Last weekend we celebrated our final Bank Holiday weekend for the year. No more long weekends now until Christmas! The Boy Next Door was a sneaky little thing and told me Thursday evening that we would be driving somewhere for approximately 4 hours the following night, for a weekend away.
I packed according to his instructions, but had no idea where we were going until I sat down in the passenger seat. Salcombe, Devon I was informed. Sounded perfect to me!
And even better, the hotel had a spa. Foot on that gas and let’s get going!
We arrived quite late that evening to the Harbour Hotel & Spa, situated on the water’s edge in the village of Salcombe. The hotel was lovely, the staff friendly and our room was perfect, with a balcony overlooking the estuary.
I happened to wake up very early the following morning, just in time to catch the sunrise.
I snapped away at the rising sun, and the stillness of the water, before heading back to bed and falling asleep again, until housekeeping were knocking on the door and there was just 20 minutes left to eat breakfast. Oops!
Breakfast was served in the restaurant, with indoor/outdoor seating. All the usual hot and cold breakfasts were on offer.
Before we set out to explore the village, I snapped a few photos so you can all have a nosey of the room.
Sherry and Gin lovers, this comes free in the room.
I love hotel slippers! Is that weird?
Super comfy bed.
We then set off down the road to see what Salcombe had to offer.
Walking alongside the estuary, it was obvious Salcombe had well and truly woken up and the day was in full swing. Sailing boats were out and about, people were on the beaches and the village was full of pedestrians.
Ice cream and sweet stores are popular in Salcombe, all selling delicious flavours and old fashioned sweets.
Our FAVOURITE popcorn, yet we’d not seen these flavours before!
That right there is a slab of fudge. One major sugar rush.
We wandered in and out of the stores, before heading back to the hotel.
The great thing about the hotel was the on-location Spa. We were lucky to book the last available appointments and decided on hot stone massages. Heavenly!
We head back down into the village and had a sneaky little bag of hot chips (gluten free too!).
The pretty coloured houses are very similar to streets you’ll see around Notting Hill and Chelsea.
We decided to hire a boat for an hour, so we walked down to the waters edge to wait for our boat rental time.
I decided to be a lady of leisure and let TBND play chauffeur. Straight ahead please sir!
The water was heaving with large boats, small boats and dinghy’s. Everyone was out enjoying the summer sun.
We passed little beaches along the way too, some only seeming accessible via boat.
My Chauffeur.
All was going so well, until, the boat ran out of petrol. Yes! Really! Can you believe it!? I thought TBND was joking at first. After a quick call to the hire store, we were told help was on its way. But the tide was really strong, and no amount of paddling with the oars was helping. We were drifting fast, in the direction of a yacht.
Thankfully another couple on a boat came to our rescue! They let us hold on to their boat until help arrived. ‘Help’ being the kid that forgot to check the petrol before we set off!
Off we went again, down the other end of the estuary, and I tried my best to smile for a photo without my hair in my face.
Our hotel!
We finally head back to the pier, and were on to our next adventure.
We wandered around some more, discovering little alleyways and some lovely beer gardens at pubs.
I spotted this sign at one pub!
Finally we gave in to temptation, and stopped by the waters edge for some ice cream.
Chocolate and Cherry. Yum!
The afternoon was drawing to a close so we decided there was no better time to take a dip in the hotel pool, sweat bucketloads in the sauna and relax in the jacuzzi.
Back to the room to freshen up, and get ready for dinner. The view from our balcony was so lovely as the sun began to set.
I just had to add the photo above. I look like one of those cheesy contestants from an American beauty pageant, who’s probably called Britney or Brandi (with an I not a Y), who’s biggest goal in life is to help bring peace to the world or some other ‘contest appropriate’ goal. I imagine following my speech on world peace, I would probably break into a tap dance routine.
Down on the restaurant deck, we settled in for some pre-dinner drinks.
Aperol Spritz’s all around.
We’d been recommended The Galley restaurant by our hotel staff and a deli shop owner, so we made a reservation and walked down to the village for dinner. Starting with bellini’s.
Starters arrived. Crab Linguine for TBND, Crab & Smoked Salmon Parcels for me.
And for mains, TBND went for Monkfish and I chose Sea Bass. Everything was delicious, and well worth the visit.
We skipped dessert, instead purchasing dark chocolate from the sweet shop across the road, head back to the hotel and ate it in bed whilst watching Gordon Ramsay’s Hotel Hell. Rock. And. Roll.
Sunday was check-out day sadly. I starting the day by making the most of the Nespresso machine before we needed to get showered and down to reception.
Leaving Salcombe, we continued on to Kingsbridge, the birth town of TBND’s mum. A quick look around, we continued on to Somerset for lunch with TBND’s dad at a favourite pub of ours, The Stapleton Arms.
My delicious asparagus, egg and parmesan custard starter.
Duck Pate for the lads.
Moving swiftly on to the main course, I wasted no time in choosing roast beef and veg for lunch! YUM.
Back to the cottage for a quick cup of coffee.
And eventually we were London-bound again.
With Reese’s pieces to keep us company!
Salcombe was the perfect weekend getaway, and I highly suggest a visit. I’m already looking forward to returning for more boating (with a full tank of gas), ice cream and hot stone massages.