Entire home

Outstanding retro family home

Photo gallery for Outstanding retro family home

Exterior
Interior
Living area
Living area
Living area

Reviews

8.4 out of 10
Very good
3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 6120 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Parking available
  • Kitchen
  • Outdoor space

Explore the area

Map
Dartmouth, Devon
  • Royal Naval College
    ‪13 min walk‬
  • Dartmouth Castle
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Blackpool Sands
    ‪13 min drive‬
  • Plymouth (PLH-Plymouth City)
    ‪68 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

1st Bedroom

1 King Bed

2nd Bedroom

2 Single Beds

Master Bedroom

1 King Bed

2 bathrooms

Family Bathroom

Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only

shower room

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Kitchen
Garden

About this property

Outstanding retro family home

Kessel House is a large, central Dartmouth family townhouse which has been beautifully restored for hosting the perfect holiday for families and couples alike. Modern touches complement the pristine 1920s time-capsule theme. Three large bedrooms, two bathrooms, two living rooms, a grassy garden and off-street parking. Just a few minutes' walk to Dartmouth's riverside and tree-lined embankment – with its diverse cafés and restaurants, independent shops, and snug, age-old inns.


Accommodation:

The front door of this very traditional-looking town house opens to the first-floor hallway which sets the tone for the property - a modern space with solid wood floors and fun film memorabilia.

Off the main hall is the first of the two living rooms, playfully known as the 'Cocktail Room' (in a Gatsby-esque 1920s style) with two comfortable sofas, an easy chair and a tall cocktail cabinet. It's the perfect spot for evening drinks. There is also a cleverly-hidden TV in one of the cabinets.

The master bedroom on the first floor has a kingsize bed and includes a TV and DVD player. The second bedroom has twin beds.

The first bathroom is just off the first-floor landing - a shower room with heated towel rail.

Upstairs to the second floor where there's the third bedroom featuring a kingsize bed. There's also the family bathroom with a bath and a separate shower cubicle and electric towel rail.

The ground-floor kitchen diner is a light and airy room that looks out over the back garden, with a serving hatch through to the second living room. It's a great social space where the whole family can get together, relax, prepare food and eat together.

The kitchen itself is very well equipped with a dishwasher, fridge-freezer as well as a modern gas range. The combination of old and new runs through the shaker-style design, with wooden worktops playing against the feature butler sink with traditional carved wooden housing.

A small utility cupboard by the back door is where you'll find the washer-dryer. A stable door gives access to the grassy garden and the parking bay.

Through the kitchen is the second living room which continues the light and airy feel with a large serving hatch between the two spaces - furnished with a comfortable leather sofa and armchair, coffee table, TV, and log-effect electric fire.

Outside:

To the rear of the property is an enclosed garden with a large flat lawn area. Outdoor garden furniture makes it the ideal spot for al fresco dining or an evening glass of fizz

Please note that there are a couple of stone steps down from the back door which might pose a fall hazard for small children.

Parking:

There is parking allocated at the rear of the property for one car and an additional limited on-street parking nearby.

Property manager

Dart Valley Cottages
Premier Host

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Outdoor space
Parking available

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 18
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property

About the area

Dartmouth

Located in Dartmouth, this holiday home is in the city centre. Dartmoor National Park and South Devon reflect the area's natural beauty and area attractions include Coleton Fishacre House & Gardens and Woodlands Family Theme Park. Looking to enjoy an event or a game while in town? See what's happening at Newton Abbot Racecourse or Torquay United FC.
Map
Dartmouth, Devon

What's nearby

  • Visit Dartmouth - 11 min walk - 1.0 km
  • Royal Naval College - 13 min walk - 1.1 km
  • Dartmouth Golf and Country Club - 15 min walk - 1.3 km
  • Dartmouth Castle - 3 min drive - 2.5 km
  • Blackpool Sands - 13 min drive - 6.1 km

Getting around

  • Newton Abbot Station - 29 min drive
  • Exeter (EXT-Exeter Intl.) - 77 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Bayard's Cove Fort - ‬14 min walk
  • ‪Floating Bridge Inn - ‬16 min walk
  • ‪Rockfish Takeaway - ‬13 min walk
  • ‪Dartmouth Arms - ‬13 min walk
  • ‪Bushell's Riverside - ‬13 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Outstanding retro family home pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Outstanding retro family home?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Outstanding retro family home?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Outstanding retro family home located?

Located in the heart of Dartmouth, this holiday home is within a 15-minute walk of Dartmouth Museum, Visit Dartmouth and Royal Naval College. St. Saviour's Church and South Devon are also within 1 mile (2 km).

Reviews

8.4

Very good

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 5 out of 16 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 11 out of 16 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 16 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 16 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 16 reviews

8.0/10

Cleanliness

8.0/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

8.0/10

Location

8.0/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Lee R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lovely holiday let
Very nice property in a good location. Plenty of room for 6 adults and close to all amenities.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025

8/10 Good

Gary S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Short stay for food festival
Lovely property well located but need to be fit to climb the hill each day!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Lin B.

Really convenient location, short stroll to town/river
A really nice property in a fab location. Lots of stairs/steps so not suitable for anyone with mobility issues. The property was clean and well equipped...some basic kitchen items such as kitchen roll, salt and pepper, foil, oil would have been useful (most self catering places have these nowadays). There is a lot of space, so it would be suitable for 3 couples easily, which makes it good value. Overall we would recommend this property
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Kessell House stay
A large house high up on a hill with a very good bus service right outside the door. We had a few house niggles which we reported to DVC and a lovely Handyman arrived next morning to sort out. Comfortable beds, everything works. Big TV we used every day (we were there just after death of HM Queen.) Heating thermo box fiddly to use but got it going. All round very comfortable and would recommend. DV staff very helpful.
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Kessel House in September
Kessel House was our base for an autumn break . The accommodation provided was spacious comfortable for 4 adults and conveniently located for the centre of Dartmouth. The town centre is approximately 10 minutes walk from the house down a moderately steep hill. A no. 90 bus is available for those less mobile than ourselves. Our main meal were taken in the town which has a range of restaurants to suit most pockets. There were number issues arising which could have improved our experience if the house appropriately serviced and maintained as follows: In the kitchen the wooden draining boards were turning black with mould and my wife felt the floor was not as thoroughly cleaned as they could have been on first entering the house . The kitchen located at the semi basement level always had small fruit flies buzzing around which would home in on any glass of wine or juice. Elsewhere: The top floor bathroom had a feint whiff of sewage. The smart tvs were not left connected to the main aerial and only apps were available. This was finally corrected the day before we left although first reported the morning after arrival. One of the tumblers in the front door Yale lock was not fully free and caused difficulty on entry on 2 or 3 occasions. Car parking space is restricted at the rear of the property and usually required 2 attempts to secure safe parking . Having said all that the sitting room and lounge were provided with very comfortable seating and the beds provided a very sound nights sleep.
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Michelle P., Hampshire

Lovely home in an excellent location
We had a great stay at Kessel House and it’s a real home from home with all the mod cons including Netflix and good wifi! It is very stylishly furnished and as a family of 5 with children aged 7, 11 and 14, there was ample space for all of us. There is also a parking space behind the back of the house which is a real god send where off road parking is rarely available in Dartmouth. The bay is small, however we managed to park our SUV following a few manoeuvres. Despite the lovely interior, the garden is unkept and unfortunately not in keeping with the efforts made indoors. Due to this, we didn’t spend any time outside despite the lovely weather, which is a shame and a quick mow of the lawn would have made a huge difference. It’s also worth noting that the house is on the market and there is a For Sale board outside the house. Obviously this isn’t a big deal, but worth highlighting as we weren’t aware and it was a bit strange and unexpected seeing the board upon our arrival. Thankfully we had no viewings during our stay - I assume that viewings will be postponed whilst the property is being let out to holidaymakers. The location is very good, only a 5 mins walk into the town centre with a Spar, a couple of restaurants and pubs on the way. I would recommend that you book any restaurants well in advance. Overall Kessel House is a lovely property. Take a trip to Cafe Alfresco (Alfie’s) for a delicious breakfast / brunch / lunch and visit Brew Bar for some real ale or cider- the owner is super friendly.
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Martin C.

Great holiday property
We had a lovely stay in Kessel House, which comfortably accommodated our group of four. Very nicely decorated and furnished house with everything we needed. Short walk to the front in Dartmouth so very convenient and great to have a parking space which seems very rare in Dartmouth. Great communication from Dart Valley Cottages too.
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

3 Generation Family Holiday
Booked based on photos and location. What photos and description didn't say was that there were steep steps with no handrail and a drop onto concrete on one side of the steps and lawn, this made the garden unusable for children and old folk. The shower head was mouldy and unpleasant smell in the bathroom. The "drinks cabinet" wasn't secure and lunged forward when opened, this could have been fatal if opened by a child. Luckily opened by adult who was able to stop glass contents spilling out. Reported findings to customer services, who have since.updated the description.
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

6/10 Okay

Bev B.

A review based upon a 5 day stay in July
The house could be presented better. There were large weeds growing by the front tiles which I cleared. The attractive hall tiles were dirty and a wash would improve the ambiance. It is well furnished with two lounges both containing some quality sofas and some very expensive ornaments including a cocktail cabinet! A little like a set rather than a homely feel. Beds were comfortable with fresh white sheets. The kitchen has has a good range of pans, glasses cutlery etc.with an excellent stove but there was absolutely no basic provisions. It is usual to have a range of basic essentials such as milk, bread, spices, oils, tea coffee etc. there was no welcome pack which is usual. The house was clean. There is a very small parking area on the very narrow hilly road at the rear of the property. It is very tricky to manoeuvre in and only suits a small car. There is a garden at the rear of property but only an uncut lawn and some furniture. Again it required some maintenance. There is a very unsightly open area by the back door which is dirty and uncovered so potentially dangerous. We had a problem with the water heating and the power but the agents reacted very quickly and got the problems fixed in a day! The property is on three floors so you will be on the stairs a lot. The kitchen living area is on the lower area The lounges are on the middle floor near the front door together with one bedroom and a small bathroom. There is another bathroom and two bedrooms on the top floor. The property does provide good accommodation but could be improved
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Matt T.

Spacious, Stylish and Comfortable
Kessel House is well positioned for the town with the benefit of parking. Any regular visitor to Dartmouth will know just how important having your own parking spot is. Stylish and comfortable the house had everything we could possibly need during our stay. Fresh and clean decor, a well equipped kitchen and lots of different places to sit and relax meant there was space for everyone. Kessel House achieves a grest balance of being both stylish and interesting and homely and comfortable. I wouldn't hesitate to stay here again.
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Karen H.

Very easy to reach town. Great to have a parking space. Quirky furnishings .
Had a good week at Kessel house. The beds were clean and comfortable, good bathrooms, comfortable sitting rooms with great tv. Had all the kitchen implements and equipment that we needed. Well furnished everywhere. Perhaps the kitchen draining boards need some attention. But apart from that happy with everything. Thank you.
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Lisa C.

Spacious family accommodation in a great location
The house was really spacious for our family of 4 and we loved the location, just 10 mins walk from Dartmouth
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Samantha D.

Lovely house, homely feel, comfortable and relaxing
Lovely house, situated at the top of a hill, walkable but with shopping bags jumped on bus, drop off write outside house. Parking outside was a bit awkward, took two people to help park ok if you have small car. Loved the kitchen / lounge layout, open plan so husband could still chat while cooking . Lovely bedrooms but the lighting in the top bedroom was poor. Bathrooms great. Kitchen plenty of equipment for cooking, but the kettle did leak everywhere, which was a bit dangerous. Couldn’t find thermostat for the radiators to turn them down. (Book said it was in the hall but we couldn’t find it). Good workout as we were up and down the stairs forgetting things
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Simanti N.

Value for money
It was a good stay and walkable distance to town. Good space for a family. Downstairs hub with the open kitchen and lounge is a good addition to the holiday let.
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Julie A.

Kessel House stay
Our week at Kessel house was a very comfortable one. V. Nicely appointed, and well thought out, it was beautifully clean with comfy beds. Well located about a 10 min walk down to the lovely harbour - which means uphill on way back but was easily manageable! Nice size garden, could do with a little tlc but was lovely and sunny to sit in, and we wouldn’t hesitate to go back.
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Rebecca J.

Lovely property but the parking has cost us!
A spacious, comfortable, well equipped home in a great location. We had the parking spot measured before coming but the size is not the issue but the turn to get in to it which meant we bumped our car twice - made it an expensive break which we can’t afford to replicate!
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Beverley B.

The summer of 2020
Lovely house, some interesting furniture and pictures. Very comfortable and clean. Good location. ...

About the host

Hosted by Dart Valley Cottages

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