COTSWOLD Travel
Seaside living at Babbacombe
It’s hard to imagine why anyone would pay £65 for a baked potato but when the filling includes Calvisius
caviar, crème fraiche, lemon, chives, vine tomatoes and spring onion it becomes pretty hard to resist. Sue Smith spent a weekend at one of the fishermen’s cottages attached to the Cary Arms in Babbacombe, Devon.
FRIDAY night is not a great time to be travelling down the M5, especially in a force gale with the rain competing fiercely with the speed of the windscreen wipers. So arriving in the dark, having
negotiated the steep road down to the Cary Arms we arrived slightly fraught and tired. But no sooner had we checked in
than the cares of the world were expertly lifted from our shoulders. Bags were swiftly transferred into our
cottage and keys whisked off to park the car in the guest car park. Inside Pebble cottage, up
Mediterranean-style whitewashed steps, the sigh of relief was palpable. With its elegant sitting room, New
England-style bedrooms and working fireplace the cottage had everything we needed for a relaxing break. A 32” flat-screen tv was showing a
welcome message and there was a DVD and CD player as well as myriad books, games and a DVD library. Italian crisp bedlinen, warm wool
blankets and a few traditional seaside stripes leave the visitor in no doubt that this is beach living at its most luxurious. Even the sea provides its own gentle
background noise as it ebbs and flows on the shore. But the real treat was the next
morning when we awoke to a spectacular sea view and our own outdoor dining terrace. The ball and claw bath in the
78 COTSWOLDESSENCE | March - 2014
luxurious bathroom had sensibly been positioned to face the window so bathers can immerse themselves in bubbles while admiring the facing red sand cliff tops as the water gently laps the bay. Sunrises and sunsets are spectacular
here and you are never far away from a window to keep an eye out for the resident dolphin who frequents the bay. The unique waterside of Babbacombe
Bay has been a favourite with holidaymakers and Royals for hundreds of years, nestled as it is in a sheltered spot enjoying a panorama of breathtaking coastal scenery. The young Princess Victoria visited
with her mother The Duchess of Kent in 1833 and the Royal Yacht was frequently to be seen anchored off the bay during the 1800s. Today it is a chic retreat for both
couples and families alike. Children receive their own fishing net
and bait on arrival and dogs are not only given their own personalised bed and bowl but there is a ‘dog’s dinner’ included in the bar menu. While it was tempting to throw some
logs on the fire and just bask in the luxury of the cottages, it would be truly unforgiveable not to explore the numerous places of interest within easy access of the Cary Arms. There are many walks available from
the hotel aimed at all levels and abilities for guests to explore this gorgeous coastline.
www.cotswoldessence.co.uk
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