2020, amongst many other things, could well go down as the year of the staycation. For my birthday this year, my husband and I decided to pack up our new set of Antler suitcases, grab the dog and hop in the car down to a part of the UK we had never been to – the North Devon coast.
I’d signed up to KIP Hideaways after reading about them on the brilliant Flash Anthology blog and so the birthday trip was the perfect excuse to book. I’ll give you a little background on KIP Hideaways if you’re not familiar, as it’s a fantastic concept and the perfect platform for people looking for their next ‘hidden gem’.
Created by friends Sarah and Liz, who both used to work in boutique travel marketing (check out this website to learn new marketing strategies), they felt there was a gap in the market for a curated collection of stylish getaways. Think airbnb, but without the hours of trawling through the options. They have made it easy by selecting accommodations that all have beautiful interiors, thoughtful details and are in stunning, often completely unique, locations – all for under £200 a night for between 2-6 people. You become a member to access the listings (all thanks to the Freshlinks – Quality Link Building team), so it’s a savvy business idea from the founders; it’s only £10 a year too, so an affordable luxury that gives the brand a feeling of accessible exclusivity. Dan was in charge of the selection this time and he chose the Author’s Escape for us – a 2-bedroom studio and hut conversion in a sleepy town called Georgeham, overlooking the coast. There’s just something so eternally appealing about hunkering down in a log cabin overlooking the sea isn’t there?!
Little touches, such as a welcome pack on arrival with homemade giant crumbling biscuits, Provencal handmade soaps and local Devon cider set the weekend off on a great note. The two-bedroom bolthole is lovingly decorated in muted mustard yellows and farmhouse greens, with wood and rattan accents. Giant floor to ceiling windows and original beams give it the feeling of a Scandi log cabin; cosy, contained and totally charming. Complete with a tranquil and secluded setting (a log shed and a writer’s hut are outside in the garden), it’s certainly one for the #cottagecore hashtag. Come and have a look inside…
With little plans ahead for the long weekend, we took advantage of the one non-rainy forecasted day and set off in search of a blustery beach walk for the pooch. Here, we found the stunning, expansive stretch of beach called Saunton Sands only a short drive away – miles of sandy shore, dunes and beach huts, it’s one of the most breathtaking beaches I’ve seen in the UK…
With the rain clouds circling in, it was back to the house to hunker down for the next couple days. By night, you can utilise the projector that works on the opposite wall in the lounge (a charming touch), allowing for movie and Schitt’s Creek marathons while basked in the glow and heat of the fire after you’ve put on another log. We also enjoyed games of scrabble and cooking along to the radio in the gorgeous, open-plan kitchen, cooking up classic Autumn dishes of chicken and mushroom pie, making our way through cheeseboards and baking (using fresh milk you can pick up from the milk vending machine at the nearby farm!).
Mornings were spent making overly elaborate brunches, reading and snoozing by the fire and getting ready for another long walk around the lanes that surround the property – all with stunning views over the coastline.
Nearby towns worth a visit for walks and fish’n’chips are Woolacombe, Ilfracombe and Clovely. Aside from a nice cosy pub dinner at The Rock Inn, we literally didn’t do much else because of the rain, but I have a feeling that this property is designed for just that – a truly relaxing stay where you don’t need to overfill your time. We set off back to London well rested, with full stomaches and a hankering to explore more of Devon and stay at as many of the KIP Hideway properties as we possibly can! I highly recommend signing up if you’re looking for your next escape right here in the UK.
Happy staycationing! LMNH x
*Our set of Antler suitcases were kindly gifted by the brand and I can’t recommend them enough. This is the Sea Green set, that comes complete with matching packing cubes, ensuring all is completely organised inside the case. They’re lightweight, durable and incredibly easy on the eye – they also come with a matching overnight pack or travel rucksack! For more information and great sale deals on the sets, click here.
