The best places to eat, stay, shop and visit in the South West

East Devon: River Cottage

Enjoy a gourmet escape at Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall's dine and stay destination in Axminster
River Cottage food

Craving a gourmet getaway? Check out this curated weekend break based around River Cottage in Axminster, east Devon

Stay at

Hugh Fearnley‑Whittingstall’s River Cottage. This isn’t just somewhere to learn how to craft artisan food; it’s also a stylish spot for a night away as the Farmhouse, Gardener’s Cottage and Cabin are all available for bed and breakfast.

River Cottage, Axminster

River Cottage jollies

The venue runs a wide range of cookery courses, has a Kitchen & Store serving breakfast, brunch and coffee, and also hosts seasonal dining events such as foragers’ lunches, feasts with Hugh and summer shindigs.

Best room in the house

The iconic Farmhouse takes top honours.

Town Mill Bakery flat white
Flat white at Town Mill Bakery

Nearby eats and ents

Visit Castlewood Vineyard for a tour and tasting, and Lyme Regis for excellent dining. For casual eats at Lyme’s seafront, The Whole Hog – a hole in the wall serving doughnuts, speciality coffee and hog roast baps – is hard to resist, or find further quality coffee and carbs at Town Mill Bakery. If you like what you taste at Town Mill, you can recreate the brunch experience at home with head chef Wojciech Borecki’s recipe for turkish eggs.

rivercottage.net

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