Our Inspector's view

While Lympstone Manor is hardly ‘new’ – it’s a creamy-white, Grade II, Georgian manor built by the Baring banking dynasty – it has been transformed by Michael Caines’s vision and now stands proud – a gorgeous building with sublime views over the Exe estuary, set in 28 acres of grounds that were planted with a vineyard in 2018 to produce sparkling wine. The place delivers everything you’d hope from a country house given a stylish 21st-century twist: comfort and sheer class are delivered in equal measure throughout the public areas, the styling working a treat thanks to soft-focus hues, hand-painted wallpapers, designer chandeliers and modern artworks, and the mood is intimate and unbuttoned. Elegant and outstanding cuisine, augmented by a significant 600-bin wine list, underpin the Lympstone experience, served in three exquisite dining rooms, where the service tone is the same throughout, friendly, engaging and completely devoid of reverentially hushed tones. The cooking delivers a seamless blend of classical technique and precision with contemporary riffs on flavour and texture. All-in-all, its a superb experience.

Awards, accolades and Welcome Schemes

5 Rosette Award for Culinary Excellence

AA Notable Wine List