Churchwood Valley

HOTEL OVERVIEW

You know what struck me first about Churchwood Valley? It’s not actually in Plymouth proper – it’s tucked away in Wembury, which honestly makes all the difference. I mean, you get that countryside feel without being miles from civilization, and the South West Coast Path practically runs through your backyard. The hotel sits in this lovely valley setting (hence the name, obviously), and when you’re checking in, you can already hear the sea in the distance.

The place has that proper English country hotel vibe without feeling stuffy – I’d say it hits that sweet spot between rustic charm and modern comfort. The rooms are genuinely spacious, which you don’t always get with these heritage-style properties, and they’ve clearly put money into the bathrooms recently. What I really appreciated was how quiet it gets at night; you’re far enough from the A379 that traffic isn’t an issue, though you’ll definitely want a car to get around. The staff actually know the area well – not just the obvious tourist spots but proper local recommendations. They pointed me toward Warren Point for sunset walks, which turned out to be absolutely perfect and way less crowded than the main Wembury beach area.

Here’s the thing about this location that makes it special: you’re literally five minutes from some of Devon’s best coastal scenery, but you can also drive into Plymouth city center in about twenty minutes when you want proper restaurants or shopping. The hotel restaurant is decent – nothing revolutionary but solid, locally-sourced stuff that doesn’t make you feel like you need to venture out every night. I particularly liked their breakfast setup; they do this lovely local honey that I’m pretty sure comes from somewhere nearby, and the eggs are definitely from happy chickens. Parking is never an issue, which honestly is worth mentioning because anyone who’s tried to park in Plymouth knows what a nightmare that can be. The grounds are well-maintained too – there’s something quite therapeutic about having your morning coffee while looking out over the valley, especially if you catch it when the mist is still hanging around the trees. At 8.5 rating, it feels about right – it’s not going to blow your mind, but it’s exactly what you want from a four-star countryside retreat, and the Wembury location gives you the best of both worlds.