Countryside breaks
When the crowds are off to the coast, head inland to enjoy the meadows, moors, rivers and woodlands of the South West. We’ve rounded up the region’s most idyllic countryside breaks to make your next rural retreat the best yet
The Queen’s Arms, Corton Denham, Dorset
Family-owned Georgian pub The Queen’s Arms, nestled in the village of Corton Denham, has it all for a gourmet rural getaway. Its thoughtfully appointed rooms (five in the pub, three in the coach house and two in a self-contained cottage) are joyful in their sophistication, featuring stylish antiques and plush fabrics. Meanwhile, head-turning cuisine care of head chef Rich Townsend provides guests with the opportunity to feast on immaculate dishes with knockout flavour combos.
The Queen’s Arms is located just off the A303, making it an ideal place to break a journey from London to Devon or Cornwall, or as a beautiful base from which to explore the nearby town of Sherborne (recently named the best place to live in the region by The Sunday Times) and its collection of chic boutiques. Visitors won’t be stuck for walks mapped in history either. It’s believed that Charles II skirted the village on his escape from the country after the Battle of Worcester, and part of the 625-mile route he travelled (known as Monarch’s Way) can be walked from Corton Denham. Another popular walk is from Corton Denham Ridge to Cadbury Castle which is said to be where the legend of Camelot was born. Any countryside ramble is best rounded off with a seasonal cocktail on The Queen’s Arms’ sun-trap terrace.
The Castle Inn, Lydford, Devon
While The Castle Inn in Lydford is a wonderful base for adventures around Dartmoor, there is more to the 16th-century characterful dining pub than a comfy kip. That said, the individually designed rooms deserve a mention: there are nine in the pub and four in the cottage opposite, and each emanates classical charm. On the food front, skillful use of home-grown and local ingredients is evidenced in refined pub fare such as braised beef cheek, dauphinoise potatoes, Tenderstem broccoli and bourguignon sauce.
The Castle Inn is just a pebble’s skim from Lydford Gorge (the deepest river gorge in the South West) and nearby excellent routes for walking, horse riding and even take alpaca trekking. A historic tour of Lydford village and English Heritage site Lydford Castle are also worth an explore. The village is on NCN Route 27, making it a particularly popular stopover among cyclists, who can take advantage of The Castle’s on-site bike storage facilities.
Summer Lodge, Evershot, Dorset
Summer Lodge, a fine Georgian house in the village of Evershot, is part of the family-owned and run Red Carnation Hotel Collection. Accommodation ranges from sumptuous rooms and suites to self-contained cottages in the grounds and village. Exceptional food and drink experiences – including an exquisite afternoon tea and bespoke private dining – bring together ingredients sourced from the local larder and the hotel’s kitchen garden. Classic signature dishes and innovative cuisine are complemented by an expertly curated bar and impressive wine collection.
Summer Lodge is set in four acres of manicured gardens, with plenty of places to relax, practise yoga or simply swing serenely on the hammocks and garden seats. It has so much to offer you may be forgiven for never leaving – including a heated indoor pool, wellness spa, gym, all-weather tennis court and croquet lawn. There are also plenty of county house experiences, such as falconry, horse riding, golf and mindfulness workshops.
Two Bridges Hotel, Dartmoor, Devon
Two Bridges’ cosy, friendly and historic charm is warm and inviting but far from parochial – here the beautifully traditional is infused with the luxuriously modern. The superb food offering showcases seasonal produce from local farmers, fishermen and producers, and has earned the hotel an entry in the Trencherman’s Guide, two AA rosettes and a gold award from Taste of the West.
Situated smack in the middle of Dartmoor National Park with unbeatable hikes on its doorstep, Two Bridges is perfectly positioned for walks on the wild side. However, the 32-room riverside hotel is just as restorative to those who prefer to gaze at nature with a glass of fine wine rather than stride through it with a compass. A couple of the many local points of interest include Tavistock Pannier Market, National Trust’s Castle Drogo and nearby Wistman’s Wood – a beautiful ancient oak woodland just a short walk from the hotel.
Boconnoc, Lostwithiel, Cornwall
Breathtaking Boconnoc Estate is just 20 minutes from the coast but is so deeply immersed in the Cornish countryside it feels a million miles from anywhere. Nestled within enchanting parkland and gardens are Boconnoc House (an elegant Georgian mansion that sleeps 19, The Stewardry (an 18th-century manor house that sleeps 14) and a handful of cottages that sleep between four and eight people. Each residence has a fully equipped kitchen, wifi and host of luxurious features. Optional extras include a chef service and superb ingredients from the estate, subject to pre-booking and availability.
The family-run estate often hosts events, weddings and retreats, so there is plenty of space and scope for entertainment. Guests can enjoy the likes of paddleboarding and wild swimming in the lake, getting creative in the dedicated craft space, foraging and wellness sessions.
Enjoyed reading our pick of the best countryside breaks in the South West? Discover off-grid getaways in the region.
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