England's First Country House Hotel

Combe House in Rural Devon is A Romantic Retreat

Mar 30, 2009

Gittisham village is a timeless country scene, the "ideal English village" HRH Prince Charles said. It's also home to a gorgeous country hotel - Combe House.

Set in what HRH Prince Charles called "the ideal English village" is the ideal romantic country retreat and English country manor Coombe House.

Combe House became England's first country hotel forty years ago this year, that makes it special in itself. Add the tenth anniversary celebration of the present owners and the hordes of awards that they've gained and it makes a winning combination.

Combe House Hotel & Restaurant has a most pleasant as Mr Bingley from Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice would have no doubt said. Nor would Mr Bingley and Mr Darcy cantering across the lawns be out of place here.

Combe House is a glorious Grade 1, 15-bedroom Elizabethan manor, which lends itself to Jane Austen novels and daydreams. Huddling in the 3,500 acre estate Combe sits more than comfortably in its surrounds, a wisp of smoke from the recently lit fire in the Great Hall wafts upwards, with a backdrop of ancient trees and horses galloping around the grounds - heaven.

The door opens into the Great Hall where, in its original fireplace, an enormous fire licks and curls around huge logs from the estate. Step next door and relax in the homely guest lounge with large inviting settees and cosy corners with lovely antiques and contemporary furnishings, a lovely refuge for afternoon tea.

Best Devonshire Cream Teas

Here of course it has to be a Devon Cream Tea, lashings of clotted cream with freshly baked scones and hotel-made jam (from the fruit of their grounds, where possible). Don't forget to buy a pot or two of that delicious jam before leaving! Present owners Ken and Ruth Hunt have put an extraordinary amount of time and passion to achieve what is a most welcoming, comfortable and romantic home from home.

The Hunts' knew they had a long way to go to achieve the establishment they sought, so they placed their focus on excellent food. Along with their two chefs, both master chefs of Great Britain, they source everything they can locally. Some is more local than others; the beef for example comes from the Gittisham herd that grazes the parkland around the estate. Honey comes from Ken's beehives and some of the soft fruits and vegetable from the restored kitchen gardens.

Coombe House Hotel & Restaurant Awards

The dedication to good food has resulted in many awards and it just keeps getting better, Combe House has won many Awards:

To experience an English country house, a warm welcome and fine dining in a picture-postcard location this is one place that is an overall winner. It’s homely and unique with individual attention, individual rooms and a welcoming hand-shake from the owners themselves. It's a place to return to again and again.

Combe House Hotel & Restaurant, Gittihsam, Honiton, Devon, EX14 3AD. Tel: 01 404 540 400

The copyright of the article England's First Country House Hotel in England Travel is owned by Rachel L. Webb. Permission to republish England's First Country House Hotel in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.