Travel Inspo - The Perfect Family Friendly Group Getaway At Bluebell Manor, Devon
Holidays with a big bunch of friends and kids are just good for the soul aren’t they? If you haven’t done it, I can wholeheartedly recommend it. They’re loud, noisy and chaotic but so, much fun! The kids are in their element about having so many playmates, and the adults are in their element because if the kids are happy and entertained, then we are more likely to have downtime with our friends. Everyone is happy!
We had been planning a New Year’s Eve getaway with a big group of our friends and their children but had left it rather late to find anywhere big enough to accommodate us all. We were close to abandoning the search, when Emilie from Unique Holiday Stays must have had magical powers, because she got in touch at the perfect time to say she was keen to showcase some of the bigger properties in their portfolio, and very generously offered us a complimentary stay at Bluebell Manor. I have an ongoing partnership with Emilie and previously worked with her when we stayed at the lovely Lyme Cottage in Lyme Regis last Easter (you can see more about that in my Instagram highlights)
It was booked out for New Years Eve but we didn’t mind that, and decided to go from the 1st to the 4th and throw a fake NYE party on the 2nd instead. So we had a quiet NYE and got up early New Year’s Day to drive to the glorious Bluebell Manor, which is close to Honiton in Devon. One major advantage of this was that the roads were clear, everyone was still in bed, and we made it in double quick time. So quick in fact that we were too early for check in so we headed to nearby Lyme Regis, which is in Dorset but only 20mins drive from the Manor.
I had been tempted to do the Lyme Regis Leap, an ice cold New Years Day dip in the sea, but common sense prevailed. After a late lunch on the Cobb we headed back to the Manor to be greeted by Emilie, and Caroline (who looks after the property), and for a tour of the house and grounds.
This place is the real deal. It’s an Elizabethan manor house which has been sensitively and sympathetically upgraded to the 21st Century. It is owned by the Kremer family and they have managed to retain a huge amount of the building’s original character while also creating all the home comforts and little luxuries you would need from a house this size. Tom Kremer also happened to be the man who invented the Rubix cube!
The history of the Grade 2 listed building is fascinating. The Chichester family, descendants of William de Widworthy, lived in the house until the beginning of the 18th century. Evidence of Sir John Chichester, who fought in the Battle of Agincourt, is inscribed in a frieze around the panelled bedroom, which is now known as the Chichester room (below) That’s where our friends Harry and Lottie and baby Summer slept very comfortably.
Later the house was split up into apartments during World War I and passed through other owners who all worked to restore it to it’s original state. It was then purchased by Thomas Kremer and Lady Alison Balfour in 1979 and it remains in the Kremer family today. Tom and Lady Alison spent a further 25 years working on Bluebell and it has now returned to what it was originally meant to be: a classic Elizabethan manor house. We slept in the Kremer suite (below).
All of that rich history seeps through the building. Set amongst the breathtakingly beautiful Devon Countryside, the house sleeps 14, over 7 double bedrooms. Emilie also provided cots and high chairs for the two littlest members of our merry gang. It all looks very grand, and initially I was worried that it was too grand for the kids, but don’t be fooled, it couldn’t have been more perfect for a big family getaway.
The key to its success is that it’s huge so there’s plenty of space and you don’t feel like you’re on top of each other. Yet it’s also cleverly laid out so it still feels cosy too. For example on the first night we decided to get the kids down to sleep, and then instead of cooking a big dinner, we decided to eek out the cheese fest that is the festive period a longer, lit the fire and tucked into a cheeseboard and red wine in this cosy sitting room. Holiday mode, well and truly on.
We had intended to head out for lunch the following day, because the River Cottage Cafe is in nearby Axminster. But to be honest everyone was so chilled out and enjoying the house that we decided to stay put. Which was pretty much the theme of our entire stay. We just didn’t feel the need to leave, as the house and grounds had so much to offer, for us and the kids, and we just made the most of that.
There is a cinema room and I thought we’d struggle to drag the older kids away from it but they surprised us by making their own fun. When they weren’t outside exploring, or being dragged out for long walks with us, they were holed up in the Long Room (below) making up and acting out plays, which were then performed on the “stage” you can see at the end of the room. The storylines left something to be desired but 10/10 for effort.
Outside there was acres of land to run around on, a tennis court where they enjoyed disrupting the Daddy’s very serious game ;-) , a stream where they spent ages building dams, and a playhouse to keep them occupied. In the summer months, there is also a heated outdoor pool, which would be absolutely perfect.
Both days, we all headed out for a big group walk up the hillside and through the surrounding woods, to blow off the cobwebs and take in the spectacular views looking down into the valley below. We were also very lucky to catch sight of some of the local deer skipping across our path. It was so unexpected and one of those moments which you feel so privileged to have seen.
On the second night we had booked a private chef to cater for our fake NYE party. Ollie Vernon of Fig & Smoke, came recommended by Emilie, and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend him to you. I’ve never done anything like that before and it felt like a bit of a luxury but I’m so glad we did. It made it feel like a proper celebration and meant we didn’t have to worry about prepping food…or the washing up after. Ollie turned up with everything he needed and someone to help with serving the food and setting the table. It meant we had time to get the kids to sleep and get dressed up for dinner without any of the stress of the cooking. And it was cheaper than going out for dinner (around £40 per head incl copious amounts and canapes and a three course meal) The food was also delicious. It was indulgent, but it turned out to be a better decision than we even realised.
Dinner was served in the Great Hall and wow, what a room! Look at that panelling. There is also a built in sound system which you can connect your own Spotify accounts so you can stream your music throughout most of the house.
On the last day, we did more walking, watched more theatrical performances and the kids even got to meet one of the newborn lambs, which was a very sweet gesture.
In the evening we all clubbed together to make a massive curry with all the trimmings, and ate with the kids in the Great Hall. We ended with Movie Night in the Cinema room. It only took us about an hour for 8 of us to agree on a film. Most of the gang wanted to watch the apparently terrifying Hereditary…but erm, no thanks, not for me. I’d like to remind everyone we were staying in an Elizabethan Manor in the middle of the countryside. It wasn’t remotely creepy, but still! We ended up with The Departed. Leo, Jack Nicholson and gangsters = something for everyone.
All in all, it was a really special weekend that I’ll remember for a long time to come. It was amazing to be there with lots of our favourite people, but there’s no doubt that Bluebell Manor was THE perfect location and base for us. It simply ticked every box going. And in the Spring and Summer? With the heated pool? That would knock it out of the park! But even without that, it’s just spot on and would be the perfect venue to celebrate a big birthday (they’re all big to me) or anniversary. I believe if you go in the Spring, the woods are carpeted with bluebells which I would love to see.
I want to say a huge thank you to Emilie for giving us the opportunity to stay at this incredible property and for making us feel so at home. We all said we would be happy to rebook in the future.
Rates start at £645 per night. Contact Emilie at Unique Holiday Stays for more information
