In our Suite Staycation column, Gina Jackson – hotel expert and author of British Boutique Hotels – tours some of the best hotel suites in the UK. Next up, Fowlescombe Farm.
Best for: an all-inclusive farm stay – but not as your know it
On a sprawling 500-acre estate at the foothills of Dartmoor, this family-owned farm (encompassing a working charcuterie business) has been transformed into a stylish stay that’s defying all of the normal hotel rules.
Give us the lowdown
At the heart of the estate, wrapped by rambling gardens and a patchwork of hills sits a restored Victorian farmhouse and clutch of former haybarns, all thoughtfully reimagined by Basel-based Studio Gugger and the farm’s owner-creative director Paul Glade. Rooms unfold across the barns and farmhouse in a striking composition of local stone, warm woods, and soaring double-height glass, ensuring spaces are flooded with natural light. Inside, interiors are more slick Scandi sleepover than English countryside escape, and feature a serene, stripped-back palette of neutrals and tactile textures: think fluffy sheepskin rugs, vast swathes of local oak, and bouclé armchairs.
What’s in the suite?
The farm’s ten hideaways range from beautifully converted barns – some double-storeyed and sleeping up to four – to sprawling suites within the farmhouse. I stayed in the farmhouse’s top-floor Loft Suite, a whitewashed sanctuary where a marshmallow-soft super-king rests beneath reclaimed beams, and the bathroom (which is almost as big as the bedroom) boasts a generous walk-in shower and freestanding tub.
Image credit: Laura Edwards
Each suite guarantees panoramic vistas of the meadows and verdant valleys beyond, while interiors are richly textured, with cashmere throws draped over every visible surface, and chic armchairs for flopping on. Smart tech controls the lighting and blinds, and there’s an iPad next to your pillow for flicking through the farm’s offerings. There are no TVs, but the team can install a spacious flat-screen that’s already loaded up with Netflix and movies upon request.
How’s the crowd?
You’ll find a mix of couples and families visiting from all over, drawn here in pilgrimage of a restorative, nature-led retreat. There’s plenty to dive into across the farm, so everyone, from toddlers to teenagers, is well catered for.
Where can we eat and drink?
Image credit: Jon Tonks
All meals take place at Fowlescombe’s communal Refectory, where dining happens around a shared open counter. There are no menus: instead, four-course suppers are strictly farm-to-fork, inspired by the local landscape and the daily bounty gathered from the nearby kitchen gardens; you’ll likely spot the team picking fresh produce, which is then crafted into elaborate dishes by head chef Elly Wentworth. Breakfasts offer a simple spread of local cheeses and hams, complemented by eggs or pancakes, while lunches consist of soups and sandwiches.
Are there any stand-out touches worth mentioning?
Every single detail has been carefully devised to ensure there’s everything you need at your fingertips, from the wellies and raincoats that you can borrow for romps across the hills, to the fully stocked pantries, which you can raid for truffle crisps, locally bottled tipples and homemade fudge.
What’s on the to-do list?
A calendar of daily-changing activities ensures that no day here is the same. There’s no rush to try your hand at everything though: a stay here is all about slowing down and switching off. Join head farmer Rosie on tours across the working farm (you’ll feed the goats, chickens, and pigs, while spotting hares and barn owls along the way). Wander through the kitchen gardens or set out on long rambles and wild swims across the estate – or get stuck into bread making classes and gin tastings led by the hotel team.
What should we know before we go?
This is an all-inclusive stay, but not as you know it; expect a daily-changing roster of activities to keep you occupied, along with breakfast, lunch and dinner as part of your stay. There’s tea and cake every afternoon, and warm scones when you first arrive are included too. The staff will even ferry you to and from Totnes train station if you’re travelling without a car.
What should we pack?
Whatever’s comfortable: cashmere two-pieces for cosy evenings curled up by the fire, or summery dresses in the warmer months. Either way, guests are encouraged to wear what suits them, without any pressure to dress up. There’s no need to bring raincoats or wellies; the hotel has a plentiful supply in every size to help yourself to.
All image credits: Fowlescombe Farm, @ Fowlescombe
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Any Questions or Tips to add?