Devon sets the scene for weekends that drift easily between coast and countryside, where sea views, river settings and relaxed stays create a true sense of escape.
Royal William Yard, Plymouth
For a city break with a difference there’s Plymouth’s Royal Wiliam Yard, a former Royal Navy site, built in 1825 to equip fleets with food and supplies. It’s now one of the country’s most important groups of historic buildings and is home to a range of shops, cafés, restaurants, plus plenty of events and activities on, in and off the water. Stay at Admiral’s House by Maison Pierre, it has 14 stylish rooms and its very own secret garden with sea views, just metres from the water. Across the green is Bistrot Pierre, where you can enjoy breakfast. It’s an ideal base from which to explore the Yard and it’s just a short walk to the city centre – or you can even hop on a ferry and head over to Mount Edgcumbe Country Park in Cornwall.
royalwilliamyard.com
The Gun House, Shaldon
This must be one of the country’s smallest holiday cottages. The Gun House was built in the Second World War to house a searchlight, but it’s now a cosy retreat for two, tucked beneath the cliffs in the pretty village of Shaldon.
Careful restoration has softened the structure without losing its identity, introducing large windows and open-plan interiors that draw in light and frame the estuary views. Enjoy views over the water from its outside terrace, pop into the village, head across to Teignmouth or take the coast path for a longer walk. This house feels both grounded in history and quietly modern.
A combination of seclusion, spectacle and comfort makes a stay here feel like more than a simple weekend away. gunhouse.uk
Dittisham Hideaway, Dittisham
Tucked above the River Dart, Dittisham Hideaway is perfect for a romantic, back-to-nature weekend. Choose between handcrafted treehouses, cosy shepherd’s huts or an American Airstream, each thoughtfully designed with wood-burning stoves and inviting interiors. Mornings begin with birdsong and fresh coffee on your private deck, while days can be spent exploring this beautiful part of the South Hams. You can visit nearby Greenway, Agatha Christie’s holiday home, or take a boat trip to Totnes or Dartmouth. Return to your retreat for a barbecue supper surrounded by woodland, and a soak in the outdoor bath beneath the stars. It’s blissfully quiet, just the hoot of owls, a babbling stream and distant church bells. dittishamhideaway.co.uk
Hotel Endsleigh, near Tavistock
This luxury hotel is part of the Polizzi family collection. Originally built as a fishing lodge for the Duchess of Bedford it sits within 108 acres of Grade I-listed gardens designed by Humphry Repton. It’s a magical setting for a restorative weekend; you arrive to sweeping views of the Tamar Valley, before settling into one of its 21 beautifully curated, individually designed rooms. Days are best spent wandering woodland paths, discovering follies, or simply lingering over long lunches in the glass-roofed restaurant. Unwind with afternoon tea on the terrace. In the evening, enjoy a seasonal menu that celebrates local produce, paired with carefully chosen wines.
thepolizzicollection.com/hotel-endsleigh
The Maltsters ARMS, Tuckenhay
On the banks of Bow Creek in the South Hams, The Maltsters Arms combines character, history and one of the most spectacular waterfront settings in Devon. The pub is accessible by boat from Dartmouth and beyond at mid to high tide, by car or by foot along the River Dart from Totnes. Once owned by celebrity chef and broadcaster Keith Floyd, it now showcases the best produce from Devon’s coast and countryside. You will find an elevated food offering with head chef Dan Morris crafting seasonal dishes using locally sourced ingredients. With six charming en suite bedrooms overlooking the river, The Maltsters is the perfect destination for a memorable meal, a relaxing drink or a waterside escape in the heart of the South Hams.. the-maltsters.co.uk
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