The Old Rectory

Rooms

The 11 rooms are split between the main house and the adjacent coach house, and divided into 3 price categories according, principally, to size. We actually liked some of the smaller ones best: Jasmine (a Classic in the main house) has lovely garden views and tasteful coppery colours, while Hollowbrook (a Superior on the floor above) gets a bit more space and a windowful of bright greens, with pink dots of foxglove in summer or yellow daffs in spring. We also thought Paddock Suite looked gorgeous, with white walls, bright red accents and plenty of space to mooch.

The coach house rooms are higher spec and more contemporary, with recessed ceiling lights, power showers and cool chrome taps. The 2 suites (Arlington and Watersmeet) are huge, with Colefax & Fowler wallpapers, and sleek double-ended bathtubs sitting on black resin cradles. But despite the size, we found them less charming than the main house - partly because they face the gravelled parking area on one side.

Wherever you stay, you'll sleep well. Beds are kingsize or super-kingsize doubles (some can be set up as twins), with tempur mattresses, stacks of pillows and not a sound until morning birdsong. You'll find flatscreen TVs positioned for in-bed viewing, DAB radios and Molton Brown toiletries in the bathroom. Don't expect avant-garde design, just classic English-country-house style with contemporary touches.

Features include:

• Hairdryer
• In-room treatments available
• WiFi

Eating

Dinners are a highlight. Guests gather at 7ish for drinks and canapés - there's not much flexibility on time, it's a 2-man operation - and chat about their day's adventures, while perusing the short but mouthwatering menu and impressive, well-priced wine list. You get a choice of 3 starters, mains and desserts, plus a soup course, all chosen and cooked by Huw with help from Sam.

Our butternut squash and sage tortelloni were exquisite, matched by a rich Chilean carmenère; while the velvety asparagus & parmesan soup which followed was just divine (recipes were duly swapped the next morning). Flouting our normal 'no-doubling-up' rule, my wife and I both succumbed to the fillet of ruby beef in chateaubriand sauce: succulent, flavoursome and truly local (from nearby Arlington Court). For dessert, Sam's superb lemon posset is now modestly famous, while their Eton mess explodes with fresh fruit (including strawberries from the garden).

In fact, almost everything comes from within 30 miles. Seafood is sourced from sustainable species (Ilfracombe crab, Lundy turbot); herbs and salads are picked from their kitchen gardens. Fish and vegetarian options are always available, and Huw prides himself on his gluten-free options (a regular coeliac guest provides comprehensive feedback and tips). Any dietary requirements can be catered for with tailored seasonal menus - just let them know what you need. They take food seriously here.

We loved the breakfast, too: eggs florentine and fruit compote with Greek yoghurt were standouts from the menu, but there's Exmoor cooked breakfast or scrambled eggs with smoked salmon if you're hungry. Or grapefruit and smoothies if you're dieting.

It's probably just as well they don't offer lunch, otherwise you'd never leave. As it is, you can roll down the hill to the Hunters Inn (decent pub grub), drive to Lynton or Ilfracombe, or pick up a picnic from the various farmers' shops.

Features include:

• Bar
• Breakfast
• Dinner by arrangement
• Organic produce
• Vegetarian options

Activities

• You're half a mile from one of the loveliest stretches of coastal walk in Devon: follow the threading path through tangled woods and above sea-cliffs to a dramatic rocky outcrop above Haddon's Mouth, then back along a higher route for a fantastic, cobweb-clearing 2-hour circuit
  
• This stretch of coast also conceals some beautiful beaches: we loved the hidden cove known as Golden Beach, down a 100-stepped path between Combe Martin and Watermouth Valley... but Huw and Sam have their own favourites, too
  
• Go riding: you're 10 mins from Outovercott Stables, which offers wonderful road-free routes on Exmoor, scenic coastal rides and instruction for beginners (book ahead)
  
• There's fly-fishing in brown-trout streams, with tuition and guiding services from the widely recommended Nick Hart
  
• Huw also recommends the Land Rover Discovery tours run by Experience Exmoor: they have access to 'closed' coastal tracks and remote rolling uplands
  
• The popular sand and surf beaches of Woolacombe, Croyde and Saunton are 40 minutes by car
  
• You've 3 golf courses within 45 minutes' drive, plus more adventurous sports like coasteering, kayaking, mountain-biking, rock climbing, kitesurfing and RIB boat trips to Lundy islands (Huw's clever pre-arrival concierge service will provide details)
  
• And for rainy days, there's Exmoor Zoo, Arlington Court house and gardens, Lynton & Barnstaple railway (a 1-mile stretch, with occasional steam trains), and, further afield, Dunster Castle and the atmospheric village of Clovelly

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Birdwatching
• Boat trips
• Fishing
• Golf
• Hiking
• Historical sites
• Horse riding
• Kayaking
• Kitesurfing
• Mountain biking
• Private guided tours
• Wildlife

Kids

Because of the pond, and the generally tranquil ambiance, children under 14 are regrettably not allowed.

Family friendly accommodation:

A rollaway bed can be added to the Suites (extra cost).

Extra Beds Available

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

The Old Rectory is in the hamlet of Martinhoe in north Devon - within the Exmoor National Park in southwest England.

By Air:
Exeter, the nearest airport, is 100km away (about 1.5 hours' drive). There's also an airport at Bristol, 150km away (2 hours’ drive). Click on the links below for a list of airlines serving these airports.

By Car:
You will really need a car, as the hotel is quite remote and there's no public transport to Martinhoe. If coming from London (340km away), take the M4/M5 to the southwest, then turn off the M5 at junction 17 and follow signs towards Barnstaple. If you want to hire a car, see our car rental recommendations.

By Train:
Trains from London Paddington to Tiverton Parkway take around 2.5 hours; there are also services from Bristol and central / northern England; see Seat 61 for more details. Taxis from the station take around 45 mins, but we would really advise hiring a car if possible.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.

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