[category]
[title]
A hotel doesn’t have to have a grand façade, a glossy hi-tech spa or sultry, velvet-clad bar to be great. Sure, in Condé Nast Traveller’s list of the world’s best new hotels, two of the three British entries are intimidatingly swanky new establishments in London (Six Senses and The Chancery Rosewood). But for those who prefer staying somewhere more low-key and down to earth, the third is Fowlescombe Farm, a ‘truly spoiling yet authentic farm stay’ in Devon.
Fowlescombe Farm was established almost 500 years ago. It entered a new era when it was taken over by the Owens family in 2019, who transformed it into a regenerative organic farm and luxury retreat that officially opened last May.
The estate’s Victorian farmhouse has 10 suites available to book and all stays are inclusive of every meal (and snacks!) and of every experience you might want to try out. It also offers complimentary transfers from and to Totnes train station if guests need it.
In the suites, you can expect minimalist design and earthy palettes with custom oak furniture, Welsh sandstone floors, and Naturalmat mattresses made with wool from the farm’s own flock of Manx Loaghtan sheep. But the rooms are just the beginning of a stay at Fowlescombe. Unlike other hotels which may simply act as a base while you’re visiting a wider area, Fowlescombe is a whole experience in itself.
Here, guests are invited to muck in – if you like, you can help gather eggs for breakfast, forage for herbs for your cocktail, knead bread or feed the livestock. A changing weekly program of activities also includes things like farm tours, sea swims, art workshops, gin tastings, and yoga in the greenhouse. CNT commented that other ‘serendipitous moments might include a slice of lemon drizzle cake at teatime or a chat with head gardener Shelley about what’s growing in the garden’.
But, better still, CNT said that one of the hotel’s ‘biggest draws’ are the the informal, four-course suppers, eaten at the communal table in its restaurant, The Refectory (which happens to be one of the newest additions to the Michelin Guide). The open kitchen is led by executive chef Elly Wentworth (of Great British Menu and MasterChef: The Professionals fame), who concocts a different menu every day (just a few hours before service) depending on the produce available from the farm. Dishes in the past have included cured John Dory with granny smith apple and summer savoury, sirloin of shorthorn beef with cavalo nero pesto, leek terrine and orchard apple soufflé.
A night at Folwescombe Farm starts at £638, with all meals and experiences included. You can book on Booking.com here.
ICYMI: One of the prettiest towns in the Peak District is getting a major new hotel.
Plus: This iconic British seaside hotel is getting a £20 million revamp.
Stay in the loop: sign up to our free Time Out UK newsletter for the latest UK news and the best stuff happening across the country.