2017 could be the year of Luxury Devon. We’ve seen a clutch of new openings and developments in Devon recently when it comes to high-end of places to stay, eat and visit – which have simply added to the totally indulgent experiences that our county has been offering for aeons. Read on to find out where you can treat yourself to luxury in Devon.
Absolute luxury at Michael Caines’ Lympstone Manor
We ourselves feel just a little bit proud of 2017’s newest addition for Devon – it’s absolutely exceptional! In early spring the great Michael Caines MBE himself (2 Michelin starred chef extraordinaire) will soon open the doors to his very own hotel near Exmouth – and you can expect it to showcase the very best in high-end comfort, design, food and drink. Find out more
It’s billed as ‘a contemporary country house hotel overlooking the Exe Estuary with 21 luxurious guestrooms and suites, a world-class wine cellar, 28 acres of gardens, grounds and parkland, acclaimed fine dining cuisine by Michael Caines and the beauty and tranquility of East Devon and the Jurassic Coast’, and considering Mr Caines’ excellent track record (including Gidleigh Parkand Kentisbury Grange), we wouldn’t be surprised if it exceeds even these high expectations …
And there’s more Michael’s dream is to plant a vineyard to produce classic champagne-method sparkling wines for guests to enjoy at Lympstone Manor. It’s likely to be at least four years before the first grapes will be harvested and vinified, and then a further period of time for maturation on the lees for the secondary fermentation in the bottle … but the best things in life are most certainly worth the wait.
Luxury treehouse at Deer Park Country Park Hotel
Perched between two majestic trees in the grounds of the fantastic Deer Park Country House Hotel is Devon’s first luxury thatched tree house. Perfect for romantic getaways, wedding nights and celebrations, the spectacular treehouse at the Deer Park is described as ‘the ultimate love nest’, and has stunning views over gardens and woodland … you might even see deer grazing. Find out more
This is no makeshift hut though … Deer Park’s treehouse has been hand crafted using traditional water reed thatch and red cedar cladding, and has a beautiful interior with handmade furniture, Bluetooth music system, log burner, roll top bath and indulgent rain shower.
And there’s more A night in The Treehouse includes a first rate dinner and breakfast in the Deer Park Country House Hotel’s double AA rosette award-winning Loxton’s restaurant.
Luxury learning at Salcombe Gin School
Love gin? Then form a polite queue for this fabulous (and fun, we’d bet!) gin experience. Luxury spirits brand Salcombe Distilling Co is opening its highly regarded distilling laboratory to gin lovers who’d like to learn about the art of distillation and what it takes to produce a well-balanced and harmonious gin. Find out more
Spend the day in charge of a beautiful copper mini-still to develop and distil your very own 70cl bottle – which you get to take home, of course. Booking are being taken now, and these one-day classes start in March 2017.
And there’s more You don’t have to wait ’til March to buy Salcombe Gin – it’s available now. Visit the website for details
Luxury, laid-back breaks at The PIG at Combe
Luxury meets the unexpected at this historic Devon country hotel. Having been a very well-regarded top-notch hotel for many years, the new owners have kept the top-quality element (and then some, with an extensive and expensive refurb!), but also ‘turned the traditional layout of a hotel on its head’ – to great effect. Find out more
The aim was to create a house of fun not formality – gone is the formal lounge seating, replaced with a long bar, oversized sofas, and chairs to properly curl up in, along with an inviting roaring fire. What you get here is the feeling of being at the very relaxed house party of a rather artistic aristocrat.
And there’s more The hotel has 3 walled kitchen gardens – a vegetable garden, herb garden and infusion garden – as well as being set in 3,500 acres of its own land.
Luxury experiences from Unique Devon Tours
The whole approach to Unique Devon Tours is luxury – exclusive (you get the wonderfully attentive and knowledgeable guide Alex Graeme all to yourselves), award-winning, and they take in many other luxury Devon product providers.
Visitors can choose from the very highly rated (100% on TripAdvisor!) ‘premeditated’ one day tours including Best of Devon, Food and Drink of Devon and Historic Buildings of Devon: expect eating and drinking in top quality establishments, private food and drink tastings, and behind the scenes tours of some of Devon’s finest old buildings. Alex is also happy to put together tailor made tours for couples or groups too – which could include spa treatments, wine tastings, fly fishing and falconry experiences.
And there’s more Alex will soon be offering a guided tour and tasting at the exciting new Dartmoor Whisky Distillery
Luxury glamping at Longlands
We all know that ‘glamping means ‘glam camping’ – but Gold-award-winning Longlands near Combe Martin takes it to another level. Find out more
This ’boutique hotel with canvas sides’, consists of five, six-person luxury safari lodges, set in the idyllic surroundings of a secret valley overlooking the North Devon coast, and bordering Exmoor. What makes them luxury? Well, beautifully designed interiors, super thick duvets, a games trunk, a wood burner, private lake and and food freshly-cooked for you by the owners sounds pretty special to us!
And there’s more Longlands’ on-site ‘Larder’ shop is rather special too. It stocks local produce (all your basics and not so basic), beautiful home-wares, and traditional children’s toys – as well as really excellent local beer, cider and wine.
Luxury special edition afternoon tea at Boringdon Hall
Afternoon Tea at the five star Boringdon Hall in Devon is something of a ritual. Served in the dramatic surroundings of its quintessentially English Great Hall, each month there’s a different Special Edition Afternoon Tea theme on offer – with all being wonderfully indulgent, of course. Find out more
Every special edition afternoon tea has been individually designed by Boringdon’s Head Chef Scott Paton to complement the time of year, and features a tier of delicious finger sandwiches, plain and fruit scones with jam and clotted cream, and a variety of delectable sweet treats. In the coming months you can try Gold in January (includes salted caramel canelés), Valentine’s in February (with raspberry, lychee and rosewater pate de fruit), and Beauty and the Beast in March (with enchanted rose cupcakes) – and we’re especially intrigued by September’s ‘Roald Dhal’ tea!
And there’s more Make a day of it and visit the on-site Gaia spa – brand new and totally indulgent, you could warm up to (or down from) your afternoon tea with a treatment such as the Gaia Four Hands Massage – a four handed, syncronised, full body massage using specially selected oils.
Luxury holiday cottage – that welcomes dogs, too
Beautiful Devon’s Apple Cottage near Croyde has been sensitively converted to provide really fantastic 5 star holiday accommodation. Using a combination of traditional and contemporary materials, it’s finished and decorated to a standard of comfort and style, and totally beautiful both inside and out. Find out more
The cottage sleeps 4, and is in a perfect location to explore all that North Devon has to offer, with Putsborough, Croyde, Saunton and Woolacombe’s surfing beaches and the South West Coast Path all within easy reach.
And there’s more In the same peaceful, rural location you’ll also find Devon’s Apple Retreat, which has been converted to the same high standard. The Retreat sleeps 6, and booking the two properties together would make for a fantastic break for two families or a group.