Well before the Earl of Devon (dropping names) acquired The Moult in four acres of grounds, its rocky coves served as convenient smuggling posts. Alfred, Lord Tennyson reputedly wrote ‘Crossing the Bar’, his final poem in the listed, elevated and thatched summerhouse.
The pool? Heated. 22 metres long and surrounded by stone flags. And yes, there’s a barbecue close at hand to ensure that those long summer evenings are spent in good company. When night draws in, stay and watch as the moon glistens on the estuary. Few sights on earth are more glorious. The extensive and serpentine Victorian garden terraces (with imposing Victorian glasshouse), overflow with palms, aloes and other exotic flora collected from all over the world, offering fresh vistas (and surprise suntraps) at every step.
There are velvety lawns at various levels for lolling and numerous shady spots to breathe in sea air and enjoy the incomparable view. A generously shaded private path to South Sands Beach passes by the walled vegetable garden where the gardener can put together a seasonal box for your stay.
Stretch out with six spacious bedrooms. Inviting books lie around, waiting to be read. Relax in two deeply comfortable reception rooms (one doubling as a surround sound cinema room). Unwind with the Sonos audio system, remote-controllable in individual rooms
Enjoy sea views from the generously proportioned and fully-fitted kitchen/dining room. Every reception room flooded with the crystalline light of the estuary.
While appetites thrive in the fresh estuary air, rigid rules about dining dissolve. If you’re inclined to rustle up a gourmet dinner, the precise, hi-tech Bulthaup kitchen is yours to command. If you fancy a light lunch, allow yourself the luxury of hyper-fresh salad picked from the old walled garden. Al fresco grill-fest? The gas barbie’s ready in the garden. Totally don’t want to cook? Leave it to Claire’s Kitchen, Milla’s Kitchen or Seahorse Private Event Catering who’ll deliver chef-prepared meals to the door. And you won’t even have to wash up.
Fancy dining out? You have the Ferry Inn, Winking Prawn, Victoria Inn, South Sands Hotel, The Jetty, Sailor V, Island Street Bar and Grill and The Beachhouse, all offering food at different gastro-levels, some within walking distance. Somewhat further are the renowned Seahorse in Dartmouth and The Millbrook Inn, accessible by car, private boat or water taxi.
The Wing at the Moult sleeps fourteen. Very comfortably. Of the six stylish bedrooms, four have king-size beds and luxurious en suite bathrooms; and the two twins have shared bathrooms (their zip ‘n’ link beds can be used as either double or twin beds).
The cotton count is high. Every mattress is hand made or from The Conran Shop. And bathroom towels come from Designer’s Guild and The White Company. So, you’ll nod off to the laid-back combination of cool breeze, softly lapping waves and hooting owls. You’ll wake gently to cooing doves (whom you can choose to ignore). And, in between, you should be sleeping like a baby.
