'Checking in to this Devonshire manor house helped reduce my stress'
Crunching up the tree-lined gravel driveway, the amber glow emanating from the mullioned windows of an Elizabethan mansion feels as welcoming as a mug of warm cocoa on a frosty night, and I can already feel my stress levels falling after navigating the M5.
Desperate for some old-school luxury pampering, I know we've come to the right place. Boringdon Hall is a simply glorious 16th-century manor house perched on a hill just five miles from Plymouth. With its candlelit oak-panelled halls, huge stone fireplaces and galleried nooks, I imagine Richard Curtis scouting it as a location for his next Christmas rom-com.
Boringdon comes from the Saxon phrase 'Burth-Y-Don,' which means 'the enchanted place on the hill'. And enchanting it is. Stepping through the grand stone entrance – a suit of armour is a nice touch – the old building is brimming with period features; long mullioned windows, oversized wooden doors, polished flagstone floors, even tapestry-strewn stone walls.
After checking in, we head to the Great Hall, the hotel’s main bar and lounge area, for a pint and a snack. A cavernous manor, dominated by the Great Hall's enormous fireplace with the King James I coat of arms above it, Boringdon Hall is said to earn every one of its five stars thanks to its gastronomic offerings. Above the lounge is the balcony where the Michelin-starred Àclèaf restaurant is hidden.
But it's not all period drama at Boringdon Hall. Next door to reception is the modern wing, which houses a £5 million state-of-the-art Gaia spa.
I've brought along my furry companion, Miss Babs, so we've booked an executive suite in a wing of the manor which has a huge bedroom, a lounge and a private decked terrace with a hot tub. Despite its grandeur, Boringdon Hall is very dog friendly and Miss Babs, has been made very welcome and is allowed everywhere bar the spa and the restaurants.
Luckily, we're within each reach of some of the finest dog walks in the West Country. Dartmoor National Park is only eight miles away, however, I'm reluctant to leave the comfort of the hotel for that long and instead we stretch her legs in Plymbridge Woods, the National Trust-owned woodlands which run through the Plym Valley.
After tucking Miss Babs up in bed, I'm glad we took the long route around Plymbridge and worked up a proper appetite for dinner at Àclèaf, the hotel's Michelin-starred restaurant. Our four-course menu (plus numerous treats) was created by Head Chef Scott Paton who really champions Devon's incredible local produce, from the locally caught turbot with yuzu and green chilli to goats cheese with brambles and pecan.
While every dish was a real delight, the caviar with scallop and walnut and the Highland wagyu with parsnip and pepper courses, both rendered me speechless such was their glory. And I thoroughly recommend having the wine pairing, where the sommelier matches the wine to every dish perfectly. It's a real treat.
Reluctant for the evening to end, we retire for a nightcap in the Secret Bar, a snug little hideaway with a roaring fire and cosy candlelit tables, which is hidden behind a bookcase accessed from The Grand Hall.
After the excesses of yesterday, I've promised myself a spa day today. Calming stone interiors, mood lighting and the scent of eucalyptus, the Gaia Spa feels worlds away from the hall’s Tudor roots. Considered one of the finest hotel spas in Devon, its large infinity indoor pool, indoor/outdoor hydrotherapy pools and variety of steam and sauna experiences, it draws spa aficionados from far and wide. And my bespoke massage by Amy rendered me so relaxed, I had to be poured back to my room for a nap.
In the evening, we booked a table in the Mayflower Brasserie, which itself has an impressive 2 AA Rosettes. The pan-fried duck breast stuffed with black pudding and sloes, and the aged fillet of beef fought for supremacy at the table, however, I think the duck just pipped the post.
Despite vowing to never eat again, rising late on Sunday morning meant I could do the Boringdon full English justice. Once again the local produce shines with award-winning Denhay bacon and St Ewes eggs. A special dish of sausages for a delighted Miss Babs meant she was as reluctant to leave as we were. But we'll be back.
Details: Boringdon Hall Hotel, Plymouth PL7 4DP
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