A Prince's Promise

A Prince's Promise: Devon

This Georgian period manor sits in the bucolic splendour of Dartmoor National Park. The foundations date back to the 15th century and the manor home you see here today was built in 1787. As with any aristocratic country retreat, you’re surrounded by sprawling gardens and grounds, where furnished patios overlook the rolling hill of the national park and even a private hot tub for an evening soak under the stars. Explore the woodlands to discover a wellness walk. There’s an outdoor kitchen with a built-in Argentinian grill and a wood-fired pizza oven for big family meals outside, and there’s a fire pit should you want to watch the sky for shooting stars long into the night. From the various viewpoints around the gardens, you can see why it is thought that Arthur Conan Doyle wrote Hound of the Baskervilles while he stayed here.

Inside, there’s a cosy lounge where you feel the history of aristocratic country escapes radiating from the marble fireplace. A collection of board games provides the analogue entertainment here, alongside a dedicated games room with ping pong and pool. The big dining room can hold banquet-sized feasts and the farmhouse-style kitchen with its massive range cooker is a delight for the chef of the group. When it comes to hitting the hay, bedrooms come with an array of four-posters, sleigh beds and comfy doubles.

Home truths:
*There is an onsite helipad, so let your host know in advance if you'd like to arrive by helicopter
*Most of the bedrooms are on the first and second floors, but there is one bedroom and one bathroom on the ground floor
*Seven of the bedrooms can be set up as twin rooms rather than kings, just let your host know
*There is a large barbecue and fire pit, but you'll need to provide your own charcoal and wood
*In a very rural location, the Wifi signal can be intermittent
*Your host welcomes up to six dogs to stay for free
*There is plenty of private parking with this home and it's in a remote location so having a car is advised