Buckland Tout-Saints Hotel

Unfortunately we can’t go back in time to relive the refined, aristocratic lives of leisure seen in Downton Abbey, but we can certainly emulate the vibe by visiting this fine English manor with its manicured grounds, elegant stone facade and sweeping staircases.

Historical in nature but modern in comfort, Buckland Tout-Saints’s facilities will ensure that you can put your feet up and feel completely relaxed to enjoy cosy afternoons and indulgent evenings. The rooms are unique in structure and décor so you’ll feel like you’re staying in an English manor rather than a standard one-size-fits-all hotel. The Traditional Classic Room is well equipped with a queen-sized bed, an ensuite bathroom as well as all the modern amenities you’ll need including free wifi and personal room service.

The South West has firmly established itself as one of the prime gastronomic hotspots in the UK. Our VeryChic special offer means that you can enjoy the manor’s exquisite tasting menu in addition to the three-course menu which includes dishes like crab tortellini and ham hock ballotine followed by saddle of venison or roasted monkfish and finally a ‘Buckland Mess’ or an iced peach parfait. Supper is served in the refined pine-panelled Queen Anne restaurant, where the chandeliers, period portraits and excellent views of the grounds add to the post-Edwardian Downton ambiance. The Chef’s enthusiasm and hunger for perfection comes across in his menus, with a long-established ethos of using the freshest, locally sourced ingredients to create inventive, mouth-watering dishes for a distinctive and memorable fine-dining experience. In the afternoon you can see for yourself that “there are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea” – Henry James. The Devonshire clotted cream and jam on the freshly baked scones served with tea and champagne will let you sample a delightfully Devonian speciality, before heading to the lawn for a leisurely game of croquet. You simply couldn’t ask for a more quintessentially English afternoon. 

If you manage to tear yourself away from this well-hidden gem, there’s plenty to do in the local area. The rugged coastline is covered with hidden coves, rock pools in secluded bays, large golden beaches and stunning coastal paths which take you through seaside towns and past amazing scenery to let you appreciate the panoramic landscapes on foot. Set in an Area of Outstanding Beauty, Salcombe is a popular destination among tourists (or grockels as the Devonian locals call them), but remains full of West Country character and charm. Much of Devon’s landscapes are protected by environmental organisations which make sure they remain totally unspoilt. Head to Dartmoor National Park to find beautiful green countryside amongst a patchwork of farmland, river valleys and wooded hills. You can also meet the welcoming communities in the many enchanting towns and villages, each one individual and drenched in history.

Sometimes we find ourselves desperate to jet off to an exotic sunny beach or an exciting European city, overlooking the beauty of the British countryside. We can promise you that you’ll leave this serene rural retreat feeling utterly pampered and inspired but with just one regret: not staying longer. Oh well, I suppose you’ll just have to go back again another time… what a shame.