Babymooning at The Barn Beachspoke Devon
Some of my most precious memories of my time carrying Ollie was the few days Colin and I had together ‘baby-mooning’ in Italy. You can see the blog post just HERE.
I think perhaps it’s quite an American idea, that expecting couples go away together for a few days before their baby is due to slow down and enjoy some much needed precious time as a couple before the madness of new born life and sleepless nights take-over.
Italy was incredible, but this time we wanted to stay in the U.K so that we could be back with Ollie quickly if we needed to be. It’s late winter, so we knew we needed to find somewhere cosy, with plenty of walks, pubs and just somewhere we could really relax and unwind together.
That’s when we found The Barn in Devon. The Barn is part of a rather stunning collection of properties owned by BEACHSPOKE. The impressive Beachspoke portfolio boasts some of the most unique and design conscious holiday lettings the UK has to offer, mainly in Cornwall and the Cotswolds.
The Barn is one of their newest additions to that portfolio. A stunning one bedroom thatched Barn conversion nestled in acres of glorious Devon countryside. The views are stunning from every enormous window, and you really can’t hear a thing except for the birdsong each morning.
So Tuesday morning, super excited for our final getaway as a couple before our tiniest makes an appearance, we packed up our wellies (I’m loving my new spring wellies from Joules), jumpers, jackets, loungewear as well as a big bag of tea lights, ingredients for a lovely three course dinner and of course, plenty of chocolate for me!
We arrived around lunchtime to glorious Devon sunshine. It’s always noticeably warmer the further down the UK you travel isn’t it? One of the many reasons I’m not sure we’ll ever move back up north.
The thatched Barn is seriously beautiful from the outside. Lovingly and sympathetically restored, set in a picture perfect little garden swarming with snowdrops and daffodils.
It is however, the moment you step though that pretty understated little blue cottage door that the real WOW-factor hits you.
Spread across one level (the upper level, assuring the best views) is a breath taking, modern open plan space. The Hallway boasts an enormous free standing bath set in a window overlooking the Blackdown Hills.
The kitchen/living area is bright, sunny and seriously well equipt. We even had local eggs, fresh bread, tea coffee, milk and a chilled bottle of prosecco waiting for us.
The bedroom was equally gorgeous. Another huge window, walls clad with untreated pine and the softest Egyptian cotton bedding.
If showers are your thing, there’s a massive walk-in rain shower in the bedroom too.
All sounds pretty swanky, and of course it is. In fact, it’s probably one of the most beautiful properties we’ve ever stayed in. But it hasn’t lost it personality and warm welcoming feeling in all that style. We really did feel instantly comfortable and at-home and could’ve easily stayed for a lot longer.
We spent long and lazy mornings padding about in our loungewear (my maternity ones are from the new Blossom and Bloom Collection at Mamas and Papas) drinking tea. Col loved all the gadgets in the living room and had a rare chance to just chill out and watch films while I bathed and bathed and bathed. That’s not even a joke…I had 6 baths in 3 days. It was just blissful at any time of day soaking my aching body in this giant tub overlooking the garden. I took plenty of oils and pampering products with me, I feel like a new woman tonight after all that relaxation.
Another great thing about the property is that it’s dog friendly, so Halle could come with us and enjoy a little break too. She loved it just as much as we did and spent a good half an hour each morning roaming around the garden chasing birds and bugs. She slept peacefully though the night on her little bed next to the kitchen.
We visited the nearest town of Honiton during our stay, as well as the cute little coastal village of Branscombe. Here we found the most adorable old-mans pub full of friendly locals and dogs. The food was great, we had fish and chips and Colin assures me the beer was great too.
On our second evening we had supper at The Pig in Combe. A seriously beautiful spa hotel only a short drive from the barn. We would love to come back here another time as there seemed to to be so much to explore and the food, drink and service was exceptional!
We left feeling truly rested, refreshed and relaxed and would HIGHLY recommend a stay at Beachspoke Barn for any couple just looking to relax and get away from it all. It really would be so hard to beat! Then of course, there’s nothing better than scooping up your babies when you get home is there?
A big thank you to all at BEACHSPOKE for an amazing few days. We loved it!
