Boutique chic

We pay a visit to the Old Rectory Hotel, a gorgeous boutique country house hotel near the coast in Exmoor National Park.

One of the things we love most about Devon is its perfect combination of coast and countryside. And Exmoor National Park, in particular, manages to distil the very best of both into one beautiful region of lush country bordered by an enchanting stretch of the north coast. There’s so much to do and discover here and a great place to start your adventures is the Old Rectory Hotel in Martinhoe, a literal stone’s throw from
the coast.

“took to the hills to follow our dream and open the kind of hotel where we and our friends would like to stay”

The hotel has been beautifully decorated throughout to an exacting standard, exuding English country charm in spades, from the elegant reception rooms to the 11 luxurious, inviting and individually-styled en-suite bedrooms. Your room might enjoy views of the sea or the gorgeous gardens; either way, you really couldn’t hope for a better base for exploring the best of Exmoor. The grounds are as pretty and manicured as the hotel itself, green lawns punctuated by a range of trees, exotic plants and a lake, complete with its own bridge. There are many spots in which to catch the sun or the shade, depending on your preference, perhaps with a good book and most definitely with a drink of something refreshing in hand. Indeed, if you’re into your food and drink, and love it fresh and local, then you’ve come to the right place. Executive Chef Thomas Frost is a native of north Devon and delights in showcasing the best ingredients and fare that the region’s natural pantry has to offer.

Whether it’s the Ilfracombe crab, lime and avocado cocktail or a fillet of Devon Red Ruby beef, your taste buds are sure to thank you for the experience. The wine list, meanwhile, has been carefully selected for taste, value and to complement the menu. The Old Rectory Hotel is the realisation of the vision of Huw Rees and Sam Prosser, who “took to the hills to follow our dream and open the kind of hotel where we and our friends would like to stay”. The awards they have racked up to date really do speak for themselves, from TripAdvisor’s ‘Most Romantic Hotel in Europe’ to Alastair Sawday’s ‘Old Favourite of the Year’.

So, if a trip to Exmoor is on your list of things to do (and it really should be), why not begin with booking a room at the Old Rectory?

THE OLD RECTORY HOTEL

Martinhoe, Exmoor National Park EX31 4QT

01598 763368

info@oldrectoryhotel.co.uk

www.oldrectoryhotel.co.uk