Years ago, I used to go on holiday without making too many plans. would just fly off somewhere I’d never been, book a place for the first night and then, well, then I would let nature take it’s course.
Follow my nose. Sniff around the area where I was staying, seek out some quiet lodgings off the beaten track, hoping maybe to find some family run guesthouse on a tiny back street.
Was always guaranteed to be an adventure. An excellent one. Still got some mates who do it. They fly off to Greece or similar, find a quiet cove by the sea, stumble across some fab place to stay and come home full of beans and happiness.
All of which got me wondering why I couldn’t do exactly the same thing right here, right now in this lovely little corner of the UK.
Find a quiet spot I’d never been to before, book myself in to a quiet little place nearby and see what happened. Which is why I recently found myself hotfooting it down to Devon, to the English Riviera.
The Lowdown
Getting There
My destination, was Babbacombe, a district of Torquay that, according to the blurb, blends village charm with seaside attractions.
Getting there was easy, just get to the bottom of the M5 and jump onto the South Devon Expressway, before finishing off the final few miles on twisting back lanes lined with hedgerows and houses cute enough to melt a chocolate heart.
Rose Court Apartments
I chose Rose Court Apartments for the simple reason they were #1 on TripAdvisor for self catering properties in the area.
Have to say, was an excellent choice. Rose Court is a jumbo sized 1920’s house, think Agatha Christie era, sitting on a pretty side street.
At some point it has been converted into 8 sparkling little apartments, each one tailor made for two, though one has space for a couple of kids, if you’re bringing some along. Either way, they are all just waiting to welcome you in.
When I got there, I parked up in the allotted parking space (very handy) and was shown round by Sara, one half of the friendly husband and wife team who own the place.
Seems like they get quite a few folk returning time and again for holidays, and I can quite see why.
My apartment was just what the doctor ordered. I was looking for somewhere new, with a quiet family run feel and this place fitted the bill beautifully.
It was snug, warm and welcoming, the perfect prescription for a great little breakaway. Before I had even unpacked, I was feeling relaxed, restored and ready to roll into whatever adventures awaited.
Actually, the first adventure was a quiet night in. Which was complete bliss. After taking a shower in the distinctly tasty bathroom, I made myself at home in the kitchen, heating some food from a local corner shop, before making myself comfy on the sweet squishy sofa in the living room.
After this most delightful of evenings in, I went to bed and had possibly the best night’s sleep I could remember. Which tells you all you need to know about this place. It’s a little cracker.
Babbacombe
Have to say, Babbacombe really does pack a punch when it comes to being cute and quirky.
On my first morning I went out for a walk, to explore the local surroundings.
Within a couple of minutes I had stumbled across the decidedly delightful, Babbacombe Cliff railway. Which has been going to the seaside and back since 1926.
For a mere £2.50 I jumped onboard and was transported, in an elegant style, down to Oddicombe beach below.
A picture perfect English riviera beach complete with soaring red sandstone cliffs overhead, small children playing in the surf below and young men floating around the sea on these new fangled electric hover surfboards.
Most welcoming of all, there was a cosy cafe offering a fine selection of those all important seaside snacks.
After watching the world go by for a few minutes and feeling most upbeat about everything in it, I got to chatting to a couple of friendly locals, who advised me to take a five minute stroll along the coastal path to Babbacombe Beach.
After which I strolled up a long and winding hillside path, ending back up at the top of the cliff, right next to Babbacombe Theatre.
Beyond which was a promenade filled with all the usual seaside suspects. People on benches eating fish and chips, seagulls sneaking up on them and holiday makers in search of refreshments.
Out and About
There are lots of things to do nearby, Sara, the lovely owner of Rose Court, left me a leaflet filled with exciting options, but in truth, I was so happy to be in Babbacombe, I couldn’t drag myself away.
There were walks aplenty, streets lined with pubs, cafes and shops, a pretty park and lots more besides. I even found a cafe, the Zoo Cafe, which did such a brilliant breakfast, I went back the next day for Sunday Lunch.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for razzle, dazzle and seaside shenanigans, I can thoroughly recommend Babbacombe and Rose Court. It’s a marriage made, in Devon.
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