Last week we had a few nights away, and took a slow and leisurely route to a weekend in Devon with family. Well, that was the plan anyway - we were actually travelling on the day it didn’t stop raining which made motorway driving a lot more stressful than it should have been. And longer too, but thankfully we arrived without any mishaps, and more importantly without encountering any on the way either.
We’d stopped in the nearby town for some provisions for breakfast and for the following day, which turned out to be a good plan and meant that the following day could be a completely car free day, assuming the weather brightened up as forecast. Thankfully it did, but if it hadn’t and we decided to stay ‘home’ then it really wouldn’t have been an issue.
We’d pushed the boat out a little (sorry!) for this stay, as with moving and all the house shenanigans we’d been pretty much full on for the past few months, and while we love our new house and surroundings, sometimes it’s so much easier to relax when you’re not at home, right?
And this was a beautiful place to pick, even in the driving rain.
We were immediately struck by the quietness and the totally awesome view. We were dry (or drying off) and mesmerised by the beauty ahead of us, and the swan which performed what felt like a welcoming ritual just for us (it was of course searching for food, but that reality doesn’t quite have the same ring to it, does it?!)
The lodge was light and airy, with glass walls on all four sides - and on each of these there was a deck which two of them looked over the lake (another had a hot tub and barbecue), the third was in a small garden area and the fourth was the main entrance. We didn’t get much of a chance to use the deck areas, partly because of the weather but also because our stay was relatively short.
The mezzanine bedroom was cosy and comfortable, and also had views of the lake - and the swan!
The open plan bathroom was at the far end of the bedroom. There was some privacy with the shutters and carefully placed cupboards, but not much. It looked great and stylish, but in practical terms a door would have been preferable - that said, the website was clear, so we knew what to expect.
It did have the most amazing shower though.
Aside from the view of the lake, I think my next most favourite view of the whole space was this one, looking down from the mezzanine bedroom onto the living area and onto the deck and lake beyond.
The lounge was cosy too - with a wood burner and plenty of wood, along with the owner’s encouragement to use as much as was needed (which for us was none). We spent our evenings watching the lake and the comings and goings, and then when it got too dark some reading, some eating and drinking and a spot of TV, nothing very much different to at home, but somehow more relaxing all the same.
The kitchen was perfectly functional with a combi microwave and hob as well as a fridge and dishwasher, plus utensils and crockery. The bonus was for it to include knives that were sharp enough to actually cut and prepare food, tea towels, and basics such as salt, pepper, oil, foil, clingfilm and kitchen roll. We’d have liked for there to have been a baking tray and a frying pan, but we managed without though not without some creative thinking.
The morning after we arrived, and after all the rain, the view got even better if that was even possible.
Waking around 7am and looking across to the lake, the view was mesmerising - but not so much that I didn’t reach for my phone to take a picture, just as well as I think MOH missed most of the mist.
We had a great stay in the Waterlily Lodge at the Little Horseshoe Lake, and if you’re looking for a stay full of nature (and hopefully less rain) I’d recommend a visit, but you’d probably need more than a couple of nights to completely recharge.