27 December 2023
Immerse yourself in Devon’s outdoors at The Mole Resort
Few places are as wonderfully bucolic as the Devonshire countryside and The Mole Resort not only puts you at its wild green heart, but ensures you embrace it
Few places are as wonderfully bucolic as the Devonshire countryside and The Mole Resort not only puts you at its wild green heart, but ensures you embrace it
All images: The Mole Resort
Quaint villages, delicious scenery, superb local produce, the last remaining horse-drawn barge in the country – there's a long list of reasons why Devon is one of the UK’s favourite holiday spots. Since opening in the summer of 2023, destination resort The Mole Resort – a stone’s throw from the peaceful parish of Chittlehamholt – has allowed guests to experience the joys of such green and pleasant land in the luxury of a countryside estate. Presided over by a magnificent manor house set within 50 hectares of rural Devon countryside, the grounds include modern eco lodges, a nine-hole golf course and a boutique spa, as well as offering endless activities – all of which has made it a huge draw for families, couples and groups of friends looking for a tranquil English retreat with a healthy dose of adventure.
Catering to groups of different sizes – and not forgetting their four-legged friends, as accommodation is dog-friendly – 58 eco-conscious lodges sit along the edges of The Mole Resort's estate gardens amidst around 50 hectares of verdant surroundings. Constructed with sustainable timber and materials, the lodges beautifully integrate with the nature beyond, with private balconies for guests to enjoy the extraordinary views – including from their own outdoor hot tub, ideal for soaking in after an active day out. Inside, the lodges are fully geared up for a self-catered trip, with fully equipped kitchens, spacious bedrooms and open-plan living rooms. Guests are welcomed with little touches like local tea, coffee, milk and Devon fudge, and are able to pick up ingredients in the on-site farm shop, which stocks basics and local artisan products.
Alternatively, the resort's magnificent Manor House comprises 12 elegant rooms replete with four-poster beds, crystal chandeliers and large bathrooms, as well as a wide range of bars and restaurants that provide a fantastic choice for those who want to indulge themselves with locally inspired food and drink. Speaking of which...
The food and drink also offers a more literal taste of the best of Devon. With the southwest famed for its rich clotted cream, fantastic cheeses, lobster, crab, and flavoursome lamb and beef, the resort’s excellent chefs have made the most of the county’s local produce by sourcing from nearby farms – designing seasonally changing menus that express a modern take on British cuisine.
Situated in the manor house itself, upmarket restaurant Devon View – awarded AA Two Rosettes seven years in a row - is named for its incredible vistas of the countryside beyond, and serves breakfast, dinner, and a classic afternoon tea complete with buttermilk scones, finger sandwiches and sweet patisserie – a perfectly English treat after an active day out. The Bistro is a more casual affair, offering sandwiches, toasties and salads for lunch, which can be taken on the outdoor terrace overlooking the estate grounds. The Cellars Pub serves up classic gastropub fare along with local beers, ales and ciders, while the Library is the spot for after-dinner cocktails.
Named for the river quietly flowing nearby, The Mole Resort is nestled in impossibly green North Devon parkland, with spectacular views everywhere you look – from Exmoor and Dartmoor to the Atlantic and Jurassic coasts. Guests are furnished with a resort map to help them explore the enormous estate, and those who stroll around will discover pristine gardens attended to by proud groundsmen, while wild red Exmoor deer often emerge from the surrounding woods to peer at the golfers. The grounds also offer access to incredible walking and cycling routes, and resort staff will happily help you plan your route. With more people than ever looking to keep fit on their holidays, a stay here ensures that guests leave feeling better than ever.
Surrounded by such blissful scenery, a stay at the resort can be as peaceful or as active as you like, with no less than 40 different activities to choose from, many of which are included in the stay’s cost. Guests can enjoy golf, tennis, pickleball, five-a-side football, or HIIT classes, or else do their own thing in the on-site gym and indoor and outdoor swimming pools – or simply relax in the leisure club, complete with sauna, jacuzzi and boutique treatment rooms. There are also ways to stay active that allow guests to get outdoors and make the most of the gorgeous natural surroundings, including bushcraft and survival skill learning, pottery, combat archery, axe throwing and evening campfires.
And there’s more beyond the grounds too, with organised half and full-day trips, whether it’s exploring a working honey farm in South Molton, wandering through the themed 'garden rooms' at RHS Rosemoor in Torrington, or serenely floating down a canal on the aforementioned Shire horse-drawn barge while sipping on local ale. Kids and grown-ups alike can burn energy on outdoor high ropes, and even head out surfing – after all, Devon is the UK’s first surf reserve.
Given everything that’s on offer at The Mole Resort it would seem nigh on impossible to get bored, but nobody would blame you for being lured by the delights of Devon beyond. Roamed by its famous wild ponies, the iconic Dartmoor is just 30 minutes’ drive away, offering stunning scenery and wild swimming spots such as Sharrah Pool, Tavy Cleave and Spitchwick – should you wish to combine your hike with a bracing dip (Sharrah particularly remains as icy as it is beautiful all year round). With towering cliffs and deep valleys that are ideal for experienced hikers, the equally beautiful Exmoor is also just an hour’s drive away.
It would also be remiss not to explore the beaches that North Devon is famous for: the picturesque estuary of Instow is the perfect place for a swim followed by a pint in the local pub, The Instow Arms, while the pebble cove of Lee Beach is a prime spot for crabbing and rock-pooling – surely a mandatory activity when so close to the British seaside.
For anyone wishing to pull back country life for just a moment, the city of Exeter is also within easy reach – visit the stunning Exeter Cathedral, walk along the ship canal, and then soak up the relaxed buzz of Exeter Quay with a coffee in the sun. Finally, enjoy some of the best seafood in the county at the local quayside favourite Rockfish. Even in the town, you’re never far from the country air and taste of the sea – and this is why Devon is simply the perfect English getaway.
For more information, visit The Mole Resort's official website.
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