Boringdon Hall Hotel

Devon

You wouldn’t normally associate the Domesday Book with a state-of-the art wellbeing centre, but the site of this Grade-I-listed manor-house hotel, on the edge of Dartmoor, gets a mention, and these days, centuries of history go hand in hand with one of the country’s most acclaimed spas.

Flagstone floors and an enormous stone fireplace in the Great Hall set the scene and, if you choose one of the Four Poster rooms, the theme continues with a freestanding bath, antique furniture and original fireplace. Little reminders of the 21st-century include homemade shortbreads and Gaia products.

Spend a happy afternoon at the indoor and hydrotherapy pools (with, perhaps, a diversion to the Spatisserie on the top floor), but be sure to keep your appetite in check for head chef Scott Paton’s tasting menu at the AA 3 Rosette Àclèaf. Highlights include oyster tortellini and duck egg custard tart.

Doubles from £167, including breakfast and use of spa. 01752 344 455, boringdonhall.co.uk

Words by Tim Broad.

This review was taken from the August/September 2021 issue of Food and Travel. To subscribe today, click here.