Why visit a countryside hotel in 2023?

Nature is only a stroll away

If you want to get your blood pumping and your heart singing, nothing beats a brisk stroll through the countryside.We can't speak for every countryside hotel under the sun, but here at The Horn of Plenty, we're spoilt for choice when it comes to walking routes.

You can thank Devon for that. Our location – in a tranquil countryside spot just outside of Tavistock – puts us a stone's throw from Dartmoor National Park and within easy reach of the gorgeous Tamar Valley.

Dartmoor is huge, scenic and endlessly rewarding for walkers. You can take a gentle stroll and be back at our countryside hotel in time for afternoon tea. Or you can tackle one of its many impressive peaks and enjoy views that seem to go on forever.

The Tamar Valley offers more of the same – and we're not complaining. This rolling landscape is home to the River Tamar, a picturesque estuary that forms the historic border between Devon and Cornwall. If you love rambling along riverbanks, you won't want to miss it.

Fresh air is good for you!

Back in the 1800s, it was common for doctors to recommend a 'change of air'. Simply giving our lungs a break could cure all sorts of ills, they said.

Felt run-down? Sniffly? Wracked with nervous exhaustion? They'd whisk you off to the coast or a countryside hotel for a hefty bout of calm, convalescence and fresh, clean air.

This wasn't just Victorian whimsy, though. It turns out that fresh air really is good for you.

Research has shown that spending time in nature and breathing unpolluted air can increase energy levels, reduce stress and strengthen your immune system.

Not only that, but it could help combat age-related diseases like Alzheimer's. At least 17 studies have found a link between poor air quality and dementia. Scary stuff.

So do like the Victorians did – escape the urban smog and head to the countryside. You'll be doing your lungs – and your brain – a big favour.

We all need time to relax

There's nothing to do at The Horn of Plenty.

Don't get us wrong. There's loads you can do. You can enjoy a gourmet meal, explore our gorgeous surroundings, sample some local pubs, book a stress-melting massage… the list goes on.

But you don't have to do anything. You don't have to do the laundry or the washing up. You don't have to rush to that next appointment or waste hours in traffic jams. You don't have to worry about much of anything.

And that's the beauty of a countryside hotel. In today's busy, switched-on world, having nothing to do is a luxury. A remote retreat like The Horn of Plenty gives you a chance to switch off, simmer down and watch the world go by.

Just imagine sitting on our restaurant terrace, sipping champagne and listening to the soft sounds of birdsong. It doesn't get much better than that.

Facebook? Never even heard of it…

You can give your taste an adventure

OK. So you can visit almost any countryside hotel and enjoy a scenic walk or two. You'll probably get a good lungful of fresh air and a dose of relaxation as well.

But you won't taste food like the food at The Horn of Plenty. Our restaurant has won three AA Rosettes for a reason – it's widely considered one of the best restaurants in the region.

Don't just take it from us, though. Customer reviews often praise our friendly and attentive staff, our breathtaking views and – of course – the quality and creativity of our dishes.

This is partly thanks to the talents of our chefs. But Devon and Cornwall have to take some of the credit too. Both provide bounties of fresh, high-quality ingredients – and we're perfectly placed to take advantage of them.

So remember: a holiday isn't just about sightseeing. It should be an adventure for all the senses, taste included. Dining at The Horn of Plenty is like sending your taste buds on a round-the-world cruise.

You won't have to give up home comforts

Home is where the heart is. But hearts can have holidays too.

A good countryside hotel will provide all the home comforts you're used to – and more besides. We're talking about comfy beds and plump pillows. En-suite bathrooms stocked with fluffy towels. And even simple things like tea, coffee and TV.

Then there are the real luxuries. The massages and beauty treatments. The panoramic views. The award-winning food. If your house has these kinds of comforts, count yourself lucky. For the rest of us, there are luxury countryside hotels like The Horn of Plenty.

And, of course, nothing says 'home' like our beloved pets. That's why we pull out all the stops to pamper Fido too.

Well-behaved dogs are welcome to stay in our ground-floor Coach House rooms and can join you for breakfast in our lounge. We even provide a water bowl and a stock of treats to keep happy tails wagging. All we ask is that dogs are kept clean, dry and under control.

Our countryside hotel is waiting for you

We've given you five good reasons to visit a countryside hotel in 2023. But we haven't mentioned the most important reason of all: you deserve it.

You deserve a break from the stresses of everyday life. You deserve to breathe fresh air and explore life-affirming landscapes. You deserve to be pampered. We all do.

So go on. Treat yourself. Book a room at our countryside hotel and give yourself the downtime you deserve. We'll be waiting with a smile and some freshly plumped pillows.

Wordsworth would approve – that's for sure.