Tucked away in the sleepy village of Berry Pomeroy lies a perfect little hideaway nestled deep within lush Devonshire countryside. Little Loventor started life as an orangery in Georgian times, but has undergone a recent transformation into a luxury self-catering retreat welcoming it’s very first guests and I was lucky enough to be one of them!
Flaunting exquisite European-influenced interiors with a romantic twist, being burrowed away in this peaceful sanctuary for the entire weekend is absolute bliss. On our first day we enjoyed a lazy morning in the cloud-like bed cocooned in heavenly linens, before a late breakfast of sunflower-yellow eggs on toast sprinkled with fresh herbs from the garden. With the glass bi-fold doors inviting the great outdoors in, we ventured out into the sunshine and down to the water’s edge to find that a little rowboat had been left for us!
After an idyllic afternoon spent lazily dangling bare feet over the edge of the boat catching up on some reading, I did manage to tear us away for a visit to nearby Totnes where we perused the independent boutiques which line the streets of this historic market town. Its cosmopolitan community and bohemian culture combine with traditional West Country charm, making it a rather intriguing tourist destination.
Sunday was spent getting lost exploring the enchanting moorland, streams and waterfalls which surround the area. Having worked up an appetite, we were spoilt for choice with characterful pubs dotted all around the area, each serving up hearty dishes of home-cooked delights and local tipples. A drive into the wilds of Dartmoor brought us to Gidleigh Park, a quintessential country house, home to two-Michelin starred chef Micheal Caines, where we had a Sunday roast to rival your mum’s!
As the crimson sun sank over the hills on our last evening, we retreated back to Little Loventor. Eager to savour the fresh country air, we kept warm by the fire-pit outside while our BBQ supper sizzled away. Faint evening birdsong faded and a blanket of twinkling stars fell over us, wrapping up this perfect little getaway experience.
