Destination Bovey Castle, Dartmoor National Park, Devon

There is nothing like the beauty of the English countryside, especially when bathed in golden sunlight. I was watching the drama of the setting unfold from the window of First Great Western’s train to Exeter St Davids.

“This is so relaxing. Much better than taking the car,” I overheard a lady say to her husband. I could not agree more. It is so therapeutic!  

You can get up when you want to stretch your legs or visit the buffet car. There is plenty of space to spread yourself out. There is no sitting in traffic jams or getting lost. There are plugs so you can use your computer or whatever gadget you like. You end up at your destination feeling as if you have already started your break. It is such an excellent way to travel.

Ariel shot of Bovey Castle

At the station, there was a driver and car from Bovey Castle, the hotel where I was staying, waiting for me. It was a 40-minute drive through winding country roads and pretty villages to get there.

Nestled in acres of the stunning wilderness of the Dartmoor National Park, Bovey Castle is a quintessential luxury English country house hotel with an 18-hole championship golf course meandering around the estate.

After driving through the iron gates – it is such a low key entrance you could easily miss it – past the gate house and a couple of holes of the golf course, I finally arrived at the front door to be greeted by porters dressed in plus fours, the country gentleman’s attire of a bygone era. 

In 1890 William Henry Smith (aka WH Smith) who later became Viscount Hambleden, bought 5,000 acres of land from the Earl of Devon. But, it was his son Frederick who built the neo-Elizabethan styled manor house to add to the family’s collection of country retreats. 

Cathedral Room

Eventually it was sold to the Great Western Railway which opened it as a hotel and golf course in 1930. For several decades the Manor House Hotel as it was known, prospered, but then slowly fell into a state of disrepair. Along came Peter de Savary and the manor house became Bovey Castle in 2003. Since then new owners have come and left their marks on the hotel. Today it has 64 individually-designed bedrooms and 22 lodges.

Once inside, I began to appreciate the understated quality of the fine workmanship. It was like entering somebody’s country home. Any minute you expected a character from Downton Abbey to pop up and greet you. 

Welcoming touches such as hand-made fudge left by the bed and a good choice of teas and coffee on hand in the room so you could make yourself a cuppa  as you drank in the vistas of the restored Edwardian gardens and  the rolling hills and rivers of the beautiful surrounding countryside. If there was ever a definition of picture-postcard views, this is it. So tranquil, a stark contrast to the frenetic pace of London, this is a place where you can instantly find your inner energy and peace.

Besides interesting walks on the moors and leisurely strolls around the grounds, there are a host of other activities such as falconry displays on the terrace, archery, fly-fishing, horse-riding and wine tastings to fill your days. It won’t be a hardship to be a golf widow here as the wonderful spa has a whole gamut of treatments to try. Or you can take a dip in the pool and enjoy a leisurely English afternoon tea in the oak-panelled Cathedral Room or simply relax and read some of the many papers or magazines which you can find scattered around the hotel. 

For dinner, try the art-deco styled Edwardian Grill. At night the atmosphere created by candlelight is simply magical and the service was impeccable. Dartmoor Beef is the speciality, but there is also a good choice of locally-caught fish. The wine list offers a good selection.  

To round off your evening, head to the Oak Bar and enjoy a nightcap besides a roaring log fire. 

By Daralyn Danns

Getting there

First Great Western. Advance Single fares from London Paddington to Exeter St Davids start from £15.50 each way. Or take advantage of Group Save tickets where four can travel for the price of two (subject to terms and conditions). For the best value tickets and fares buy before you board at firstgreatwestern.co.uk , via the mobile application or telephone 08457 000125

For further information visit boveycastle.com 

First published in All About Hair (All About Hair UK), the travel and lifestyle blog with a luxury twist