Travel: Devonly spring break
Enjoy a little peace and pampering on a spa, golf and good food escape
TRAVEL SNAPSHOT
Tucked away in the heart of North Devon, with great views across Mole Valley and all the way to Exmoor on a clear day, you’ll find Highbullen Hotel Golf & Country Club on an unspoilt, 127-acre estate. The hotel, centred on a handsome Victorian arts and crafts manor house, has a phenomenal range of on-site activities and amenities to satisfy every requirement for a relaxing short break. There’s a great spa in a quiet, separate building, offering treatments using gorgeous Elemis products, a sevenhole golf course and leisure activities galore – from tennis and snooker, to a modern gym and 20-metre swimming pool. The house itself has 12 beautifully furnished bedrooms, a choice of cosy lounges, a formal restaurant and a brasserie. Dotted around the grounds are 27 more bedrooms in assorted buildings. There are four luxurious self-catering cottages, too, for total privacy.
INSIDER’S GUIDE
Pack your comfy shoes for a 45-minute stroll around the pretty village of Chittlehamholt, just a short walk from the hotel.
Take your furry friend, too. Dogs are welcome at Highbullen and there’s plenty of space for walkies.
Pack your sportswear, just in case you fancy an exercise class – everything from aqua fit and boxercise to spin, Pilates and yoga is available.
Don’t forget that book you’ve been trying to read, as this is the place to snuggle up in one of the lounges and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.
Hartland Peninsula offers some of the most beautiful coastline in the country
FOOD AND DRINK
The formal Devon View Restaurant serves delicious dishes and breakfasts making the most of local produce – Devon lobster, Exmoor lamb, 35-day aged beef from just down the road. Cellars Restaurant and Bar is a casual place to eat supper – pizzas, salads, fish and chips – and sample some local beers, such as Wicked Wolf. The Club Bar has a big-screen TV in case there’s a football match you mustn’t miss, and the spacious, pretty Laura Ashley The Tea Room serves great afternoon tea, featuring tasty sandwiches and melt-inthe-mouth cakes and pastries.
DON’T MISS
Enjoy a beach walk along the Hartland Peninsula, which offers some of the most beautiful coastline in the country. Hartland Abbey & Gardens ( hartlandabbey.com), is around 35 miles from the hotel and re-opening 29 March. As well as a beach walk, there is a house, gardens and tea rooms to enjoy. The Quince Honey Farm offers you the chance to see how honey is produced by the busy little bees, as well as buy some to take home, quincehoneyfarm.co.uk.