CELEBRATE GOOD TIMES

Plan the perfect hen event

WHAT’S NEW?

THE LEAPING TROUT TRANSFORMED INTO LUXURY ACCOMMODATION

An iconic thatched pub that had been derelict for several years has undergone a six-figure facelift and will re-open as a stunning place to stay for groups of friends and families. New life has been breathed into the historic The Leaping Trout, formerly known as The Trout Inn, a Grade 11-listed building located in the Exe Valley at Bickleigh, Tiverton, following a year-long renovation project. It’s now available for private hire sleeping up to 30 people, offering an authentic old pub experience in a luxurious setting.

The pub was purchased by business partners Brian Lord and Michael Mourant in 2020. It had been closed for two years and was in a state of disrepair. The pair felt it deserved to be refurbished and brought back to its former glory. They committed to investing £1/2 million, employing local builders with expertise in renovating old buildings, and have created a stunning private house with 12 bedrooms, most with en suites, a large farmhouse kitchen, vintage-style cinema, private bar, dining terrace, gardens, cosy seating areas and an array of extras like vintage pub games and a pool table, perfect for a hen weekend.

The stunning spaces celebrate natural, eco-friendly local materials that compliment the history of the building. Mr Lord said, “When we bought the pub, we knew there was potential to create something very special for large groups of friends to enjoy. Every inch of this building has been renovated. It’s been a huge project, but very rewarding and we’re delighted with the result.”

The building still retains the cob walls and a reef-thatched roof, old

Enjoy one of Devon’s finest afternoon teas in the elegant conservatory at Hartnoll Hotel located in Tiverton. Enjoy a delicious selection of freshly baked scones with clotted cream, jam, homemade cakes and finger sandwiches accompanied by a selection of teas, a glass of champagne or even Exmoor gin. Prices start from £9.50 per person for a cream tea and £18.50 per person for an afternoon tea, www.hartnollhotel.co.uk/ restaurant/devons-best-afternoon-tea

casement windows, inglenook fireplaces with bread ovens and chambered cross beams.

Brian said: “It’s an unusual concept, creating private accommodation for large groups in a pub, but it’s certainly unique and we hope that people will come from far and wide to enjoy this incredible and luxurious building.”

Project manager and interior designer Alice Deuchar says, “The rooms are timeless and rustic offering incredible spaces to relax. Upcycling and recycling have been key and we’ve managed to source many wonderful things such as antique bedsteads, a wooden spiral staircase, Chesterfield sofas, chairs, freestanding antique baths, and many other gorgeous items which add to a sense of luxury. We found the cinema seats online - everything is vintage and upcycled and it adds to the romance of the building.

To book, visit www.theleapingtrout.co.uk

POLURRIAN ON THE LIZARD UNVEILS HEN PARTY SPECIAL

Why not celebrate at Polurrian on the Lizard? Enjoy some time with the girls (and guys) in the stunning surroundings of this Cornish-based hotel. The Hen Party Special package includes: ❤ Chilled prosecco or a signature cocktail on arrival ❤ A one-night stay with dinner (to the value of £20 per adult), bed and breakfast ❤ A dance or yoga class or a surfing lesson ❤ A bottomless afternoon tea ❤ A cocktail-making class ❤ 30-minute treatment for the hens and a one-hour treatment for the bride-to-be ❤ Full use of the health club facilities throughout the stay *This package is just £367 per room based on two people sharing. *This offer is subject to availability and is valid until further notice. *Supplements apply to larger room categories. *This offer requires a 30% deposit at the time of booking and is non-refundable and non-transferable. To book, call 01326 240 421 or visit www.polurrianhotel.com Relax and unwind in the stunning spa at Northcote Manor nestled in the North Devon countryside and be pampered with a variety of facials, massages, and body and nail treatments, https:// northcotemanor.co.uk/spa

www.gettyimages.co.uk

For some pre-wedding pampering, indulge in a spa day at Scarlet Spa, Cornwall. Housed within the Scarlet Hotel and located on the clifftops above Mawgan Porth, this adult-only property is a well-being sanctuary that exudes natural calm, with far-reaching views of the North Atlantic coastline.

Scarlet is home to one of the most renowned Ayurvedic eco spas in the UK featuring a bromine-filtered indoor pool, outdoor natural reed pool, clifftop wooden sauna and restorative steam room.

What’s included: ❤ The ‘Spend Time Together Experience’ for two people ❤ A shared hammam or a rhassoul heat treatment ❤ Access to the Scarlet Spa facilities ❤ A candlelit copper tub immersive relaxation experience ❤ Afternoon tea

To book, visit www.scarlethotel.co.uk/spa/day-spa

ST MAWES HOTEL AND THE IDLE ROCKS OFFER HEN PACKAGES

Seaside hotels The Idle Rocks (https://idlerocks.com) and St Mawes Hotel (www.stmaweshotel.com) in Cornwall are offering exclusive-use packages for hen and stag celebrations. Situated in St Mawes, voted the UK’s best seaside town, The Idle Rocks is a boutique property offering 18 bedrooms, including four harbour view rooms in an adjoining cottage, two being dog friendly. Perched on the harbourside, overlooking the Fal Estuary, the hotel is the ideal bolthole for friends, couples, solo travellers and families alike. Sister property St Mawes Hotel offers boutique accommodation, fresh seasonal Cornish cuisine and a warm welcome surrounded by the Roseland Peninsula where guests can explore on a hike.

Dorian Janmaat joined The Idle Rocks and St Mawes Hotel to bring a fresh flair as executive head chef in January 2020 and has taken the hotel’s culinary offering from strength to strength characterised by his passion for cooking and perfection, which has also culminated in the restaurant winning multiple awards. Influenced by Asian flavours, Dorian curates exceptional menus that are a fusion of Cornwall’s best produce whilst embodying his culinary style.

From starters to dessert, Dorian ensures that the ingredients used in his balanced, textured, and elegant dishes are from the most sustainable suppliers. From the fish and shellfish that are delivered fresh every morning and served to the hotel’s guests the same day, to the seasonal vegetables and locally farmed meats. Dorian has continually worked and professionally managed his team behind the restaurant, perfectly demonstrating that his role as the executive head chef doesn’t start and end with just creating a dish but rather, showcasing the ongoing relationship between the chef, the producers, the restaurant team, the customers and land and sea that defines his work. Dorian’s dishes offer a true celebration of Cornwall and an unforgettable culinary journey for every guest that steps through The Idle Rocks’ restaurant doors. Finest Retreats is pleased to announce it’s entering the glamping market with the launch of Canvas & Cabins luxury glamping experiences across the UK. With dozens of properties currently available including a selection of treehouses, lodges and bell tents which perfectly mix a sustainable and eco-friendly approach, each meets the highest standards that Finest Retreats upholds, allowing travellers to truly get back to nature.

“Having established partnerships with select properties offering sustainable getaway options as part of our Finest Retreats collection, given the increased interest in holidaying closer to home and nearer to nature, it seemed natural for us to enter this market,” says founder Richard Bond.

Experience the best of a beach holiday at the Clotted Cream Cabin in Widesgate, Cornwall. Located just four metres from a sandy beach, with all the comforts of a luxury glampsite, this wooden-clad cabin sleeps four travellers in two king-sized beds and is home to a firepit and barbecue, complete with seating for late-night stargazing over toasted marshmallows.

Start the day with farm-fresh eggs from the working farm next door before venturing out to explore cute little Cornish coastal villages, the famous South West Coast Path, Adrenalin Quarry’s giant inflatable water park and zipline, wine tastings, and even alpaca trekking.

There’s no need to worry about leaky tents should the rain fall while staying in the Ash Lotus Belle Tent set on a wooden standing tucked away in a sheltered field on a family-run dairy farm in picturesque North Devon. The tent comfortably sleeps four on proper beds and mattresses (one double, two singles) and has a covered outdoor kitchen area equipped with a gas barbecue, as well as cooking equipment and crockery. An outdoor seating area is also provided.

For an authentic camping experience, there’s a firepit perfect for toasting marshmallows as the sun sets. Fairylights and battery-powered tea lights within the tent provide the perfect tranquil lighting for a romantic experience.

For friends, couples or solo travellers looking for an eco-friendly, off-grid retreat look no further than Yeworthy Eco-Treehouse. Start the day with breakfast on the balcony overlooking the lake before cosying up with a log fire crackling in the corner as night falls. Enjoy basic cooking on a gas-fired camp stove or use the barbeque in the summer months. The surroundings are secluded and private, with only the birds and wild deer who roam the forest as neighbours.

To book, visit www.canvasandcabins.co.uk

Gather your best girls and head to Beaford Country House, a large holiday home located in Winkleigh, Devon sleeping up to 23 guests. It’s home to a private heated swimming pool and hot tub plus a barbecue hut, www. beafordcountryhouse.co.uk The Bedford Hotel in the heart of Tavistock offers a Jazz Sunday lunch serving a traditional three-course Sunday roast with a generous helping of live jazz from the band the Desperate Measures. For the next available dates, visit www.bedford-hotel.co.uk/jazzsunday-lunches Celebrate your last weekend as a singleton in a luxury ecolodge at five-star resort Gwel an Mor in Cornwall. Many have a private hot tub and the hideaway is home to a heated indoor pool and on-site spa facilities, www.gwelanmor.com