Highbullen Hotel, Umberley

S TAY C AT I O N

Highbullen Hotel 01769 540561

highbullen.co.uk

Chittlehamholt, Umberleigh, North Devon

DEVONSHIRE MAGA ZINE

The elegant Morning Room

Highbullen's main staircase

S TAY C AT I O N Chittlehamholt Umberleigh North Devon

the

Highbullen hotel

01769 540561 highbullen.co.uk

A beautiful Victorian country house hotel set in a 125 acre estate amidst the rolling North Devon countryside. Also having an amazing TuscanRoman themed wedding facility - the Palazzo.

Devon's a massive county, much of it rural and for many people it's undiscovered. The temptation, particularly if you live along the south coast of Devon is to gravitate towards the coastline, but you'd be missing out. There's a wealth of pristine countryside and history to discover in Mid and North Devon, although it can be hard to know where to make a start.

By chance I recently came across the Highbullen Hotel and promptly made a visit. Having travelled up and down the old Exeter to Barnstaple road many times (A377), it seems you drive for miles through many little villages and scenic countryside (not forgetting historic Crediton), but it appears there's not much opportunity to explore the hinterland from other than a few roadside inns. So it was great to

discover Highbullen Hotel, situated at Chittlehamholt, high up on the ridge of land between the rivers Taw and Mole. It's one of those flamboyant Victorian Gothic manor houses with verdant grounds and exceptional views.

Designed and built in 1879 by prominent Exeter architect William Moore - it was their home for over 40 years. It's a fine example of what you'd call the 'Arts & Crafts' movement.

Arriving and walking up to the bedrooms, you can't fail to be impressed by this stately building.

The bedroom booked was the Louise Seize, a grand and spacious

room having panoramic views. The welcome was great at Highbullen, not the least thanks to the plate

of beautifully presented fruit and a bottle of Devonshire produced Pebblebed wine in the bedroom - a lovely touch.

Highbullen's facilities really are second to none - there's indoor & outdoor pools, extensive golf course (& simulator), gym, billiards room, tennis courts, spa. They also have a stretch of river Mole for game fishing and some of the best shooting in the country.

The Devon View Restaurant

James (The Manager) told us that the house in days past, was visited by many famous individuals including that luminary of stage and screen, Lawrence Olivier. James also said that many romances were enjoyed away from the prying eyes of London society. I did wonder if 'Larry' had counted sheep in our room, an interesting prosect to say the least!

Incidentally, getting back to the route from Exeter to Barnstaple, the A377 is infinitely nicer that going via M5 and then A361 (which is actually a dog leg and quite monotonous). Don't miss the reference to the Copplestone Cross and Chulmleigh further on.

On the evening of our arrival, we dined downstairs at the Devon

View Restaurant, a lovely space that transpired to live up to its name in the morning. Dining at Highbullen's great, you know how it is before trying the food. You worry that no matter how fine the hotel, if the food's mediocre, then you're not going to enjoy your stay fully - let's face it, home cooking takes some beating.

Happily, I can report that the food is

The Louis Seize room - spacious and classy - with panoramic views

Beautiful fruit selection (above) and bottle of Pebblebed wine in the room on arrival what a great welcome!

View from the ha-ha - when you're up in the bedrooms, the countryside views are vast. superb, exceeding all expectations.

There were many stars over the weekend of our stay. The Steak and Ale Pie, Duo of Local Game, but the Platinum Star was awarded for the Vegetable & Parmesan Risotto - a delicate, light and highly flavoursome dish - compliments to the Chef!

In terms of the Hotel's facilities, I can't remember staying anywhere with so much to do, there's an extensive golf course (and indoor golf simulator), tennis courts, gym room, indoor and outdoor pools, spa, billiards room, game fishing on the river Mole, shooting - it's all here, including peaceful walks heading out in all directions into the countryside (see walk featured overleaf ).

WEDDINGS - Whilst walking round the Highbullen's grounds and facilities, we were shown their impressive Palazzo, a dedicated wedding

Reader Offer 20% discount on Bed and Breakfast

now until 18th March* facility. Comfortably able to seat up to 400 guests in style, there are a wide range of options available and if you're planning a wedding, you can discuss your requirements with their Wedding Coordinator - for more detail visit their website.

Our stay at Highbullen was relaxing, luxurious and peaceful. It's a great base from which to explore the Devonshire countryside. Many thanks to the staff for a great stay, including James, Ronnie and Chris.

(*offer subject to availability and not available on 24th-26th December, 31st December and 13th/14th February. Call 01769 540561 to book, quoting DEVONSHIRE magazine).

To access this offer you need to quote

DEVONSHIRE magazine

Vegetable & Parmesan Risotto

Duo of Local Game

Steak and Ale Pie

Roasted Beef

The food at Highbullen Hotel is divine, you get the full Fine-Dining experience. Top marks to the Chef and his team - I'd return again for the food alone! Incidentally, views out from the Highbullen's 'Devon View Restaurant' are lovely, stretching out for miles across the rolling and verdant north Devonshire countryside.

Lovely rambling farm yard with old apple trees

It's late season, Dahlias making a late showing

with

Highbullen Walk

DEVONSHIRE

If you welcome the opportunity to lose yourself in rich Devonshire countryside, this walk should prove perfect.

magazine

groups in my local town, dressed and booted as if venturing out to tackle the North Face of the Eiger.

The Highbullen Hotel's a great place to stay,

Escaping into the countryside is good for

being superbly situated on the ridge of land

the soul and the walk undertaken for this

sitting between the lovely rivers Taw and Mole

issue (Highbullen Hotel's walk no 4), proved an

(incidentally, they have a lovely stretch of river on

exceptionally peaceful hike into rural Devon.

the Mole for game fishermen). The surrounding

My memory of this walk, sitting at the PC, is of

countryside is idyllic and Highbullen's an

an afternoon where time seemed to evaporate,

excellent base from which to explore the lovely,

ambling down green lanes, across fields, down

untouched countryside.

wooded tracks, through farmyards, indeed it was a blissful day that I'm sure won't be forgotten in a hurry. Of course it helps when you peer out

Walk aficionado and 'true' Devonian, Alfie - our Parson Jack Russell

Nigel Jones - Editor

in all directions to be met by pure countryside, no big blots on the landscape, just fields, trees, hills, the occasional church, livestock, almost as if the clock's stood still for the past 50 years.

Devon's a big county, and for many residents, it's pretty much undiscovered. In fact there's so much pristine countryside that you have to make a serious effort to really get to grips with it, and I urge you to do so as soon as possible because if you love the English countryside, you'll be aware that things are changing.

This walk took about 4 hours with no difficult bits, although I'd say that a ruck sack with provisions is fairly essential as you don't walk past anywhere with shops or pubs. Hope the ruck sack doesn't sound a bit extreme, I have to confess to smiling a bit when I see the walk

Churches sprouting from the ground!

Warkleigh

Hilton’s Wood

+ Old Parsonage Farm

Hurstone

Shortridge

Claytown Cockrams Butt Cross

Haynetown Farm

Chittlehamholt Wood

Shortridge Wood Featherstone Drake’s Wood Wood

River Taw

Wa lk info rm at io n

Drake’s Farm

Holtgate

Chittlehamholt

River Mole

Molland’s

Highbullen, Farm 1. If you're staying at the d rke pa car r you can leave you dry conditions, 2. Footwear - assuming trainers or boots advised.

- livestock 3. Dogs - leads necessary there are gh may be present althou dog/s off plenty of places to let the cautious. the lead, but please be rs, proba bly hou 4. Duration - a good 3 better to allow 4 hours. a more 5. Highbullen Hotel have OS ma p. an detailed ma p or use

Ward’s Farm

Chapple’s

Beer’s Farm

Cholloway’s Cross

Highbullen Hotel

West Hele Wood Lenton Wood

START

Farr’s Farm

Nosy bullocks - they always seem more interested in your dog that they do in you?

with

What isn't there to like about these gaudy jewels?

Highbullen's stretch of the river Mole

Highbullen Walk

DEVONSHIRE

magazine

This part of Devon is pure rolling countyside

The Tarka Line - crossing the river Taw - running from Exeter to Barnstaple

A hot dog in deepest Devonshire

Warkleigh Church - these timeships adorn the Devonshire countryside in a beautiful way

Roses at Chittlehamholt

The Old Exeter to Barnstaple Road (A377) Venturing into the Mid/North Devon countryside, the A377 is a great route to take because it emphasises how much countryside there is out there to explore.

And if you're travelling up from Exeter way to the north, it's a much more relaxing ride than the high speed hike up the M5 and A361. Of course the Barnstaple to Exeter road is an old one, along

the way you'll pass through Crediton, which had a bishopric long before Exeter. You'll also pass the Saxon Copplestone Cross (right). For part of the course you'll follow the mighty river Exe and further along the river Taw will appear which you'd follow to the sea if driving as far as Barnstaple.

Ilfracombe

Exmoor

the

Highbullen hotel

Barnstaple

Bideford

Umberleigh

South Molton

Chittlehamholt

Chulmleigh Town Pump - apparently made by Young & Sons of Barnstaple in the early 1800s, it's a very recognisable landmark situated in Fore Street. The lantern replaces the original wrought iron plaque directing travellers to the inn.

Great Torrington

River Taw

Rackenford

Chulmleigh Tiverton Nymet Rowland

Winkleigh

River Exe

A377

Hatherleigh

Copplestone

Crediton

Okehampton

Exeter Moretonhampstead

Lydford

Dartmoor The Old Court House, Chulmleigh Devon's friendliest pub? It was certainly welcoming when I visited - the landlady was convinced she knew me, although the name Simon didn't ring any of my bells. A gentleman at the bar helpfully suggested I may have a doppleganger, but it was a nice welcome all the same be it as myself or Simon. I confess to getting a bit worried when someone says they know me - was it from a previous life or had it been from a drunken and long forgotten evening? In my heyday thankfully there was no Instagram.

Simon certainly made a welcome change from John Denver which is the usual comment received!

Below - view of Chulmleigh, a remote Saxon hilltop town which is worth visiting, if just for the architecture (not forgetting the Old Court House).

Exmouth

The Tarka Line The Tarka Line was made famous in Henry Williamson's book Tarka the Otter and takes you through some of the finest scenery in southern England. It regularly tracks the road route, although I should imaging the views are even better from the train. There's a book called "Tarka Line Walks"

by Peter Craske that's produced by the Tarka Rail Association in partnership with First Great Western, published by Crimson Publishing. If you take the trail from Exeter to Barnstaple, it takes and hour and a quarter. Apparently you can take up to 2 dogs on

the train per person, and it runs nearly every hour.

Also, if you're stopping at the Highbullen Hotel, they can arrange for a taxi to collect you from Umberleigh station.

Place names - Nymet Rowland's a fairly unusual name which has Celtic origins, apparently meaning "Sacred Grove" and has associations with the Druids.

Apparently, the river Yeo used to be called the Nymet, although during researching I also found reference to the river Mole as previously being known as the Nymet, so the verdict is out there I'm afraid.

TAILORED WEDDINGS Your Special Day Personally Crafted to Ensure Perfection

Excelling in weddings from small intimate receptions for a handful of your most loved or a glorious outdoor reception to a party to end all parties. Our stunning function suite, The Palazzo is perfect for luxurious and inspired events. You can even tailor the scent for your special day.

Highbullen has a dedicated team focussed on your every need. From the ďŹ rst moment you make contact until long after your wedding our team will help you every step of the way. We can offer a range of locations for both a civil ceremony and reception, and chef will be delighted to write a menu speciďŹ cally for you.

Fantastic new spaces, excellent photo opportunities and friendly staff... all easy to see as soon as you walk through the door. But what about the food? Why not put us to the test - simply call to make an appointment and arrange a date for a show around and experience our hospitality for yourself, with lunch on us before you make your booking.

Contact our dedicated wedding co-ordinator to book your visit on 01769 540 561. Please quote DEVONSHIRE Magazine t: 01769 540 561

e: weddings@highbullen.co.uk

Chittlehamholt

Umberleigh

w: www.highbullen.co.uk

North Devon

EX37 9HD

TAILORED WEDDINGS