Sleep Here: Glebe House, East Devon
A carefully thought out whirlwind of colour, prints and pattern, Glebe House is a glorious modern guesthouse in the quiet East Devon countryside. A spruced up Georgian vicarage overlooking the Coly Valley and just 3 miles from the sea, it’s the perfect base for a slow few days of country stomps and exploring the coast.
Couple Olive and Hugo upped sticks from London and transformed their parents’ B&B in Southleigh into a cool guesthouse with designer wallpapers, eclectic vintage furnishings, contemporary local art. and the place has great gourmet credentials — Hugo worked in some of London’s top restaurants, so guests can expect to be well fed. Butter and yoghurt are churned on-site, there are pickles and charcuterie in the ageing room, and needless to say, the delicious cooking smells will constantly have your tummy rumbling.
Sure to leave a lasting impression, Glebe House is just six rooms big, each one differently sized and styled including one in the annexe. There’s also a dining room and rose-hued lounge, outdoor pool, tennis court and polytunnel where they grow their own produce. There’s no doubt every scallop-edged pillowcase, vintage candlestick, and pretty pedestal sink has been handpicked and lovingly laboured over. Olive has an eagle eye for design, and you’ll find some of her own paintings scattered around the rooms. We stayed in The Old Kitchen, the annexe rooms which has its own entrance and sun terrace. Inside, there are low wooden beams, beautiful upholstered headboard, rattan room dividers, an intricately painted wardrobe, pink roll top bath tub, and stunning bathroom with brass fittings and wonderful tulip-patterned Ottoline de Vries wallpaper. I asked for a nosy into all the rooms and the smallest — and most affordable — Tulip Room is one of my favourites, and starts from £135/night.
The communal spaces are just as well dressed. There’s racing green and cream-striped wallpaper in the dining room, fluted hanging lampshades, vintage accessories on bold marble mantelpieces, and a chic rainbow runner runs up the wooden staircase to the rooms.
For dinner, choose between a four-course set menu, or the simple supper menu. In the mood for comfort food, we went for the latter and shared the most delicious smoked mackerel pie that Henry had whipped up, served with herby new potatoes and peas. The perfect fix after a long day outdoors, followed by a soak in the gorgeous roll top tub in the corner of our room.
Come morning, breakfast is a casual set up. Take a seat — ideally with a view — and if you’re lucky, the cows will come up to join you. A simple but superior offering, expect seasonal fruit compote with homemade granola, Aga-baked eggs and Henry’s very own home-smoked bacon.
Days are to be spent outdoors. A bespoke and beautifully illustrated Glebe House ‘Walks Book’ will guide you to all the best local places, including a bluebell wood and a brilliant coastal stomp from Beer to Branscombe — the latter we did and it was one of our favourite stretches of the South West Coast Path so far. With crab sandwiches not to be missed in Beer.
Blooming in the summer, cosy in the winter, Glebe House is the most charming spot to spend a slow night or two. With so much countryside and coast to explore, there’s no reason not to go back often — if not just for the freshly baked welcome cookies…
Glebe House, rates from £135.
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