Nestled across 450 acres in a very happy valley on England’s verdant southern coast, Fowlescombe Farm would appeal as much to old-guard aristocrats as to a retired accountant from Muskogee—and seat them at the same table without either party feeling out of place. Located in South Devon, a three-hour train ride from London, the property has 10 primarily one-bedroom suites, along with an airy, open kitchen and informal dining room. Its status as a luxury hotel, however, is simply the latest chapter in a very long story.
Established as a farm in 1537, the property’s original manor house has been a vine-covered ruin since the 18th century. New houses, barns, and buildings have sprung up ever since, and now, under the stewardship of the hospitality veteran Caitlin Owens (whose family has owned the property for decades) and her partner, the creative director Paul Glade, the estate has been meticulously restored into a singular retreat. Its Scandinavian design was masterminded by a Swiss architect, and while the angles may be precise and dramatic, the furnishings are unabashedly hygge, with sheepskins, soft throws, and wood-burning fireplaces throughout to fend off the coastal damp.
