs £5 per dog per night. Max. 2

Open gardens (but small, private, secure patio), woodland and river. Goats, ducks and chickens in walled garden so please keep dogs under control in and around the gardens.

Reviews

What a lovely surprise Fingals Barn is. Part of a group of 6 properties situated around a pristine grass tennis court and overlooking beautiful gardens, this place is spacious with surprising nooks and crannies all designed for a very enjoyable family or group holiday. So much to do on site: swimming pool, sauna, tennis and a gym. Gorgeous walks from the doorstep to the River Dart too. Special.

Mandy, Sawday's Inspector Jun 2024

With great thanks for 6 days very well lived at Fingals!!!

Ann, Rachel, Jason, Holly and Emma Oct 2023

Thank you for a lovely week here! Had a fabulous time at our family gathering, celebrating pregnancies, birthdays and a reunion drawing family members from Australia, Scotland and all parts of England and France!

Aidan. Cooper, Angus and Francesca Sep 2023

A lovely weekend visit to the Fingals celebrating our Dad’s 50th birthday. Fantastic facilities in a tranquil environment. We will for sure be back. Thank you so much.

Andy, Candi, Meg, Seb, George & Dakota (our 4 legged family member) Jun 2023

Another fantastic time any Fingals … our 17th (?!) visit. But our first time in the Barn … it was wonderful. We’ll be back for as long as you’ll have us!

Carol, Tim, Max & Will Jun 2023

33 years ago we stayed here in the Barn for the first time. We have been back on numerous occasions since and travelled to the four corners of the planet but there is no place like Fingals! Thank you Richard & Sheila for creating such a truly wonderful and unique home away from home. As always you have been such wonderful hosts and much loved friends over the years,. We look forward to seeing you soon back at Fingals.

Mark, Lizzy, Ted, Maya, Ellie & Sam May 2023

Thank you for our lovely stay in the beautiful Barn with beautiful surroundings. Our family and friends have enjoyed staying here and hope to come back in the summer. Cyrus, Kate, Arya, Jeremy and Kobe.

Cyrus, Stafford Feb 2019

Grannie's, Grandpa's, Auntie's, Uncles, Mama's, Papa's, kiddies and dogs all received a warm welcome at Fingals Barn - a wonderfully comfortable, relaxed accommodation for us all. We played tennis on their well maintained grass court, loved the swimming pool and walks into Dittisham for regular bouts of crabbing. If we had a query nothing was too much trouble but, equally we were left to our own devices to enjoy our freedom from the outside world. A lot of work has gone into creating this magical place - was it a coincidence that a French story book was left for us - somehow I think not!

Janine, Southampton Sep 2018

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Location

The neighbourhood

Children can knock a ball about, swim, and make friends, as you knock up your favourite tipple and loll on a steamer chair. Golfers can golf (ask Richard about discounts at the local club), and everyone can head off to the beach, the river, the pub. Dittisham (one mile) has The Anchorstone Cafe, one of the best seafood restaurants in the area, or try the Malsters Arms in Tuckenhay (three miles).

Local points of interest from Richard & Sheila Johnston

You are spoilt for outdoor activities here. Walk Green Lanes from our door, learn to sail on the River Dart just a mile away, take the whole family canoeing from the creek or crabbing on the village pontoon for hours of fun.
If you fancy a little sleuthing, jump on the ferry across to Agatha Christie's holiday home at Greenway on the banks of the River Dart. There are mystery trails in the grounds and the house as well as stunning views and excellent cream teas in the cafe.
Our favourite beaches require a bit of an effort to reach - private coves with rock pools and absolutely no modern facilities! We'll let you in on their secret locations when you arrive!
We have two steam trains locally for both big and little kids to enjoy. Kingswear to Paignton with great views of the Bay or Totnes to Buckfastleigh with Rare Breeds, Otters and Butterflies to see at attractions near the stations.
Wonderful cafes, bistros, pubs and restaurants will offer you sumptuous meals in every village or town or even on the beach. Local fish, meat and even veggies are colourful and so yummy - you will be rolling home at the end of your holiday!
The weekend market in Totnes is just wild. Full of crazy stalls with hints of your past - aromas of patchouli oil, folk wearing patchwork and with dreadlocks and beads in their hair will serve you organic and home made products to remind you of your stay.

Introducing

Richard & Sheila Johnston

Richard and Sheila have been running Fingals for over 30 years, first as a hotel and now as self-catering properties. It's grown and expanded organically over the years but the easy-going and fuss-free atmosphere is down to their personalities. This is a lifestyle choice for them and they are kind, generous and interesting. They have an environmental policy for recycling and energy.

Fingals Barn

Children welcome

Pets welcome

Babies welcome

Your dates are available!

Direct with the owner

Enquire through Sawday's

The Experience

We think you'll love

You should know

Essentials

Pricing

Information

Reviews

The neighbourhood

Richard & Sheila Johnston

Fingals Barn

Children welcome

Pets welcome

Babies welcome

Check availability

Your dates are available!

How to book

Direct with the owner

Enquire through Sawday's

The Experience

We think you'll love

You should know

Essentials

Pricing

Information

Reviews

The neighbourhood

Richard & Sheila Johnston

Taking you to Fingals Barn