In short… Fowlescombe Farm is a beautiful luxury retreat set on a working farm in the heart of the Devon countryside. Somewhere to slip into a slower pace of life, the food is sensational and despite a mass of beautiful places to explore close by, it would be all too easy to not step a single foot outside the farm.
The surroundings… Set in 450 acres of rolling countryside on the borders of Dartmoor, the estate includes the ruins of a romantic, ivy-clad abbey that some say was the setting of The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sherlock Holmes (who was known to have visited Fowlescombe). The ethos of the owners, the Owens family, was and is to leave the land in better shape than they found it. Native herds of rare British breeds include Longhorn and Shorthorn cattle, as well as the largest flock of Manx sheep in the UK—whose little hoofs are apparently genius at aerating the soil (who knew?)—happily co-exist alongside Tamworth pigs, hives of honeybees and a flock of chickens.
The backstory… The farm was bought by the Owens family in 2018 as a working farm. Their daughter Caitlin, who had previously worked in the family pub in nearby South Pool, spent most of the pandemic at Fowlescombe and fell in love with the idea of creating a place where you could press pause and rediscover the quiet magic of the seasons. Alongside creative director Paul Glade, they picked a team of UK and International architects and designers to create ten suites spread across the farm, which opened in early 2025.
The vibe… Rooms and apartments are generously spread out between the farmhouse and a series of barns centred around a courtyard. I stayed in the two-bedroomed “tall barn.” Despite being early January, the log burner and underfloor heating kept me warm and toasty all weekend. Rooms are filled with natural light bouncing off the lime-washed walls and reclaimed timber, and if you want to venture out, rain coats and Wellington boots are available. Additional touches include sheepskin rugs (made from the farm flock), generous bottles of products from Pelegrim, beds that you could easily spend an entire weekend in with a good a book (there are no televisions), and vast bathtubs (make sure to request one as some rooms are showers-only). I also loved the individual bedrooms in the Victorian farmhouse, which work well for couples and are quietly decorated with abstract artworks by artists from Devon.
The food & drink… The food is really outstanding and a very good reason to return. The kitchen is overseen by the formidable Ellie and her assistant Brandon, who has worked with her for years. It goes without saying that farm to table supports every dish and the set evening menu changes daily, depending on what is in the garden and farm and delivered by local fishmongers and cheesemongers, not to mention the local salami maker.
The room rate includes a very generous full board, including a sensational cooked breakfast, sandwiches and soup at lunch, afternoon tea and a four-course dinner each evening. The Refectory with its open kitchen is the beating heart of Fowlescombe, and most guests choose to eat around the large central island, although there are more private places to eat, especially in the warmer months, where tables are scattered through the garden and terraces.
The wellness… It’s impossible not to feel well at Fowlescombe. Close to the hippie town of Totnes, where you can even pick up crystals in the petrol station, there are a wealth of alternative therapists on hand. I tried yoga in the greenhouse with sweet Sappho, who patiently stretched me through poses I never knew were possible. I tried breathwork for the first time with Lauren, again in the greenhouse, as the rain pattered down and the log burner kept us warm. This was revelatory. Outdoor activities include hedge laying, farm tours, and even witchcraft on Dartmoor making tinctures from locally foraged herbs. If you’re feeling bold, the sea is less than a 30-minutes drive and you can take a morning plunge before breakfast.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes, despite the emphasis on peace and calm, there were a handful of young children during my stay who were kept busy making pasta, doing bushcraft in the woods, collecting eggs from the chickens for our breakfast and being exhausted on hikes up Dartmoor. Dogs including my own are also welcome and treated as well as their owners, with a sheepskin dog bed and treats waiting in our room on arrival.
Extra tip goes to… They were all superb—I loved hiking on Dartmoor with Shelley and her dog Basil. Her family have farmed on Dartmoor for decades and she is also responsible for the kitchen garden, which she also tended for the previous owners. Fowlescombe is overseen by Pip, who has worked everywhere from Le Manoir under Raymond Blanc, to Bowhill in Wiltshire—his enthusiasm rubs off on the rest of the friendly team including Rita, who came up with such impressive non-alcoholic cocktails I forgot I was in the midst of dry January.
Be sure to… Hike on Dartmoor—it’s only once you’ve climbed to the top of a Tor and placed a pebble for good luck that you realise how dramatic and breathtakingly beautiful this vast wild part of England is. In the summer, stargazing by the full moon would be magical. Close by there are some fantastic lunch spots, including Mitch Tonks’ Seahorse in Dartmouth, and the Bull Inn at Totnes, which you need to book well in advance.
Parting words… Despite feeling so remote, it’s terribly easy to reach from London with a very civilised train direct to Totnes (sit on the left-hand side for the best seascapes), so perfect for a weekend or a two-night stay if heading on to Cornwall. The food makes it a destination in itself and worth the ambitious room rates. With Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi galavanting across our screens in Wuthering Heights, which was filmed close by, and rumours of the new Harry Potter series for HBO at nearby Lustleigh Abbey, I suggest you get there soon before word gets out how special this part of England is.
Date of stay… January 16-18, 2026
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