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5/5 Paws
Set in 28-acres of beautiful East Devon countryside, Lympstone Manor is a Georgian grade II listed house-turned-hotel owned by Michelin-starred chef, Michael Caines; a contemporary countryside abode overlooking the mouth of the biodiverse Exe estuary with expansive grounds that slope down to the water’s edge – home to a thriving vineyard, The Lady’s Walk, an outdoor swimming pool with pool house and bar for more casual dining – and six luxury shepherd’s huts.
The grounds provide the ideal spot for your pal to stretch their legs with ample great walking spots along the estuary and on the South West Coast Path, with Dartmoor and Exmoor also in easy reach. Michael and his team lovingly restored the historic building to its former glory, ensuring period features were fused with contemporary elements and modern conveniences; the main house offers two dog-friendly rooms – designed with ornate furnishings and sumptuous fabrics, as well as unrivalled views – and all of the shepherd’s huts welcome dogs with a comfy bed, water bowl and towel.
The cosy huts are all named after woodland creatures and designed in a contemporary style with log burners, brilliantly kitted out kitchens, walk-in showers and spacious decked areas – some of which have baths and fire pits, perfect for sweet summer months when you want to maximise outdoor living. The huts offer a superb spot for dogs, set apart from the main house, nestled in the woodland – they’re ideal for hunkering down with your four-legged friend who will be kept entertained with the many woodland sounds, wildlife sniffs and squirrel sightings! It’s an utterly dreamy dog-friendly destination, designed to take time out with sweeping estuary vistas and culinary thrills.
A superb spot with some great walking routes to explore nearby, Lympstone Manor is situated on one of the most beautiful stretches of the south Devon coastline with views across the Exe estuary and rolling hills beyond. As a designated SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest), the estuary extends 10km south from Exeter to the open sea at Dawlish Warren. It’s a brilliantly unique habitat that’s made up of river and tidal estuary waters, foreshore, low-lying land, saltmarshes, mudflats, the rare and unusual double spit across the mouth of the estuary (visible at low tide), and the sand dunes of Dawlish Warren.
This complex of coastal habitats supports internationally important numbers of wintering and migratory water birds so dogs are asked to be kept on leashes in some areas of the pathways. The hotel also sits close to the South West Coast Path – extending 85-miles east, along the Jurassic Coast – England’s first natural World Heritage Site with cliffs, rocks and fossils that reveal detailed stories dating back 185-million years. Pick up the estuary path and walk to Topsham with its many eateries, boutiques and galleries.
The pretty village of Lympstone is also worth exploring and right on the doorstep there’s the expansive grounds, home to a southwest-facing vineyard and the Lady’s walk with its wonderful sculptures dotted around the paths.
Food is celebrated wholeheartedly at Lympstone Manor with fine dining experiences at the core – it’s a foodie destination with one of Britain’s most-loved and influential chefs at the helm.
There are two beautiful dining rooms to enjoy Michael Caines vision of modern British cuisine, using the bounty of the Exe estuary as well as an extensive selection of locally reared meats and seasonal veg. Favourite dishes include slow-cooked partridge and Powderham venison. Menus work with the seasons and are expertly paired with wines from a cellar of over an impressive 600 bins.
There’s an eight-course tasting menu with an impeccably paired wine flight, showcasing creative plates with some exciting flavour combos. Devon is a hotbed for some of the freshest seafood – try locally caught lobster with roasted leak and truffle cream, followed by the salted Newlyn cod, with lemon puree, Lyme Bay crab samphire and chorizo.
It’s worth noting that dog’s aren’t allowed in either of the main restaurants but you can order food straight to your shepherd’s hut and delicious breakfast hampers of cold meats, cheeses, fresh fruit, yogurts and pastries are also delivered straight to your door.
Please confirm with Lympstone Manor the rates for dogs to stay.
What a treat to stay in one of the shepherd’s huts in the woodland grounds of Lympstone Manor – it was such a cosy space to hunker down with my humans. I enjoyed squirrel watching from the window and loved all the wild sniffs and sounds of nature. I had the comfiest bed to snuggle in by the fire and food came straight to the door, plus there are so many great walks just a stick’s throw away. No barketing ploy here, but it’s every dog’s dream escape!
5/5 Paws
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