Curious country homes
Here lies a kingdom where chandeliers hang from trees, bookcases lead to secret rooms and real-life wishing wells await. No dream too big no dreamer too small.
Homes of makers, artists and bon vivants, here lie escapes made by those who dare to dream beyond the realms of normality. Each home within this collection holds a story. Some that can be told and others that will remain unearthed, like diamonds buried deep beneath the earth's surface. In one, an eccentric Welsh stamp collector lived, his hundreds of stamps purportedly lost in a house fire and last seen billowing out of the chimney like confetti over the hills of Snowdonia.
In another, concealed by Italian-inspired gardens, a famous London dandy created his secret retreat from society, only discovered decades later in a forgotten Devon valley. Like all fairytales, in each narrative lies a moral to be discovered. So throw caution to the wind, dive down that rabbit hole and explore wonderlands created by some of Britain's biggest dreamers.
Castle on the Well
Charles, South Molton, Exmoor, Devon, UK
Fusing luxurious shooting lodge with a modern country twist, Castle on the Well hides within a patchwork of rolling Devonshire countryside, on the edge of Exmoor National Park.
Sleeps: Up to 6 guests
From: £2,095 per week, £1,550 per short break
Alternative Group Option: Up to 4 guests
Pets: One small to medium well-behaved dog is welcome and two on prior request
Features: Fire pit
Ellesmera Mill
This enchanting 400 year old millhouse is chock-full of old-world charm. Set in the South Hams near Dartmouth, the dreamy south Devon coast is almost within touching distance and short stroll through the valley leads to the sheltered cove of Blackpool Sands.
Sleeps: Up to 10 guests
From: £3,450 per week, £2,995 per short break
Pets: Sorry, no pets
Features: Wood-fired hot tub, sauna, cinema room with table football
Elderwood Manor
Umberleigh, Barnstaple, Devon, UK
A pristine white country house sat amid the rolling patchwork fields of North Devon, Elderwood Manor is idyllically situated to make the most of both coast and country - if you can tear yourself away from the hot tub and glorious gardens that is.
Sleeps: Up to 14 guests
From: £3,795 per week, £2,850 per short break
Alternative Group Option: Up to 8 guests
Pets: Two well-behaved medium dogs, or one large well-behaved dog, are welcome
Features: Wood-fired hot tub, cinema room, games room with bar, table tennis table, croquet and badminton
The Lost Music Hall
Created by a London dandy to serve as his secret retreat from society, this former music hall has been restored in all its Arts and Crafts glory to offer unique escapes in a hidden valley of Devon's South Hams AONB.
Sleeps: Up to 6 guests
From: £1,995 per week, £1,595 per short break
Alternative Group Option: Up to 2 & Up to 12 guests
Pets: Two pets are welcome
Features: Heated outdoor swimming pool (May-September) and games room with table tennis and darts
Rydon
Trusham, Teign Valley, Devon, UK
Enjoy some time out at this contemporary self-catering barn dwelling squirrelled away in the picturesque Teign Valley, Devon.
Sleeps: Up to 6 guests
From: £1,595 per week, £1,195 per short break
Alternative Group Option: Up to 4 & Up to 2 guests
Pets: Two well-behaved dogs are welcome (must be kept on leads in the grounds)
Features: Heated pool (from 5th May to 29th September)
