Indulge in serene splendour: Discover a tranquil yet captivating luxury retreat at Woolsery in North Devon
The Collective at Woolsery has opened its new accommodation giving visitors to this incredible swathe of secluded countryside in the wilds of North Devon the choice of seven utterly stunning places to stay that are luxurious, opulent and beautifully designed.
Off the beaten track and a far cry from South Devon’s honeypot holiday spots, The Collective at Woolsery offers three cottages, two suites and two rooms within the village that have opened after a complete renovation. Each has its own unique character, drawing on the history and heritage of the village and telling its own story through a stunning aesthetic carefully designed by Hannah Lohan Interiors.
Woolsery is a place steeped in history that was first mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086. Centered around a Norman church, the village grew in the 18th and 19th centuries. Unusually, it also boasts two names both of which declare your arrival at the village on the signage - Woolsery and Wolfardisworthy.
In keeping with this endearing oddity, The Collective at Woolsery’s accommodation is eccentric, whimsical and a lot of fun. There are strong hints of nostalgia with dashes of decadence at every turn and all the rooms give a strong feeling that this really is the ultimate place to relax, unwind, and slow down.
A sense of theatre and fabulousness pervades. Beautiful art adorns the walls, and the rooms are interspersed with vintage pieces so that everywhere you look feels unique and truly authentic, but with quality that is of the highest calibre.
Everything is carefully curated paying homage to the village’s farming history and to provide a lasting narrative of yesteryear and of how life was once lived in this quiet, remote place.
Woolsery is the ancestral home of Michael Birch, co-founder of the social networking site Bebo with his wife Xochi. His great, great grandparents built the village shop, his grandmother was born above it, and his family still live in the village today.
Michael and Xochi bought a number of properties in the village and have breathed new life into this beautiful place underpinned by their genuine love of and connection to Woolsery.
This has so far seen the revival of the local pub The Farmers Arms, into an award winning place to eat, the re-opening of J.Andrew Shop & Post Office, the opening of Woolsery Fish and Chips, the creation of Birch Farm, which uses traditional and organic farming principles and services the restaurant and shop, and the ongoing renovation of the Wulfheard Manor with further accommodation to open soon.
This peaceful spot, where stars shine bright, and the true darkness of night envelops and cocoons, is surrounded by open countryside with tracks, footpaths and lanes to explore. It is also just a short drive from the rugged South West Coast Path at Clovelly (4 miles) and beaches at Bucksmill Mill and Westward Ho! (7miles).
When it comes to dining, guests have the choice of eating at The Farmers Arms, or perhaps choosing gourmet takeaway fish and chips.
Executive chef Ian Webber produces food with integrity, working closely with head gardener Josh Sparkes and livestock manager Chris Jenn at Birch Farm which provides most of the meats, fruits, vegetables and herbs used in the kitchen. Working in harmony with nature, the menu is a contemporary version of what a farming family might serve at their kitchen table. It majors on provenance and sings with flavour.
Breakfast is unlike any breakfast you will have experienced before. Served in the rooms, with guests choosing their meal the night before, there is an incredible choice such as honey glazed ham and hoggett; home made porridge and yoghurt; muffins, sourdough and crumpets, all baked in the kitchen; eggs from the farm - it’s a dazzling display of mouth-watering and wholesome food to start the day.
Without a doubt, a stay at The Collective at Woolsery is beyond comparison. Exceptional and unparalleled, this place redefines the concept of a luxury break, where every tiny detail is embellished with love.
For further information on the accommodation, take a look below.
Suite 1 - sleeps 2
Curated with wonderful pieces of furniture that capture the essence of the 1930s and 1940s, Suite 1 has two rooms, and a bathroom, with a backdrop of bold wallpaper and ornate light fittings. Here you can curl up with a book on a chaise long, snuggle down into a plush velvet sofa, or enjoy the rain shower and freestanding bath.
Price per night: £325
Suite 2 - sleeps 2
This retro-styled room oozes romance with gold embossed wallpaper, Art Deco-inspired wallpaper, a free standing bath, and a rain shower. Throw off your shoes and sink into the sofa, play some tunes on an old record-player, or delve into the free bar.
Price per night: £325
Room 3 - sleeps 2
Vintage feminine charm pervades in this room which is built into the rafters of the building and features a huge skylight that frames the mediaeval church. This room is full of glamour and charm with soft pastel colours and pretty pastel pinks and a primrose yellow bath that will call you like a siren for a long, hot soak.
Price per night: £275
Room 4 - sleeps 2
You’ll be truly amazed by the stature of this room where floor to ceiling windows let volumes of light dance through and provide views across the north Devon countryside to Dartmoor. Dark wood, rich fabrics and Art Deco pieces have created a masculine vibe that oozes comfort and relaxation.
Price per night: £275
The Old Smithy - sleeps 2
Steeped in history, The Old Smithy is country cottage living with a contemporary twist. A neutral palette against the warm, rich tones of the furniture and soft furnishings, exposed beams and polished cement floors emanate a sense of warmth and welcome and with a wood burner, and sumptuous sofas, this is a place to unwind, switch off and relax.
Price per night: £450
Hillside Cottage - sleeps 6-8
Gather your gang for a stay at Hillside Cottage which sleeps six to eight people. This is a cottage designed for entertaining with four roomy bedrooms, and beautiful social spaces both inside and outdoors.
Prepare a feast in the fully equipped kitchen and dine at the banquet style table, where the original well is an incredible glass covered feature, or head outside for some al fresco dining.
Price per night as a 3 bedroom: £650 Price per night as a 4 bedroom: £750
Rosehill Cottage - sleeps 4
This stunning space reflects the eclectic aesthetic of The Collective at Woolsery, with rich tones, opulent furnishings, and stunning artwork at every turn. It’s a space that will make you stop in awe, and wonder at the cleverness at brilliant interior design that seems to wrap you up, and want you to stop and stay and savour every moment.
Price per night £550
To find out more about The Collective at Woolsery please visit the website here.
