Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Where to Eat & Stay
Bonnicott House
Spacious and welcoming, Bonnicott House sits on the crest
of the cliff with sweeping views of the town and surrounding countryside. Bedrooms
are done in shades of light blue, cream, or pale green, and most have a mix of well-
chosen antiques and more modern furniture. Beds are comfortable and big, while
bathrooms are small but have all the necessities. The gardens here are beautifully
cultivated and pleasant to wander through. The guest lounge has a fireplace crackling
on cold days; when the sun is out, the light pours in. Breakfasts are good and hearty,
and the owners know everything about the area.
10 Watersmeet Rd., Lynmouth, Devon EX35 6EP. www.bonnicott.com.
&
fax 01598/753346.
8 units.
£60-£100 double. Rates include English breakfast. MC, V. Free street parking.
Amenities:
Lounge; bar.
In room:
TV, hair dryer, no phone.
Hewitt's at the Hoe
This exquisite mansion hotel, surrounded by lush gardens
and thick forests, clings to the edge of the cliff near Lynmouth. Once the home of
the man who built the cliff railway, the building has been sympathetically restored
over the years—the polished oak paneling gleams—and filled with quality antiques.
Most rooms have sweeping views of the sea, and all have big, comfortable beds and
sizable bathrooms. The owners cultivate a country-house atmosphere, so you feel like
a welcome guest in a gracious home. Breakfasts are pleasingly ample, tea and scones
are served each afternoon in the lounge, and the dinners (£35 per person; hotel guests
only), served in the elegant dining hall, are worth staying in for.
The Hoe, North Walk, Lynton, Devon EX35 6HJ. www.hewittshotel.co.uk.
&
01598/752293.
Fax
01598/752489. 5 units. £120-£160 double; from £370 self-catering apt (per week). AE, MC, V. Free park-
ing.
Amenities:
Restaurant; bar; Jacuzzi; room service.
In room:
TV, hair dryer, minibar.
9
Life's a Beach
Devon is famed for its beaches, and for
good reason: Golden crescents of sand
or stone at the feet of soaring red
cliffs—beaches here are dramatic set-
tings for an afternoon of sunbathing or
surfing. Here's a list of some of the best:
W
Blackpool Sands
(signposted from
Dartmouth on the A379): This peace-
ful cove lies at the foot of a steep,
forested cliff. Nearly a mile long and
almost perfectly crescent shaped, it's
popular for windsurfing, sailing, and
sunbathing.
W
Croyde Bay
(10 miles south of Ilfra-
combe on the coastal road): Said to
have the best surfing in Devon, with
hollow barrel waves at low tide, Croyde
Bay has miles of beaches, long stretches
of sand dunes, and sheltered bays.
W
Ilfracombe Tunnels
(follow signs for Ilfr-
acombe, and then tourist signs in town
for seafront and tunnels): These
secluded beaches are accessed by four
tunnels from the town of Ilfracombe.
The beaches have wonderful views of
Lundy Island and South Wales. A tidal
swimming pool is popular with children.
W
Oddicombe Beach
(at the edge of Tor-
quay, accessed by a steep footpath): A
small, isolated sandy beach at the foot
of enormous cliffs, Oddicombe is pop-
ular but not overcrowded.
W
Westward Ho!
(from Clovelly, take the
B3236, follow signs): With 2 miles of
flat, golden sand and plenty of space for
sunbathing, Westward Ho! is handy for
those staying in Clovelly, and popular
with surfers drawn by its low-tide waves.
