Foodie Heaven in Devon

With Staycations becoming increasingly popular, along with demands for exclusive use properties for private parties or retreats, the landscape of country house hotels as you know it, is changing greatly. This being the case, I am going to be bringing some great properties to your attention. So stay tuned!

Earlier this month I had the pleasure of spending the weekend at the Paschoe House. A luxurious rural bolthole, with just 9 bedrooms, in the heart of Devon, surrounded by 25 acres of wooded countryside and farmland.

Time was when country house hotel equated to old and dated decor, perhaps even a little stuffy. The only stuffy thing about Paschoe House is the taxidermy, the ostrich in the bar, the fox sleeping by the fireside and various other animals lining the hallway and bookshelves. Not for everyone I know. However, Tabitha assures me that the pieces are very old, and she would rather them on the wall, than in an attic collecting dust, or destroyed.

Approaching from a narrow country lane, we came face to face with a large farm vehicle. It being bigger than us, we were the ones who had to reverse back to let it pass. When I say we, I mean my husband, reversing down single-track country lanes is not my strong point!

I digress, a warm welcome awaited us. Pulling up outside the house, gravel crunching under the tyres, we were met by the owner, Tabitha and ushered into the lounge for a drink. More about Tabitha and the story behind Paschoe House later..

We were shown to our Sensational room, Owl, on the top floor. Owl is comprised of a bedroom with a King-sized bed, with crisp white bed linen, and a small window with a view out across the hills; a vast bathroom with underfloor heating and a gorgeous bathtub positioned to look out the window at the views. The other side of the bathroom was a small lounge area with a sofa bed, TV, tea and coffee making facilities and an open wardrobe to hang your clothes. It would be the perfect solution for a family with one child, or two small ones.

Next to the tea and coffee, were two glass jars of homemade cookies, I happily noted that one bore a vegan label. It is small touches such as these, that gave evidence to the thought and care that goes into everything at Paschoe House.

Light bites from the bar menu were perfect for dinner. My husband was delighted by the fish and chips, whilst I enjoyed the homemade curried butternut squash soup, a sandwich, again from the vegan menu, and some chips!

Retiring to our room I discovered a glass bottle of Lavender bath oil in the bathroom, so of course I had to try it.

Paschoe House is dog friendly too. This cutie is the hotel dog, and does not come with the bath!

We slept soundly, and with plans to explore Dartmoor and hopefully spot some ponies, we headed down to breakfast.

Informing the wait staff that I do not eat meat and dairy, I asked if they could do me some mushrooms and spinach on toast, I also told her that I was very hungry. Returning from a conversation with the chef, the waitress listed a number of items and asked if I ate all of them. A short while later a magnificent vegan cooked breakfast appeared and I was jokingly told that I would not be allowed to leave the table until I had finished everything. A challenge I was happy to take on, and win!

We spent the day exploring Dartmoor National Park, the weather was perfect, and it seemed that man, dog and horse, and some llamas (yes, you read it correctly), were all out enjoying the park. We also spent a few hours wandering around Topsham and enjoying lunch The Lighter Inn.

Returning to the hotel as the evening started to draw in, we cleaned up and headed down for drinks in the bar, before moving to the restaurant to enjoy their tasting menu.

My husband opted for the regular tasting menu whilst a vegetarian tasting menu was adapted to vegan for me, and small courses added so that I matched my husband course for course.

Now, you might have read my last post about not considering myself a foodie.  I do, however, love my food and take a huge amount of pleasure in eating out, when a chef understands that I eat more than just beans and lettuce.

One of Tabitha’s favourite parts of the renovation, was the interior design.

My entire meal was outstanding! I would write that in block capitals, but I don’t want to shout. Jonathan tells me that his meal was incredible, but I honestly think that it could not have been as utterly fabulous as mine. I ate, and enjoyed every, single, thing on my plate.

Matthew knew the tiniest detail of every dish and explained each dish, which given the number of courses and my variations, was extremely impressive

If you are interested, you can email me on janet@janetmactavish.travel and I can send you over the tasting menus in PDF format.

Again, the thought and care that went into our meals was evident, and I look forward to another visit and more fine dining. Not a foodie? Well maybe just a little 😊

We left after breakfast the next morning, having enjoyed our brief visit and with me thinking about which of my clients and friends would enjoy the hotel. Always a good sign.

So now, I want to tell you a little of the story behind Paschoe House.

Tabitha, who met us on arrival, is the owner of the hotel, it is her baby.

The property was bought by her family when she was just 10, and they lived in it for a number of years before starting renovations. Work on the house stopped, when, at the height of the credit crisis, funding had run out. Tabitha, then 19, proposed that they turn the property into a hotel, restaurant and event venue. Her father laughed at her idea, and she headed off to university in London.

A couple of years post university, working in London and realising that you do not earn much in hospitality, she thought again of her dreams for Paschoe and returned home.

Plans were submitted, and capital was raised in October 2016. Tabitha project managed the renovations and the interior design herself, opening the doors to Paschoe House in August 2017, when she was just 27!

Her passion for Paschoe and her love for what she does is clearly evident, there are so many little touches that go into what makes Paschoe House so special, but if I tell you them all, there will be no surprises when you go.

And trust me, you should!

For more details or to book your stay, email me on janet@janetmactavish.travel