A Last-Minute Luxury Escape in North Devon: Our One-Night Stay at West Down Estate Luxury Lodges
Sometimes, the best little adventures are the ones you don't plan.
Last week, for Craig's birthday, we decided to do something a little different and escape for the night. No big plans, no long drive or no expensive weekend away booked months in advance. Just the two of us, a cosy cabin, a hot bath, a log burner and a little bit of time to switch off from everyday life.
The best bit? We barely had to travel anywhere!
A Spontaneous Birthday Escape
If you've followed our adventures for a while, you'll know that last-minute trips are nothing new for Craig and me when we're travelling abroad. We're quite happy to book something on a whim, work out the details as we go and see where we end up.
Doing the same here in the UK, however, isn't something we usually do.
With the dog already sorted, the kids not with us and our chickens needing to be considered (another little tie that comes with everyday life, and one I must admit I sometimes struggle with when I fancy a spontaneous escape!), we knew we could only really go away for one night.
We also both needed to be back by mid-morning on Wednesday, so a long journey was out of the question.
That didn't stop us having a look, though.
I started browsing Airbnb and other booking sites for somewhere within an hour of home.
Our wish list was fairly simple: a cabin or lodge, a hot tub or something similar, somewhere comfortable and a price that wouldn't make a spontaneous night away feel excessive.
We found a few possibilities, but after a bit of good old Googling, I came across the direct website for one of them. A quick text to check a couple of details, given how last-minute we were booking, and we were soon making arrangements.
The name made me smile, as we actually live in West Down ourselves! The estate is around 35 minutes from us, which was perfect for a one-night escape.
We booked their Owls Nest lodge directly with the owners, which, as we've found on many occasions, worked out noticeably cheaper than booking through the usual accommodation websites.
Another little reminder that it can be worth going directly to a property's website before pressing that booking button.
The Journey: A Little Shopping, A Coffee And A Storm On The Way
Of course, even when we only have a short journey ahead of us, we never seem to leave exactly when we intend to!
With a storm forecast and only one night away, we still had a few bits to sort out, so we ended up leaving about an hour later than planned. Typical us!
A quick stop at Tesco was needed to pick up supplies for dinner, drinks and snacks. We'd decided to keep things easy and enjoy a relaxed evening rather than spend time finding somewhere to eat out.
We also stopped for a coffee at the new Strawberry Fields café on the A381 before continuing our journey.
Then, before we knew it, we were arriving at the estate. Once through the private gate and parked up, we immediately got that feeling of being away from everything. It's funny how somewhere just over half an hour from home can make you feel as though you've properly escaped.
The weather wasn't exactly on our side. It was raining, and the skies were looking rather gloomy, but the setting was still lovely. I could easily imagine how beautiful it would be in sunshine, when you could sit outside and enjoy even more of the surroundings.
We followed the signposted track, walked up towards our lodge and climbed the few steps onto the decking. That was where the birthday escape really began.
First Impressions Of Owls Nest
A cosy autumn welcome, before we'd even opened the front door.
The first things to catch my eye were the corner jet bath to the left and two rocking chairs to the right. Pumpkins and autumnal decorations had been thoughtfully arranged around the decking, creating a lovely seasonal welcome.
It was those little details that made the difference. The lodge felt prepared for us, and the autumn decorations added to that cosy, tucked-away feeling.
But the outside was only the beginning. Opening the front door, we both immediately loved the colours, the design and the overall feel of the place.
The open-plan kitchen, dining and living area was beautifully put together, with a lovely colour scheme, carefully chosen furnishings and a log burner that instantly made you imagine a winter evening curled up with a film.
Everything felt cohesive without being overdone. It had that comfortable, homely feel while still offering the little touches of luxury that make a night away special.
The bedroom and en-suite shower room were equally lovely. The bedroom was cosy and inviting, with a beautiful wooden headboard that finished the space perfectly.
One of my favourite little details was the mini wooden peg-style clothes hooks in the bathroom. Such a simple thing, but exactly the sort of thoughtful finishing touch I notice.
It's often the smaller details that make somewhere memorable, rather than simply how big or expensive it is.
Owls Nest certainly got those details right.
Wine, Beer, A Log Fire And An Outdoor Bath
Once we'd had a good look around, it was time to slow down.
I poured myself a glass of wine, Craig grabbed a beer and he set about lighting the log burner. We sat down for a little while, taking in our surroundings and enjoying the fact that, for once, there was absolutely nothing we needed to rush off and do.
Well, almost nothing.
I couldn't possibly stay somewhere with a lovely outdoor bath and not use it, could I?
So, naturally, I ran the bath. There's something particularly relaxing about having a bath outdoors, especially when it's cold and wet outside. The rain was falling, and instead of worrying about the weather, we could simply enjoy it from the warmth of the water.
It was one of those moments when you realise that you don't necessarily need sunshine, a flight or a packed itinerary to have a lovely escape. Sometimes, a warm bath, a glass of wine and nowhere else you need to be are more than enough.
A Simple, Relaxed Birthday Dinner
We'd deliberately chosen an easy dinner, and it was exactly what we fancied.
Camembert, breads (gluten-free for me, of course), olives, oils and deli meats made up our little birthday feast. Nothing complicated, no reservations to worry about and no need to get dressed up to go anywhere. We could graze, enjoy a drink and take our time.
I love this sort of food for an evening away. It feels a little indulgent, but it's also incredibly easy when you're self-catering for just one night. There's very little preparation, minimal washing up and more time to enjoy the reason you've gone away in the first place.
For us, it was the perfect combination.
Why A Local Night Away Can Be Just As Good As A Big Trip
One thing this little escape reminded me of is that you don't always have to travel far to feel as though you've had a proper break. We often associate getting away with booking flights, travelling to another country, exploring somewhere new or spending several nights away. I absolutely love those adventures.
But everyday life doesn't always make those trips possible. Between work, family commitments, the dog, the chickens and everything else that comes with running a household, sometimes even finding one free night can feel like a challenge.
That's why this little trip felt so worthwhile. We had time together without the usual distractions, a change of scenery, somewhere beautiful to relax and no pressure to do anything other than enjoy ourselves.
It also made us rethink our original birthday plan. We'd considered heading to Bude for the afternoon, stopping for a coffee, going for a walk or doing something like that despite the weather and then having a meal out.
When I added up the likely costs of the journey, coffees, food and everything else, our lodge stay, complete with the jet bath and the option to bring our own food and drinks, worked out as better value for the sort of experience we wanted.
Of course, everyone's idea of a good birthday is different, but for us, having a comfortable space to ourselves, with a few little luxuries thrown in, was exactly right. It wasn't about doing more. It was about having the time and space to do less.
Rain On The Roof, Wildlife Outside And A Film By The Fire
After dinner, there was another opportunity to enjoy the bath before we settled down for the evening.
Listening to the rain and the sounds of the nocturnal wildlife around us was incredibly peaceful. It's a different sort of quiet from being at home, where there is always something that needs doing or something that catches your attention.
Back inside, we got comfortable, put a film on and enjoyed the warmth of the log burner.
It was such a simple evening, but sometimes those are the ones you remember most fondly.
No rushing around, no checking the time, no need to get up early to fit everything in. Just time together. Then there was the bed!
The bed was incredibly comfortable, but what really caught my attention was the duvet. I'd noticed in the information provided in the lodge that it was made from 100% natural sheep's wool and produced locally.
This genuinely interested me, as it's something I'd like us to look into for our own home.
I'm increasingly interested in the choices we make in everyday life, from what we eat to the products we use and the environment we create around ourselves. Natural materials, comfort and supporting local makers are all things worth exploring, and this was a lovely little discovery I might not have made otherwise.
It's always nice when a stay away gives you a little inspiration to take home with you, too.
An Early Start, Coffee And One Last Bath
The following morning, I was awake at my usual time. I'm naturally an early riser, so even when I'm away, I rarely sleep in for long. Fortunately, the hosts had thoughtfully left coffee for us, so I could make myself a cup and ease into the morning.
As it started getting light, I couldn't resist another bath. There's something lovely about that early-morning feeling when the world is just beginning to wake up. The previous evening had been all about the cosy atmosphere, the fire and the rain, but the morning offered a different kind of calm.
I had my coffee, enjoyed the bath and took a little time to appreciate where we were.
Craig joined me once he was up, and we both agreed that it had been a lovely little escape.
We hadn't needed to travel far, take time off for several days or spend a fortune. We'd simply stepped away from our normal routine for one night, and it had broken up the week perfectly.
Before long, it was time to pack up and head home, ready to return to work and everyday life.
Would We Recommend West Down Estate Luxury Lodges?
Absolutely.
We stayed in Owls Nest at West Down Estate Luxury Lodges, near South Molton in North Devon, and we both came away feeling that we'd made a great choice.
The lodge was beautifully decorated, exceptionally comfortable and equipped with everything we needed for a relaxing self-catering stay. The outdoor jet bath, log burner, thoughtful autumnal touches and cosy bedroom all added to the experience.
The hosts were also great and incredibly helpful, which always makes a difference when booking somewhere new, especially at the very last minute.
We loved the setting, and although the weather wasn't ideal during our visit, it didn't spoil our stay. In fact, the rain made the fire and the outdoor bath feel even more inviting.
It's somewhere we'd happily return to, and somewhere we'd recommend to anyone looking for a peaceful local escape in North Devon.
Whether you're planning a birthday treat, a romantic night away, a midweek break or simply fancy a change of scenery, it's worth considering what's right on your doorstep.
My Takeaway: You Don't Always Need A Big Adventure To Reset
If there's one thing I took away from our little birthday trip, it's that we shouldn't underestimate the value of making time for ourselves.
Life gets busy. Work, family, responsibilities and all the little things that need doing can easily fill every available hour. Before you know it, weeks or months have passed without taking a proper pause. I'm as guilty of that as anyone.
I love the freedom of travelling, exploring new places and having adventures, but I'm also learning to appreciate the smaller opportunities to step away from routine. Sometimes it's a walk along the coast, a coffee somewhere new, an afternoon exploring a nearby town or, as we discovered this time, a spontaneous one-night stay just 35 minutes from home.
You don't always need a big budget, a long journey or a perfectly planned itinerary.
Sometimes, all you need is a little time together, a change of scenery and permission to switch off.
Perhaps, if you're lucky, a log burner, a glass of wine and a lovely outdoor bath!
Our Verdict:
A beautiful, cosy and relaxing local escape that was just what we needed. We'll definitely be back.
Eat Clean, Health & Dream is all about finding practical inspiration for living well, making time for yourself, enjoying good food and discovering adventures, both near home and further afield.
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