Blytheswood
at home among the trees
Stay in ancient woodland on the eastern edge of the Dartmoor National Park.
Treebathe. Stargaze. River dip. Stomp up a hill. Sit with a cuppa. Rest in the wild.
To book the cabin or the nest call 07758 654840 or email hello@blytheswood.co.uk
the cabin
Self contained cabin with ensuite toilet
Sleeps up to two adults and one child (two children at a squeeze)
Woodland view
Double bed with pull out single bed (extra fold out bed or travel cot for smaller ones, available on request)
Kitchenette - two electric induction hobs, kettle, toaster, sink and fridge
Eating area - table and chairs
Heating - electric ceramic radiator
Woodland shower
Outdoor seating area
Use of outdoor fire areas and BBQ
£75 per night. Minimum two night stay
What we provide...
All bedding and towels
Pots, pans and crockery
Eco washing up liquid, shampoo and hand soap
Olive oil, salt and pepper
Toilet roll
First delivery of logs and kindling
the nest
A bit like camping but in a cosy nest
Up a path through the woods then down some steps
Sleeps up to two adults (and one small child on request)
Woodland view
Double bed
Kitchenette - single electric induction hob, kettle and toaster
Chairs and coffee table
Heating - electric ceramic radiator
Short walk through the woods to toilet, washing up sink and fridge
Woodland shower
Use of outdoor fire areas and BBQ
£50 per night. Minimum two night stay
What we provide...
All bedding and towels
Pots, pans and crockery
Drinking water carrier and washing up bowl
Eco washing up liquid, shampoo and hand soap
Olive oil, salt and pepper
Toilet roll
First delivery of logs and kindling
the woods
Blytheswood is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Predominantly sessile oak woodland, historically it was coppiced to produce bark for leather production and timber for charcoal. No longer coppiced, these ancient trees provide an important habitat for rare species of flora and fauna.
The woods are home to horseshoe bats, pied flycatchers, hazel dormice, wood ants, badgers and deer. The area is renowned for its wild daffodils in early spring, along with bluebells, wood anemones and wild garlic.
Blytheswood is surrounded by Woodland Trust and National Trust woodland and neighbours the Devon Wildlife Trust's Dunsford Nature Reserve.
our ethos
We aim to live as lightly as we can in the woods. It's our home but we’re definitely in the minority. We are surrounded by nature and outnumbered by wood ants.
We are in praise of slow and sustainable living. We reuse what we can and mend and mend again. Blytheswood is full of stories - Great Aunt Kate’s crockery, Oma’s porthole mirrors, that Belfast sink we carried from house to house for a decade or more. Family heirlooms and Womble finds.
We choose refillable, eco soaps and cleaning products from our friends at Zero Waste in Moretonhampstead. We use washable and compostable cloths and pot scrubbers. We try to produce as little waste as possible and keep things simple.
Our electricity is supplied by ecotricity who provide certified green electricity and, rather than having shareholders, they invest in new green energies.
Blytheswood is a peaceful place. We share the woods with nature and with you.
our story
Blytheswood has been our family home since 2015. We've enjoyed welcoming people from around the world to our backpackers hostel until the pandemic in 2020, when demand for shared accommodation dropped off.
Since then we've worked to restore the bunkrooms which sit behind the main hostel building, transforming them into the cabin and the nest.
The main building was originally a WW1 barracks hut, rehomed in the woods at Blytheswood as an off-grid holiday chalet. In the 1930s, the building was gifted to the newly established Youth Hostels Association by the philanthropic Colonel Pickard, and the legend of Blytheswood was born.
Although the hostel was sold by the YHA and became independent in the early 2000s, we encourage guests to share outdoor spaces (as much as they choose) and embrace the orginal spirit of the YHA..."to help everybody have a greater knowledge, use and love of the countryside, as an antidote to the poor air quality and cramped housing in the cities!"
bookings
Email hello@blytheswood.co.uk or call 07758654840 to book.
Minimum two night stay. Check in from 4pm and check out by 10.30am. Please let us know if you are planning to travel by bicycle or hiking here so we can arrange a special offer for you.
Blytheswood is a steep hill and our driveway and paths can become slippery. The woodland paths are unmade and uneven. There is a short walk uphill between the car park and the accommodation. You are welcome to drive up to unload, and then park in the public car park at the bottom of the driveway.
Fires and BBQs are only permitted in the designated areas. Please supervise your children and ensure fires are not left unattended. Please make sure there is always a bucket of water on hand. We provide your first delivery of logs and kindling but please let us know if you would like more at £5 a bag. We can also source locally made charcoal from our neighbours, but please let us know in advance.
Please respect our neighbours and the woodland wildlife by keeping noise to a minimum after 9pm. Please look after the woods and each other by keeping to the paths in the woods and farmers' fields beyond.
Things to bring - torch or head torch - the woods are dark at night! Indoor shoes or slippers - please keep outdoor shoes for the woods. Warm layers and insect repellent. We have deer ticks in the woods. It's important to check for biting ticks as they can make you poorly, but not if you remove them promptly and safely.
We love pets but we're sorry they can't stay at Blytheswood at the moment.
We live at Blytheswood and can be found in the woods or by calling 07758654840. Please let us know if we can help with anything, or if something isn't as you expected.
Payments are refundable up to 14 days prior to your stay. Within the 14 days, we will do our best to rebook your dates and refund you but this is not always possible.
things we love
Walking in the woods - from your door - up to Heltor Rock and Blackingstone Rock or along the river and Dunsford Nature Reserve.
Dunsford Village Post Office shop and Tearooms. More than a post office shop - great for supplies, fresh bread and cheeses. The tearooms have a beautiful garden. Tucked away behind the village hall you’ll find the village green and playground.
Moretonhampstead - Zero Waste, Alice’s greengrocers, Green Hill Art Gallery, Green Shoes, bike trail to Bovey Tracey, playground with the best views. Eat at The Horse or Berto's Pizza, it's bring your own and The Bottle Shop is opposite! The yellow bread van - Van du Pain visits Moretonhampstead every Tuesday and Saturday morning. Best baked goods ever!
Cafe Ode at Ness Cove, Shaldon. Head down the smugglers tunnel to Ness Cove beach then down the hill to Shaldon Village and harbour beach with ferry to Teignmouth back beach and the Blue Hut cafe.
Dartmoor - blow the cobwebs away at Hound tor or Bonehill rocks and then head to the Cafe on the Green, Widecombe in the Moor.
Pubs in walking distance - depending on how far you want to walk - Royal Oak in Dunsford, Bridford Inn (through the woods), Fingle Bridge Inn (along the river Teign).
in no particular order
