To the manor born
FROM the outside, Glazebrook House is a traditional 17th-century former manor house set in a quiet corner of Dartmoor National Park. But the beautiful Georgian property in Devon has been lovingly restored by owners Pieter and Fran Hamman, who worked with renowned designer Timothy Oulton to weave together tributes to British culture.
Set on the edge of Dartmoor in South Brent, it is a seriously quirky hotel that has taken design inspiration from Alice in Wonderland and Rule Britannia.
A thoughtful blend of sympathetic design restorations, vintage pieces, eccentric artwork and original, handmade furnishings, the hotel is as eccentric as it is luxurious.
Behind the façade of a manor house, guests are greeted with eclectic design elements in every room. The beautifully restored parquet flooring sits alongside bright tartan carpets, deep navy walls are lit by giant crystal chandeliers and cosy leather Chesterfield sofas sit alongside roaring fireplaces.
Bowler hats line the hallway, Darwin-esque biological artwork fills the snug, French horns sit proudly along the corridor walls, and Britishmade crockery covers the restaurant walls.
There are nine individually-designed en-suite bedrooms, eight upstairs and a wheelchair-accessible one on the ground floor, that are tied together by the Alice in Wonderland theme.
Each room has been named after a Lewis Carroll character. Topsy-turvy doll’s houses hang above the bed in Mad Hatter, the King and Queen of Hearts adorn the wall above a luxury sheepskin king bed in White Rabbit and original Army-issue suitcases line the walls in Bread & Butterflies.
We stayed in The Jabberwocky, that not only has marble twin sinks and a walk-in shower, but brushed-steel aircraft engine mirrors above the bed. All the mini-bar contents, including chocolates, bottles of wine and beer and tea and coffee, are complimentary. There was also a huge smart TV and free wi-fi.
Rooms vary in size, from a large single to superior luxury doubles and boast hi-tech lighting, underfloor heating in the bathroom, an in-room iPad and The White Company toiletries.
Run by executive chef Ben Palmer, a former MasterChef finalist, alongside head chef Josh Ackland, the restaurant offers everything from playful bites to whet the appetite to robust mains. The taster dinner menus of six or eight courses, paired with wine, change seasonally and reflect some of the best local produce on offer.
We devoured tomato and red pepper gazpacho, stuffed courgette flowers, pea and mint orzo, sage gnocchi, exotic fruit and poached rhubarb.
But that’s not all. Tucked away through the dining room alongside the restaurant’s kitchen is the Chef’s Table, a secluded space perfect for special occasions. With a central bench table
and hanging industrial-style lighting, this is relaxed dining with a distinctly exclusive feel.
Here, groups of up to 10 can enjoy a pre-arranged chef’s table dining experience with chef Ben. And just off the hotel’s lobby is The Tasting Room where guests can enjoy private events dedicated to sampling a range of wines, champagnes and spirits. Tasting sessions before dinner are available with wine and whisky sommeliers.
There’s also a bar that’s open from midday until midnight and boasts sumptuous leather lounge chairs, tufted leather walls, chandelier coffee tables and a striking marble bar – think Gentleman’s club meets speakeasy.
Breakfast offers a selection of favourites, including a full English, chilli avocado on artisan bread and a selection of freshly baked pastries.
After breakfast, you can take a lazy walk around Dartmoor National Park or climb Ugborough Beacon, or visit Totnes, a quirky market town jampacked with independent shops, cafés and pubs, and which even has its own currency.
Glazebrook House surpassed expectations. Stepping into each room was like stepping into the unknown.
If you like a minimalistic and modern design, this isn’t for you. But if you like furniture that tells or a story, and a room that will surprise, this is the place for you. ■ was a guest of Glazebrook House Hotel, South Brent, where double rooms start from £159, based on two sharing per night, and include bed, breakfast and in-room mini bar. Call 01364 73322 or visit glazebrookhouse.com.
BRONTE HOWARD