From the lands of Dartmoor to the impressive Jurassic Coast, from rolling open country to the rugged coastlines of Cornwall, the South West of England is a paradise for artists, sailors, and botanists. Its landscapes, interiors, and history ceaselessly inspired the poet Thomas Hardy and the novelist Conan Doyle. In this climate milder than elsewhere in the country, there are a host of parks and gardens to visit. Breath in the scent and spray of the sea while the birds dance on the wind.
Hotel and restaurant in the country. Located in the elegant Devon seaside town of Exmouth, Lympstone Manor is a quintessential Georgian manor turned contemporary country house. Driven by the enthusiasm and talent of renowned chef Michael Caines, this haven of peace and tranquillity, set in an exceptional natural environment, is anchored in the salt-rich terroir of a region whose coast gives way to the English Channel. Overlooking the Exe Estuary in South West England, it features luxurious rooms and suites, as well as fantastic shepherd huts for a unique experience set within the woodland, complete with the utmost refinement and privacy. Lympstone Manor also boasts a vineyard. Stretching to the shoreline, it is where Michael Caines celebrates his passion for wine. In his gourmet restaurant, enjoy a cuisine of great maturity and astonishing precision, which showcases the finest products from the sea, foreshore and salt meadows alongside produce from the verdant surroundings.
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Lyme Regis is known as "The Pearl of Dorset." This small seaside town has retained its Georgian appearance and utterly charming atmosphere. Writer Jane Austen set her novel Persuasion here, and this coastal town also featured in scenes from The French Lieutenant's Woman, starring American actress Meryl...
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Follow the Jurassic Coast
A natural World Heritage Site owing to its geological importance, the Jurassic Coast stretches 96 miles from East Devon to Dorset. Geographers and geologists believe that parts of this rocky coastline are 180 million years old. It therefore comes as no surprise that a wealth of geological vestiges and...
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Discover the Bicton Park Botanical Gardens
This immense botanical park is more than a garden: It is home to one of the most superb collections of trees in Great Britain. Many of them are the oldest or largest of their species in the United Kingdom. The 62 acres offer a range of experiences in the varied gardens (American, Italian, Hermit, etc.)....
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Attend an evensong performance of the Exeter Cathedral Choir
The Exeter Cathedral Choir is considered one of the finest in the country. One can come and listen to its liturgical hymns that accompany the evening services (5:30 p.m. weekdays, 4:00 p.m. weekends). Under the impressive tierceron vault of the cathedral's nave, one can only be struck by Bach's St. John...
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Stopover in Lyme Regis
Lyme Regis is known as "The Pearl of Dorset." This small seaside town has retained its Georgian appearance and utterly charming atmosphere. Writer Jane Austen set her novel Persuasion here, and this coastal town also featured in scenes from The French Lieutenant's Woman, starring American actress Meryl...
Read Moreless
Follow the Jurassic Coast
A natural World Heritage Site owing to its geological importance, the Jurassic Coast stretches 96 miles from East Devon to Dorset. Geographers and geologists believe that parts of this rocky coastline are 180 million years old. It therefore comes as no surprise that a wealth of geological vestiges and...
Restaurant and hotel in the country. Surrounded by more than 100 acres of pristine Devonshire countryside, Gidleigh Park is a secluded country house hotel on the edge of Dartmoor. Set majestically on the banks of the River Teign, it offers a tranquil escape with scenic walks, lawn games and a celebrated kitchen garden. Interiors draw from the Arts and Crafts movement, enriched by antiques and artwork, and most rooms, each thoughtfully appointed, overlook the river and grounds. With understated hospitality and an atmosphere of profound serenity, Gidleigh Park feels like a cherished novel come to life. Menus celebrate the finest seasonal ingredients with clarity and finesse, making every meal a sensory experience. A timeless haven for those seeking nature, stillness, and the enchantment of elsewhere.
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Scorhill Stone Circle, also known as the Gidleigh Stone Circle, is one of the largest and most intact stone circles in Devon. An important prehistoric site in the heart of the moorland, it is composed of about twenty vertical granite blocks, some of which are carved. A short distance from the circle...
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Visit Dartmoor National Park
Some would say that this moorland was created only for grazing ponies and sheep. A tortured land dotted with waterfalls and standing stones, stone crosses and ancient ruins: It is the realm of walkers, cyclists, and horseback riders. A wonderful backdrop dominated by the tors – large granite outcrops...
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Explore Scorhill Stone Circle
Scorhill Stone Circle, also known as the Gidleigh Stone Circle, is one of the largest and most intact stone circles in Devon. An important prehistoric site in the heart of the moorland, it is composed of about twenty vertical granite blocks, some of which are carved. A short distance from the circle...
Read Moreless
Visit Dartmoor National Park
Some would say that this moorland was created only for grazing ponies and sheep. A tortured land dotted with waterfalls and standing stones, stone crosses and ancient ruins: It is the realm of walkers, cyclists, and horseback riders. A wonderful backdrop dominated by the tors – large granite outcrops...
Hotel and restaurant on the seafront. Waking up in a bright, spacious room overlooking the sea, with the sound of waves lapping gently against the shore below, is an invitation to enjoy a morning swim, take a boat trip, join a sailing lesson on the dinghy or visit one of Cornwall’s internationally renowned gardens. Owners Karen and David Richards have transformed this historic building in the enchanting port of St Mawes, instilling it with the soul of a wonderful holiday home. On the waterfront terrace, guests can savour the Cornish sunshine and the freshest fish caught by local dayboat fishermen. Refined, imaginative and sustainable cuisine with genuine hospitality in a relaxed setting — no wonder the staff ’s joie de vivre is so contagious!
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Visit the National Maritime Museum of Cornwall, Falmouth
For boating and maritime history enthusiasts, a visit to this modern building on Discovery Quay in Falmouth Harbour is an absolute must. The museum covers sailing history and culture: Over its five floors, visitors will see a marvelous collection of boats of yesteryear and today, from the remains of...
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Stroll through Trelissick Garden
Trelissick Garden is at its best in the spring and fall. The Japanese Red Cedar (Cryptomeria japonica), planted in 1898, is magnetic, as visitors circle around it again and again until they feel dizzy. Along the carefully tended lawns, stroll between azaleas, banana and rhododendron trees, dahlias and...
Read Moreless
Visit the National Maritime Museum of Cornwall, Falmouth
For boating and maritime history enthusiasts, a visit to this modern building on Discovery Quay in Falmouth Harbour is an absolute must. The museum covers sailing history and culture: Over its five floors, visitors will see a marvelous collection of boats of yesteryear and today, from the remains of...
Read Moreless
Stroll through Trelissick Garden
Trelissick Garden is at its best in the spring and fall. The Japanese Red Cedar (Cryptomeria japonica), planted in 1898, is magnetic, as visitors circle around it again and again until they feel dizzy. Along the carefully tended lawns, stroll between azaleas, banana and rhododendron trees, dahlias and...
**Offer cannot be combined, valid for an itinerary in at least 2 different Relais & Châteaux establishments, reserved with Relais & Châteaux concierges, discount applicable on certain rates and certain establishments. List available from our concierges.
Total price communicated as an indication, based on a stay of the number of nights recommended on this webpage, taking place in the next 3 months, and based on double occupancy (excluding recommended activities, excluding properties not bookable online).
Reservation Service
To give you inspiration, Relais & Châteaux presents the Routes du Bonheur:
Suggestions for travel itineraries that you can fully personalise according to your wishes and the experiences you would like to discover. Our consultants are available to help customise your route and assist you in making reservations at our properties. It is up to you to reserve any recommended activities on-site or nearby that might interest you.
** Offer cannot be combined, valid for an itinerary in at least 2 different Relais & Châteaux establishments, reserved with Relais & Châteaux concierges, discount applicable on certain rates and certain establishments. List available from our concierges. Call our concierge to tailormade your booking and itinerary*. *Price of a local call
The Best of the South West: The Devon estuaries and the Cornish coast
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