The Pig at Combe, Near Honiton, Devon - Explore & Book
"This is a celebration of old meets new. A Grade 1-listed Elizabethan manor house re-imagined as a shabby-chic hotel. A grand entrance hall that's now home to a relaxed bar area with a crackling fire, imaginative cocktail infusions and a wall of mismatched glasses. Faux-antique mirrors hiding smart TVs. Roll-top baths paired with waffle dressing gowns. Original panelling and stucco ceilings alongside terracotta pots of herbs. A former potting shed offering hot-stone massages. And the biggest luxury, that spans both eras? Being thoroughly looked after. Formerly Combe House, this is the latest brainchild from Robin Hutson, joining The Pig and The Pig near Bath, 2 of our favourite hotels. As with those, each revamp detail here was dreamt up by Judy, Robin's wife - antique furniture sourced from French brocantes, paired with rose-red sofas and muted hues of sage and grey. Though there are trademark Pig details (vintage crockery on bare wood tables in the conservatory-feel restaurant; an incredible kitchen garden, whose produce drives the daily menu), nothing has been duplicated exactly; everything is original and extraordinary. As for the setting, it's as beautiful as could be. Arabian horses gallop around the surrounding fields, which unfold into 3,500 acres of fresh green Devon countryside. Pure rejuvenation for the soul. Highs The ambience: calm slips over you the moment you arrive Superb gastro food: pollock lollipops with salsa verde, glazed Featherblade steak, then a gin jelly softened by cucumber sorbet - we wished we'd stayed another night to sample more of the breakfast menu, too The bar team really knows its stuff; the whisky sommelier couldn't have been more useful Bikes and Hunter wellies for exploring the countryside - or drive to beaches and historic towns Clever pricing, which offers something for everyone. There are luxury Hideaways and champagne cocktails, or Snug rooms and a garden pizzeria Lows Super popular so you'll need to book well in advance (2-3 months for weekends) and there's a 2-night min stay over a Fri and Sat Breakfast is only included in the dinner, bed and breakfast rate Other restaurants are a drive away A swimming pool would be the icing on the cake (do I sound spoilt?)" - Liz Simpson
