“We all had a wonderful time at The Arched House arriving to a surprise loaf from the bakery next door, local cheese and bottles of local beer/cider plus milk in the fridge!”
We were a party of 7 (sadly one unable to come so not 8 as originally booked) school friends who meet each year for a weekend of ‘walking, talking and eating (cake)’…
We discovered bit by bit that the lovely coffee table books, tasteful decor and framed seaweed pictures were the work of our hostess and also that she ran seaweed pressing workshops (had we known in advance we would have loved to join one of these) so we visited her shop next to the mill to purchase cards, tea towels and postcards.
We found plenty to do from hiring a beach hut (easier for changing!), swimming in the sea, exploring the fossil pavements, fossil museum, Mary Anning statue, seal spotting, browsing the lovely shops, tour of the working mill, walking to UpLyme for a lovely ploughman’s lunch at The Talbot Arms and the Undercliff walk to Seaton (for the fittest in our party!).
We enjoyed local beers, a beautiful seafood platter from the wet fish shop, fish and chips from the top of the road and a delightful
Meal at Rockliffe with the added delight of visits to the cloakroom to hear their take on ‘The Shipping Forecast’.. not to be missed.
We were there for four nights and the other evening meal was provided by private chef Steve Pielesz who cooked a delicious four course meal as part of our 70th birthday year celebrations…
The Arched House is wonderfully located to enjoy all of the local facilities on foot. We did discover, however, that it is not easy to get taxis (if you are from London and used to using uber!!) and well worth booking ahead if, like us, you come on public transport and need to get to Axminster for a set train. Would also suggest that by the time we reach our 80th year we may not be agile enough to climb the steep stairs to the second floor bedrooms.
Thanks to our hosts for a lovely weekend.
Pam Stacey and other friends from Newstead Wood School for Girls in Orpington, Kent