A Short Break in Devon with Soar Mill Cove Hotel
Cornwall and Devon are blessed with miles and miles of wild, rugged and stunning coastline. We were there three weeks back and had such a wonderful time exploring the many picturesque villages, visiting fantastic gardens and doing a spot of coastal walking. Located not too far from Salcombe is Soar Mill Cove Hotel, a family-run hotel set amid spectacular scenery.
As we wound our way down the narrow lanes of Devon to this hotel, we had high expectations and we were not disappointed. The location of the hotel is stunning. It is in a peaceful and tranquil setting, just a short walk from the quiet and sandy beach at Soar Mill Cove and is ideally situated for walks along the coastal paths. Being a family-run business (for three generations now) the hotel has a very cosy and homely vibe with the stylish decor adding a touch of luxury.
British weather can be fickle. However, arriving at Soar Mill Cove Hotel, we were greeted with clear skies, great weather and a rolling expanse of green that set the scene for the perfect coastal escape. The check-in was quick and we were taken to our room, an extended Cove View Family Suite.
The Cove View suite had a large double room and an adjoining twin-bed room. French doors led onto a patio that offered stunning views of the gardens and the sea in the distance. The room itself was spacious and with a neutral colour palette of creams and soft browns and an interesting wallpaper featuring birds it created an elegant and calm interior. The wallpaper immediately put a smile on my face.
In-room facilities included complimentary Wi-Fi, Freeview TV with DVD, supplies of Clipper tea/coffee & fresh milk, hairdryer, chairs & sun loungers in the patio area. The ensuite bathroom was equipped with towels, robes and a range of Molton Brown luxury toiletries. Pool towels were also been provided.
Overall, the room was both refreshing and calm and managed to create a pleasant and comforting vibe partly due to the decor and partly due to the views it afforded. We enjoyed a peaceful night's sleep. In the morning when Bhavin pushed away the curtains to have the splendid morning light pour in through the French doors, giving way to stunning views of the green gardens and the hills beyond, it was the perfect start to our day.
Other room/suite types include country and cove view rooms, garden view family rooms, extended garden family suites, a discreet and stylish room called 'Up Above Hideaway' as it is tucked right up above and 'West Soar', a self-catering holiday retreat that can accommodate up to ten guests.
Soar Mill Cove hotel's 2 AA rosette restaurant is headed by chef Ian MacDonald who along with his team sources the best local produce to create a seasonal menu.
For starters, I had the 'Soup of the day' while Bhavin opted for Salad of heritage beets and honeyed figs with whipped goat’s cheese and walnuts. Both were flavoursome with the salad being very beautifully presented as well. For the mains, Bhavin chose Risotto of garden pea and asparagus with basil oil while I went with Chargrilled aubergine with roasted Mediterranean vegetables and crumbled goats cheese. Again very nicely flavoured and very filling. So when the serving staff came with the Desserts Menu we had to politely decline as we were full to the brim. It was a hearty and satisfying dinner.
Breakfast was a treat too, with a good selection of fresh fruits, juices and hot food made to order.
The hotel has an in-house spa called Discovery spa which offers various beauty treatments and therapies including massages, facials, manicure & pedicure among other things. The hotel also has an outdoor tennis court, an indoor pool and a small gym located in the leisure suite. Spa Day gift vouchers can be purchased for gifting.
Soar Mill Cove Hotel is a very short drive away from Salcombe. You can head to the town and spend some fun time at Salcombe Harbour and then head to Salcombe Maritime Museum which although quite small is interesting and informative.
For garden lovers, National Trust Overbecks is less than 15 minutes away. The route to Overbecks is narrow and single track and can be tricky at times but it is definitely worth a visit for its lovely location and beautiful gardens overlooking the estuary.
For those who enjoy walking, you could do the Salcombe & Soar Mill Cove section of the South West Coast Path. The path can be challenging in some places but it rewards you with stunning views. The hidden beach at Soar Mill Cove (pictures below), which is around half a mile walk from the hotel, is on the coastal path and if you carry on along the path, you will emerge at the National Trust car park at Overbecks.
If you prefer to see the Coast from the sea, a fun way to do this would be going for a kayak tour. Sea Kayak Salcombe offer sea kayak and paddleboard coaching and tours. They have a huge selection of single and tandem kayaks and you can spend the day exploring secluded coves with a knowledgeable guide.
Some of the beaches nearby include Hope Cove beach, Thurleston beach, and Bigbury-on-Sea beach - all within half an hour driving distance.
Although it was a very short stay, we had such a fabulous time at Soar Mill Cove Hotel. With a friendly warm welcome, fabulous staff and great facilities, the hotel is an excellent place to chill and relax. The location is simply stunning and perfect for those who'd like to escape the fast-paced city life. Because of its location, the hotel is somewhat 'off the grid' with mobile signals very poor to non-existent and the Wi-Fi connection quite slow. But our experience was positive as we were not bothered by the absence of mobile reception. It was nice to get away from technology even if it was for a short while.
We loved the hotel and this part of Devon and will definitely return again.
If you'd like to book a room at Soar Mill Cove Hotel, rates for a Country View room start from £199 per night including breakfast, based on two people sharing. For special offers, please check the hotel website.
Soar Mill Cove Hotel | Nr Salcombe, South Devon TQ7 3DS
Phone | 01548 561566
- The hotel is dog-friendly. There is a nominal fee per dog, per night.
- Free parking available.
- Spa services and indoor pool.
- Daily housekeeping and laundry facilities offered.
- Check-in from 3pm and check out is at 11am on the day of departure.
*We were guests at the Soar Mill Cove Hotel and our stay was complimentary. All opinions, as always, are solely our own.
As we wound our way down the narrow lanes of Devon to this hotel, we had high expectations and we were not disappointed. The location of the hotel is stunning. It is in a peaceful and tranquil setting, just a short walk from the quiet and sandy beach at Soar Mill Cove and is ideally situated for walks along the coastal paths. Being a family-run business (for three generations now) the hotel has a very cosy and homely vibe with the stylish decor adding a touch of luxury.
British weather can be fickle. However, arriving at Soar Mill Cove Hotel, we were greeted with clear skies, great weather and a rolling expanse of green that set the scene for the perfect coastal escape. The check-in was quick and we were taken to our room, an extended Cove View Family Suite.
The Suite
The Cove View suite had a large double room and an adjoining twin-bed room. French doors led onto a patio that offered stunning views of the gardens and the sea in the distance. The room itself was spacious and with a neutral colour palette of creams and soft browns and an interesting wallpaper featuring birds it created an elegant and calm interior. The wallpaper immediately put a smile on my face.
Overall, the room was both refreshing and calm and managed to create a pleasant and comforting vibe partly due to the decor and partly due to the views it afforded. We enjoyed a peaceful night's sleep. In the morning when Bhavin pushed away the curtains to have the splendid morning light pour in through the French doors, giving way to stunning views of the green gardens and the hills beyond, it was the perfect start to our day.
Other room/suite types include country and cove view rooms, garden view family rooms, extended garden family suites, a discreet and stylish room called 'Up Above Hideaway' as it is tucked right up above and 'West Soar', a self-catering holiday retreat that can accommodate up to ten guests.
Food & dining
Soar Mill Cove hotel's 2 AA rosette restaurant is headed by chef Ian MacDonald who along with his team sources the best local produce to create a seasonal menu.
For starters, I had the 'Soup of the day' while Bhavin opted for Salad of heritage beets and honeyed figs with whipped goat’s cheese and walnuts. Both were flavoursome with the salad being very beautifully presented as well. For the mains, Bhavin chose Risotto of garden pea and asparagus with basil oil while I went with Chargrilled aubergine with roasted Mediterranean vegetables and crumbled goats cheese. Again very nicely flavoured and very filling. So when the serving staff came with the Desserts Menu we had to politely decline as we were full to the brim. It was a hearty and satisfying dinner.
Breakfast was a treat too, with a good selection of fresh fruits, juices and hot food made to order.
Facilities
The hotel has an in-house spa called Discovery spa which offers various beauty treatments and therapies including massages, facials, manicure & pedicure among other things. The hotel also has an outdoor tennis court, an indoor pool and a small gym located in the leisure suite. Spa Day gift vouchers can be purchased for gifting.
Out and About
Soar Mill Cove Hotel is a very short drive away from Salcombe. You can head to the town and spend some fun time at Salcombe Harbour and then head to Salcombe Maritime Museum which although quite small is interesting and informative.
For garden lovers, National Trust Overbecks is less than 15 minutes away. The route to Overbecks is narrow and single track and can be tricky at times but it is definitely worth a visit for its lovely location and beautiful gardens overlooking the estuary.
For those who enjoy walking, you could do the Salcombe & Soar Mill Cove section of the South West Coast Path. The path can be challenging in some places but it rewards you with stunning views. The hidden beach at Soar Mill Cove (pictures below), which is around half a mile walk from the hotel, is on the coastal path and if you carry on along the path, you will emerge at the National Trust car park at Overbecks.
If you prefer to see the Coast from the sea, a fun way to do this would be going for a kayak tour. Sea Kayak Salcombe offer sea kayak and paddleboard coaching and tours. They have a huge selection of single and tandem kayaks and you can spend the day exploring secluded coves with a knowledgeable guide.
Some of the beaches nearby include Hope Cove beach, Thurleston beach, and Bigbury-on-Sea beach - all within half an hour driving distance.
Our thoughts
Although it was a very short stay, we had such a fabulous time at Soar Mill Cove Hotel. With a friendly warm welcome, fabulous staff and great facilities, the hotel is an excellent place to chill and relax. The location is simply stunning and perfect for those who'd like to escape the fast-paced city life. Because of its location, the hotel is somewhat 'off the grid' with mobile signals very poor to non-existent and the Wi-Fi connection quite slow. But our experience was positive as we were not bothered by the absence of mobile reception. It was nice to get away from technology even if it was for a short while.
We loved the hotel and this part of Devon and will definitely return again.
Book your stay
If you'd like to book a room at Soar Mill Cove Hotel, rates for a Country View room start from £199 per night including breakfast, based on two people sharing. For special offers, please check the hotel website.
Soar Mill Cove Hotel | Nr Salcombe, South Devon TQ7 3DS
Phone | 01548 561566
Good to know
- The hotel is dog-friendly. There is a nominal fee per dog, per night.
- Free parking available.
- Spa services and indoor pool.
- Daily housekeeping and laundry facilities offered.
- Check-in from 3pm and check out is at 11am on the day of departure.
*We were guests at the Soar Mill Cove Hotel and our stay was complimentary. All opinions, as always, are solely our own.
The Cove View Family Suite looks amazing! I've always fancied visiting Devon so this might be the place for me! The scenery looks great in your photos too
ReplyDeleteThe hotel is an amazing location. I am sure you will love it.
DeleteWe holiadyed in South Devon last summer but stayed in Salcombe. This hotel looks so much nicer, perfect for a romatic break.
ReplyDeleteThis hotel is a very short drive away from Salcombe but the setting is totally different from Salcombe. It is very peaceful, quiet and a short walk from a secluded, sandy beach.
DeleteThe shots are so well-captured. I love the details in them of both the hotel and the food. Also the scenery is so perfect
ReplyDeleteI like the view from the rooms! Is it good hotel for families?
ReplyDeleteYes, it is a family-friendly hotel. Pets (dogs) are welcome too.
DeleteIt seems that you had such a nice day there, especially the hospitality of the hotel, and also the scenery looks so beautiful, would like to visit there someday..
ReplyDeleteI am here in Mexico eating tacos and salivating over your luscious meal. The food presentation is so appealing and the ingredients so fresh. I just want to jump into your picture and indulge.
ReplyDelete