Cottage Hotel, Hope Cove - STAYCATION

S TAY C AT I O N the 01548 561555

Cottage Hotel

hopecove.com

Hope Cove, Near Kingsbridge, South Devon

DEVONSHIRE MAGA ZINE

The Herzogin Cecilie cabin - actually made from the timbers of the ship that ran aground on Ham Stone in Soar Mill Cove in 1936.

S TAY C AT I O N

Cream tea on the balcony anyone?

Cottage Hotel's reception desk

Yes, that's the hotel just on top of the beach!

Hope Cove Near Kingsbridge South Devon

the

Cottage Hotel 01548 561555 hopecove.com

A traditional hotel situated in the perfect position, being a short amble down to the beach and also where you can watch the sun set over the sea.

It can be really hard work sometimes, finding a hotel to fit the bill. What I mean is that if you're like me, a view certainly is going to be part of the experience, equally the situation in terms of proximity to the beach is another very important factor (assuming a seaside holiday). I had no such problem when booking a weekend stay at the Cottage Hotel because you're totally spoilt in these respects. The hotel is beautifully positioned, actually it's perched facing directly out over the beach

affording truly delightful views.

What's great is their garden path takes you pretty much directly down onto the Hope Cove beach.

Of course, South Devon's renowned for beautiful countryside and certainly the rugged coastline ticks many boxes. With Salcombe round the corner walking eastwards, and Thurlestone to the west, there are many peaceful walks to be enjoyed without needing to get back in the dreaded car!

Arriving at the Hotel, we were greeted warmly and the porter helped us with bags to the room.

Many of the rooms have balconies with spectacular views and the rooms were well equipped. The Cottage Hotel is what I'd class as a traditional, family-run hotel. It has an interesting history over the 88 years it's been run as an hotel. Of course, originally the property was a cottage that's organically grown over the years. The Ireland family that now run the hotel, took over the hotel in 1973, and it's now Sarah and William Ireland who preside over it. In terms of history, it's said that Emperor Heile Sellasie stayed at the Hotel whilst in exile. Also,

the Herzogin Cecilie, a clipper, ran aground in 1936. This beautiful ship had run aground on Ham Stone in Soar Mill. It'd previously won the famous 'Grain Race', but it was the cargo that ultimately was her downfall. Seaweed entered the holds and the swelling grain burst her apart! During the war, in 1941, a girls school in Eastbourne was evacuated to the Cottage Hotel. In 1944 the hotel was requisitioned by the RAF for fighter pilots that flew Spitfires and Hurricanes from Bolberry Down Airfield. You can see some of their graffiti cut into the panelling during one particularly boisterous evening spent in the lounge whilst enjoying drinks.

Dining is great at the Cottage Hotel, the food's lovely and the views are truly sublime. Their dining room looks directly out over Hope Cove.

The Cottage Hotel is ideally where you'd like every hotel to be situated, perched right on top of the beach - it's a premium spot!

Yes, that actually is an old boat that's been chopped in half for the bar. It was Chris Phippin's who passed away recently. It's was a well-know local crabber called Allora.

Reader Offer Lovely views abound - the room above is the bar, a great place to watch the sun set over the sea.

The atmosphere at the Cottage Hotel is relaxed and friendly. The newly refurbished bar is a lovely place to read a newspaper and enjoy a drink, and dining is excellent, with a good range of menu options and extensive wine menu. The standard of food is high and again, there are superb views out across Hope Cove to be enjoyed whilst dining. There's also a terrace where you can enjoy one of their cream teas, weather permitting.

They've recently published a guide for walkers, called 'The Cottage

The Cottage Hotel's WALKER'S COMPANION available from the Hotel

Hotel - Walker's Companion', which is available at the Hotel and is there to help you explore the area. It's a really good idea and I'm sure many more hotels will be doing this sort of thing in future to enable guests to get the best from their stay. What's great about the Cottage Hotel is that you can leave the car parked and get out to enjoy the truly stupendous walks and vistas. It really does make your break totally stress free! Overleaf is a photographic spread, showing some of the glorious coastline >>

3 Night Break ÂŁ186 per person until 24th March 2016* *(Sea-view Double/Twin en-suite room including Dinner, Bed and Breakfast and VAT plus welcome glass of Prosecco on arrival and a copy of our new walkers companion book, (5 self guided walks centred on Hope Cove). We look forward to welcoming you.)

To access this offer you need to quote

DEVONSHIRE magazine

The Cottage Hotel, sitting just above the beach

Hope Cove - the view from the Cottage Hotel's garden.

Path on left above takes you down to beach or onto the coastal path, either to Salcombe or Thurlestone beach.

The beach is lovely, no big crowds, peaceful, great for paddling or even a swim. In the distance, the coastal path follows the headland. Ultimately you can reach Salcombe with a bit of effort.

Looking for a low-stress break?

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An extremely cute cottage just off the shore

Youngsters enjoying a frollick in the briny!

Thurlestone beach to the left, the coastal path is lovely

Lovely wild pathways abound

Hope Cove - the view from the Cottage Hotel's garden. Path on left takes you down to beach or onto coastal path Getting close to sun down as viewed from The Cottage Hotel, Hope Cove

Part of the beach at Hope Cove. The causeway's good fun to walk at high tide.

Birds spotted on the beach at Hope Cove.

Don't forget to bring your binoculars or telephoto lens for your camera.

Top - Egret.

Middle - Black headed gull.

Bottom Cormorant.

Cormorant on rocks, drying wings.

There's all sorts of speculation about this activity, some think it's to warm up after getting cold in the water (thermoregulation), others say it's done to dry its wings, presumably for flying. Apparently, cormorant feathers are wettable to help reduce buoyancy when swimming underwater for prey.

Looking for a low-stress break?

S T A Y C A T I O N at devonshiremagazine.co.uk

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