I recently went on a 2 night break to the north coast of Devon, my accommodation and hospitality at Highcliffe House, Lynton, made the whole experience absolutely first class and more.
I had great plans to do the local walks on this beautiful stretch of British coastline but having been invited to savour this exquisite bed and breakfast I got really intrigued about the place, the area, the accommodation and the people that run it. The attention to detail both within the building as well as for the customers is incredible.
Where Is Highcliffe House?
On the north Devon coast of Exmoor are the beautiful twin towns of Lynton and Lynmouth. Highcliffe House as a commanding view over both these towns as well as over the sea, hills and gorges beyond them.
It simply has the best view of any accommodation in the area. You can gaze out of the luxurious building, 600 ft or so above sea level and see it all.
Whilst relaxing in the waiting room I could look out of the window and see my coastline walking adventures to come. An epic view of land and sea.
In fact you see all the way down towards Lynmouth and the start point for the Watersmeet Walk.
On arrival and as you check in you are welcomed in with a special treat. Amazingly delicious scones, with local jam and clotted cream. Oh, and with that incredible view.
The Hosts
Speaking of a wonderful arrival and check in. Robert and Richard are remarkable hosts and you are assured of a perfect welcome, along with your afternoon tea.
They make you feel so tremendously welcome, comfortable and feel at home from the moment you meet them. The passion they have put in this place is plain to see from when you walk into the front door.
The attention to detail, every customer’s whim thought about. The setting, the comfort, the decor and style.
They have both travelled the world in their past lives before running Highcliffe House and this is touched upon in every corridor and every room.
The art pieces and ornaments that they have collected on their travels are wonderfully presented on the walls and on the cabinets.
You can see as you walk around the building and rooms that their art does come from every part of the world. It brings so much character to the place, a personal and luxurious touch.
Breakfast
Now then, breakfast here is a real treat where the luxurious feel certainly continues. The dining area is glass fronted where you sit looking out over the town and sea.
Even before you place your order or take a bite to eat, you are getting well set up for the day ahead.
Now then, a top tip before you start delving into the great cooked breakfasts. Make sure you have one of their absolutely delicious Yoghurt and fruit parfaits.
For after that you have a wonderful choice of breakfasts large or small to suit what you want and for your appetite. The cooked English breakfasts are tremendously tasty. The food here has been sourced with extreme care. Local butchers are used and you really can tell the quality in the taste.
The eggs are sourced from Black Dog Eggs. A place where hens welfare is placed at the top of priorities. They even have their own footballs to play with.
The pancakes with bacon and maple syrup I had on morning number 2 were absolutely delicious.
All the meals are served extremely timely and with great presentation. There is that attention to detail again that flows through the stay.
The Rooms
Of course we need to mention the rooms. There are 6 rooms here and each and every one of them is of the high standard that you would want and more. And each one has its own individual style.
Also, each room has been decorated in a luxurious and comfortable style. Ornate and comfortable wooden beds are a centrepiece to the decor of your surroundings.
The attention to detail returns once again with all the things you may need being to hand. Luxury toiletries and robes. Hot water bottle, amazon speakers to play your music and Netflix on the TV to name only a few.
There are also lots of USB charging points at the bedside to help charge your life with ease. But one thing to distract you is that every room has that magnificent view over Lynton and the sea….. and relax.
The Locality and Dining Options
Like I said, Highcliffe House is excellently situated above Lynton and it also only takes less than 5 minutes to walk ‘down’ into the town.
Lynton is a lovely little town to have on the doorstep here. The people are very friendly indeed and welcoming. There are a few independent restaurants (advance booking advisable they are very popular).
The pubs are charming and the streets are a joy to wander with hidden gems of little shops and cafes. Even when busy, Lynton keeps somewhat of a peaceful charm.
There are some of the most fantastic walks to be done in the area and even more special is that each of these walks on this Exmoor coastline can be done without the car and are started by stepping out of the front door of Highcliffe House!
The Valley of Rocks for instance is literally a short way out of the village.
Conclusion
It had been a while since I last adventured into Devon and it was a pleasure to come back and even more of a pleasure to explore the beauty of Lynton and Lynmouth.
The stay at Highcliffe House was a short escape that I shall not be forgetting in a hurry. This is how 5 star bed and breakfast guest houses are supposed to be with a lot extra. The location, the view, the rooms, the hosts, the food, the afternoon tea, the decor and of course the walks and things to see around. What is not to love?
P.S. Coffee Lovers
Ooooh yes I must add. Some of you may know I am a true lover of coffee. I almost run on coffee. Highcliffe House has a coffee menu that is a whole world of discovery in itself. Speciality ground coffees from Honduras, Peru and beyond. I had an instant connection with the strong ‘Captain Cook’ coffee, what will yours be?
