Owen and Jo continue their exploration of Shaldon and visit Ness Cove Beach and The Ness Restaurant and Bar

NB. This article follows on from our trip to Shaldon Wildlife Trust, with Ness beach and restaurant in question being in extremely close proximity to the village zoo.

Ness Cove Beach, Shaldon

Reaching Ness Beach requires a short trek from the car park, down a gloomy smuggler’s tunnel. The beach is mainly fine shingle and, while not as stunning as some of Devon’s sandy beaches, it is spacious and clean, with rocky outcrops and red cliffs offering excellent photo opportunities.

Situated in a cove, the beach is not ideal for kite-fliers but the absence of breeze means that barbeques can be easily maintained and the sun feels hotter when it hits. Rock pools at both ends of the shoreline are ideal for entertaining big and small children alike.

Excuse us one moment while we offer a quick aside and a handy, money-saving tip for those with young children (based on personal childhood experience). When purchasing your child that staple of rock-pooling, a fishing net from a nearby shop or kiosk, please do not place the crustacean capturing device into their fledgling hands until you have left the premises. These seaside stores tend to cram their shelves with fragile trinkets, usually statues of mermaids or lighthouses. The consequent equation reads:

Child + fishing net + breakable objects = Disaster!

Please take heed and save yourselves some money for ice-cream.

Near the rock pools to the left side of the beach, we are lucky to see a seal poking his head curiously out above the calm waves, before he relaxes on his back. While his laid-back attitude mirrors ours completely, his blubber-rich body is far more suited to the cold British waters than ours (wet-suits required!) Instead of a swim, we relax with a good book and savour the tranquil setting.

Two hours later. With our necks turning slightly lobster-coloured from the sun’s rays and our shoes full of sand, we traipse back up the smuggler’s tunnel and prepare ourselves for a light lunch at the nearby Ness Restaurant and Bar. Ness Beach provides an ideal location for activities or relaxation and turns a visit to Shaldon into a day trip.

 The Ness Restaurant and Bar, Shaldon

Sitting ourselves down on a picnic bench outside the restaurant, we notice that The Ness Restaurant and Bar  benefits from an outstanding view of the Teign Estuary and the distant Jurassic coastline. Old wooden rowing boats bob in the shallows, while seagulls wheel lazily overhead.

Influenced by our close proximity to the ocean, we both order fish and chips (of which there are two varieties on the menu). Our chosen version features fish that has been battered in Golden Glory Ale from the Badger Brewery in Dorset. The fish is supported by chunky chips, mushy peas with a hint of mint, a pot of tartare sauce and a segment of lemon with which to balance the flavours.

Digging in (digging being the appropriate term due to the robust size of the fish and chips); we both instantaneously begin to nod our approval. Well, why spoil a good meal with conversation, when we can express our opinions with head tilts and eyebrow acrobatics? The delicious, beer-doused batter has an almost floral quality (the ale is flavoured with peach extract) and is light and crispy in equal measure. The batter melts in the mouth, revealing the perfectly flaky fish within. The seriously chunky chips and other accompaniments (particularly the marvellously sharp minty peas), ensure that our meal is rather like a classic British motor car… a Triumph! (That joke was for Owen’s Dad, vintage car enthusiast!)

While there are potentially cheaper options for lunch in the village centre, we’re happy to pay a little extra for the superb food and such a relaxing view of the sea. We do keep an eye on those pesky seagulls, though. We’re certain they are circling with only one thing in mind… fish and chip theft!

As waves roll and crash politely on the small beach below, we raise our glasses and make a toast to the village of Shaldon, for it is Devon in a nutshell!

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Following on from their discovery of the best teashops in Devon, Owen and Jo Longhurst provide an entertaining review of Shaldon Wildlife Trust in South Devon!

Driving over the bridge into the South Devon village of Shaldon, the sense of calm and serenity is palpable. A winding hill-climb and we park up next to the entrance to the village’s very own zoo.

Serenity subsides. As we pay for our (reasonably-priced) parking, playful howls from various monkeys and excitable screeches from the larynxes* of lemurs echo through the coastal air. We haven’t even entered the zoo yet, and already we are greeted by its inhabitants!

Shaldon Wildlife Trust holds charity status and provides housing for some highly endangered (and highly entertaining) species. There is a real feeling of community and locality to the centre; it is certainly one of a kind. Staff are immediately friendly, chatting away about the aims of the project and pointing us in the direction of animals that they guarantee will interest and amuse.

The zoo is built in a woodland area, planted with all manner of foreign flora to ensure that the mammalian and avian residents feel at home. From pygmy marmosets to squirrel monkeys; scarlet macaws to the wide-eyed slow loris, this wildlife park is a cornucopia of creatures that defies its minute scale.

Cages and living spaces are well-designed and spacious enough for the diverse inhabitants. Our short wander around the outdoor area provides an assortment of sights and sounds: hyperactive meerkats, a bashful ocelot and a family of comical ring-tailed lemurs. You must forgive my neglect for personal safety (and don’t tell the zoo staff), but I did let a lemur shake my finger!

Our favourites, though, are the Capuchin monkeys. Their faces etched with intelligence, moustaches engendering an austere air, this is a high class of monkey indeed! We watch enchanted as they play with plastic skittles and provide one another with their own pest control and flea removal services.

Indoors the sight of the pygmy marmosets means that even I fail to stifle an admiring “ahhhh” sound in honour of their cuteness and palm-sized stature. We amble past reptiles relaxing in their terrariums (the correct term I believe, or at least Wikipedia told me so) and head into a small but well-stocked gift shop. This tiny outlet will no doubt create a disproportionate amount of excitement for children who set eyes upon the cuddly monkey toys.

While it will take you no time at all to see everything at this mini wildlife park, the overall experience feels a lot more personal than at some of its larger zoological cousins. Quality over quantity, as they say. Ideal for families and smaller school groups, the scale of the zoo will be even more effective with youngsters in tow. And because it’s so tiny, there is no need to pack a picnic lunch! For such a small zoo, Shaldon Wildlife Trust certainly provides some very big memories.

*If we’re going to be pedantic it’s ‘larynges’, although the odds of me using the plural of larynx again anytime soon are infinitesimal.

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Here is the fifth and final part of the Longhurst’s quest to sample the greatest delights from the finest Devon tearooms.

Hill House Tearoom, Landscove

Hill House Tearoom combines horticulture with high tea to offer a peaceful and practical afternoon out. We head to Hill House Nursery in the tiny village of Landscove (between Totnes and Ashburton), in order to purchase a couple of climbing plants to make our fence look less like a fence. After becoming waylaid by the diversity of herbs and shrubs on offer, we wander into the beautiful gardens and notice the entrance to another enchanting tearoom

Decorated as a tearoom should be, with pine furniture, bookshelves and crockery, the interior is warm and welcoming. It is positively bustling inside and with tea also served outside; it makes logistically sense to order at the counter. I choose a brie and bacon baguette (described on the menu as ‘a major favourite’), while my wife selects a simple ham and cheese baguette. We also order luxury hot chocolates; they seem like the appropriate beverage for such a grand setting. The friendly cashier accepts our order and informs us that we will be served as promptly as possible, in our preferred outdoor location.

There are a few tables in a small garden just outside the tearoom. A huge, domestic rabbit bounds heavily across the lawn; the word ‘lollop’ evolved especially for him. The garden is a little shaded by surrounding foliage but benefits from the beautiful, dappled light created by the canopy. We wish to top up our tans however, so we wander further around the side of the house to find a patio area with further (although somewhat limited) seating. The view of the verdant garden with its busy surrounding borders is, for want of a better cliché, breath-taking.

The circus skills of the smiling serving staff are exceptional. Balancing trays, plates, teapots and cutlery on every available limb, they acrobatically deliver our order. My baguette is substantial and comes accompanied by a small salad. The brie to bacon ratio is perfect, with generous cheese melting and encasing the meat to create an agreeable textural combination. I steal a bite of my wife’s baguette, which provides the memorable flavours of thick, succulent ham and punchy, mature cheddar. While we may cast envious glances at the aesthetically excellent cream tea being consumed by the customers beside us, we are fully satisfied with our sandwiches. The hot chocolates are lavish, with extra marshmallows and cream stacked high, so we take our time and enjoy them.

With such rich and luxuriant food weighing heavy upon our bellies, we recline in the sun for a little longer. We then return to the nursery to pay for our plants and head for home, hoping that our gluttony will not have an adverse effect on the responsive functioning of our soon-to-be green-fingers.

* * *

We have provided descriptions of five of our favourite tearooms in Devon. However, there are endless establishments to visit and the tearoom trail will take a lifetime to complete. We will encounter scores of scones, countless cakes and myriad muffins but we will never tire of such treats. On occasion we may sit down and believe that we are over-indulging on these sugary or savoury delicacies. Yes, it can be a battle: mind over matter, the psychological versus the physical. But the teashop is what it is – an amalgamation of traditional setting, moreish morsels and good, old-fashioned service that keeps us coming back. And Devon’s teashops are the best in the country – no question, no doubt. We urge you to set foot upon the teashop trail and keep these delightfully English conventions alive!

Don’t forget to read the other fantastic posts from Owen and Jo Longhurst on our blog and enjoy the journey to find your favourite tearoom in Devon!

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Woolacombe Sands Holiday Park is family Holiday Park situated in the beautiful Award Winning Beach resort of Woolacombe in North Devon. With spectacular views of the countryside and Sea, wherever you’re staying on site you will not be disappointed with your views.

The closest Holiday Park to Woolacombe Beach, Woolacombe Sands Holiday Park has it’s very own footpath to the Beach that takes around 10 minutes or if you prefer to relax on site, you can enjoy the heated Indoor & Outdoor Swimming Pools, Club House with daily and nightly entertainment, Food & Drink, Crazy Golf, Basket Ball, Football, Children’s Park, Woodland Walks and more to keep you entertained, all included in the price of your holiday, and there’s always the Kid’s Club during the day & Night to entertain your little ones!

Woolacombe Sands Holiday Park is home to the famous Woolly Bear, the big yellow friendly bear that all Children fall instantly in love with! He comes out every day & night to entertain the children with his naughty antics, fun & games and party dances, and will make your Children’s holiday memorable for all the right reasons!

If you’re not after too much Kid’s time, Woolacombe Sands boasts a packed Entertainments Schedule with Live Adult entertainment every night, cash bingo or if you’d prefer to relax away from this, live sport on giant plasma TV’s and screens, or there is always the popular choice of sitting out on the balcony with a cocktail overlooking the sea watching the Sun set!

Woolacombe Sands offers Self Catering Chalets and Caravans, with different levels of Bronze, Silver and Gold to suit your budget, and Camping and Touring on grass, hard standing & Super Pitches for the more adventurous, all with spectacular views and surroundings.

For 2013 there is the arrival of 18 Brand New Ocean View Gold 2 bedroom-ed Caravans, with all of their other units being upgraded and renovated. Avenue 10 will boast a new Toilet & Shower Block with Family Bathroom for the campers, and they’ve added 9 new Super Seasonal Pitches. The Chalets and luxury Bungalow ‘Tides Reach’ have had new mattresses and all been renovated. New machines will be arriving in the arcade, plus lots of other improvements!

Woolacombe Sands Holiday Park is a 3 Generation Family owned and run site. The family works enthusiastically to improve their site to make your holiday a wonderful experience and this is testimony to welcoming back guests year after year, some staying every year for over 30 years!

Visit Woolcaombe Sands for photographs and more information. There’s also the fantastic offer of booking online for 10% off your Holiday!

Keep an eye out for their specials page, and visit Trip Advisor to read some of the most fantastic reviews in North Devon!

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The third instalment of the Longhurst’s guide to Devon tearooms sees Owen and Jo visit the Rose Cottage Tearooms in Cockington!

Rose Cottage Tearooms, Cockington

After an almost too leisurely stroll around the craft studios (much to my chagrin) and parklands (not at all to my chagrin) of Cockington Court, we arrive at the village centre to enjoy some deserved refreshment. The village of Cockington has the feel of a perfectly woven tapestry. The traditional English thatched cottages, winding hills and greenery invoke the colour-washed, relaxed splendour of a Seurat painting. Feeling relaxed and whimsical, we decide to investigate Rose Cottage Tearooms.

Perching ourselves at a brightly coloured table, we appreciatively survey the grounds. They can only be described as a hybrid: English ornamental gardens combined with one of those beautiful, Japanese meditation spots that pop up in Tokyo when you least expect it. A pagoda and mini-palm trees line the paths, while ducks paddle contentedly in the adjacent pond. When the sun hits, it is simply bliss.

But real bliss requires work, or at least that we scrutinise the menu. While there are a range of light lunches on offer, we decide on a rather odd three course meal of our own devising – a bacon baguette, a toasted teacake and a cream tea!

After a pleasingly short wait, our food is delivered (there aren’t many other customers here today) and we dig merrily into our bacon baguette. A tremendously fresh baguette filled with crispy, rather than soggy, bacon and doused liberally with ketchup. Simple pleasures! The teacake is tasty too – again, a teacake is a teacake, but this one is certainly on a par with the rest of the county’s teacakes. Our cream tea is above average; the scones are perhaps not as light as others we’ve encountered but, with cream and preserve liberally applied, decadently delicious none-the-less. And, ensconced in this quaint and exquisitely charming setting, observing amusedly as ducks bob their heads in and out of the pond, we really couldn’t ask for more.

While we do not experience them on this particular jaunt, there are two phenomena we should divulge about Cockington, which could easily embellish your visit (with a little pre-planning!) We are informed that there is occasionally a live piano player in the tearoom pagoda, so you might enjoy a little music with you meal. Even better, April to October offers the chance to experience a ride on a horse-drawn carriage around the stunning village or to nearby Torquay seafront. When we first arrived in Cockington we were a little shocked by the rather hefty car parking fees for such a small village. But our trip has been well worth the extra cost and our moans have been very much muted!

The post The Longhurst’s Guide to Devon Tearooms – Part Three! appeared first on Something about Devon.

We are excited to bring you the second installment of the Longhursts’ mission to discover the finest Devon tearooms. This week, Owen and Jo sink their teeth into The New Forge in Chagford!

The New Forge, Chagford

Our summer Sunday morning begins with a 4.5 mile walk, featuring a variety of moors, meadows and woodland. We arrive back in Chagford, an historical town that has a touch of the Postman Pats about it and can only be described as ‘olde worlde’. Tired but invigorated from our trek, we respond to the melancholy cries of our empty stomachs and head directly for The New Forge.

Perhaps more of a café than a tearoom this one, but we won’t ignore scones over semantics. The interior is spacious and bright, the atmosphere cheerfully welcoming. There is a decadent display of cakes and pastries by the counter and the menu also offers substantial platters and pastas.

We are here around 11.30am though, so I decide to order the very reasonably priced Cheese Tea, the savoury equivalent of my wife’s choice of Cream Tea. I will shortly receive two home-made cheese scones, served with additional cheddar, chutney and an Illy coffee (I much prefer it to tea and the Illy brand has never disappointed). There is an option to substitute the chutney for cream cheese but I do not wish to gain infamy as the first man to drown in dairy.

On arrival of my food I am stunned into a silent sense of admiration. Two words spring to mind with which to describe the portions of West Country cheddar that rest on my plate: they are ‘obelisks’ and ‘hunks’. Both terms may seem odd in the circumstances, but both are entirely apt. As I gaze down at the mammoth meal before me, I feel like Captain Scott before he embarked upon his Antarctic expedition. I know that I will face great struggles and adversity, yet the rewards and sense of achievement on completion of my trial will be unparalleled.

I pile my crumbly scones high with butter and cheddar and adorn them with the home-made chutney provided. These scones do not dribble or erupt with cheese in the same fashion as the ones I experienced at The Cosy Teapot in Budleigh Salterton, but the combination of flavours and textures is marvellous.

My wife is equally approving of her Cream Tea, describing it as (her exact words at the time) ‘light, airy and not at all heavy’. In her eyes the perfect plain scone has the quality of a little fluffy cloud. The scones at The New Forge are obviously cloudy enough, as they have both met and exceeded her expectations. Now, onwards – to the car and for a much needed lie down!

(Read the first post from Owen and Jo here.)

Images courtesy of The New Forge.

The post The Longhurst’s Guide to Devon Tearooms – Part Two! appeared first on Something about Devon.

Spring is just around the corner, and Toby the Dalmatian from Combe House Devon takes us on a walk from the old Shipping Canal in Exeter and to the Powerham Castle. This walk takes up to 3 hours, and is 2 – 6 miles long. It is an easy walk that won’t take too much out of you, with beautiful views of the canal, boats, and deer along the way. There is a pub at both ends which is sure to motivate you! Why not start off walk with a pint at the Dock Locks Pub (which is dog friendly); after a scenic walk end up at the Turf Hotel for a locally sourced meal before heading home. Make a day of it and get you and your pooch out and about for some exercise and a lovely meal! Here’s how Toby takes us!

1. From Combe, take the A30 towards Exeter. Then take the M5 south towards Torquay and Plymouth. Next, take the A30 North towards Okehampton. After a few minutes, turn off the A30 onto the A377 into Exeter. At the next junction follow signs for Alphington. The road will take you left on a U-turn around a traffic signal. You should end up in Church Road. After the post office, turn into Alphin Brook Road. Follow this road straight on across two roundabouts. Then the road bears right but you need to go straight on into Clapperbrook Lane East. Then, over the bridge and then over the tight canal bridge. Now turn right and drive down the road that follows the canal. Eventually you reach the car parks for the Double Locks pub.
2. Park up and then cross the canal over the lock gates. Turn left and carry on walking down the canal path.
3. Eventually, you will see a large bridge up ahead. Get your walker to put you on the lead as the road is very, very busy. Cross the road using traffic lights and carry on up the right hand side of the canal.
4. You will eventually walk under the M5 motorway bridge. Carry up on the canal path until you reach the Turf Hotel at the other end. They let us doggies into the bar area, so make sure you take enough money to buy your walker a drink.
5. When your walkers are suitably refreshed, turn around and head back.
6. If you decide to continue walking along the riverbank beyond Turf Locks, the track can become quite muddy but you will eventually glimpse Powerham Castle surrounded by parkland and plenty of deer.

With the flowers out and the smell of spring in the air, it’s time to get out and about. Toby the Dalmatian always likes a chilled walk and encourages you to be ‘heart-healthy’. Get out with your furry friend and discover a beautiful country walk along the coastal path in the fresh English countryside!

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In a wooded valley sloping down towards the beach is Bovisand Lodge Holiday Park, a family run business with over 50 years of experience. Located in beautiful South Devon, the local area has so much to offer for your family holiday from days out and attractions to stunning walks and views.

Just seven miles away is Plymouth city centre. You can take a day trip to the National Marine Aquarium, or the ice rink at the Plymouth Pavilions. Walk along the cobbled streets of Plymouth’s historic Barbican or along the grassy slopes of Plymouth Hoe and take in the stunning views out to sea.

Situated right on the South West Coast Path, walk along the cliff-top paths for spectacular views of the Cornish coast or take the opposite direction heading towards Heybook Bay or the beautiful Wembury Beach. Head towards South Devon and the cosmopolitan towns of Kingsbridge and Dartmouth for some of the area’s best shopping and farmers’ markets.

The Holiday Park is just a stone’s throw away from Bovisand Beach, a beautiful bay in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The stretch of soft golden sand is sheltered by cliffs either side making the beach cosy and safe; and when the tide is out, a large expanse of sand is exposed which is perfect for building sandcastles, exploring rock pools, and big family games of beach cricket.

Bovisand Lodge has an indoor swimming pool, large open spaces for families to play, as well as a play-park with slides and swings, and badminton net for all the family to enjoy. Have a look around and you might find a friendly Bovisand goat to feed! It’s no wonder that generations of families continue to come to stay at Bovisand Lodge Holiday Park.

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There are few locations more romantic in the UK than North Devon; it is the perfect place to make Valentine’s Day 2013 a memorable one.

You’ll find that the gorgeous beaches and scenic coast paths aren’t just for the summer months. Wrapping up warm, and reacquainting with each other as you stroll hand-in-hand together is a heart-warming way to spend time with your partner. You’ll be able to appreciate the dramatic yet stunning coastline, and the crashing waves will provide a beautiful backdrop for a truly perfect experience.

Alternatively, the Saunton Sands Hotel overlooks the stunning Saunton Sands beach, and here you’ll be able to enjoy all the romance that a North Devon beach has to offer from the comfort of your own room. There are great facilities here, such as the relaxing therapy suites, and it is no surprise that this elegant hotel is a premier wedding venue in the county.

For lovers of food, North Devon offers a diverse mix of great places to dine and a special way to celebrate with your loved one is to enjoy an intimate meal at one of the many exquisite restaurants in the area, or for a different experience, delight in each other’s company beside the warmth of a roaring log fire at a cosy country pub.

Another great way to make your Valentine’s Day extra special and add a touch of class is by treating your loved one to an intimate live show. North Devon is home to fantastic local theatres, and there is always a performance to suit all tastes.

Enjoy an unforgettable Valentine’s Day this year by visiting the stunning location of North Devon.

Post sponsored by the Brend Group.

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We would like to introduce you all to our fantastic new featured writers, Owen and Jo Longhurst, who will be sharing their great knowledge of Devon and the South West in a regular spot on our blog!

Here is the first article from a series of posts by the Longhursts which documents their favourite tearooms in the county!

Five Top Tearooms in Devon, UK

Hiking over wind-swept moors, captivated by the bleak serenity of the landscape, inhaling air so fresh it makes your eyes water…

And so on…

Yes. That’s all well and good. But I am a man. And I’m hungry!

Who needs gorge-walking when you can gorge yourself silly? And what better way to conclude a tiring trek, than a trip to one of Devon’s top tearooms? The chance to sample various versions of the legendary Devon Cream Tea, perhaps consume a sandwich bulging with freshly caught crab, or maybe evaluate the quality of a cheese scone by both the crispiness of its outer layer and the volume of melted cheese within.

I hear a distant rumble…

Thunder? Can’t be, it’s perfectly sunny outside.

Ah, there it is again, only closer this time. Of course, it’s my poor stomach, publicising its disapproval as I describe food but fail to deliver it. My heartfelt apologies, stomach. Let’s eat!

A quick note about tearooms before we continue: in smaller villages opening hours can be dangerously short and many eateries will close completely over the winter months as tourists stay in their respective suburbia. The good old internet may come in handy for opening times!

1.  The Cosy Teapot, Budleigh Salterton

Quaint. Picture-postcard. Quintessentially English.

All terms (probably) employed by local tourist boards to describe the traditional delights of Devonshire’s towns and villages. And with good reason. Budleigh Salterton epitomises the charming sleepiness of the English seaside town. A bracing promenade along a pebble-beach leads us into the delightful town centre.

The Cosy Teapot sits nonchalantly on the high street, nestling among the other unique and independent outlets (my wife bought her wedding dress from the shop next-door!). Inside it’s a little old-fashioned to say the least. Part tea-room, part antiques shop – the walls and even the floor are littered with potential purchases. A Victorian coal-scuttle with your sandwich, Sir?

The choice of teas is astonishingly vast. But we’re not tea connoisseurs; it’s the food we’re interested in. There is a selection of tempting main meals available for lunch. We fancy something smaller though, and decide to share, ordering the fresh crab sandwich on brown bread, accompanied by a standard cheese scone (a cheese and olive version is also available) and a latte.

Quick service from the polite and welcoming staff means that our thumbs twiddle only briefly.

Food comes served on the kind of traditional china that your granny might keep in a display case (perhaps ‘twee-shops’ would be a more appropriate term?) First impressions are of quantity – the sandwich is packed to bursting with fragrant crab meat. And it is delicious, with all the sweetness you would expect from quality shellfish.

Sides are crisps and a summer salad, with strawberry and kiwi proving a refreshing addition. A quick sip of a well-steamed latte and it is time for the main event. The cheese scone may not be visually uniform; in fact it resembles an erupting volcano (if we substitute lava for cheddar). But it is the cheesiest cheese scone we have ever encountered, with mature cheddar streaming through the centre like an underground river system. Very rich, undoubtedly very bad for us but very, very tasty.

We finish our food and ask for the bill, but not before ordering a slice of cake for the walk back to the car.

The entire display contains confections that look like they have been injected with growth hormones – these cakes are enormous! We settle for a moist and delicious piece of carrot cake (the healthy option, or so we tell ourselves) and leave feeling full and contented.

 2. Primrose Tearooms, Lustleigh

Lustleigh feels like it resides in a snow globe that never gets shaken. Located in the rural Wrey Valley, the village acts as the perfect starting (and ending) point for a Dartmoor ramble and that was how I first encountered Primrose Tearooms.

After a modest six mile hike, we enter the café and are impressed by the deceptively large interior – the TARDIS of tearooms if you will. My wife had visited pre-refurbishment and had described the café’s traditional charms in great detail. But those are long-gone and the current look is pure country Devon: pastel walls, pine furniture, pictures by local artists, and animal aprons for sale. It feels like we are inside the home of a Sylvanian family, the squirrels or rabbits perhaps?*

Removed from our reverie by the sight of homemade cakes and the scent of nearly-baked scones, we hurriedly peruse the menu and order. While there are sandwiches and panini a plenty, we are here for one thing only. Locally-made raspberry lemonade will support our attempts to consume an entire Devon Cream Tea (each!). The generous helping arrives swiftly: two plain scones each, clotted cream and strawberry jam (you can opt for just one scone if you are feeling unambitious or non-gluttonous!).

Now, the ancient dilemma – jam or cream first? Well, cream of course, we are in Devon after all (jam first is the Cornish way, or so I’ve been told). Anyway, this is how we prefer it, and it looks more appealing with jam at the summit! The scones are superb. Fluffy but not crumbly, they hold our dollops of clotted cream and jam admirably, before melting in the mouth. The ‘house’ tea is a beautiful blend and the perfect accompaniment to our scrumptious scones. The raspberry lemonade meanwhile, was wholly unnecessary but entirely satisfying!

To recover from our excesses we wander around the charming village orchard in order to observe the historical May Queen Rock, upon which a yearly May Queen is crowned, and their name inscribed in the granite. We leave with the intention to recommend Primrose Tearooms, and the beauty of Lustleigh, to all we meet.

*I can confirm that the tearoom is run by a mother and daughter team, who are in fact, human. And very charming.

To be continued…

(Image courtesy of Travel Sign Posts)

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