Enjoy a Romantic Couples Retreat with Devon Holidays

Now that the summer holidays have come to an end, it might be the time to start looking for that special getaway for you and your partner. If so, we have just the place for you.  

Devon Holidays extended a warm invitation for us to enjoy a delightful stay in one of their superb lodges nestled within the scenic Finlake Holiday Resort in Chudleigh. Before our  visit, their helpful and friendly staff sent us a text message with all the information we needed about our stay: the resort location, directions, on-site amenities, and even the nearest place to get fuel  if we needed it.

Our chosen retreat was the Oak Tree Lodge, affectionately known as the Honeymoon Lodge, a luxurious one-bedroom Scandinavian-style cabin. This exquisite lodge featured a private hot tub, a deluxe sauna room, and two enclosed decked balconies, one accessible from the living room and one from the bedroom, providing captivating views of the surrounding woodland.

This well-appointed lodge left no desire unfulfilled, ensuring an unforgettable getaway. The expansive, open-plan kitchen and living area provided ample space, furnished with a plush corner sofa, a Smart TV, a dining table, a gas oven and stove, a dishwasher, and a washing machine. To our pleasant surprise, a thoughtful cleaning starter pack was also provided, containing essential items like a bin bag, dishwasher tablet, washing up liquid, and a sponge, a handy touch for forgetful travellers.

As we made our way to the upper floor, we discovered the master bedroom, complete with a sumptuous king-size bed, a TV, generous storage options, and a lavishly designed bathroom, offering a tranquil sanctuary within this idyllic setting.

Whether you’re an avid cook or prefer to have your food prepared for you, you’ll find that you have plenty of options during your stay for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The kitchen is fitted with all the facilities you need to whip up a tasty meal which we did on our first night here, but there’s also the option of ordering from the on-site takeaway or taking a stroll up to the eateries on site.

Now, let’s talk about the amenities on-site! Guests who have booked a stay with Devon Holidays can enjoy access to the  Finlake Holiday Resort facilities for a small fee. These include the indoor and outdoor pools, a spa, a restaurant, a café and a bar. There are also a number of activities, such as Segway safari, archery and axe throwing if you fancied trying something new and adventurous! These do come at an additional cost and must be booked at the Finlake Resort reception, but one free activity that we happily embarked on was the Woodland Walk! This light amble took us around the entire site, through beautiful tall trees, past the stunning fishing lakes and secluded picnic area. As we arrived a little later in the evening on our first night, we did this walk on our second day, but we’d highly recommend doing the walk on arrival as it’s a really great way to get your bearings of the site, so you know where everything is.

After our woodland walk on the first full day, we stopped off at The Hub café to get a spot of breakfast and a coffee. They have lots of great options for all types of diners and it’s very reasonably priced. Nearby there are also several great local pubs who can offer you a hearty meal and a pint of local ale, which we took advantage on during our second night.

As we wanted to make the most of our couple’s retreat, we decided to head to The Cridford Inn, a wonderful pub just a 10-minute drive from our lodge, and respectively known as the oldest pub in Devon! This stunning thatched inn is set amongst the Teign Valley with glorious tall trees and rolling hills surrounding it – the perfect spot for a date night. As the weather was in our favour we decided to dine outside and catch the late summer sun, watching it slowly set behind the trees painting the sky in shades of pink and yellow… romantic, right?! The food we had was simply amazing. The Cridford Inn offer a wide selection of dishes to cater to every taste bud, from meaty pub classics and delectable seafood to tantalising plant-based meals. We can certainly recommend it if you’re thinking of booking a stay with Devon Holidays!

Aside from the onsite facilities you might be wondering what else there is to do nearby. No Devonshire getaway would be complete without a trip to Dartmoor, right? You can explore the rugged beauty of Dartmoor moorland, where you can hike through captivating landscapes, discover ancient ruins, and embrace the natural charm that this iconic national park has to offer. If you’re looking to visit a quaint Dartmoor town with ample shops, restaurants and experiences we’ve got a few recommendations up our sleeves!

Bovey Tracey is probably the closest Dartmoor gateway town to Finlake. It’s a vibrant town lined with an array of independent shops and home to perhaps one of our most unique attractions – The House of Marbles! Whether you’re a couple looking for something different to do or a family wanting to keep your little ones entertained for a few hours, The House of Marbles is a great place to visit, find out more about it here. If you time your trip right, you might be able to visit the Nourish Food Festival in Bovey Tracey like we did, where the high street is fully pedestrianised with dozens of local food and drink producers selling their goods!

Further north into the heart of the moors is Chagford, a charismatic market town known for its picturesque streets and historic buildings. It offers a delightful blend of natural beauty and traditional English countryside charm.  If you’re a lover of second-hand shopping we’d highly recommend a stop off at Proper Job en-route to Chagford, the UK’s first community reuse centre, an Aladdin’s cave of pre-loved treasures. Chagford is also a great place to stop and enjoy a pint in a beer garden on a delightfully sunny day as the town boasts several pubs offering local beers and ciders.

If you’d rather venture out to the coast, the closet beaches are that of Teignmouth or Shaldon, being only a 20-minute drive. If you’re happy to drive a little bit further, Broadsands Beach in Paignton is a great option due to its golden sandy shores, colourful beach houses and (marginally!) warmer waters.

Devon Holidays ensured that checking out was easy and hassle-free. There is nothing more frustrating than a stressful check-out  after a relaxing break! All we had to do was ensure we packed away all of our bits, cleaned any used dishes (perks of having a dishwasher!), take out the rubbish to the disposal area and pop our key back into the key safe – simple! The Devon Holidays team were only a quick text or phone call away if we needed them which also gave us peace of mind, allowing us to enjoy our getaway even more.

Have we tempted you into booking a romantic trip for two with Devon Holidays? Why not head to their website to browse their wonderful selection of lodges. Don’t forget to check their special offers page to see if you can save a bit of money on your trip.

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