Weekend away Somerset / Devon

Weekend away Somerset / Devon

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Challo

Original Poster:

10,104 posts

155 months

Tuesday 18th November 2014
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DevonPaul said:
Even at this time of year, a lot of places will get booked up pretty quick.

OK, the business market of Travelodge/Holiday Inn end of the scale will have weekend vacancies, but in Exeter higher end places like The Magdalene Chapter, Royal Clarence, Buckerel Lodge, Southernhay House, Mercure, often fill with weddings etc. If you do end up in Exeter the White Hart is central and has a good reputation, decent food, and good ale, but rather shy on romance.

I'm struggling to think of many 'premium' hotels in Plymouth - the Duke of Cornwall or The Copthorne are about the best in the centre. Strangely Plymouth seems to have a better range of upmarket but still affordable (£40-50/head inc wine) eateries near the centre than Exeter. I'm thinking Tanners, Chloes, Rhodes at the Dome (great location, but I found the food mediocre) and a lot of stuff just down the road at Royal William Yard such as River Cottage. Also several very good and quite cheap Greek places in the centre that book up quickly. I find that Exeter restaurants are 20-30% more expensive for similar quality, though the cite centre is full of the usual chain franchises like Cafe Rouge and Bella Italia.

If your itinerary isn't set in stone, then I'd go a bit more East towards Exeter or Sidmouth. Exeter city centre is 2h 15 min from Tilehurst on a clear 80 mph run (which I used to do most weekends). Sidmouth is about an extra 10-15 min, and has a lot of reasonable B&Bs, some good pubs and restaurants, nice coastline, but really you don't fit in without grey hair and half the car parks have spaces reserved for people who drive a Honda Jazz wink

Realistically, if you want a romatic break choose Sidmouth or Budleigh Salterton (and perhaps Exmouth at a push), seaside brake choose Torbay area, city break choose Exeter, or if you want to watch a couple of birds going at it then Plymouth.
http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/VIDEO-Hungry-sparr...
LordHaveMurci said:
Sidmouth is a lovely place, not much going on but places to eat & on a beautiful stretch of coastline with loads of coast path walks & pretty villages nearby.

Exeter is a great city with historic quayside, cathedral, underground passages etc - plenty to explore & loads of shopping/places to eat. Close to the coast & moors & right off the M5.
Thanks DevonPaul and LordHaveMurci. Im going to take a look at those suggestions tonight and have a chat with the missus and potentially make some changes. Appreciate the information and guidance on places to go.

The hotel can easily be cancelled and plans. The main bit is getting away for the weekend, and some fresh air.

cuneus

5,963 posts

242 months

Wednesday 19th November 2014
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Have a look at Dartmouth

egor110

16,851 posts

203 months

Wednesday 19th November 2014
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Come to exmoor stay here www.tarrfarm.co.uk

Even though your on exmoor your not far from beaches, croyde,woolacombe,saunton, dartmoors not far away so loads of good driving roads.

egor110

16,851 posts

203 months

Wednesday 19th November 2014
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egor110 said:
Come to exmoor stay here www.tarrfarm.co.uk

Even though your on exmoor your not far from beaches, croyde,woolacombe,saunton, dartmoors not far away so loads of good driving roads.
Or the white horse inn at Exford, both of them are picture perfect places in the countryside, be careful at tarr farm though last time i went there i came home with a subaru.

_Batty_

12,268 posts

250 months

Thursday 20th November 2014
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Dartmouth/Salcombe. Tons of walks/coves and very pretty. Love the place.

DevonPaul

1,177 posts

137 months

Thursday 20th November 2014
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egor110 said:
Or the white horse inn at Exford, both of them are picture perfect places in the countryside, be careful at tarr farm though last time i went there i came home with a subaru.
I tried that once...

"What's that?"
"A Ducati, it followed me home, can I keep it?".
"I suppose so. Did you buy the trailer as well?"

eggchaser1987

1,608 posts

149 months

Tuesday 25th November 2014
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Can't recommend any places to stay as we only go down for the day, but if you get a chance to go over to Lyme Regis.

Really enjoy a day out over there, rain or shine.

anonymous-user

54 months

Wednesday 26th November 2014
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For future reference, Buckland Tout Saints is a stunning place, super friendly staff, great food and a big dining room where you can drink in front of a roaring fire!

http://www.tout-saints.co.uk/

tr7v8

7,192 posts

228 months

Wednesday 26th November 2014
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Passage house Inn at Newton Abbot is very nice, right by the river, plenty to see locally. http://www.bw-passagehousehotel.co.uk/