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.
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| 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.
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| 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
www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk ,via the mobile application or telephone 08457
000125
For further information visit www.boveycastle.com
For further information visit www.boveycastle.com
