I recently spent a night photographing and staying at Fowlescombe Farm in Devon. It only opened its doors in 2025, and already there is such a quiet magic about the place.
This was a little solo stay for me, something I don’t do often, as I usually travel with company. But this time I felt drawn to spend an evening alone, and Fowlescombe felt like the perfect place for it: somewhere to slow down, breathe deeply and simply be with your thoughts. An evening of quiet wandering, good food and seeing it all through my camera. Magic.
Where is Fowlescombe Farm?
Fowlescombe sits in the South Hams, near Ugborough and Ivybridge, in the green foothills of Dartmoor. It’s set within a 450-acre organic, regenerative farm, and everything here feels rooted in the land, from the meadows and orchards to the kitchen garden and greenhouse that feed the restaurant.
The guest rooms are spread between a Victorian farmhouse and a cluster of beautifully restored barns, so it feels less like a hotel and more like a very special farm you happen to be staying on.
The suites
There are just ten suites, which keeps everything calm and unhurried. As an interiors photographer I was in heaven: soaring ceilings, soft linen tones, hand-made joinery, pale stone floors and carefully chosen artwork. The larger suites even have their own kitchens, and everything feels pared back and considered, without ever being cold.
My favourite spot was the sitting room by the fire, with its shelves of books and deep armchairs. It was the perfect place to curl up with a drink before dinner.
Dinner at the Refectory
Food is at the heart of Fowlescombe. The restaurant, the Refectory, has an open kitchen, so you can watch the chefs at work as you eat. It’s led by chef Elly Wentworth, who you might recognise from Great British Menu and MasterChef: The Professionals, and who was previously Owner and Head Chef at The Angel in Dartmouth.
Much of what you eat comes straight from the gardens and fields, and Elly turns it into the most beautiful, thoughtful dishes. The menu changes with the seasons and whatever the farm is producing, with a real focus on zero waste and using the whole animal. Every plate I photographed looked like a little piece of the landscape.
From field to plate
The farm itself is a huge part of the experience. Rare and native breeds, including English Longhorn cattle and Manx Loaghtan sheep, graze the fields, and the kitchen garden is planned around what the chefs want to cook. Seeing the animals, the greenhouse and the vegetable beds before sitting down to dinner gives every course a real sense of place.
A night on my own
I’ll be honest, I was a little nervous about a solo stay, but Fowlescombe made it easy. A glass of wine at the bar, a slow dinner and a wander through the grounds as the light faded over the hills. In the morning, tea and something homemade before heading out. I left feeling rested and inspired, which is really all you can ask of a place.
Good to know
Location: Ugborough, near Ivybridge, in the South Hams, on the edge of Dartmoor.
Getting there: the nearest mainline station is Totnes, around 20 minutes away by car.
Nearby: walks on Dartmoor, the beautiful beach at Mothecombe and the sailing town of Salcombe are all within easy reach.
Perfect for: a slow weekend, a special-occasion dinner or, like me, a little solo reset.
Find them on Instagram at @fowlescombe. Looking for more beautiful places to stay nearby? Read about my stay at The Pig at Combe in Devon, or see my guide to the best restaurants in Cornwall just over the border.
I stayed at Fowlescombe while photographing for them, but all thoughts are my own.