Splashing about on the river in Dartmoor
The Prince Hall Hotel, the luxury country house hotel in the heart of Dartmoor, is inviting guests to enjoy a private boat charter on the beautiful River Dart, taking in some of the South Hams’ most stunning estuarine scenery and local landmarks from Sharpham Wine Estate to Agatha Christie’s Greenway House.
The new bespoke cruise is available for up to nine people and starts from Kingswear, where the River Dart enters the sea, journeying up to Totnes before returning. Guests will be provided with a sumptuous picnic and drinks of their choosing. The perfect way to spend a sunny afternoon, mark a special occasion or whisk a loved one off to pop the question.
The trip takes in the spectacular views along the river, with binoculars provided onboard for spotting seals, cormorants, herons and even leaping salmon, which travel all the way up to the pools in the River Dart just a few hundred yards away from the hotel.
Visits can be arranged along the route to incorporate:
Sharpham Estate - Take a tour of the amazing grounds and taste the delicious world class wines and cheeses. This thousand year old farm consists of five hundred acres owned by the Sharpham Trust. The house, designed in 1770 by Sir Robert Taylor, overlooks the fields and wooded slopes above the River Dart, two miles downstream of the ancient market town of Totnes.
The National Trust’s ‘Greenway House’ - Enjoy an extraordinary glimpse into the private holiday home of the famous and much-loved author, Agatha Christie, and her family. The relaxed and atmospheric house has been restored to its 1950s splendour, and contains many of the family's collections, including archaeology, Tunbridgeware, silver, botanical china and books. Outside you can explore the large and romantic woodland garden, with a restored vinery and peach house, wild edges and rare plantings, which drifts down the hillside towards the sparkling Dart estuary.
Take a special wildlife trip with Tony Soper - Tony Soper is a writer and broadcaster who co-founded the BBC's famous Natural History Unit, was its first wildlife cameraman and became its first film producer. He cut his teeth on the ground-breaking 'Look' series and organised far-flung wildlife adventures. Subsequently as a freelance he devised and anchored the live television Birdwatch programmes, presented the film series Discovering Birds and Beside the Sea, and the long-running environmental series Nature on BBC2. He has presented many television films for BBC and for National Geographic. He was one of the pioneers of expedition cruising, with over forty years of experience running small vessels on birding cruises as well as lecturing on everything from seaside tripper-boats to the largest and grandest cruise ships.
The bespoke charter costs from £95 per hour, for a minimum of three hours. A longer booking will be required to incorporate any onshore visits. The picnic is provided at an extra cost and guests need to make their own way to Kingswear to meet the charter.
Set amongst rolling, untamed moorland with views down towards the sparkling River Dart, Prince Hall provides the ultimate Dartmoor base. With just eight elegant rooms and owner-run by Chris and Fi Daly, the hotel offers a luxurious home from home. Rooms cost from £75 per person per night on a bed and breakfast basis.
For more information, visit: princehall.co.uk
