Honeymoons in Cornwall and Devon
Coastal Hideaways
Spend your first days of married life within touching distance of Cornwall's sublime coastline. We've picked out some of our favourite shoreline spots
Cornwall was made for honeymoons. A land of wild natural beauty where soul-stirring moorlands, picturesque countryside and ancient woodlands are framed by rugged coastline tumbling into azure waters. A land of legend, folklore, Celtic spirit and love stories: Cornwall is a place replete with romance.
Whether you’re getting wed here and wish to linger a few days longer while basking in your newly-wed status or you’re dreaming of an achingly beautiful honeymoon escape – you simply can’t go wrong by seeking out our famed far south-western shores.
We’ve hand-picked some waterside retreats guaranteed to make those just-married moments oh-so memorable.
The Scandi-chic sanctuary
BEDRUTHAN
Perched high on the clifftops of Mawgan Porth, you’ll slip into Bedruthan’s relaxed coastal vibe as soon as you pass through its doors and find yourself cushioned in its snug, Scandi-inspired interiors.
Mesmerising vistas across the Atlantic are there, at every turn, from the light-filled, colourful climes of The Wild Café to the intimate setting of The Herring Restaurant and the lounges dotted with sink-into-me sofas. A sweep of blue also filled the floor-to-ceiling windows of our Sea View Double room, which came with a king-sized bed topped with downy pillows, comfy armchairs, a large bath, waterfall shower and furnishings in eye-popping hues of orange and blue. It was such a treat to open the window and fall asleep to the sound of the ocean!
We whiled away much of our heavenly stay in the spa, wandering between the indoor pool, sauna and steam room to the lavender caldarium and hydro pool, all the while gazing out at serene seas. A visit to the tranquil and fragrant climes of the sensory spa garden was a highlight, comprising an invigorating yet relaxing journey of hot and cold experiences, from wave-watching through the porthole of the warm cedar wood sauna to a drenching in ice cold water. There were body scrubs of seaweed, pink Himalayan salt and foraged herbs from the gardens, a warm shower, a soak in the hot tub and a blissful endnote: sitting next to the fire wrapped in blankets, my feet immersed in warm water, while sipping on herbal tea.
We savoured our evening meal at The Herring as the sun slipped behind the ocean and the tide lapped at the shoreline below. With sustainability and the finest local produce at the heart of the restaurant’s ethos, there’s always fresh fish, local meat and seasonal vegetables on the menu. Each course was utterly delectable and paired with perfectly matched drinks: think flavour-packed sharing plates, roasted cod, red miso and sweetcorn purée, cavolo nero and wild mushrooms, and brandy poached raspberry and mascarpone brûlée washed down with the likes of Fowey Valley Sparkling Cider and sweet Pedro Ximénez.
From the sun-kissed sands of summer to the white-tipped breakers of winter, a stroll or surf at Mawgan Porth is a must; head off on one of the spectacular coastal walks on the doorstep or simply hunker down in your clifftop retreat with a good book while you watch the waves. For those feeling creative, the hotel runs a series of workshops – from landscape painting and jewellery-making to modern calligraphy – allowing you to return from your honeymoon with a new skill as well as the dreamiest memories.
The beachside retreat
TALLAND BAY HOTEL
Lying in the hot tub beneath giant pines bathed in the pre-dusk light of the blue hour, I had one of those rare moments of deep and humbling solitude. And though Talland Bay offers everything you’d expect of a luxury four-star Cornish seaside hotel, being there in the flesh is an entirely different experience.
As you arrive at the secluded cove cradled between Looe and Polperro on the sleepy south coast, the feeling of being elsewhere is instantly enveloping. Everything is designed to pique your senses while lulling you into a state of blissful relaxation. Menus brimming with local seasonal produce, chic interiors inviting you to sit and stay awhile and grounds dotted with sun loungers and pristine ‘grass infinity pool’ lawns begging you to soak up the sunshine to the soundtrack of the sea all contribute to what the hotel describes as a ‘romantic pilgrimage’.
Couples can choose from sea and country view rooms, garden cottages, the self-catering bungalow and dog-friendly rooms, should you also wish to indulge your four-legged friend. We were treated to the Premier Sea View Suite complete with a statement super-king bed, striking décor, leather sofa, mood-lit bathroom (with underfloor heating, free-standing bath for two and walk-in rainfall shower) and panoramic garden and sea views that blended green and blue to jaw-dropping effect. With its balcony with two-person hot tub, private staircase, bespoke furniture and spoilsome comforts such as a Nespresso machine and mini kitchen, the bolthole is as beautiful on the inside as it is on the outside.
Roam the South West Coast Path, nest on the beach at the bottom of the hill or simply stay amongst the hotel’s tranquil surrounds as you eat, drink and lose yourself to the charms of this incredibly special place.
The cabin in the woods
TREE TOPS
What could be more calming than waking to birdsong with the sun streaming across the bed? Hidden overlooking a valley in the quaint fishing cove of Cadgwith on the Lizard Peninsula, Tree Tops reimagines glamping with its gorgeous ‘hygge hideaway’ to present the most heavenly honeymoon retreat.
The stunning wood cabin is both spacious and cosy courtesy of an open-plan room featuring a snug sofa, wood burner, king-sized bed and floor-to-ceiling windows revealing views of the valley’s lush canopy of trees. In fact, there are glimpses of greenery from every window including in the well-equipped bijou kitchen area and shower room, where a WC, washbasin, heated towel rail and walk-in shower complete the array of facilities.
Outside, nothing but the sky interrupts the picture of leafiness, which I was happily mesmerised by from the quiet comfort of the raised deck while intermittingly dozing and reading my book with the dog at my feet, decidedly not taking stock of time.
Steal yourself away and slightly further down the hill to discover the twin beaches of Cadgwith Cove alongside its pretty thatched cottages, fishing boat fleet and winding South West Coast Path, which passes straight through the village.
Enjoy a drink or dinner at Cadgwith Cove Inn or The Old Cellars, and explore breathtaking cliffs and seascapes at nearby Coverack, Church Cove, Kennack Sands, Kynance Cove and England’s most southerly tip at Lizard Point for a honeymoon in Cornish paradise.
words Hannah May & Rebecca Matthews
