Slow Stays | Glebe House, Devon
Glebe House is as good in real life as it looks in pictures. There was a part of me that worried that it couldn’t possibly live up to my very high expectations, as I booked a room for my birthday night. I’d poured over photos in magazines and on social media, and had already fallen in love with the place long before I finally stepped through the door. When we arrived, on the afternoon of my 37th birthday, hair damp from a swim at nearby Branscombe Beach, I instantly fell in love.
The surroundings as just as perfect as the interiors. You arrive creeping around country lanes lined with tall hedges, ascending up the driveway while soaking in the vistas of rolling hills in every direction. The house stands atop a hill, greeting guests with its white facade and bountiful gardens. It’s the perfect escape from reality; the kind of place that has me dreaming of an alternate life where I live in this beautiful house in this idyllic location.
We stayed in the Old Kitchen, a separate annex tucked away behind the main house with a private entrance. It’s one of the most expensive rooms in the hotel, but is their only dog-friendly accommodation. The large bedroom featured a gigantic and incredibly comfortable super king bed, a freestanding bath tucked away in the corner, a wood-burning stove and a separate bathroom, complete with Ottoline wallpaper and a walk-in shower. My favourite features were all the beautiful artwork (including paintings by Olive, the owner, who has her studio tucked away in an outbuilding), the showpiece painted wardrobe and an ochre tasselled sofa that I wished I could take home with me. There was chilled water and salted chocolate cookies waiting for us on arrival, along with an illustrated guidebook to the best local walks.
The afternoon was spent peering around the main house, admiring the interiors and taking photos of absolutely everything. I was allowed a quick peek into a couple of unoccupied rooms and the cosy upstairs lounge, before spending some time relaxing in the spacious living room on that iconic mustard sofa. There are piles of interesting coffee tables dotted all around the house, of which I noted down most of the titles to keep my eyes peeled for my own copies. I also enjoyed a refreshing dip in their outdoor pool, cooling off from the blazing heat, before relaxing in one of their adirondack chairs with a chilled glass of orange wine.
The interiors were designed by Studio Alexandra, who has created probably the most beautifully designed hotel I’ve ever laid eyes on. It’s the exact right balance of cosy and stylish. All of the furniture, lighting, accessories, wallpaper and fabrics have been carefully considered, and there’s just the right amount of clutter that makes each space feel welcoming without being over styled. I took photo after photo and made note after note for inspiration for my own home, particularly the patterned wallpapers, colour combinations, lampshades and oil paintings.
Food is just as important as the interiors at Glebe House. The restaurant is open for evening meals Thursday to Saturday, as well as Sunday lunchtimes, offering a regularly changing fixed menu of four courses and snacks. We stayed on a Tuesday, so booked in for their kitchen supper, a more casual dining experience of a main and sides, which was a delicious cassoulet with fresh, summer flavours. Breakfast is included in the room rate, and was also exceptional. My partner enjoyed eggs, bacon and sausages, all sourced from the local area, while I was treated to a vegetarian special of greens served with sourdough toast and a side of their own curd.
We’d spent several days before our stay camping not too far away, so had plenty of time to explore the local area. Beer and Branscombe were my favourite haunts for long, refreshing swims on the hot, hot days that coincided with our visit. If the weather had been cooler and we’d had more time, we would have taken advantage of some of the walks detailed in their handy guide book. We’ll definitely be back though - I’m already dreaming of a cosy winter stay with the fire roaring and a bath filled with oils.
