One of the greatest pleasures of running Higher Longford Cottages is welcoming familiar faces back through the gates. Many guests have stayed with us two, three or even ten times, and some book their next holiday before they’ve even packed the car to go home.
So what keeps people coming back to our peaceful corner of Devon? According to our Google reviews, it’s much more than just the cottages.
1. Dartmoor Is Right on Your Doorstep
Guests love the fact that they can be walking across the moors within minutes of leaving their cottage. Whether you’re looking for gentle strolls or challenging hikes, there’s always somewhere new to explore.
Many returning visitors recommend:
- Cox Tor – just a few minutes away and perfect for sunsets.
- Burrator Reservoir – beautiful circular walks and picnic spots.
- Wistman’s Wood – one of Dartmoor’s most magical and ancient woodlands.
- Lydford Gorge and White Lady Waterfall.
- Brentor Church – perched dramatically above the countryside.
- Princetown and the Dartmoor Prison Museum.
- Wild swimming spots at Foggintor.
One guest wrote:
“A perfect base for us as keen hikers. Two minutes up the road from the moors.”
Another said:
“Dartmoor offers so much to see and do. This is a great place to use as a holiday base with the moor right on your doorstep.”
2. Tavistock Never Loses Its Charm
Returning guests often tell us they discover something new every visit. The ancient market town of Tavistock is only ten minutes away and is frequently mentioned in reviews.
Favourite recommendations include:
- Browsing the historic Tavistock Pannier Market, which has traded since 1105.
- Enjoying breakfast or coffee in one of the many independent cafés.
- Exploring boutique shops and local produce stalls.
- Visiting the award-winning farmers’ market.
- Stocking up at Tesco, Morrisons or Lidls before heading back to the cottage.
One returning guest commented:
“Love the place. Great Pannier Market with a brilliant café at good prices.”
3. There’s So Much More Than Dartmoor
Many guests return because there simply isn’t enough time to see everything in one holiday.
Within easy reach are:
Plymouth
- The National Marine Aquarium.
- Royal William Yard and waterfront restaurants.
- Boat trips from the Barbican.
- The historic Hoe and Smeaton’s Tower.
- Theatre Royal and cinema.
- Fantastic seafood restaurants.
Cornwall & Devon
- Pretty fishing villages.
- Sandy beaches.
- The Tamar Valley.
- National Trust properties and gardens.
Local favourites
- The Garden House.
- Buckland Abbey, home of Sir Francis Drake.
- Morwellham Quay.
- Cholwell Riding Stables.
- Milemead Fisheries
- Cycling the Drake’s Trail.
As one guest said:
“Great location to explore Devon and Cornwall and we will definitely be back as there’s still so much to explore.”
4. A True Home from Home – Especially for Dogs
Perhaps the most common phrase in our reviews is “home from home”.
Guests love returning after a day of walking to relax in warm, comfortable cottages with secure gardens where dogs can play safely.
Many mention:
- Fully enclosed gardens.
- The additional dog exercise area.
- The dog wash-off facilities after muddy adventures.
- Borrowing crates and enjoying plenty of space.
- Comfortable sofas and cosy evenings after a day on the moors.
One guest summed it up perfectly:
“Only place I have ever stayed where I feel completely at home.”
Another wrote:
“Love how dog friendly it is here. A real home from home. We will be back.”
And one family with eight Border Collies commented:
“We definitely were made to feel welcome.”
5. Every Season Offers Something Different
No two visits are ever the same.
Spring
Bluebells, lambs and fresh green landscapes.
Summer
Long evenings, beaches, picnics and ice creams.
Autumn
Spectacular colours across Dartmoor and cosy pub lunches.
Winter
Frosty walks, roaring fires and peaceful star-filled skies.
Many guests have made Higher Longford part of their yearly tradition.
One review simply says:
“This was our third visit and we will be back again next year.”
Another family wrote:
“We have stayed so many times. We will be back.”
Thank You to Our Returning Guests
We are incredibly grateful to everyone who chooses to spend their holidays with us. Seeing familiar faces return year after year is the biggest compliment we could receive.
Whether you’re planning your first visit or your tenth, there will always be another walk to discover, another cream tea to enjoy, another beach to explore and another sunset over Dartmoor waiting for you.
Perhaps that’s why so many of our guests don’t just visit Higher Longford once – they make it part of their year.
