The House
In you go, through the porch to an elegant hallway; piano, stairs, original artworks. To the right is the drawing room, all modern country house style with Persian rugs, floral drapes and pretty plasterwork. Then there’s the dining/living room, homely, welcoming, with a long oak table for your celebration feasts.
Wander through to what they call the domestic kitchen, a fresh and cheerful room with an Aga and a scrubbed pine table. Follow the back hall round and there’s a catering kitchen, so well kitted out that cooking for a large group becomes stress free; hire private caterers (see Extras) to cook you a celebration feast and here’s where they can work undisturbed.
Bedrooms 1-6 are on the first floor, on the second floor are Bedrooms 7-10 and a shower room. Rooms 4 and 5 share a Jack and Jill bathroom, Rooms 7 and 8 share a shower room, the rest have their own ensuites.
Outside there are 5 gorgeously rambling acres at your disposal; meandering paths, secret nooks, plenty of surprises. Think soft volleys from the tennis court, furtive whispers in the Victorian grotto beneath the terrace, cocktails up above, the views rolling on and on forever across the beautiful North Devon landscape.
Idle the days way by the pool (late May to the end of August, longer if the weather is good), a little piece of the Med in its walled courtyard. Down the end there’s a summer house, to the side, a sauna and pagoda.
Behind the house in a more modern building you’ll find a laundry room and the gym; upstairs are the yoga/dance studio and with gentleman’s club vibes, the games room/snooker room.
Embrace it all, lord it up. The luxury of being together, the joy of each moment, and a very enchanting piece of Devon heaven.
Local Area
Tear yourself away from Merryhill Manor if you can, and if you do, you’ll find there are good things to see and do in these parts. Wander down to the little town of Chumleigh, all villagey feeling with narrow streets, thatched cottages, independent shops to browse, and places to stop for a bite to eat. Be part of the buzz at Quince Honey Farm near South Molton, hire bikes in Barnstaple and set off for an adventure on the Tarka Trail. Prefer your quests on horseback? Go to Boldtry Stables and they’ll sort you out; otherwise, lace those boots up and stretch those legs!
Gorgeous gardens await you at RHS Garden Rosemoor and Castle Hill Gardens at Filleigh, sun, sand and surf are yours at Croyde, Woolacombe and Saunton Sands on the North Devon Coast. Shopaholics can get their fix in Exeter, the fam can visit the fascinating RAM Museum, take a tour if the Medieval Underground Passages, and see the magnificent cathedral.
Venture off to Exmoor or Dartmoor for a whole day of discovery; the steep wooded combes, the high heathery heaths and lush river valleys of Exmoor, the big wild moors, the rocky tors and crystal clear streams of Dartmoor. Both are unique, both are spectacular.
Large it exploring, or stay put at Merryhill Manor, either way the memories will be irreplaceable.