Orestone Manor ★★★★

We might not have the best weather, but we do have a lot of other things to be proud of in England. Near the top of the list is breathtaking countryside, the timeless tradition of afternoon tea and a handful of classic seaside towns which are unlike anywhere else in the world. Put these three delights together; add a few modern luxuries and you’ve got the Orestone Manor, nestled in the quaint little coastal village of Maidencombe.

‘Charming’ and ‘character’ are the words that spring to mind when I think of our holiday. It’s exactly the sort of place I dream of staying in when in the countryside. Character abounds the property, the owners make you feel like part of the family in an unobtrusive way, the beds are extraordinarily comfortable, the food offered throughout the day is faultless, and the range of facilities and luxurious common areas are more than an enough for an intimate retreat in picturesque Devon.

On arrival we were greeted by Neil and Catherine, who invited us to join them for a cup of tea and homemade scones laden with Devonshire clotted cream and strawberry jam on the terrace. We admired the sea views and got some good recommendations of places to visit, from seaside towns and quaint villages to the best walks in the Dartmoor countryside. They showed us to our Classic Sea View Room which was located in the eaves of the house, offering a lovely French country style décor with a king-sized bed and of course, spectacular sea views.

Each of the twelve bedrooms is completely unique in character, shape and décor so you’ll feel like you’re staying in an elegant manor rather than a standard one-size-fits-all hotel. The only thing that they all have in common are the superb amenities… sumptuous robes, tea and coffee-making facilities with biscuits, flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi and an ensuite bathroom with Scottish Highland toiletries. Everything about it invited us to relax and unwind, but we were desperate to explore our surroundings. Armed with our walking boots and a map, we set off for a robust country walk, following a recommended route which took us through secluded woods, windswept moors, heather clad open spaces and deep wooded valleys with fast flowing rivers. We finished with a pint in a classic country pub, before making our way back to Orestone for an exercise-earned banquet.

The hotel restaurant went far beyond our expectations – not surprising considering the hotel is owned by two chefs, whose passion for food comes across in the classic dishes prepared using fresh and local produce, with vegetables grown in the gardens and meat and fish sourced from South Devon. And even better, the VeryChic offer allowed us to enjoy a complementary meal from the Table d'hôte menu! Our candle-lit dinner in the majestic conservatory was accompanied by a warm and cosy ambience, excellent wine and faultless service. We came back the following morning for a traditional English breakfast, ready for another day of adventure mixed with relaxation. I could have quite happily stayed at Orestone Manor for weeks on end, but since it was so easy and accessible, we knew that we wouldn’t be saying goodbye forever. We came away feeling just as relaxed and satisfied as we would have done after an extravagant holiday in an exotic sundrenched resort… you simply can’t beat the English countryside!