On a crisp Friday evening in March, we found ourselves winding down picturesque country roads towards our home for the weekend. We were met with the most beautiful and welcoming property, with nothing but the sound of the breeze and the river to be heard.
Lexhayne Mill
The lovely owner came to greet us, and we instantly knew we were going to feel right at home. There was plenty to explore upon our arrival as we made our way through the house, selecting our rooms for the weekend. As recommended by the owner, I selected Bedroom 1 with an enormous super king bed and windows offering a panoramic view of the picture-perfect setting. My mum chose cosy Bedroom 4 with a handy en suite and views overlooking the ducks paddling on the river.
After wandering around the other bedrooms, the cosy living room, and the incredible, traditional dining room that makes you feel like you are having a banquet, we made our way through to the open plan kitchen diner and spotted the Aga; that was dinner sorted. The beauty didn’t stop inside either, as we stepped outside the French doors to breathe in the fresh air and enjoy the view from one of the many outdoor seating areas, which have been fitted with a brand new hot tub!
It had been a long day of travelling at this point, so, after a quick dinner and a bit of relaxation on the squishy sofas, it was time for bed.
Our adventures
We are early risers, so we were straight up the next morning to enjoy a quick breakfast in the garden before heading out to make the most of our time in Dorset. But first I had an important visit to make. The owners’ flock of sheep also call Lexhayne Mill home and they were very eager to say hello when I popped over to see them.
The first stop on our agenda was, of course, Lyme Regis. One breakfast wasn’t enough for us so we found a café on the seafront and had a spot of brunch to fuel us up for the day. Full of toast and coffee, we then set off exploring the quaint, colourful streets and spent an hour or so popping in and out of all the independent shops. One of our favourite finds was The Town Mill. Nestled in a cobbled courtyard, this converted ancient watermill is home to a handful of artisans, restaurants, and independent shops.
We also took a trip to Dinosaurland (this really is a real place) and found ourselves transported back in time, by about 500 million years. This place was filled with fossils, artefacts, and curiosities and was certainly worth a look. We couldn’t leave without taking a stroll along the seafront, past the pastel beach huts and out along The Cobb and, after nearly being blown away by the blustery spring winds, we made our way back to the car.
We wanted to make the most of Lexhayne Mill, so we spent the afternoon unwinding in the comfortable living room with a cup of tea and a scone and then took a short stroll across the surrounding fields to get even closer to my new friends, the sheep.
While exploring the house, we spotted a cupboard full of board games so we also enjoyed some of the snacks we had purchased in Lyme Regis over a good old game of Scrabble.
It wouldn’t be a proper trip to the countryside without a pub dinner, so after a bit of researching, we settled on The Harbour Inn in nearby Axmouth. Two obscene portions of fish and chips and a crème brulee later, and we were very excited to get back into our cosy beds for the night, but not before we used the amazing en suites because there is no better end to the day than a good shower.
Sadly, the next morning it was time to say our goodbyes and pack up the car, however, we were greeted by a beautiful sunrise. We had come all this way though, and so before heading home, we took a quick trip to Sidmouth and grabbed a coffee from Kapes, a super trendy takeaway kiosk on the seafront, and had a wander along the promenade. This really blew the cobwebs away before we officially hit the road and headed back to Cornwall.
Fancy visiting Lexhayne Mill for yourself? Sleeping fourteen, this really is a fantastic place for a gathering with family or friends. You can book your holiday at Lexhayne Mill here.
