Rarely do I blog specifically about a hotel in which I have stayed but this is a very notable exception. I first experienced The Fisherman's Cot in Devon some years ago and would not have thought it exceptional. Now, however, it is exceptional in many ways: the setting, the accommodation, the ambience, the value for money and, above all, the service. It is a long time since I have experienced a place with so many staff and not managed to find even one who did not appear to be happy and who was not exceptionally pleasant and good at his or her job. I would actually come this far south just to stay here again (and I have never said that before!).
The hotel is on the River Exe and for those who are interested there is plenty of wildlife on the river at the hotel including heron, egrets (which I have only seen in France), dippers and otters.
Apparently a dozen people one morning were watching an otter with lots of rapt oohs and ahs. Then a duck with six chicks came along and left with only five: the otter having breakfasted on the unfortunate one. The otter went from hero to zero instantly. C'est la vie.
Oh you make me want to go there. I don't mind in the least about vie. 😏
ReplyDeleteWell, Kate, I hope you get the opportunity. I know that you'd love it.
DeleteThat's a stunning bridge too.
ReplyDeleteIt is Cro and it gave us a lot of perplexed amusement. It is single width with a blind approach at each end. Most of the time one file of vehicles or another was reversing off the bridge. Everyone gave way to the double-decker buses which took no prisoners.
DeleteIt sounds like these people earn their complements.
ReplyDeleteThey do Red.
DeleteI would have struggled had I seen the otter pinch a duckling. I know I shouldn't but I find such occurrences amusing.
ReplyDeleteAdrian it's the 'fluffy' syndrome. If the otter had caught a fish everyone would have marvelled at its skill.
DeleteLovely place
ReplyDeleteYes, Andrea, I'm sorry about the picture-like photos. I'll try to be more arty next time.
DeleteThere's a daydreaming sunshine there. Beautiful place
ReplyDeleteMaywyn I could have day-dreamed there all day as well as each evening.
DeleteI know that place Graham! It's on the way to Tiverton. What a lovely old bridge but what a surprise it was to watch a double decker bus travelling over it! Your holiday is both long and varied. You are a lucky fellow.
ReplyDeleteIt is indeed, YP. The first bus I saw was a real surprise and they don't take any prisoners: everything backs up for them.
DeleteIf the service matches the setting, it must be a wonderful place to stay. Heartbreaking story at the end though (even if most of us humans aren't strict vegetarians either!)
ReplyDeleteIt does and it is, Monica. The story at the end was only heartbreaking for the duck (assuming they have emotions). The otter was probably delighted.
DeleteThe employers must treat their staff well if they love working there, it's nice to hear that as not that many people actually enjoy their jobs.
ReplyDeleteAmy I can only say that the staff all gave very good service with a great attitude which experience tells me would require a lot of acting if they were not genuine.
DeleteIt is unlikely that I ever get to travel in that particular part of England, but if I do, I will make sure to stay at this hotel. By how you describe it (in words and pictures), it is a marvellous place.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure that you'd love it Meike. However it is a little off the beaten track without a car.
DeleteThat place is a picture of serenity, it would be beautiful with the happy staff but good service makes any place better. Thanks for showing us the bridge from a different angle. You guys have terrific bridges!
ReplyDeletePauline when the river is in spate it comes up to the hotel wall but not overbit in recent memory anyway. So in its long life - probably several hundred years anyway - that bridge has survived a lot of pressure.
DeleteIt looks absolutely stunning. But please come and see us next time you travel this far south, Graham!
ReplyDeleteFrances, believe me if I'd had the opportunity I'd have given you both a call and 'popped over' but it would have been impossible this time around.
DeleteIt all looks like a post card and to have the service to match is quite unusual! The duckling had a bad day but life is often darker than we would want, at least it was quick!
ReplyDeleteKylie it was rather post-card like and the whole set-up seemed very well managed. Nature is nature and some win and some lose. Earthworms have a particularly bad time in terms of attrition rates at their end of the food chain but they are not cuddly so not many people say 'ahh' when a blackbird eats one.
DeleteI've looked up this charming hotel thanks Graham. Am in the throes of planning next years holiday in the UK - Scotland and Northern Ireland and a little bit of England. We are thinking of making Oban our base in Scotland so we can visit Mull and other islands nearby. We visited Skye on a previous visit so may not get that far north this time though your photos make me want to make the trip to your pretty island.
ReplyDeleteHi Helsie. Despite living the majority of my life on Lewis I've never visited most of the Inner Hebrides. Today we will be travelling through the western Highlands and Fort William and staying overnight just before Skye. It will be through grand and rugged country. Lewis has great beauty and fabulous beaches. If you do make your way that far one day then I will happily offer you a bed.
DeleteOh thank you Graham, we would never impose on you in that way! Your photos of your island are so lovely.
DeleteHelsie I'm sad that you think it would be an imposition. I've made some lasting and wonderful friendships out of accepting and making such offers. I would never have made the offer if I thought it might be an imposition.
DeleteWhat a glorious, beautiful spot. Anyone not happy to be working there needs their head read...and don't deserve to be there!
ReplyDeleteYou do have a point there Lee.
DeleteWhat a stunning, beautiful spot. Anyone who isn't happy working there needs their head read, and doesn't deserve to be there!
ReplyDeleteOops! I've double-dipped! Sorry! :)
ReplyDeleteI was just going to delete the second post Lee but I thought I'd just say 'Better twice than not at all.'
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