A Harley-Davidson Pilgrimage to The Cottage Hotel, Hope Cove, South Devon

Guest Blog Post - Mark Turner (Blacktopmedia)

In an era where every boutique hotel chases the latest trend, The Cottage Hotel in Hope Cove, South Devon, holds its ground with a defiant, quiet grace. Perched on a cliff edge overlooking the dramatic sweep of the coastline, this is a sanctuary built not on fleeting modern style but on the unshakeable foundation of traditional, deeply personal hospitality. It’s been the cherished domain of the Ireland family since 1973, expertly guided by hotelier Neil Slade, and its very stone, laid in the early 1900s, whispers a history that demands respect.

This is a place you journey to, not merely pass through. And for our journey to this beautiful corner of England, our transport, supplied by Harley-Davidson, was the formidable Street Glide Ultra, a machine crafted for precisely this kind of grand tour.

The Ultimate Two-Up Tourer, the Street Glide Ultra is a masterclass in touring refinement. Built for two-up comfort across vast distances, it is powered by the Milwaukee-Eight 117 engine. At a colossal 1,923 cc (117 cubic inches), this engine delivers 107 bhp and 175 Nm of torque. Its powerful, rhythmic purr was the soundtrack to our six-hour, unhurried pilgrimage—a testament to a bike that glides, rather than rushes, across the landscape.

Our journey was an immersion into the wild soul of the South West. The Harley carved a graceful path through the granite majesty of Dartmoor National Park, stopping to take in iconic spots like Haytor and the tranquil beauty of Dartmeet. The descent from the Moors took us past the imposing walls of Napoleonic-era Princetown Prison, then onward to Plymouth, a city now proudly reinvented as 'Britain's Ocean City.' The Street Glide Ultra handled the urban and coastal roads with effortless comfort, absorbing the historic sights from the Barbican to the iconic Hoe, before the final, scenic run to Hope Cove.

Hope Cove itself is a hidden gem—a serene, secluded enclave just 15 minutes from the exclusive town of Salcombe. Our destination, The Cottage Hotel, sits uniquely positioned between the villages of Inner and Outer Hope, its origins tracing back to the 'Hope Cottage' guesthouse of 1927.

Upon arrival after many hours in the saddle, the warmth of the welcome was palpable. We were ushered into a newly refurbished Premier Balcony Room, a spacious and exquisitely appointed haven. The view from our private balcony was commanding, a vast canvas of sea and sky that you genuinely never want to leave. From this base, guests have easy access to the village's two sandy beaches and the famed South West Coast Path to either Salcombe or Thurlestone. The hotel’s commitment to genuine hospitality even extends to accommodating guests' canine companions in its traditional wing.

The continuous downpour outside was quickly forgotten as we retreated to the lounge for their legendary Devon Cream Tea—a ritual dutifully performed in the Devonian manner, with a generous foundation of clotted cream applied first, followed by the jam.

Culinary Comfort and Command Views.

The dining experience at The Cottage Hotel is a celebration of honest, abundant cuisine—flavourful fare that comforts and satisfies, prioritising excellence over ephemeral gastronomy trends. That evening, our table in the restaurant afforded a spectacular, commanding view over the Cove. We indulged in a classic Table d’Hôte 5-course dinner. 

I enjoyed a beef croquette with a mild coconut curry sauce to start, followed by Yarde Farm dairy fruit sorbet, then chicken supreme, wild mushroom, thyme and red wine sauce, topped off with crème caramel. Kate had prawn and cucumber cocktail with classic Marie Rose to start, followed by Yarde Farm dairy fruit sorbet and oven-baked fillet of cod, crab & prawn fish velouté for main. For dessert, the Cottage Hotel trifle. 

Dinner at The Cottage Hotel showcased a kitchen committed to hearty, well-executed food.

The true spectacle, however, was the human element. From our vantage point, we witnessed an unparalleled masterclass in customer service. Owners William and Sarah Ireland, alongside manager Neil Slade, moved seamlessly through the room, treating returning patrons like cherished family and welcoming newcomers with an effortless grace. The connection, the genuine warmth, and the shared memories were the main event; the excellent food was merely the perfect accompaniment.

The day concluded with the ultimate final indulgence: the quiet seclusion of our balcony, watching a celestial tapestry unfold—the night sky unpolluted by city lights.

The Cottage Hotel provides a retreat into a world that values sincere, timeless hospitality. It is the perfect anchor for any discerning traveller, or anyone seeking to trade the clamour of modern life for the quiet beauty of the South Devon coast.

The Cottage Hotel,

Hope Cove,

Kingsbridge,

South Devon,

TQ7 3HJ

https://hopecove.com