The Daily Telegraph - Saturday - Travel
A very big house in the country – with the coast on your doorstep
For fresh air, beach walks, ocean views and the best of Britain’s seaside splendour, check into these stylish grand hotels from Devon and Dorset to Pembrokeshire and the Isle of Skye
PENALLY ABBEY
Pembrokeshire
The beautiful bones of this Strawberry Gothic house have been brought back to life by a family who run it with love. In the middle of the village of Penally, which has its own beach and railway station, guests don’t have to venture far to reach the coast; it’s a 30-minute walk down to the seaside town of Tenby where there are “secret” beaches to explore. Back at base, there is a cosy bar, a suntrap of a conservatory, a dining room with vast views and lovely gardens that tumble in lush levels down towards the sea.
Rooms from £150pn; telegraph.co.uk/ tt-penallyabbey
CHATEAU RHIANFA
Anglesey
This fish-scale-turreted mansion was built for Lady Sarah Hay Williams as a dower gift from her husband John (the name means “ladies abode”). The design is based on five castles in the Loire Valley, a region the couple loved. There is plenty to do in the area but the spectacular scenery of Snowdonia, Newborough beach and South Stack Cliffs top the list. It’s fascinating to explore inside, too; everything from the ceilings to the fireplaces are miniature works of art.
Rooms from £84pn; telegraph.co.uk/ tt-chateaurhianfa
HOTEL PORTMEIRION
Gwynedd
The hotel forms the cornerstone of Portmeirion Village, the architectural folly of Clough Williams-Ellis, inspired by the facades of Portofino. It is situated on a sandy estuary that leads to the coast of Snowdonia, North Wales, though the coast-proper is just a 15-minute drive. Adapted from the old manor house, the hotel feels stately and lavishly grand. There are 46 serviced rooms with 14 in the main hotel and 32 in the village, plus 13 self-catering cottages in the wider grounds and 11 in the Castell Deudraeth. Make time to visit the cottage favoured by George Harrison (Watch House) and The Prisoner Shop for souvenirs of the cult Sixties TV series.
family and his wife, a fan of all things medieval. The site owes its authenticity to the extensive architectural salvaging of stone, bricks, beams, windows and doors from ancient buildings. The castle-style corridors and framed tapestries further set the mood. A highlight is the barn conversion-style spa, with an infinity pool and a spa tub outside. Rooms from £285; telegraph.co.uk/ tt-bailiffscourt
ALEXANDRA HOTEL
Dorset
Set atop the cliffs of Lyme Regis, with views of the rugged Jurassic coastline and harbour below, the Alexandra’s location couldn’t be better for a seaside escape. You can simply weave through the cliff gardens to the beach, while the front of the property brings you to the town centre, with its independent shops and cosy pubs. New life has been breathed into the building’s historic walls without sapping its charm: think original floorboards, nautical furniture and a charming grandfather clock. Rooms from £180pn; telegraph.co.uk/ tt-alexandrahotel
PIG ON THE BEACH
Dorset
Studland is a bucolic beauty with the added benefit of long beaches, and The Pig couldn’t have picked a better spot: high above the chalk cliffs, with spectacular views of the Old Harry Rocks formation. Inside this whimsical 16thcentury manor house there’s warmth in the nostalgic touches – fringed lampshades and frayed rugs – that are part of the familiar Pig style. If the inside is amped-up Victoriana, it flips to pure rural loveliness outside, where a terrace turns to lawn until the cliff-edge. The 630-mile South West Coast Path can be joined here.
Rooms from £299pn; telegraph.co.uk/ tt-pigonthebeach
CHRISTCHURCH HARBOUR HOTEL
Dorset
Expect shoreline views and a walkable distance to the historic town centre of Christchurch from this relaxed Victorian property. It’s rightly popular for its extensive spa facilities, easy access to the New Forest and East Dorset’s wildlife beauty spots, and the beside-thewater restaurant headed up by chef Alex Aitken. Mudeford spit, which forms a natural harbour, makes for a lovely day on the sand. Though the exterior gives off the vibe of traditional seaside lodgings, inside the space has been given a lift, as soft greys and whites across reception morph into a more vibrant palette (lots of striking orange). There are 64 rooms plus cottage accommodation.
Rooms from £141; telegraph.co.uk/ tt-christchurcharbour
THE NARE
Cornwall
In a prime position on the Roseland peninsula, this beloved coastal country house looks over the wide beach and bobbing boats of Carne Bay (directly accessible from the hotel). With tartan carpets, birds of paradise-print wallpapers and political caricatures lining the walls, it feels loved and lived-in and has remained within the same family for more than 25 years. There’s an indoor and outdoor heated pool plus covered hot tub for making the most of those views. Don’t miss a day trip on the hotel’s own boat, Alice Rose.
Rooms from £299pn; telegraph.co.uk/ tt-thenare
ROSEVINE Cornwall
A Georgian-style house on the fringes of Portscatho. Think fireplaces and huge bay windows, Lloyd Loom furnishings, upcycled and chalk-painted furniture. French shutters frame the dining room and bar where fresh Cornish fare is served. There are 15 apartment-style rooms with wood-burning stoves, plus a self-catering house. The heated indoor swimming pool is a boon, and the coastal path is a five-minute walk away.
Rooms from £169pn; telegraph.co.uk/ tt-rosevinehotel
PIG AT HARLYN BAY
Cornwall
The seventh of the Pigs collection of unstuffy country house hotels is set on a grassy outcrop above Harlyn Bay, where stunning views of the Camel Estuary, a wild flower-strewn ha-ha and surrounding fields make for a truly gorgeous setting. From the outside, the 30-room Georgian house is handsome but no-nonsense, yet interiors are an enticing warren of low ceilings, higgledy-piggledy flagstones and histrionic decor inspired by the BBC’s Wolf Hall. Aside from this, reasons to visit include the 25-mile menus (must try: al fresco dining at the Lobster Shed) and treatments in the Potting Shed. Clifftop walks can be had from the door and the bay’s sandy beach (which is good for beginner surfers) is a 10-minute stroll down a footpath.
Rooms from £150; telegraph.co.uk/ tt-pigatharlyn
LYMPSTONE MANOR
Devon
BBC Great British Menu icon Michael Caines MBE has made waves with his cream-coloured Georgian mansion. When a Michelin star is awarded within six months of opening it says it all; don’t miss the eight-course tasting menu dinroom
ner. The house’s Hawthorne-garnished grounds slope right down to Devon’s Exe Estuary, and its surroundings are lovingly referenced in the decor. Burn off the calories by borrowing one of the free bikes or walk down to the estuary via Lympstone’s orchard and grounds. Rooms from £360; telegraph.co.uk/ tt-lympstonemanor
BURGH ISLAND HOTEL
Devon
Step back in time to the Art Deco heyday of the Thirties. Everything in this hotel, located just a few hundred metres from Bigbury-on-Sea on the South Devon coast, has been restored to its 1929 glory. It’s the kind of place that offers champagne on arrival, hosts ball
dances and serves canapés and cocktails before a five-course black tie dinner. Most rooms are named after a celebrity visitor, from Agatha Christie (she wrote two of her books in the luxury Beach House) to Noël Coward. Like the location, facilities are eccentric – from the croquet lawn to the stunning tidal seawater pool.
Rooms from £285pn; telegraph.co.uk/ tt-burghisland
HELL BAY Isles of Scilly
Hell Bay hotel stands out for its style: New England meets Caribbean meets Cornwall. Expect fresh cuisine and a spectacular setting on the western shores of Bryher. Inside, cool ocean blues and greens are offset with beachcomber chic textiles. Facilities span a games area, pitch-and-putt golf course, outdoor heated pool and a seasonal pop-up crab shack. The rooms are stylish and ground-floor suites come with small garden terraces. Firstfloor suites have balconies with farreaching views across the bay.
Rooms from £135; telegraph.co.uk/ tt-hellbay
ROMNEY BAY
Kent
On a long stretch of stone beach, this attractive 1920s seaside house (first designed by architect Sir Clough Williams-Ellis for the American actress and gossip columnist Hedda Hopper) delivers uninterrupted views over the Channel. Owners Lisa and Clinton Lovell have maintained its nostalgic charm. While accomplished chef Clinton showcases his classic French training in dishes like freshly caught cod with lemon beurre blanc and succulent Romney Marsh salt lamb, Lisa runs a tight ship. The 10 bedrooms, seven of which feature sea views, are fresher in feel than the traditional look elsewhere, with seaside prints and gingham checks. You can see France on clear days from the Seaview rooms. Rooms from £115; telegraph.co.uk/ tt-romneybay
CHEWTON GLEN
Hampshire
A popular destination for a weekend in the New Forest, yet it is only a short walk through mature gardens and ancient woods to Naish beach. The hotel is home to a world-class spa, an award-winning restaurant and a golf course (plus much more), and is notable for its old-school elegance. The magnificent Marryat Suite – the hotel’s largest – is like Bertie Wooster’s apartment; even the smallest Garden Rooms have lovely views over parkland. Recently, the famous treehouse suites have been turned into self-catering accommodation.
Rooms from £395; telegraph.co.uk/ tt-chewtonglen
ROYAL HOTEL
Isle of Wight
One of the Isle of Wight’s most prestigious addresses, perched above the resort of Ventnor and a six-minute walk from the beach. Public spaces in the hotel, built in 1832, are lofty and elegant and a bright conservatory is a good spot for afternoon tea. On a fine day, sit on the pretty trellis-covered terrace overlooking the pool and gardens or lounge out in the garden itself. Dinner is a treat, with zingy south-coast crab or warming seafood risotto. The hotel can provide lunch hampers for days out or tours on their private Rib (rigid inflatable boat). Rooms from £190; telegraph.co.uk/ tt-theroyal
THE GEORGE, YARMOUTH
Isle of Wight
Once the home of Admiral Sir Robert Holmes, governor of the island from 1668, this historic 17th-century property still contains many of its original features, including a magnificent staircase. Playful touches include a wall of “George” portraits (the faces of celebs called George superimposed on period portraits). In warm weather, enjoy the Italianate outdoor terrace dotted with olive trees, where you can watch the yachts bobbing on the Solent. The boutique rooms are beautiful, and the lively bar and brasserie make this a stay to remember.
Rooms from £170; telegraph.co.uk/ tt-thegeorge
Contributions by David Atkinson, Suzy Bennett, Jade Conroy, Fiona Duncan, Hattie Garlick, Sherelle Jacobs, Linda Macdonald, Robin McKelvie, Benjamin Parker, Natalie Millar-Partridge, Helen Pickles, Sarah Stirling, Anna Turns, Kerry Walker, Rosalyn Wikeley and Antonia Windsor
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