Lympstone Manor Is Now Open
Lympstone Manor has today officially opened its doors. A new luxury country house hotel for the 21st century, the Grade II listed Georgian mansion in Devon has been restored and renovated by Michael Caines MBE, one of Britain’s most celebrated chefs and now visionary hotelier. Once a private home, the property is set in 28 acres of Devon countryside with unrivalled views of the Exe Estuary. To create Lympstone Manor, Michael has worked Architect Rud Sawers to create the hotel layout and extension, and with Meraki, a dynamic London-based design duo, whose sophisticated interiors bring warmth and style to the hotel while reflecting the poetic beauty of the surrounding area.
“The opening of Lympstone Manor is the realisation of a dream,” says the two-Michelin star chef, who hails from nearby Exeter. “Everything that I have achieved in my long career has brought me to this point where I can fully express my vision of contemporary country house hospitality for the 21st century. I can’t wait to welcome old and new friends to my new home!”
The Design
Once a private home, Lympstone Manor has been skilfully renovated, transforming it into a stunning country house hotel. In a reflection of the local area, the charming guestrooms at Lympstone Manor are all named after birds that live in and around the estuary, making each room individual with a true sense of place. Every room reflects its namesake, from the blue jewel tones used in “Kingfisher” to elegant soft grey textures found in “Heron”. Many of the guestrooms at Lympstone Manor come with their own terraces or balconies to maximize on the hotel’s superb vistas.
The polished interiors of the guestrooms are mirrored in the public areas on the ground floor. The lounge has a light and airy feel with soft beige and cream details and floor to ceiling French windows opening onto the garden and that spectacular view. The walls are adorned with nautical maps which reference the areas strategic vantage point for trade and exploration during the medieval times, and a compelling collection of art. Complementing the cream tones of the lounge is the hotel’s uniquely designed copper bar, found at the end of the room. Here, guests can enjoy the hotel’s signature cocktails or one of the hotel’s many wines by the glass.
Named after the nearby castle, the first dining room Powderham consists of six banquette tables in muted gold tones. The room’s wallpaper shows a more abstract vision of the Lympstone grounds and views of the estuary, and carefully restored Victorian panels surround the room which looks out onto the delightful garden. The hotel’s private dining room Mamhead seats fourteen and is painted in terra ombra with dusty taupe chairs in velvet. The largest of the dining rooms is Berry Head which has eight tables, floor to ceiling bay windows and walls adorned with works by artists including Kurt Jackson.
Food & Wine
With Michael Caines at the helm of Lympstone Manor, it is no surprise that exceptional cuisine and wine are at the heart of the experience. After achieving two-Michelin stars and then holding them for 18 consecutive years, Michael has built his reputation on a visionary style of cuisine that celebrates the seasonal bounty of Devon and the southwest. Having taken a year out to develop Lympstone Manor, Michael has had time to work on new dishes and concepts as well as recreating many of his signature dishes with local and seasonal ingredients. A La Carte dishes include “Tartlet of quail and quail’s eggs, onion confit, black truffle and smoked bacon and a light quail jus”; “Braised Turbot, River Exe mussels and cockles with tomato and basil sauce”; and “Poached rhubarb with hibiscus and vanilla, lemon sponge, lemon curd and rhubarb sorbet”. A “Taste of the Estuary” offers a seven course exploration of local seafood, while the “Signature Menu” is an eight course tasting menu and a weekly changing lunch menus offer a choice of 3 starters, mains and desserts, with all other menus changing with the seasons.
With plans to plant a vineyard on the slope leading down to the Exe estuary, the appreciation of wines including local wines from Devon and the UK as well as the finest from around the world — is a central element to the Lympstone Manor experience. Wine is very much a shared passion for both Michael and co-director Steve Edwards who has developed an impressive wine list for the hotel. There are two basement cellars as well as a wine tasting and dispense room opposite the dining rooms located on the ground floor. The tasting room houses wine storage cabinets alongside a bank of Wine Emotion dispense machines for the service of great wines by the glass as well as a sommeliers table where small groups can enjoy a bespoke wine tasting experience led by Head Sommelier, Marko Mägi.
Forthcoming Events
Throughout the year there will be a programme of exciting events taking place including wine and champagne dinners, evenings in conversation with Michael Caines, seasonal celebrations and more.
Forthcoming events include:
FineArt@ Lympstone Manor
FineArt@ Lympstone Manor is an artist in residence programme which will see a number of fantastic talents grace the walls of the hotel throughout the year. The first event in the series will be a dinner hosted by first resident artist Kurt Jackson on the 13th April.
Trencherman’s 25
To launch the 25th edition of the South West’s most prestigious guide to dining, Lympstone Manor and Michael Caines will be hosting Trencherman’s 25 on 8th May – a mind-blowing dinner cooked by incredible South West chefs with six Michelin stars between them.
Nightly rates at Lympstone Manor available from £305 per night including breakfast.
Telephone: 01395 202040
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For more press information on Lympstone Manor please contact:
Emma Powell, Sauce Communications emma@saucecommunications.com
Harriet Rowlinson, Sauce Communications harriet@saucecommunications.com
Notes to Editor
Michael Caines MBE
Michael Caines also runs operations in the Coach House Restaurant at Kentisbury Grange Hotel, near Barnstaple, Devon and Palé Hall Hotel and Restaurant, Llandderfel, Bala, Gwynedd. Michael is also a partner and ambassador to the Williams Formula 1 racing team creating signature menus over the Grand Prix calendar. www.michaelcaines.com