News, tips and updates from the Thurlestone team

This year marks an extraordinary milestone for all of us at Thurlestone Hotel and The Village Inn as we celebrate 130 years of welcoming guests to our corner of South Devon.

Reaching our 130th anniversary is a moment of pride, reflection and gratitude. Over the decades, much has changed, but what has remained constant is our commitment to quality, community and a deep respect for the land and people around us. As we celebrate this landmark year, we wanted to mark the occasion in a way that truly reflects who we are. For us, that means championing local produce, supporting local businesses and celebrating local people.

This year marks a truly special milestone for Thurlestone Hotel as we proudly celebrate 130 years since our founding.
Our story began in 1896, when Margaret Amelia Grose first established Thurlestone Hotel, laying the foundations for what would become one of Devon’s most loved coastal hotels. What started as a vision rooted in warm hospitality, family values, and a love for this remarkable stretch of coastline has endured for more than a century.

There’s something about a winter evening by the coast that makes you crave stillness — the kind you can feel in your body, not just your mind.
Last night, two members of our team had the chance to visit Somewhere Sauna in Bantham, and take part in their incredible Sauna Rituals: a 90-minute multi-sensory journey blending the healing benefits of nature with the transformative power of heat and steam.
Set in a peaceful spot just outside Bantham village, the experience felt like a true reset — grounding, energising, and deeply restorative.

If you’re planning a February half term family holiday, there’s no better place to escape to the coast than Thurlestone Hotel. Located in beautiful South Devon, our hotel is ideal for families looking for fresh sea air, relaxing surroundings, and plenty of activities to keep children entertained throughout the school holidays.

Whether you’re searching for a short break or a longer stay, February half term at Thurlestone is the perfect opportunity to spend quality time together and create lasting memories.

With a genuine love for holistic wellness and years of experience in the spa industry Kirstie brings calm confidence and expert knowledge to Voyage Spa. She believes that spa time is not just a luxury but an essential part of self care especially during the quieter reflective winter months.

For Kirstie January is all about resetting the body and mind gently releasing post festive sluggishness and restoring balance from the inside out.

Christmas is a time of celebration, indulgence and late nights, but for our skin it can be one of the most challenging times of the year. Cold winds, central heating, rich food and festive fizz can all take their toll, leaving skin feeling dry, dull or out of balance.

Christmas lunch is one of the most joyful and celebrated meals of the year… but it can also be one of the most ambitious. This year at Thurlestone, we’ll be serving a full festive feast with all the trimmings to over 200 guests in our Trevilder Restaurant, so it’s safe to say, we’ve learned a thing or two over the years.

As Head Chef (and proud holder of two AA rosettes), here are my five top tips for pulling off a Christmas lunch that’s memorable for all the right reasons.

We are delighted to announce an exciting new activity here at Thurlestone Hotel — Golf Frisbee! Combining the skill of golf with the fun and energy of frisbee, this brilliant outdoor game is perfect for guests of all ages and abilities. Whether you're looking to try something new, enjoy quality family time, or simply make the most of our beautiful grounds, Golf Frisbee offers the ideal blend of challenge and entertainment.

Dog-Friendly Beaches to Explore in the South Hams

The South Hams coastline is one of Devon’s greatest treasures, offering miles of sandy bays, pebbled coves, dramatic cliffs and peaceful walking routes. It’s also exceptionally welcoming to four-legged guests, making it an ideal destination for dog-friendly holidays.

Whether you’re looking for a quiet coastal stroll, a wide-open beach for dogs to run freely, or a scenic spot for rock pooling and paddling, there are plenty of excellent choices close to Thurlestone Hotel.

Let us introduce you to four stunning beaches that our guests love to visit during their stay.

Let us share one of our favourite springtime walks along the South West Coast Path.

Introducing our four exquisitely designed self-catering properties nestled within the hotel grounds, available from the summer.

We caught up with Rene to get an inside look into his approach to cooking and the challenges and joys of being a chef.

The Chefs’ Forum Devon Chefs’ Lunch was hosted this year at the historic Thurlestone Hotel, an iconic fixture of the South Devon coast since 1896.

The RNLI are celebrating their 200th Anniversary. To help mark this special occasion, artist Bruce Munro has donated his piece, “Field of Lights”, to help raise funds for the charity.

We are delighted to announce our new Head Chef in the Thurlestone Village Inn.

Meet our spa therapist Rebecca, she creates a truly luxurious experience for our visitors when they come to the spa.

This year marks the 200th anniversary for the RNLI, and at the beginning of April we were delighted to host a celebratory lunch for the charity.

Our Children’s Club Team is looking forward to this summer and is excited to be adding more activities to the entertainment programme.

Whether you are taking your first tentative dips in the sea or training, Julia can help you out.

Our Front Office Manager Terry-Louise provides an insight into her hospitality career and what it is like to work at Thurlestone Hotel.

This year we are looking to form a new partnership with Victoria Rendle and the Kingsbridge Health Hub to create a health and wellness break for January.

Make memories that last a lifetime with a visit to multi-award winning Pennywell Farm!

Enjoy a guided tasting of three of their wines, a tour of the winemaking facilities and finish with a sampling of cheese.