Honeymoons in Cornwall and Devon
Devon's honeymoon hotspots
Wed discovers honeymoon paradise. The best bit? It's just down the road...
Wed discovers honeymoon paradise. The best bit? It's just down the road...
Fly me to the moon? Maybe later... For many of us, the prospect of airports, transfers and the logistics of a long haul trip immediately after the big day are all a bit much to handle on top of the ecstasy and exhaustion of getting married. Throw in the constraints of work holidays and depleted finances into the mix, and it's little wonder that a growing number of couples are postponing their dreams of unwinding on sun-baked shores and seeking a chill-out option closer to home.
A gentle trundle along the leafy lanes of Devon is a far less taxing option for the dazed and drained post-wedded mind - particularly when there's a luxe retreat at the end. We've sampled some dreamy options.
For bliss on the beach...
SOUTH SANDS
Many hotels boast breathtaking coastal locations, teetering impossibly on cliff edges and nestling amidst quaint jumbles of buildings in seaside towns. But South Sands is a rare gem, in that it's actually on the beach.
Hugged by an elbow of land that curls around South Sands Beach, this sheltered seaside sanctuary opens onto honey-gold sands, while the tide laps tantalisingly close to its terrace. On a sunny day, with the light sparkling on the water, all rippling shades of azure and aquamarine, you would think you'd succumbed to the allure of a foreign holiday - such is the exotic charm of this setting. You could lose hours listening to the ebb and flow of the tide, while gazing out across the tidal estuary, where the impossibly blue water gives way to sandy coves and high, green hills. Just around the coast, you'll find the idyllic town of Salcombe: a pretty muddle of pastel buildings flanked by a marina bobbing with boats and yachts.
The vibe of the hotel echoes the laidback, seafaring mood. A mellow palette of cream, mushroom and dove grey is peppered with splashes of crisp white and blue, seaside decor and seascape paintings. Everywhere, a sense of sailing heritage pervades, from the names of the rooms to the sailing paraphernalia dotted around the rooms. The bedrooms - some of which come with private balconies and bathtubs perfectly positioned for sea and stargazing - are spacious, comfortable and stylish. And, if the rhythmic rolling of the tide doesn't lull you into a deep sleep, then the soft, snuggly beds cloaked in luxe cotton and linen will.
Dishes brimming with fresh fish, seafood and other delicious local produce are served in the light, airy climes of the glass-faced restaurant. Tables spill onto the dreamy terrace where the tide laps at your feet and the fresh sea air fills your lungs. 
Nose around the streets of Salcombe; paddle around the estuary in a kayak or take a boat trip around the coast; then return to your beachside bolthole and succumb to its deeply relaxing charms.
South Sands
Salcombe
01548 845900 www.southsands.com
words Rebecca Matthews
Copyright Wed magazine 2013
