Locals know it as the place to get a really good meal and now, Turtley Corn Mill in South Devon is upping its game with a selection of brand-new and luxurious lakeside lodges designed to offer a comfortable and refined stay for those hoping to hang around a little longer.
I paid a visit in autumn to check out the luxurious lodges, the hearty food that is served up here and to see what else I could get up to in and around the area.
Hotel
Turtley Corn Mill is a pub sitting just off the A38 in South Devon. The perfect place to set yourself up to discover the delights of the area, whether it’s the tranquillity of the captivating Dartmoor National Park you seek, exploration of the AONB and alluring coastlines, shopping, dining and discovering in the small towns and cities that surround or something else that draws you here.
Visitors will be welcomed by the resident peacocks and will no doubt rush to get their phones out to take a snap of the water wheel resting on the stone wall of the main building. A children’s play area, local walks and spacious grounds make for a relaxing setting where you can enjoy great food among great company.
Lodge
Like a lot of gastropubs, you can expect to find some cosy rooms tucked away upstairs and while Turtley Corn Mill’s six en-suite rooms are perfectly acceptable for a sumptuous stay, two brand-new lakeside lodges have been created to offer guests a truly luxurious break and the perfect place to hide away from it all for a while.
Providing a private and peaceful setting for a stay here – ideal for couples and individuals seeking an elegant hideaway in between great meals in the main building – the lakeside lodges are a fantastic home away from home with useful amenities and luxury home comforts.
With stone flooring and underfloor heating throughout, bi-fold doors providing lovely lake views from the olive green armchairs and a large, squishy bed with a spacious bathroom, you’ll have everything you need for a very pleasant and secluded stay.
I loved the nook where a coffee and breakfast were enjoyed upon the wooden table, while the fridge, kettle and coffee machine with milk frother, crisps and biscuits were all appreciated. A little worktop area with a mirror above doubled as a vanity area as it had plenty of plug sockets and in the bathroom, the roll-top bath, twin sinks and separate walk-in shower added the level of luxury that most don’t enjoy at home. The only thing missing? A couple of bathrobes to luxuriate in.
I also enjoyed relaxing on the super comfy armchairs at the foot of the bed and gazing out at the little nature reserve that sits in front of the lodge. There are binoculars and bird watching books with blankets and footstools to really get cosy in colder months. I imagine in summer the bi-fold doors will be flung open and the chairs on the deck will offer a pleasant place to enjoy the sounds of the local wildlife and tinkling waters of the little lake.
Food
A well-lit hedge-lined pathway leads the way to and from the tucked away lodges at night, so rest assured that after a decadent meal in the restaurant, you’ll find your way back easily, and you’ll no doubt spot a peacock or two on your travels, too.
Breakfast
Breakfast can be enjoyed in the main building or in your lodge and, as I was staying for two nights, I decided to experience both options.
On our first morning, we were brought a hamper full of continental goodies including two small warm baguettes, granola, yogurt, fresh strawberries and blueberries, croissants, apples, local cheeses and orange juice. With the addition of a fresh brew from our in-room coffee machine and a seat in our little booth for two, this made for a very nice way to start the day. Add to this a couple of inquisitive peacocks strolling past the windows and it was all rather idyllic.
The next day we headed to the restaurant and I devoured the most delectable sausage, bacon and egg brioche bap, it was delicious. Other hot breakfast options from the kitchen include Eggs Benedict, Florentine and Royale, avocado and eggs on toast, vegetarian cooked breakfast and a full English.
Dinner
A hearty meal is one of the main reasons that locals love to visit Turtley Corn Mill and I can agree that the food here is certainly worth travelling for. Decadence is assured with the likes of a sizeable scotch egg starter dressed with a salad and honey and mustard dressing; a chicken Katsu curry, which consists of crispy buttermilk chicken, an utterly delicious sauce, rice, onion bhajis, pak choi and a salad – a huge portion; and a delightfully dark chocolate brownie that will end any meal with gusto.
Other menu highlights include shelled crevettes on focaccia crouton; trio of pig – belly pork, pigs’ cheek and sausage served with creamy mash and seasonal vegetables; seafood chowder; rump steak; black bean and beetroot burger; warm plum frangipane; and bread and butter pudding.
The restaurant has a few rooms to dine in and the main, open plan space still manages to offer a cosy setting for dinner thanks to the layout, décor and lighting. A couple of sofa areas provide a nice spot to sink in and enjoy a pre or post dinner tipple, while plenty of windows showcase the grounds, which offer plenty of benches where diners can enjoy the great food on warmer days.
To do
Being located so close to the A38 means that you’re not too far from a great selection of places to spend a day out. From Plymouth to Exeter to the English Riviera, the impressive Paignton Zoo, captivating Dartmoor, which is a stone’s throw away, and a fantastic selection of beaches and local towns and villages – Salcombe, Dartmouth, Totnes and Kingsbridge to name a few, you’re really spoilt for choice here.
I headed off for an afternoon at Sandridge Barton – the new home of Sharpham Wines along the River Dart, and it was certainly time well spent. Having moved from the Sharpham Estate in 2022, visitors to the new location can expect the same great quality of wines and cheeses that have been produced since 2008 just with a new look over the coming months and years.
A great way to spend a few hours in the south Devon countryside, visitors can take part in vineyard tours, enjoy lunch in the café with delicious dishes crafted with local ingredients and of course some of the estate’s own ingredients such as their cheese and Pinot noir, as well as enjoying drinks in the bar, walks, a browse of the shop and even a stay in the selection of on-site accommodation that’s available.
I enjoyed a lunch here and devoured the creamiest celeriac soup made utterly delicious with the addition of roasted pine nuts and spaghetti thin crispy celeriac and some warm rye bread on the side. This was accompanied by a glass of Dart Valley Reserve, a really lovely tasting wine.
I followed this with slow roasted hogget shoulder with beetroot, carrots, kale and potato foam. This had all the flavours of autumn with a chunk of roasted beetroot, thin slices and a delightful cream. The hogget was light in flavour and I loved the dry shoulder texture. A really tasty couple of dishes accompanied by a glass of Pinot Noir, which I enjoyed so much I bought a bottle in the shop to take home with me.
We headed off on a vineyard tour and tasting with Sugar and heard about the big move from Sharpham to Sandridge and the rebranding that will be undertaken as well as learning of the ins and out of winemaking and seeing the processes involved in making a great bottle of the estate’s wine. An afternoon well spent!
In a nutshell
Fine, filling food and luxurious lakeside lodges await at Turtley Corn Mill in Devon, the perfect spot to hide away in comfort and use as a welcoming base to explore the many highlights of South Devon.
Factbox
Lodges can be booked from £350 per night
Address: Avonwick, Devon, TQ10 9ES
Tel: 01364 646100
Email: eat@turtleycornmill.com
Website: turtleycornmill.com