Your Devon and Cornwall Wedding - January/February 2021 (Issue 29)

CONGRATULATIONS! The Cary Arms & Spa located in Babbacombe Bay on the South Devon coast has been awarded the Best for Families category by the prestigious Condé Nast Johansens Award for Excellence 2021. Owner and hotelier Peter de Savary tells us, “Winning this award is a testament to the variety of individual cottages with gardens and outdoor space which is ideal and popular for families. I believe that the Condé Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence are extremely prestigious. The tourism industry has suffered greatly during 2020 and positive accolades like this highlight the good idea of having a holiday in England rather than overseas. The amazing team of staff upholds the tradition of a wonderful English Riviera seaside holiday. We appreciate this important award and promise everyone great holidays at the Cary Arms in 2021!” The Cary Arms & Spa combines all the charm, personality and values of an English inn on the beach with the style and originality of a boutique hotel. The New England-style luxury sea-facing rooms and the contemporary beach huts and suites are ideal for couples enjoying a minimoon at the property and for those taking their little ones along, the characterful coastal cottages are ideal to enjoy chic coastal living. Think hearty breakfasts, long lunches and lazy suppers – it’s all about enjoying delicious seaside dishes made using fresh, seasonal and local ingredients creatively cooked by the team of talented chefs. Guests can unwind in the state-of-the-art Cary Spa with its waterfall hydrotherapy pool, sauna, steam room, experience shower and gymnasium. Honeymooners can discover the world of leading marine-themed French beauty and skincare brand Thalgo in one of the three treatment rooms. To find out more and to book, call 01803 327 110 or visit https://www.caryarms.co.uk www.facebook.com/Innandspaonthebeach The latest news from around both counties Nearlywed NEWS  HUNTSHAM COURT LAUNCHES BUBBLE BREAKS Renowned as the UK’s largest private-hire country home, Huntsham Court has relaunched as a pop-up hotel and private dining venue for a limited time only. Opening in partnership with local event catering company Milkshed Kitchen, guests can enjoy dinner and overnight stays within this Grade II listed house until February 2021. Situated in the rolling countryside close to Exmoor National Park and less than two hours from London, this Victorian mansion offers an escape for those seeking a change of scenery. The new venture sees owners Damian Llambias and Chris Badham turn a successful wedding and corporate private hire business into a hotel in the space of just two weeks, offering the very highest in customer hygiene and safety standards. They are expecting to see a return of previous party and wedding guests who will have the opportunity to stay without the commitment of taking the whole property. They also expect to see an influx of couples who haven’t been able to travel abroad this year looking to treat themselves to a luxurious break with a difference. Damian and Chris tell us, “While other venues have closed their doors due to the current restrictions on weddings and large events, we wanted to sustain our income and keep the building in use so guests can still enjoy the amazing property. You have to adapt despite the challenges of Covid-19 so we decided it would be a chance to reinvent the house and help it play its part in difficult times. Where it’s usually used for big gatherings, it can now offer a quiet escape for individuals, couples and six-person bubbles with relaxing short breaks and a delicious food offering.” Diners can choose between a three-course menu priced at £39.50 per person or a seven-course seasonal tasting menu priced at £55 per person. Sustainability has always been high on the agenda for Damian and Chris, and the menus developed alongside Mark and Katie Hollyer from Milkshed Kitchen reflect this. Damian says, “Our menus include fresh fish and seafood brought ashore at Brixham, and meat from local farmers like Dart’s Farm near Exeter. We love Milkshed’s commitment to high-quality products that showcase the best of Devon, combined with a touch of the exotic and exquisite presentation as it dovetails perfectly with our approach.” Meals will be served in two specially-created dining rooms to ensure spacious dining, and guests will enjoy menus created from scratch that emphasize high-quality, locally-sourced ingredients. After dinner, they can relax in front of the open fire in the oak-panelled drawing room where table service is available for drinks, or take a late stroll around the gardens before retiring to one of the manor’s 40 bedrooms. Overnight guests can opt for one or two-night stays, with a delicious Devon breakfast to look forward to in the morning. A luxurious stay at Huntsham Court Pop-Up Hotel is the perfect pick-me-up priced from £150 per person, per night. The venue will also be accepting separate dining club bookings available to guests aged 11 years and over. For further information and to book, visit www.huntshamcourt.co.uk/hotel www.instagram.com/huntshamcourt Editor loves I am a big fan of Devon- based real wedding photographer Martyn Norsworthy who has once again, for the seventh month in a row, achieved the distinction of winning Bronze Awards in the Guild of Professional Photographers’ Image of the Month competition! This month, the winning images come from two weddings that he photographed at Salcombe Harbour Hotel, one at Dartington Hall and a portrait session in his studio. Martyn tells us, “This month, it was a score of two Bronze and two High Bronze awards, a great way to end the year!” To book Martyn, call 01548 854 044 and visit www.norsworthyweddings.com www.instagram.com/norsworthyweddings YOUR ESSENTIALS 9