Devons Doggie Delight

SUMMER was quickly drawing to a close and I was getting cabin fever at home. There was no way around it – I had to get out for a weekend away.
So with an active two-year-old collie cross on board, my husband, Alex, and I drove down to Devon for a quick escape.
We were lucky enough to stay at the Holne Chase Hotel (three star rating by the AA) located just outside Ashburton and ideally positioned in Dartmoor. What had attracted me to the Holne Chase was that it had been named AA’s most pet-friendly hotel in 2004 and this feature was apparent throughout the establishment. Dogs were allowed access to all public areas of the hotel, excluding the restaurant, with extensive grounds for dogs to explore.
We arrived after 7pm on a Friday evening, exhausted from a week at work and then having to battle the queues along the A303.
We were warmly greeted at reception and our dog, Toby, was paid extra special attention as we were given a tour of the hotel. We booked in to the restaurant for 8.30pm and were then shown to our room.
As we stepped in I was impressed. The room had a warm and homely feel to it and seemed much too luxurious to be classed as dog-friendly accommodation. Toby was given his own bed, blankets, towels, dog treats and even a doggie menu – clearly we had arrived in canine heaven!
After a quick stroll around the grounds we left Toby to his dinner so we could enjoy the delights of the restaurant below.
We were promptly seated and drinks served while we perused the menu. The choice was varied and made from local produce.
I selected the oak smoked salmon with cracked pepper and grain mustard for starter. The dish was fresh and slightly salty, the light drizzling of mild mustard perfectly complemented the salmon.
Alex chose the “Dartmouth” smoked duck salad, a delightful dish of succulent meat and tart cherry tomatoes.
We did not have to wait long for our main meals as service was prompt and attentive. I had chosen the daily special of aromatic duck served with snow peas, baby corn and a crisp potato bake.
Alex chose a mouth-watering dish of grilled chicken breast with creamy wild mushrooms, confit potatoes and green peas.
When the dessert menu came around we couldn't resist and selected a West Country cheese platter while my husband enjoyed a delicious blackcurrant cheesecake.
The next day we had a leisurely breakfast in the restaurant, where the menu was almost as extensive as the dinner menu, before heading off for a day of exploring.
We drove through the national park and headed to Tavistock, a classic West Country market town, and the childhood home of my husband. Here we explored the busy high street, visited an old neighbour and then walked on the moors which gave a lovely elevated outlook of the town.
In the afternoon we explored Castle Drogo – the last castle to be built in England, with work completed in the late 1930s.
One of the most remarkable works of architect Sir Edwin Lutvens, Drogo is petite by castle standards but well worth a visit.
Since we had a dog we could not enter the castle but we did explore the grounds around it. At 900 feet, it is the highest National Trust garden and is set above the Teign Gorge. It features dramatic views over Dartmoor and is an absolute must-see.
Completely exhausted from our day of exploring we headed back to the hotel to rest and get ready for our evening meal.
My starter that evening was an absolute delight. The “Creedy” carver chicken and wild mushroom terrine was quite plain on its own, but when combined with the sweet “Holwell” bacon and carrot marmalade it was absolutely divine.
My husband enjoyed the baked “Vulscombe” goats cheese which was served with caramelised Williams pears and toasted pine nuts.
My main meal was a grilled fillet of “Widecombe” beef, served with a rosemary fondant of potato, honey-glazed root vegetables with a drizzling of a port sauce.
Alex enjoyed the juicy, roast “Holwell” pork tenderloin with caramelised onion mash, sweet cider apples, with a side of buttered summer vegetables.
For dessert I enjoyed a mango mousse with white chocolate lacing and poached pineapple and passionfruit coulis. Fresh and creamy, it was the perfect finale to a first-class meal.
Alex demolished the pear and almond tart with gusto, enjoying the vanilla custard and chocolate sauce which accompanied it.
The next morning we enjoyed our breakfast before checking out of the hotel. Holne Chase is a fantastic getaway destination for a peaceful country retreat. A place to recharge your batteries in luxurious surrounds.
Sunday was a day for further exploration. We discovered Becky Falls, with its huge oak canopy, rugged landscape and massive granite boulders and waterfalls. Dogs are allowed on a lead so we spent an hour exploring the scenery.
After this we headed to the sea at Shaldon, a pretty village situated between Torquay and Teignmouth. Here we explored the red sandy beach Ness, which is dog-friendly and then enjoyed a lovely lunch of fish and chips out in the sun with a lovely view of the estuary where the river Teign meets the sea.
After this we bid Devon a fond farewell determined to return again soon to continue to explore this lovely, dramatic and diverse county.

Kaylee Godfrey
Bracknell Standard