Honeymoon in Devon - And Relax...
Honeymoon in Devon
Celebrate your newly-wed status in style with a sweet sojourn in Devon
Replete with gorgeous venues to kick back in after the whirlwind of W-day - whether you dream of some rural downtime, oceanic escapism or even a stint in the treetops - the county's character-filled and perfectly positioned honeymoon hotspots provide all the comfort and charm you'll need to ensure a starry-eyed stay.
For a romantic country moon...
Rose Cottage
Voted one of the most romantic cottages in Devon and Cornwall, Rose Cottage is the perfect destination for your romantic country moon. The 18th century thatched cottage hideaway redefines the term 'romantic retreat', courtesy of its charming blend of classic and contemporary features, with wooden beams, logwood burner, copper bath big enough for two and all the latest tech.
Enjoy alfresco evenings in the Mediterranean style garden with large seating area and table, followed by a soak in the private Beachcomber hot tub, tucked under a gazebo for you to enjoy all year round.
Surrounded by rolling hills from its picturesque location in the rural village of High Bickington, with a short drive to the North Devon coastline and easy driving distance to Exmoor and Dartmoor there is plenty for you to explore.
Whenever you visit, your romantic retreat awaits for a truly unforgettable 'moon.
For a starry-eyed sojourn...Starbed Hideaways Return to nature in the most spellbinding of ways with a stopover at Starbed Hideaways, where gorgeous glamping comes with a luxury taste of the sublime. Situated in the tranquil estate of Buckland Abbey on the western edge of Dartmoor National Park, Starbed's innovative fusion of five-star accommodation with exhilarating adventure gives guests a romantic break with a bona fide difference.
Choose from Aurora or Halcyon, both beautifully bespoke and handcrafted oak suites with stargazing glass ceilings and finished to incredibly high spec. Think lime-washed king-size beds, up-lit roll-top baths, deluge showers and wood-burning stoves as well as modern mini kitchens equipped with everything you'll need.
Outside, you'll discover snug seating and a Kadai firepit on the radial deck - perfect for peaceful evenings taking in the night sky to the crackle of the flames. Activities and experiences can be personally arranged according to your whims, including a visiting spa, falconry, or even a hot-air balloon ride.
For love in the treetops...
Tree Top Escape
For a dizzying head-in-the-clouds experience, Tree Top Escape offers a breathtaking honeymoon experience, where you'll be rewarded with elevated views across the surrounding countryside as you wake in the treetops of this extraordinary venue.
Located on a pristine private estate in north Devon encircled by picturesque valleys, hills and fields, the rural setting invites couples to unwind amongst unspoilt nature, while the decadent attention to detail affords an indulgent and exclusive stay.
The five-star hideaway boasts two en suite bedrooms, an open-plan lounge and diner, and a designer Italian kitchen. It's all sensuous wooden curves and clean lines but with a touch of modern sophistication and high-tech facilities such as a Sonos music system, 50in 4k TV with FreeSat and Netflix, iPads and a spectacular freestanding William Holland copper bath and private hot tub on the floating balcony.
Meanwhile, The Nest hosts fine dining overlooking the lake and valley, The Meadow Room presents a peaceful place to enjoy a pampering treatment, and a retreat to the secluded Grill-Haus is perfect for a fairytale-esque dining experience in the woods.
For luxe at the seaside...
Sidmouth Harbour Hotel
Presiding over the Jurassic Coast and Lyme Bay, Sidmouth Harbour Hotel's lust-worthy coastal location makes it one of the county's most captivating honeymoon destinations.
The four-star boutique hotel blends sweeping seaside views with recently refurbished interiors, affording a feast for the senses both inside and out. And with the award-winning hotel's array of luxury amenities such as the HarSPA (complete with lap pool, hydrotherapy pool, sauna and steam room) and outdoor terrace with heated swimming pool, you can relax and savour some post-wedding pampering in style.
Rooms come with 400 thread count Egyptian cotton sheets, Nespresso coffee machines, flat-screen TVs, complimentary gin and sherry, and White Company toiletries; meanwhile, the superior sea view rooms also boast private balconies and seating areas to soak up even more of those spellbinding ocean vistas. The Upper Deck restaurant and bar prides itself on serving locally sourced, seasonal produce (along with those mesmerising views), making it the perfect place to immerse yourself in the charms of south Devon's culinary scene.
And if you fancy exploring the hotel's environs or sampling some of the abundance of activities available, everything from beach picnics to kayak tours and walking can all be enjoyed in and around the hotel's Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
For island loving...Agatha's Beach HouseA tiny tidal island off the coast of south Devon, Burgh Island is a magical place to escape, and its extravagant art deco hotel with its selection of sumptuous suites make it a top-notch honeymoon destination replete with splendid scenery and captivating history.
Noteworthy names to have graced Burgh Island Hotel include Winston Churchill, Noel Coward, The Beatles, and Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson, who were as spellbound then as visitors are today by the wild sense of escapism, seclusion and romance, affording all the hallmarks of an ultra-memorable 'moon.
Dubbed "one of the sexiest hotel rooms in the UK", Agatha's Beach House is a beautiful bolthole that was first built in the 1930s as a writer's retreat for crime novelist Agatha Christie, who penned the island-inspired, 'Evil Under the Sun' and 'And Then There Were None' here. Now a sophisticated seaside retreat nestled into the island's rock face, it presents jaw-dropping sea views alongside chic interiors featuring a lounge with a wood-burner, boudoir, bathroom and shower room, private sun decks, and an array of luxe extras.
On-site, there's tennis, croquet, table tennis, an original '30s billiards room, plus a sauna and spa treatment room. The rest of the island is a diminutive playground perfect for couples; explore Bigbury-on-Sea beach (with swimming, surfing and paddleboarding all readily available), enjoy a ride on the world's only hydraulic sea tractor, take a leisurely island stroll, or row or swim in natural sea wonder, The Mermaid Pool.
burghisland.com
For a sky-high stay...The WatertowerThe Watertower's iconic Victorian building, idyllic rural surrounds and inviting interiors make for a special spot to begin married life. In fact, its location on Dartmoor's scenic edge presiding over rolling fields and distant seascapes is allure enough, as it rises into the sky to give sweeping bird's-eye views by day, and stargazing at night.
Then there's the living space. Situated on the seventh floor, exposed stone walls meet wooden flooring and a balcony opening up onto those captivating views, while on the floor above you'll find a library presenting 360-degree panoramas, and a cinema room on the floor below complete with original velvet cinema chairs and big screen.
The kitchen comes with breakfast bar, De'Longhi coffee machine and retro Smeg fridge/freezer, while the bathroom features a deep bathtub for two and a walk-in rainfall shower. Plus, with two beautiful bedrooms you can bring the little ones (and even your pooch!) to celebrate with you at this most comfortably stylish of spaces.
From WiFi and a courtyard garden to the use of nearby Moorhaven's amenities including tennis courts, boule pitch and croquet lawn, every modern convenience along with additional fancies have been considered to ensure a deeply relaxed and fun-filled stay.
boutique-retreats.co.uk
words Hannah May
main image Starbed Hideaways
Copyright Wed magazine 2019