Escape to the Fairytale Charm of Mill End Hotel: Your Chagford Getaway Awaits!
Escaping to Wonderland (and Maybe Getting Slightly Lost): My Mill End Hotel Adventure
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to spill the tea – and maybe some Devonshire clotted cream – on my recent escapade to the Mill End Hotel in Chagford. They promised "fairytale charm," and you know what? They mostly delivered. But as with any real fairytale, there were a few… interesting detours along the way.
SEO & Metadata (Before I forget!):
- Keywords: Mill End Hotel, Chagford, Devon, UK, Fairytale charm, Spa, Restaurant, Accessible, Reviews, Weekend getaway.
- Description: A brutally honest review of my stay at the Mill End Hotel in Chagford, Devon. From spa treatments and delicious food to accessibility and quirkiness, discover if this fairytale getaway truly lives up to the hype! Includes insights into rooms, facilities, and the overall experience.
- Meta Tags: Mill End Hotel, Chagford, Devon, UK, Hotel Review, Spa Hotel, Accessible Hotel, Fairytale Getaway, Weekend Trip.
First Impressions & (Slightly Panicked) Arrival:
Okay, so picture this: winding lanes, a proper drizzle (because, Devon), and me, slightly lost. GPS was a suggestion at this point. Finally, I stumbled upon the entrance – a picturesque stone building with ivy creeping up the walls. "Fairytale," check.
Accessibility (A Mixed Bag):
Now, my travel buddy uses a wheelchair, so this was high on the agenda. They say they have facilities for disabled guests, and to their credit, there was an elevator. Getting to the elevator, however, involved a bit of a maze and some serious door-opening dedication. There was a ramp up to the entrance, but I’m not sure it's the best ramp I've used; kind of steep, and not very long. The accessible rooms, though, were genuinely well-considered, with ample space and grab bars where needed. They were missing the mark a little bit, but the effort was there. It’s not a perfect score, but a solid attempt.
Rooms: Cosy &… Unique
My room? Oh, it was… characterful. Think “rustic chic” with a dash of “that-one-aunt's-spare-bedroom.” Plenty of non-smoking rooms (thank goodness), air conditioning, and a window that opens (a MUST for fresh Devon air). There was a coffee/tea maker, which was a blessing. The linens were good, and the bathrobes were a nice touch. Also, a desk to put my laptop on - and a laptop workspace! On the other hand, the carpeting felt a little… vintage. The decorations were a bit of a mishmash - a few floral prints here, a slightly dusty antique mirror there, and overall, it felt unique. And oh, a scale! Always nice to know you can accurately measure the damage you've done at the daily buffet! One thing I can say, is that is was soundproofed (that's good).
Dining, Drinking & Snacking (Where the Magic REALLY Happened):
Let's be honest, the food is where a hotel can make or break a stay. Mill End had some real wins here.
- Breakfast: The Western breakfast was a delightful spread. Breakfast [buffet] was excellent! You can get a breakfast takeaway service if you want to explore. Asian breakfast was available. The coffee/tea in restaurant was great to warm up.
- Restaurant: The restaurants were exceptional! They have the Happy hour. It was amazing! The restaurant had some superb desserts in restaurant. They offer A la carte in restaurant. The soup in restaurant was very popular, and it was very good. Vegetarian restaurant was available.
- Bar: The bar was friendly and comfortable; a great place for a pint before dinner.
- Room Service: There was room service [24-hour]. The staff was always willing to meet my needs at any time.
- Other They have a Poolside bar. They even had a Snack bar to get some nibbles.
The Spa: Blissful (Mostly):
Okay, confession time: I'm a total spa junkie. And the Mill End's spa? Pretty damn good.
- Treatments: Oh, I indulged. The Body scrub was divine, melting away all the stress of my journey. The Body wrap left me feeling like a revived goddess. A Foot bath was perfect. The Massage was just the right balance of relaxing and invigorating.
- Facilities: The Swimming pool [outdoor] was lovely, though a tad chilly (it is Devon, after all). There was a Pool with view, which was amazing! The Sauna, Steamroom, and Spa/sauna were excellent ways to unwind. The spa facilities were top-notch and offered a sense of relaxation.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax (Beyond the Spa):
Beyond the spa, there was plenty to keep us occupied.
- Relaxation: You could enjoy the Terrace! Wonderful to sit on.
- Fitness: There's a Fitness center. They have a Gym/fitness.
- For the Kids: The hotel is Family/child friendly. They have Kids meal!
- Nature: You can explore the scenic surroundings of Chagford and Dartmoor.
- Other Events: If you're planning a business trip, they have Business facilities, Meeting/banquet facilities, and even a Meeting stationery for you to use. They can even organize Indoor venue for special events, Outdoor venue for special events, and Seminars.
Cleanliness and Safety (In a Pandemic World):
The Mill End seemed to take safety seriously.
- Hygiene: They had plenty of Hand sanitizer stations, and staff were all wearing masks.
- Cleaning: Daily disinfection in common areas. Additionally, Rooms sanitized between stays. They use Anti-viral cleaning products.
- Other: The Staff trained in safety protocol. First aid kit was there for emergencies. Plus, this is worth mentioning: there was cashless payment service!
Services and Conveniences (The Nitty-Gritty):
- Helpful Stuff: They have Currency exchange! Laundry service. Nice Dry cleaning available.
- Services: They have Daily housekeeping! Plus, the Concierge was super helpful.
- Food: If you fancy it, you have Food delivery to your room.
- Tech: Pretty good Internet [LAN]. They offer Wi-Fi in public areas. You can use the Wi-Fi for special events.
The Quirky Bits (Because No Stay is Perfect):
- The Signage: The signs leading to the spa… let's just say they could've used a bit more clarity. I wandered around for a good ten minutes before finding it.
- The "Proposal Spot": They advertised a "proposal spot." Where? Nobody seemed to know.
- The Aesthetics Some of the room decor was a bit eccentric, but hey, it gave the place character.
- The Location: Not the easiest to get to, but that's part of its charm - it feels like you're hidden away from the world.
The Downsides (Because I'm Real):
- The Price: It's a tad pricey, but you are paying for the tranquility.
- The Phone: The Bathroom phone was not functional!!
- For Pets: Pets allowed unavailable.
- Smoking: They had a Smoking area, but I didn't notice it.
Overall Impression: Would I Return?
Absolutely. Despite the minor quirks and the slightly dodgy directions to the spa, the Mill End Hotel delivered on its promise of a charming getaway. The food was fantastic, the spa was a dream, and the staff, for the most part, were genuinely lovely. It's not perfect, but that's part of its charm. This is a place to truly escape, slow down, and maybe get a little lost… in the best possible way. I'm already dreaming of my next Devonshire cream tea!
Oceanfront Bliss: Virginia Beach's BEST Country Inn & Suites Getaway!
Mill End Madness: A Chagford Ramble (and Probably Some Tears)
Right, so, Chagford. Devon. Mill End Hotel. Sounds idyllic, doesn't it? Like something out of a twee postcard covered in sunshine and clotted cream. Well, let me tell you, sometimes reality bites harder than a Devonshire pasty left out in the rain. Here's the rough outline of my little escapade, sprinkled with the inevitable chaos.
Day 1: Arrival, Realization, and a Flurry of Fabric
- 14:00 - Roughly. Arrive at Exeter St David's station. The train was delayed. Of course, it was. That's just how things roll for me. Managed to snag a slightly smelly taxi to Chagford. The driver, bless him, was chatty, telling me about the local pub scene. I was already picturing a pint of something, a hearty meal, and a quiet evening… (Spoiler alert: it didn't quite pan out like that.)
- 15:00 - The Hotel Reveal. Mill End. Okay, it's…rustic. Charmingly so, if you squint a little. Think faded grandeur meeting the kind of "country chic" that leans heavily on floral prints. My room? Nice, I suppose. Except the wallpaper. Oh, the wallpaper. It was this… I'm not even sure how to describe it. A sea of faded roses, punctuated by what looked suspiciously like… squirrels? Possibly. It was a lot. A lot. I spent a good ten minutes just staring at it, feeling a mixture of amusement and utter bewilderment. It felt… unsettling. Like the wallpaper was judging me.
- 16:00 - Desperate Measures (and a Sewing Machine?!). Right. So, the wallpaper. I couldn't bear it. I'm a visual person, and this was a sensory assault. I did, however, throw a tantrum. I mean, I just wanted a normal room with a normal wall paper. So I decided to do some impromptu room-decorating. My bag of arts and crafts (yes, I’m that chick) came to my rescue. Found a rather nice length of linen in my bag. Spent the next hour desperately trying to tack it over a key section of the most offending floral print. The hotel’s antique sewing machine in the lobby? Not working. Naturally.
- 18:00 - Evening Light. A Walk, and the First Crumbles. I must admit. The views from the hotel are actually stunning. Dartmoor in the distance, the River Teign murmuring… beautiful. The air was crisp, clean. Took a stroll along the river, feeling slightly less homicidal about the wallpaper, for a moment. Saw a moorhen. Made me happy. Then promptly got lost. Found myself back at the hotel, thoroughly disoriented and with a slight ache in my knees.
- 19:30 - Dinner. The Culinary Question Mark. Dinner at the hotel's restaurant. This promised a lot, the menu was all fancy words and locally sourced ingredients. I ordered the venison. It arrived. It looked… fine. But the taste? Let's just say it was… underwhelming. Like someone had whisper-cooked it. And the accompanying vegetables? Slightly undercooked, and definitely not fresh. I ate it, mainly because I was hungry and too polite to complain directly. I went for the clotted cream after, and that was pure bliss.
- 21:00 – The Night Cap and the Wallpaper's Stare. Attempted a nightcap in the bar. The bartender was lovely, the local ale was good. However, the wallpaper in the lobby? It was still there. Still judging. Went back to my room, took a long, hot bath, and stared at my linen attempt. It looked… well, like a desperate attempt to cover a particularly hideous stain. Sigh.
Day 2: Dartmoor Detours, Emotional Rollercoasters, and the Quest for a Decent Coffee!
- 08:00 - Breakfast: The Muffin Massacre. Breakfast was "included." (Though, let's be honest, is anything really "free" in life?) Tried the muffin. It was dry enough to sand a floor. I'm not exaggerating! Spent the next hour sneaking looks at the other guests, wondering if anyone else felt the same level of existential dread about their pastries. I needed decent coffee.
- 09:30 - A Dartmoor Dream (and a Near-Death Experience). Braved a drive onto Dartmoor. It was breathtakingly beautiful. Rolling hills, wild ponies, the wind whipping through your hair… felt like a scene from a rom-com… until I nearly drove us over the side of a bloody cliff. Seriously. Google maps sent me down a ridiculously narrow lane, and the "road" basically disappeared. Panic. Pure, unadulterated panic. Managed to reverse, narrowly avoiding a plunge into the abyss. Needed a stiff drink after that.
- 12:00 - The Chagford Cafe Catastrophe. Back in Chagford, in a desperate search for decent coffee and something to calm my nerves. Found a cute little cafe. Or so I thought. Ordered a latte. It… tasted like dishwater. Like, legitimately. I tried to drink it, but the thought of that muffin and the cliff edge was already making me queasy. Eventually, I gave up. Coffee crisis!
- 13:00 - The Teign Adventure (and a Moment of Peace). Walked back to the river. Sat on a rock, and just… breathed. The sound of the water, the sun on my face… it was genuinely peaceful. Found myself laughing at the absurdity of the morning. Needed this. Needed the quiet. The relief that I was still here.
- 15:00 - The Hotel's Return (and the Room's Resolve). Back at the hotel. Decided, "The wall is the winner," and removed my linen attempt. It was no good. The wallpaper stared back at me, and I embraced it. Weird. But a step forward.
- 18:00 - Dinner and the Longing. Had dinner at a pub. A decent meal. A proper pint. The company of my own good book, The Midnight Library. Then, found myself at the water and wondered if I was going to miss this quiet life after I left.
- 21:00 - Goodbye. Said goodbye to Mill End. I was ready. Ready to go home.
Day 3: The Escape
- 09:00 - The Breakfast Farewell. Left early. Breakfast was… well, I'm not going into it! Needed to get to the station. The taxi was late.
- 10:00 - Train to Exeter. The train was on time.
- 11:00 - Change, then on to London. The journey was long.
- 14:00 - Arrive at Gatwick.
- 16:00 - Board flight.
- 19:00 - Land at home.
Final Thoughts (and More Tears)
So, Mill End. Did I love it? No. Would I go back? Probably not. Did it teach me something about myself? Maybe. It certainly tested my limits when it came to floral wallpaper. It was a trip filled with minor disasters, breathtaking beauty, and moments of pure, unadulterated frustration. But, you know what? I wouldn't trade it. It was real. Messy, imperfect, and deeply, utterly human. And I think that's what makes a good story, isn't it? And to the hotel manager: Thank you.
Escape to Paradise: Mahkota Hotel Singkawang - Your CHSE-Certified Indonesian Getaway
Mill End Hotel: Chagford - The Fairytale... Or Is It? Let's Talk! (No Holds Barred!)
Okay, so, is Mill End actually *fairytale* fairytale? Like, will woodland creatures weave me a picnic basket?
Alright, let's be real. No. No picnic baskets woven by squirrels. Although, I *swear* I saw a particularly fluffy robin eyeing my croissant one morning… but that might have just been the lack of caffeine talking. Mill End does have serious charm. Think rambling gardens, babbling streams, and those ridiculously romantic views of the Teign. It's the kind of place where you half-expect a pixie or two to be flitting around. The reality? It’s more "enchanting escape with slightly wonky heating" (more on that later). But honestly? That’s part of why I love it.
What's the food situation? Will I survive? (And will I like it?)
The food? Okay, okay, deep breath. It’s mostly good. Emphasis on *mostly*. The breakfast are, honestly, fantastic. Think proper Devon cream, local sausages, and the kind of cooked-to-order eggs that scream ‘weekend indulgence’. Dinner? Bit more hit-and-miss. I had a *divine* duck confit one night, seriously, melted-in-your-mouth perfection. Then... another night, the vegetarian option was... well, let's just say my partner looked a bit mournful. They're trying, bless them, and that whole "locally sourced" thing is definitely a selling point. Just, maybe, double-check the specials board. Ask about ingredients. Be… discerning! (And maybe bring snacks. Just in case.)
The rooms! Are they actually charming, or more "grandma's spare room"?
The rooms! Oh, the rooms. They *are* charming. Period. But... be prepared for a certain *character*. Think creaky floorboards, slightly uneven walls (part of the charm!), and views that either make you swoon or question your mortgage. I stayed in one with a four-poster bed and an enormous (and slightly temperamental) fireplace. It was like sleeping in a very posh, and possibly haunted, storybook. Another time? Smaller, cosier, and the heating, blessedly, *worked*. It's a lottery! But, honestly? That’s half the fun. Ask for a room with a good view - and maybe pack an extra blanket. (Just in case.)
This sounds all... romantic. Is it actually a place for kids?
Ehhh... Let's say "kid-friendly-ish." It's not Center Parcs, you know? There's a lovely garden for them to run around in, and the river is close, perfect for a bit of (supervised!) paddling. The staff are generally lovely and welcoming to families. But, honestly? It’s more geared towards couples or those looking for a quiet escape. If your kids are screamers or require constant entertainment, you *might* want to reconsider. Unless, of course, you want to scare everyone AND give your kids a real experience.
What's Chagford like? Is it worth leaving the hotel?
Chagford is absolutely worth leaving the hotel for. It’s all cobbled streets, quirky shops, and the kind of village charm that makes you want to buy a tweed jacket and move there immediately. There are fantastic pubs (The Three Crowns is a must!), art galleries, and some lovely walks. Dartmoor itself is right on your doorstep – prepare to be wowed. Just… be prepared for potential rain. It *is* Devon, after all. Pack a waterproof. And a sense of adventure.
Okay, spill the beans. What's the *one* thing I absolutely *must* do at Mill End?
Okay, here's the *real* secret. Forget the afternoon tea (although, it *is* quite good). Go *down* to the river. Take a flask of coffee (or something stronger, no judgment here!), find a quiet spot, and just… breathe. Listen to the water, the birds, the absolute *silence*. Seriously, the peace is incredible. One time, I just sat there for an hour, watching a heron fishing. It was pure, unadulterated bliss. Pure. That, my friends, is the magic of Mill End. And if you happen to see a slightly-too-enthusiastic dog with a tennis ball, that might just be me. Don't be shy, say hello.
Seriously, what's the *worst* thing about Mill End? (Be honest!)
Okay, deep, deep breath. The worst thing? Hmm… It's not *awful*, but... the Wi-Fi can be a bit spotty. Like, “I need to download a work email and now I’m wandering around the hotel clutching my phone in desperation” spotty. And, on one occasion, the heating in my room went on the blink and I was *freezing* all night. (I did finally get a space heater. Thanks again, lovely staff!) So, yeah, embrace the potential for a digital detox and pack extra socks. And maybe a book. Just in case. Oh! And I *did* once find a dead spider in my bathroom. But, honestly, that happens everywhere in old buildings. Shrug.
Is it worth the money?
That's the million-dollar question, isn't it? It’s not cheap. Not at all. But... I'd say, mostly, yes. It's all about managing expectations. If you're after a slick, perfectly polished luxury experience, maybe look elsewhere. If you're after charm, character, a truly beautiful location, and a chance to escape from the everyday? Then, yeah, it’s worth it. The memories, the peace, the sheer *beauty* of it all... that's priceless. Just remember to bring your own snacks. And a good book. And a sense of humor. And maybe a good old Devon cream tea!
Any insider tips? Anything you wish you'd known before going?
* **Book a room with a view:** Seriously, worth it. * **Pack for all weather:** Devon weather is fickle, to put it mildly. * **Explore Chagford:** Don't just stay at the hotel! It'sHotel Price Compare
