On the Downe Blog, you'll find get the latest news, updates and specials from Downe Cottages, Downe Health Spa and Downe Weddings.

Downe is located near Hartland in North Devon and has stumming views across the Atlantic Ocean and to Lundy Island in the Bristol Channel.

It's a perfect place to go for a relaxing cottage holiday, a pamper day or pamper break at a luxury spa or for a venue for a civil wedding in a magical setting.

A day here is like a hug from a favourite aunt. Situated on a former farm on the North Devon coast, you park in a barn (expect to get swooped and pooped on by swallows), and stay in a holiday cottage, created from a farm building. But the entrance is an underwhelming conservatory with plastic, marble-effect tables, and the relaxation area is a few sofas and coffee tables liberally stocked with boiled sweets and magazines, so don't come here expecting an Asian-style or clinical whitewalled spa aesthetic.

BEST TREATMENT: The treatments here are unique and exceptional. The Holistic Relaxation Therapy involves a sequence of steam inhalation, hot towels, massage and Thai stretching techniques - you don't know whether you're asleep, awake or floating along the coastline.

A spa in North Devon

Downe is a collection of eight luxurious self-catering holiday cottages (sleeping two to six) situated on the Hartland Peninsula in North Devon in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with glorious sea views looking out to Lundy Island and the Atlantic. Guests can have breakfast baskets or fresh, locally cooked gourmet meals delivered to their cottage. Adjoining the cottages and sharing the overall tranquillity of the site is the Downe Health Spa, which offers a wide range of beauty treatments and holistic therapies. As well as facials, body wraps, manicures and pedicures, you can indulge in holistic therapies, which include a variety of aromatherapy massages, Indian head or sports massage, ear candling, reflexology and warm basalt stone therapy.

Downe Health Spa
Are you a city worker that dreams of a beautiful, relaxing, weekend country escape that doesn't eat in to your annual holiday allowance or take up much of your time travelling? If so, I've got the perfect break: How about a listed farmhouse dating back to the 15th century converted into luxury cottages complete with an indulgent spa?

Editor's highlights:

Witnessing a blanket of stars, the Milky Way and breathing in fresh sea air just three hours out of London.

Having the luxury and privacy of a self-catering cottage in such close proximity to a professional and well organised spa with heavenly treatments.

Knowing that the spa was exclusive to only a sprinkling of guests, unlike large hotel spas where things can sometimes get a bit crowded.

Feasting on the luxury lunch freshly prepared with local and home grown ingredients by our therapist.

Taking a refreshing and invigorating walk in the country, down to the wild, rugged and romantic coastline of the Hartland peninsula.

A stunning retreat
Downe Health Spa is situated on the stunning Hartland peninsula in North Devon and offers luxury cottages and an amazing spa experience at an affordable price. Myself and my partner were lucky enough to visit this remote part of the UK and indulge in a refreshing and rejuvenating weekend at the spa and cosy self-catering cottages at Downe.

It couldn't have been simpler to organise! Jeremy and Lynda Roe offer excellent client service from the first communication on the telephone, right through to dropping you off at the station to come home at the end of your visit.

London to Tiverton Parkway in just over two hours!
My partner and I work in London and hadn't envisaged a weekend in Devon to be so simple. But on learning that the train from London Paddington to Tiverton Parkway takes just over two hours and that we would be greeted by Jeremy and Lynda at the station at the other end, we agreed that from the offset of our journey, our weekend would be completely stress free and easily manageable. So one Friday evening, that's exactly what we did.

The journey from Tiverton Parkway to the spa takes less than an hour and we arrived at our delightful country cottage, in what felt like the middle of nowhere well before 11pm. As soon as we stepped out of the car, the strong smell of salty sea washed all the week's city stress away. Downe is a magical place and this particular night was crisp and clear. The sky was filled with thousands of stars and I can't remember the last time I saw the Milky Way so clearly!

Awaiting our arrival on the kitchen table of our luxury cottage, was a plate of local cheeses, a bottle of red wine, some yummy chocolates and two home made trifles. A couple of glasses of wine and a plate of cheese and crackers later, we were ready for bed and looking forward to our pamper day ahead.

The Downe Health Spa
We were lucky with the weather on the Saturday. Despite the winter season having kicked in, the sun was shining and the views of the sea just over a mile away, were very clear from our cottage bedroom window. Rolling farmland and countryside lead from the cottages down to the coast.

Our day couldn't have been easier. All we had to do was roll out of bed, shower and eat the continental breakfast provided in our kitchen before walking 20 seconds from our front door over to the health spa.

On our arrival at around 10am, we were introduced to the head therapist who showed us around the gym and spa, then sat us down with coffee and biscuits and gave us a program for the day. Our order for lunch was taken and we were then left to utilise the day in whichever way we wished. I thought I'd better start of with a blast on the cross trainer, followed by another cuppa and then some time in the steam room...

A personal touch
After a delicious lunch consisting of a club sandwich and salad (no diet food here - unless you ask for it) I experienced my first treatment. My therapist Kay gave me both a paraffin foot wax and an aromatherapy body massage. Kay doesn't just have a magic touch; she's also an absolute pleasure to spend time with. This is the difference when you visit a small and personal spa like Downe. There were less than ten of us in total visiting, which gave us the opportunity to really relax and have more of a personal tailor-made experience. Kay remembers clients from over a year ago and has frequent visits from regulars. Kay and the team have time to mix the massage oils according to your needs and they really listen to what you want from your experience. The day starts at 10am and finishes at 5pm. What do you do that takes 7 hours you may ask? Believe me, the day flies by. After a work out, then a break... a steam and sauna, then lunch... some treatments and then another break... followed by a final dip in the whirlpool... and then scones with cream and jam! It's all glorious and it takes up all your time.

You don't need to get changed into your clothes to go back to your cottage in the evening. You simply just pad back over in your cosy slippers and dressing robe. On return to your cottage, once again, you have cheese, choccies and red wine waiting for you.

A romantic evening
We'd borrowed a couple of DVDs from the comprehensive collection on offer and Jeremy had ensured we were well stocked up with logs for the fire. So we were all set for a cosy night in, fully pampered and totally relaxed. That night there was rain... this wasn't a disappointment. Our bedroom was up in the rafters and for me, there's nothing more atmospheric than the elements intervening somehow. The rustling of the wind in the chimney and the patter of rain on the roof were soothing sounds to fall asleep to.

A rugged, wild and beautiful country
Sunday morning, we awoke in our own time. Unlike hotels and B&Bs, there was no check out time... we simply gave Jeremy and Lynda our train times and they agreed to pick us up at an agreed spot, to take us back to the train station. Our train wasn't booked until late afternoon which gave us plenty of time to explore the local area.

It doesn't take long to get down to the coast. It's a good mile away, but the invigorating walk is a feast for the eyes and food for the soul. The dramatic cliffs and black sandy beach offer spectacular photo opportunities as well a wonderful playground for locals walking their dogs. We took a local map with us and did a good five mile circuit. From the coast we headed back inland and explored the local area and had lunch in a nearby pub. This is where Lynda picked us up and drove us back to Tiverton Parkway. All in good time to board the train back to London.

Book your stay now
Back home by 7pm, we'd had a wonderful weekend. We'd had a day of full pampering, slept in a luxury renovated Victorian cottage... indulged in naughty food, been on an invigorating walk in the rural countryside of North Devon, been picked up and dropped of at the station and had experienced a comfortable train journey at either end. It was so easy and very affordable. I encourage you to treat yourself now and book a visit with Jeremy and Lynda.

Book your Valentine Break now for just £499 per couple (01237 441881). The breaks, which are available between 8th and 18th February 2008, include three nights weekend accommodation (Friday to Monday) or a four night midweek stay (Monday to Friday) in a luxurious one bedroom cottage and a Virgin Pamper Day (without therapies) in the spa for each person. Every couple will also find a bottle of champagne on ice, a bouquet of flowers and a box of chocolates waiting in their cottage on arrival.

From the Top Ten Luxury Health Spas in the UK:

Treatments at Downe Health Spa are superb and the stunning sea views are a tonic in themselves. The Holistic Relaxation Therapy, £75, offers a mixture of steam inhalation, Thai stretching and massage or the signature Stone at Downe hot stone massage, £90. Day package, from £60 plus treatments; self-catering cottages, from £199 per person (minimum two people) for one night.

Downe House is how all spas would be run if Ma Larkin was in charge. You park in a barn (in summer months expect to get swooped and pooped on by swallows), walk past holiday cottages, admire the sea views and enter through a conservatory. The relaxation area is a few sofas and coffee tables liberally stocked with boiled sweets and magazines, and you check in with a super-friendly therapist. So far, so chintzy. Don't come here expecting the usual Asian or clinical white-walled spa aesthetic, but expect to return home feeling as though you've experienced a bear hug.

My therapist chatted me through the Holistic Relaxation Therapy that she'd helped devise. Involving a sequence of steam inhalation, hot towels, massage and Thai stretching techniques; you don't know whether you're asleep, awake or floating along the North Devon coastline just outside. A past guest cried as she admitted she'd never felt so nurtured. In the afternoon, out come the floral patterned china tea sets, and you're served warm homemade scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam infused with lavender from a local farm. If only Ma Larkin was in charge of the rest of the world too.

Downe House Spa, Hartland, Devon EX39 6DA. Pamper Days from £60, including lunch and clotted cream tea, plus treatments. Call 01237-441881 or visit www. devonspa.com

My Birthday Treat

For a birthday treat I may be lucky to be taken out for a lavish meal at a nice restaurant.

That's very nice but you can't really have that 'private' conversation and all too soon it's home and back to the real world.

So I asked myself what did I really want from a romantic break? The answer was time alone together.

For a wedding night, anniversary, birthday or special occasion together, with that guaranteed personal touch, seldom experienced, Downe Health Spa could be the place for you.

It's located on the Hartland Peninsula in North Devon and goes by the name of Downe Health Spa which offers a wide range of beauty treatments and holistic therapies that very successfully relax and rejuvenate the mind and body.

Jeremy and Lynda Roe have simply worked wonders on this - their hill-top retreat.

They've converted it from next-to-nothing into what must be one of the most exclusive and appealing health spas in the country. The property itself is a listed farmhouse that dates back to the 15th century.

Balanced on what seems to be the tip of a hill, the seven acres surrounding the spa boast glorious sea views north to Lundy Island and west over the Atlantic.

The gym doors, should you wish to be so foolish as to exercise as part of your spa experience, open out on to rolling fields and simply stunning views. Jeremy and Lynda say their nearest neighbours are half-a-mile away. Bliss.

The spa experience really was the icing on the cake as part of our wonderfully romantic time away.

The spa itself is particularly spacious with a spa bath, sauna, steam room and relaxation area with panoramic views across a lily pond.

There are limited numbers allowed at any one time and we practically had the place to ourselves.

On a gloriously sunny autumn afternoon the doors opened and a breeze lofted in as we relaxed on loungers - a happy mix of fresh air, relaxation and pampering.

Tammy, my better half, then experienced a four layer facial including fresh European seaweed said to rejuvenate and tone.

I was whisked off for the centre's own interpretation of traditional stone therapy.

Having been treated individually, what we both agreed on was the quality of the products and the attention to detail really
shone through.

From the products used, to the fine china for the cream tea, Jeremy and Lynda have found a winning formula and are rightly sticking to it.

Forget your chain hotels, leave those big name brands behind, Downe is offering quality, individualised products guaranteed to melt even the toughest of hearts.

It's the little things that count, and they do it so well.

JONPAUL HEDGE

A very special place

Downe Health Spa has been recognised as one of North Devon's "very special places" for some years now. There are numerous reasons why.

The quality of client service is special. Visitors to Downe are cared for and pampered from the moment they walk into the beautiful Edwardian conservatory that is the entrance until the door closes behind them at the end of a simply wonderful day.

The visitors' care and well being is the focus of every therapist at Downe. The range of holistic therapies available at Downe is special. It includes therapies like the Stone at Downe and the Holistic. Relaxation Therapy which are interpretations of classic therapies unique to Downe.

The range of beauty therapies available at Downe is everything you would expect at a top of the range Health Spa.

The names of the beauty therapies alone are a roll call of indulgence - "Honey Body Polish", "Peppermint Sea Twist Body Wrap" etc. etc. - but that is what you would expect.

What makes Downe special is the approach which it takes to those beauty therapies.

Every beauty therapy is approached as a holistic therapy. Every beauty therapy at Downe is designed to nurture and sustain, not merely to beautify.

The wonderful Atlantic-side location and the beautiful gardens all help to create a special haven away from the rough and tumble of the everyday world.

The lunches and teas taken at Downe are special simply because of the quality of ingredients used (throughout the summer and well into autumn salad and herbs are picked from the gardens an hour before the meal is served) and the care taken in presentation.

Even the Gift Certificates are special. Each Gift Certificate from Downe is beautifully presented with a transparent wrap over card tied with a gold bow.

They are individually created with a personal greeting from you to the someone you love. To make them feel special.

As we said, there are plenty of reasons why Downe is one of North Devon's "very special places".

North Devon - Craggy cliffs, delightful villages and secret hideaways spell holiday heaven

For the rugged coastal scenery and lush, green, farm fields rolling away inland. For leafy valleys and narrow, winding lanes with high hedges-and sudden glimpses of a stunning view. For the exhilaration of sea air, and beaches wide and wild, or small and secretive. For villages brimming with colour and character. And even in the midst of the holiday season, if you know where to find it - for 'off the beaten track' charm.

What's There?
Hartland Point -a spine-tingling spot, even on calm days, which the Romans called the 'Promontory of Hercules'. Its lighthouse is a reminder of the dangers posed by powerful Atlantic gales which batter the sheer, 325ft-high cliff.

Hartland Abbey-now privately owned, this 12th-Century treasure, with many later additions, has a spectacular garden that's worth a visit. For details of opening times, visit www.hartlandabbey.com

Clovelly - flower-decked cottages line the steep, cobbled streets tumbling towards the sea in this enchanting, traffic-free, fishing village. Entry (£4.95 for adults, which includes parking) is via a visitor centre high above. In summer, you can hitch a lift back up a back road by Land Rover. For more into, see www.clovelly.co.uk

Bucks Mills -Clovelly's quieter sister, in an idyllic woodland setting, has a pebbly beach that's nice for a swim at high tide. At low tide, you can potter in rock pools.

Appledore-set on the estuary where the rivers Taw and Torridge meet, with it many pretty, pastel cottages and its close-set cobbled streets, this delightful fishing and ship-building village is a gem.

Don't Miss!
The wildflower gardens and historic water mill at Docton Mill.

A Devon cream tea-scones and jam with lashings of rich, local cream are a must, whatever the cost in calories. But the perfect answer for that is, of course...

A walk along the cliffs-the views are wonderful, the sea air is bracing and the exercise is good for you!

A sighting of the spectacular rocky coast at Welcombe Mouth.

Where To Stay
Downe Cottages, on the Hartland Peninsula, are a haven of peace, seclusion and tranquillity. Each of the eight properties is a listed former farm building; all now converted to combine period exteriors with modern comforts. Adjoining them is Downs Health Spa, offering a selection of relaxing beauty and holistic therapies- including mother-to be treatments and days as well as a gym sauna, steam room and whirlpool baths.

Delicious breakfast baskets that include homemade bread, local bacon and free-range eggs-can be delivered to your cottage. So can locally prepared, oven-ready gourmet meals, come evening - or you n walk the 400 yards to Cheristow Country Kitchen for a meal. All vegetables come from the garden, and both meat and poultry are home-produced.

Downe Cottages And Health Spa (tel: 01237 441881 or visit www.downecottages.com) has three night breaks from £340 for a one-bedroomed cottage, sleeping two. A week in a two-bedroomed cottage sleeping four, costs from £760. For full details of the spa and treatments, see www.devonspa.com

Book in advance for dinner at the Cheristow Country Kitchen on tel: 01237 441522.

Down on the farm

Jo Maddox and Liam Hughes spent three nights at Downs Health & Spa Cottages in North Devon

Being a spa virgin, I was a little apprehensive about my 'first time'...but I needn't have been. When we arrived, the owners of the property, Jeremy and Lynda, were waiting to show us to one of the five listed Victorian farm buildings, which have been converted into luxury self catering cottages.

Each one was like a home from home with everything from books and DVDs to a fully-equipped kitchen - and a fridge stocked with our first breakfast. If you don't fancy cooking, you can order in from a delicious home-cooked gourmet menu. Beware though, a dish for two could food four!

The spa is small, but there's a good choice of beauty treatments and holistic therapies, plus a gym, spa bath, sauna, steam room, relaxation area with panoramic views and a restaurant serving locally sourced food.

We decided to try different treatments and compare notes afterwards. I booked a facial and a hot stone massage, while Liam went for the aromatherapy massage. My treatment lasted two -and-a-half hours and was so relaxing I fell asleep - a good sign, apparently -and Liam was like a zombie for the rest of the day after his massage! Our pamper day ended with a cream tea complete with strawberry and lavender jam from the farm up the road - funny how lazing around doing nothing can leave you with such an appetite!

There's plenty to do outside the spa, boo: coastal walks, bike rides, boat trips, surfing... and the not-to-be missed Cheristow Country Kitchen, which is just 10 minute's walk away, and where we had some of the best food we've ever tasted, mos of which is grown and reared on the farm itself. If you fancy going further afield, there's Padstow, famous for Rick Stein's restaurant, and the Eden Project, which is just a 90-minute drive away.

Whether you're looking for a relaxing weekend away from it all, or a family break with the kids, Downe, has it all.