The bay that time forgot – and the wonderful pub and rooms it houses: At Hope & Anchor, a warm and welcoming inn set in a time capsule village on the South Devon coast

A hotel’s approach can be incredibly important to the mood, so take the time to enjoy the last stretch on the drive to Hope & Anchor.

High hedges wind for miles beneath ancient trees, offering tantalizing glimpses of a sparkling sea that draws ever closer in this corner of South Devon.

Eventually the view leads to Hope Cove, a small sandy beach surrounded by solid rocks. Park by the seawall and you’re right outside this classic maritime inn, the timeless heart of a cliff-sheltered community.

It’s warm and lively at Hope & Anchor, an all-inclusive village pub, restaurant, chic hotel and beach bar, all united in a warmly welcoming world where you can feel right at home, whether you’re retiring in comfort or enjoying the wet. wild and wild outside.

Upstairs is the hotel’s empire, whose winding corridors are filled with delightfully whimsical artwork. Rooms have chunky vintage keys, modern neutral chalk tones and large beds, but all are dominated by the stunning sea views. It’s only later that you notice the Nespresso coffee machine, fridge (with a mug of fresh milk) and generous complimentary bottles of St Austell Brewery Ales.

The Hope & Anchor is a classic maritime inn with a village pub, restaurant, hotel and beach bar

For larger groups, up to eight people can stay at The Beachcomber, a spacious three-bedroom self-catering cottage located directly opposite the bar and just meters from the beach.

Days can be spent in the Hope Cove time capsule. Splash or laze on one of the two sandy beaches, walk the lovely windy coastal path along the cliffs, or explore the village paths between stacks of lobster pots and picturesque cottage gardens – the hotel has well-printed walking routes.

Or look for the public barometer in a glass case behind the old lifeboat station (used by skippers to check the weather) and the ultimate stress reliever in the quaint Edwardian Fisherman’s Reading Rooms, where there is no loud talking.

It was chilly when we visited Hope & Anchor so we decided to eat between the busy bar and the quieter restaurant near a lovely warm wood stove.

“Rooms have chunky old keys, modern neutral chalk colors and big beds, but all this is dominated by the beautiful sea view,” writes Simon

Nespresso coffee machines and generous free bottles of beer from the St. Austell Brewery features in the inn’s rooms

Secluded: Upstairs is The Beachcomber, a spacious three-bedroom self-catering cottage, opposite the pub, a few meters from the beach

Simon describes the inn as a “warm, inviting world where you immediately feel at home”.

The menu is much more sophisticated than you would expect from a seaside bar. On my visit were mushroom arancini with truffle and chive mayonnaise, vodka-cured salmon with horseradish, juicy scallops fresh from local fisherman Nick and sea bass from Brixham fish market that morning.

Breakfast is served in a modern wood and glass upstairs room overlooking the bay.

Whether you opt for a fried West Country staple or a healthier choice, the 20-mile panorama across the bay is a constant distraction. There is an outdoor terrace on warmer days, which should make eating difficult.