I’ll never forget the drive down to Devon – we’d set off from Bristol full of beans, dreaming of pasties and proper cream teas, only for the sat-nav to chuck us into a massive tailback just past Exeter. Turned out some cheeky cow had wandered onto the A30, causing absolute gridlock. By the time we rolled up to our coastal retreat near Bideford, the sun was dipping low, and I was proper frazzled, wondering if the holiday was jinxed before it started. But oh, what a first impression! Pulling through those private gated grounds, the place just hit us – this impressive, spacious home perched high up with jaw-dropping views across Bideford Bay and the Bristol Channel, right towards Lundy on the horizon. We couldn’t stop grinning; it felt like we’d stumbled into our own little slice of paradise.

It’s the sort of property that’s been kitted out for proper relaxation – think large enclosed garden, a sun-soaked patio begging for lazy afternoons, and that absolute gem of a private indoor heated pool with a hot tub and sauna. No need to traipse to the beach when you’ve got all this on your doorstep. A short stroll down to Westward Ho! village got us onto those two miles of golden sand, but honestly, we barely bothered. The joy of the whole trip was doing sod all, just slowing right down and letting the world spin without us.

Mornings kicked off with brekkie on the patio, tea steaming as we watched fishing boats bob in the bay. I’d flop into a lounger with a dog-eared paperback – some cracking crime novel I’d been saving – and lose hours gazing at the sea sparkling under the sun. The other half would potter in the garden, picking at herbs for a simple lunch, while I nodded off, lulled by the waves crashing far below. Afternoons? Straight into the pool. That warm water was bliss, even on slightly nippy Devon days – a dip, then bubbling in the hot tub with a cold cider, sauna steaming away any lingering city stress. We’d fire up the barbie come evening, nothing fancy, just bangers and spuds, dining al fresco as the sun melted into the water. Magic.

One lazy day, we did amble to Westward Ho! for fish and chips from a beachside hut – sat on the sand, chips going cold in the breeze, feeling like proper tourists without the faff. Appledore’s quay was a ten-minute drive away, its narrow streets tempting a mooch for ice cream, but mostly we stayed put. It made me reflect a bit, you know? Back home, life’s a mad dash – deadlines, emails, the lot. Here, staring at that endless sea view, I realised how rare it is to just *be*. No plans, no rush. We didn’t even make it to the golf course or the pubs; the cottage had us hooked on its gentle rhythm.

By the end of the week, we were recharged, skin a tad salty from the sea air, souls properly topped up. If you’re after a holiday where the highlight is a good book, a splash in the pool, and views that make you breathe deeper, this North Devon spot is pure gold. Can’t wait to go back and do even less.