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Gidleigh Park, Devon
A half hour drive towards the moors from Exeter, in south west England, Gidleigh Park sits in a valley like a plump, contented cat curled up in the sun. If you have a few days and you want to feel as if you were born to live in an elegant English country house, you can't do better.
It's one of the few country houses that is genuinely relaxing instead of being either intimidating or kitschily suburban. You are not given a key to your room, because there are no keys. There is always a sofa on which to fall asleep, a cup of tea to sip, a magazine to read, and a softly luxurious bed to fall into. Hosts Paul and Kay Henderson are country-house charming and eccentric.
Best bit: Michael Caines' cooking in the rather stiff dining room, full of whispering clientele. Go in, be loud, and have a good time, and it might help everyone relax a bit. The food is worth it, the wine list is extraordinary, and you'll sleep like a baby before you go tramping over the moors the next day - or try your hand (wrist?) at falconry or croquet.
Even better: Cream tea in the sitting room - great scones, brilliant cream, while you read Horse & Hounds, and listen to the house cats purring on your lap like motor mowers.
Gidleigh Park, Chagford, Devon TQ13 8HH, UK
Tel 44(0) 1647 432367
Fax 44(0) 1647 432574
Email gidleighpark@gidleigh.com
www.gidleigh.com
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