Branscombe

Margells, thatched cottage in Branscombe

Lounge

Kitchen

Ceiling of our room at Margells

Our most recent outing was to the coast of Devon, about 3 hours southwest of Oxford. We were invited by friends Mike, Charlie, and Molly to spend the weekend with them at Branscombe, a lovely village scattered along the hills near the sea. We stayed at Margells, a 16th-century house that retains wonderful beamed ceilings, a huge open fireplace, and a thatched roof.

Branscombe Church

There are pleasant walks along both the beach and the cliffs overlooking the ocean, and a pub (Masons Arms) with great food and atmosphere. We rested on a bench overlooking the sea while Mike, Charlie, and Molly climbed a little higher along the path. We visited the village of Beer (but didn't have a beer, opting instead for our usual tea and scones), where we saw colorful fishing boats and more beautiful cliffs. All in all, a fine weekend with good friends in a lovely part of the world.