The Perfect Autumn/Winter Escape: Staying on A Christmas Tree Farm in Devon

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Looking for the perfect cosy-season staycation in England? This holiday lodge on a Christmas tree farm in South Devon is ideal for an autumn/winter getaway!

With its golden sandy beaches and historic seaside resorts, southwest England has firmly cemented itself as a summertime destination. But visit South Devon in autumn or winter, and this gorgeous corner of the UK has a very different vibe. 

With the summer tourists gone, you’ll find the windswept beaches and clifftop coast paths empty – and prime for a bracing walk. This is the perfect season for a cosy getaway: lots of pub dinners, roaring fires, and walks in the countryside.

And I found the PERFECT holiday lodge for your autumn/winter escape on holidaylodges.co.uk: Dartmouth Lodge. It’s a stylish one-bedroom property on a working Christmas Tree Farm. Yep, you read that right: this stunning, modern holiday home is on an actual Christmas tree farm, surrounded by fir trees and with incredible countryside views. It’s the dream spot for an escape this season… 

Is a Holiday Lodge Right for Autumn/Winter?

Think holiday lodges are just for summer getaways? Think again! A cute log cabin or stylish holiday lodge is ideal for a low-effort luxury stay in the cooler months. Think hot tubs steaming on a cold night, or snuggling up under a blanket with a glass of wine beside a log fire after a long walk. 

My tips: look for a lodge in the countryside or a small village, so you can surround yourself with scenic views – and enjoy extra-dark nights for stargazing! A pub within walking distance is a bonus – but also make sure there’s a well-equipped kitchen, so you can stay in and cook. Better yet, an outdoor BBQ or pizza oven. I also highly recommend booking a lodge with a log burner for relaxing nights in, and an outdoor hot tub is another must if you’re looking for a luxurious stay. You can do a search on holidaylodges.co.uk to find your perfect stay – but I’ve already done the work for you, because Darmouth Lodge has it all!

The Ultimate Cosy-Season Staycation at Dartmouth Lodge

Tucked away on Marldon Christmas Tree Farm in South Devon, Dartmouth Lodge is the ultimate spot for a relaxing autumn-winter getaway. It’s one of several lodges on the farm (with more coming soon), but they’re all so spread out amongst the trees that it feels like you have the place to yourself!

At any time of year, you’ll be surrounded by fir trees with views of rolling countryside all the way to the peaks of Dartmoor. But from late October, the farm launches its festive season: people visit to pick out their tree for December, and a Christmas shop and festive cafe open on site in November. Even Santa comes to stay for a while – so this is an extra special time of year to visit!

I was here just before their big opening weekend in mid-October, and it was already feeling super festive! The seasonal cafe on site is a nice little bonus, too, as you could pop down there for a coffee or a hot drink during your stay. 

Even if you’re not Christmas-crazy (like I am!), there’s something wonderfully wintery about being surrounded all those lovely spruces, pines, and fir trees. Perfect for a spot of “forest bathing” – which you can do right from Dartmouth Lodge’s patio! And the farm’s countryside location means plenty of nice walks and attractions in the area, a village pub within walking distance, and a stunningly dark sky for stargazing after dark. 

Dartmouth Lodge Tour: Exterior

Let’s start with the showstopper: the exterior! Dartmouth Lodge has a huge patio with incredible views across the farm towards lush green valleys – all the way to Dartmoor’s rolling hills. There’s garden furniture, a large stone BBQ (for al fresco meals on crisp autumn days) and – the best bit – a large hot tub! 

This was gorgeous for warming up after a chilly day walking in the countryside – and it’s in the perfect spot for enjoying those early autumn/winter sunsets. After dark, when the farm was quiet and it felt like I had the whole place to myself, there was something wonderful about soaking in the outdoor tub beneath a clear sky full of stars. 

Dartmouth Lodge Tour: Interior

Inside, the lodge is stylish and modern: white walls, neutral colours, and a few colourful splashes of local art. There are big patio doors at the front, so you can make the most of the views, even if the weather outside is (as the song goes) frightful!

There’s a snug little lounge area with a large TV and a lovely log burner, perfect for getting cosy on cold winter nights! 

Some holiday lodges come with tiny kitchens. Not this one! It’s a full-size kitchen, fully equipped with oven, hob, microwave, and all the equipment you need to cook up a storm. Romantic candlelit dinner, anyone?

The bedroom is simple but gorgeous, with a big comfy bed, a small window overlooking the surrounding trees, and huge sliding wardrobes with plenty of storage (so you could easily stay for a week or more!). The large bathroom also has a window looking out onto the surrounding trees, which makes it feel a little like you’re showering in the forest! 

In short, it’s a beautiful little lodge which would be perfect for a holiday at any time of year! I adored my stay here – a much-needed solo reset, with days spent reading and watching the birds from my patio, surrounded by lush evergreens. The peaceful nature and stunning sunsets were wonderfully restorative. 

Exploring Marldon

The tiny village of Marldon may not look like a prime travel destination, but it’s the perfect location for exploring the best of South Devon. It’s a short drive from Torquay and the English Riviera, a summertime seaside hotspot which you’ll find pleasantly quiet during autumn/winter. It’s also just 40 minutes or so from Dartmoor National Park, a wide, wild expanse of moors, forests, and boulder-topped craggy hills – the perfect spot for hiking, biking, and road trips with epic views! 

There’s also plenty to do in the area surrounding Marldon. I’ll be honest, I didn’t visit any of these on my trip, because I was focused more on unwinding, countryside walks, and forest bathing! But I explored Devon extensively when I wrote the Lonely Planet Devon & Cornwall guidebook last year, so these are my top picks in the local area…

Places to Visit Nearby

• Compton Castle – a medieval manor dating from the early 12th century. (Open days vary). 
• Berry Pomeroy Castle – an evocative ruin said to be one of the most haunted places in the UK. 
• Dawlish Warren National Nature Reserve – one of Southwest England’s best birdwatching locations, especially in Autumn & Winter, when thousands of migrating birds flock here to overwinter in the Exe Estuary. 
• Dartmouth Steam Railway – ride a historic steam train from Paignton to Dartmouth. You can return the same way, or take their “Round Robin” trip, which involves a riverboat ride from Dartmouth to Totnes, then a bus back to Paignton. 

• Totnes – a pretty market town known for its ethical, independent spirit. The high street is filled with indie boutiques, zero-waste shops, and vegan cafes. Don’t miss the views from the 900-year-old Totnes Castle. 
• Brixham – a very pretty harbour town with one of the UK’s largest fishing fleets, and the original home of the brilliant Rockfish restaurant chain. 
• Sharpham Wines – an award-winning vineyard in the Dart Valley. Visit them at Sandridge Barton Vineyard for tours, tastings, or a meal in the excellent restaurant. 
• Greenway – Agatha Christie’s former holiday home, a beautiful Georgian Manor now managed by the National Trust. 

South Devon Autumn & Winter Highlights

Seal Pups: Grey seal pups are usually born in late summer through winter, so keep an eye out for them on beaches and rocky outcrops as you walk the coast paths. Try Berry Head and Churston Cove in Brixham, or Hopes Nose near Torquay. 

Coastal Hikes: Autumn is one of the best times of year to hike the South West Coast Path: it’s less crowded, and the cooler weather is better for hiking. Take care if it’s been raining heavily. Decent walking shoes are a must!

Stargazing: Long winter nights afford some of the best stargazing conditions (when the skies are clear), especially on Dartmoor. I was awarded an incredible nighttime display from my patio at Dartmouth Lodge!

Surfing: October and November are some of the best months to surf in southwest England. Head to Bantham Beach, South Devon’s premier surfing spot. 

Christmas Fun: Marldon Christmas Tree Farm gets festive from mid-October, while December brings a slew of festive events to the area. Dartmouth Steam Railway usually run a special, festively-lit train service after dark during December, and many of the local National Trust houses get a Christmassy makeover. 

Don’t Forget to Relax!

With so much to see and do nearby, and both coastline and countryside in very easy reach, the holiday lodges on Marldon Christmas Tree Farm make for a fantastic cosy-season escape. You can fill your holiday with as much action as you like, but I recommend taking at least a little time to do absolutely nothing! Hop in the hot tub to unwind, sit by the fire with a good book, or relax on the lodge’s patio – forest-bathing amongst the farm’s fir trees!

The best thing about an autumn-winter holiday is taking some time out to chill out. This season can feel quite chaotic, so it’s nice to get away from it all for a few days of nature, stargazing, and quietude. Although I was staying on a working farm, it really felt like I was the only one there (especially after dark) so this is the perfect spot for some peaceful solitude or a secluded break as a couple. 

More Info

If you book a stay at Darmouth Lodge (or any of the other properties on Marldon Farm) this autumn/winter, let me know in the comments! I’d love to hear about your trip!