Sometimes there is a Hotel where the stay is so exceptional, each and every aspect so well-thought out that you wonder if any future Hotels will ever match up to quite the same precedence. And Buckland Tout-Saints is one of those.

As soon as you drive up the winding, countryside lane and park in the quaint little car park of Buckland Tout-Saints, you feel part of something special. Pretty flowers adorn your path and you can feel the relaxing atmosphere wash over you like a breath of fresh air before you’ve even reached the main building. A luxury William and Mary Country house surrounded by four and a half acres of beautifully tended gardens and woodland, Buckland Tout-Saints oozes understated elegance and unforgettable charm.

Stepping through the front doors, you walk past the lounge, an elegant and rustic affair with wood-panelled walls, plush curtains and a beautiful chandelier on the ceiling. An open-fire licks the hearth, the soft sounds of the crackling fire and the sweet smells of burning wood fill the air. It is a cosy and intimate setting to enjoy a relaxing afternoon.
It was at check-in we were first introduced to the staff- one of the real highlights to this Hotel – who really could not do enough for any of their guests. There was no cold handing of the key and leaving you to find your own way with bundles of suitcases as is so often the case. They enquired about our journey, asked if we wanted a drink and then helped us up to our room- all the time with a smile.

The Hotel boasts sixteen unique rooms, all elegantly designed, and we stayed in one of the Master Suites. Situated on the second floor of the Hotel, this is a room to take your breath away.

Wth a beautiful deep-purple and creme theme incorporated throughout the charming and beautiful space, you felt steeped in luxury and history as soon as you step through the door. From the seperate lounge/ dining and bedroom area to the individual shower and bath rooms, nothing is spared and you’re in for an unforgettable stay. An elegant window seat looks out onto magnificent views and is an ideal spot to curl up with a book and a glass of wine and watch the sun set over the hills.
A large and beautiful four-poster bed takes pride of the sleeping area, with a luxurious chaise-lounge adding an extra touch to the room. The bathroom, whilst not overly spacious, is full of character, charm and the ideal place to unwind in after a long day.

Dinner takes place in the Queen Anne restaurant, down in the front of the house on the first floor. Before you eat, however, the Hotel’s evocative old ‘gentlemen’s smoking room’ bar is ideal for an aperitif cocktail. Warm and inviting, you can sink into one of the deep leather seats and watch the last few rays of sunshine disappear behind the hills. In here you can order your food ready for dinner – a nice added touch – before being shown through to the dining room.
The elegant Russian pine-panelled dining room creates the ideal ambience for a meal to savour and be remembered for years to come. With soft music, a grand fireplace, fresh flowers on each table and the warm flicker of dozens of candles, as you sit and take in the atmosphere, you really feel as though you’d never wish to dine anywhere else. It encapsulates that atmosphere that makes you feel warm, comforted and special, in a way that not many places can do so well.

Meat, fish, fruits and vegetables for the dishes are delivered daily from local farms and fishing boats and this care and passion really comes through in the food.Menus change according to the season, and throughout the year you can enjoy a whole plethora of fish, meat and vegetarian dishes. These include new season asparagus with crispy quail egg, parma ham salad, and seared start bay scallops – to name but a few!

Mains are also varied throughout the year. For mine I selected shallot tarte tatin. The pastry was light and fluffy and the shallots added the perfect amount of flavour. Texture was perfect and it was filling, yet not overbearingly so and certainly one of the best I have ever tasted. The wine which our waiter had selected matched the dish perfectly, the soft yet slightly sharp flavours complimenting the food and really offsetting the flavours. My partner chose duck breast which was sided with a vegetable parcel, noodles and a sweet jus. The duck was soft and tender, breaking apart easily and melting in the mouth. When paired with the sweet tangy sauce it made it clear just why this restaurant is so loved. If you are in the area- even if you are not staying in the hotel itself- this is a restaurant to impress and somewhere magical to while away your evening. I would recommend it in an instant. 

Dessert (my favourite part of a meal) is a reason to save room at Buckland Tout-Saints. Being a real chocolate lover, I had to try the Chocolate Fondant. Served with mandarin ice cream, this is a must-have for any fellow sweet-tooth. My partner opted for the sticky toffee pudding, another traditional favourite, and again this didn’t disappoint. The toffee was sweet yet not sickly and the ice cream mouth-wateringly creamy. Overall this meal was one not to be understated; the chef clearly knows exactly what he’s doing and is exceptionally good at it. Each and every course tastes every bit as good as it looks and you really feel as though you’ve been treated.

After dinner, the lounge is the ideal way to round up the night. Sit by the crackling fire, a glass of baileys in hand and just revel in the atmosphere. It’s near-impossible to feel stressed here and you can feel all of your everyday worries washing away.

Breakfast is either served in the main dining room or a smaller ‘blue room’ depending on the number of guests. When we stayed it was served in the main dining area. The continental menu consists of a variety  of cereals, pastries, fruits and yoghurts and the hot menu includes a full english, fish, porridge or boiled eggs and soldiers. We had the full English (because how could you resist?!) yet also tried some of the pastries which were delicious and not to be missed!

The majestic beauty of this hotel and your stay is one you need to experience for yourself- whether an anniversary, birthday, wedding or simply a weekend away. We could not rate it highly enough and can’t wait to return…

Seen in the City was hosted by Buckland Tout-Saints a member of Pride of Britain Hotels – a collection of 48 privately-owned independent British hotels.  Located in the stunning Devon South Hams region, this elegant country house hotel has 16 bedrooms and serves award-winning cuisine in its Queen Anne restaurant which features original Russian pine panelling. The hotel is set in four and a half acres of gardens and woodland. Full afternoon tea costs £15.95 per person. Prices start from £99 per room per night (two sharing) including full English breakfast. Contact Pride of Britain Hotels on 0800 089 3929 (www.prideofbritainhotels.com).