Glebe House

Rooms

In the main house, there are six individually named rooms, each deeply comfortable and with its own charm. Expect more of Olive's distinctive arty style, with daring use of colour throughout. There's handpainted furniture, Expressionist-style artworks, and furnishings sourced from local artisans. It's maximalism done with taste. We loved the no-shoe policy upstairs - staying here is just like being in someone's (very stylish) home. 

We were in Rose room, the largest, with sweeping countryside views, a super-king canopy bed, a period fireplace, and a freestanding bath in the bedroom. The beds are heavenly, built with Devon-made mattresses stuffed with sheep’s wool, and ours was perfectly positioned to drink in those pastoral vistas.

For more privacy, there are three self-contained cabins set slightly apart from the main house but still within the gardens and woodland. Crows’ Nest One and Crows’ Nest Two are pleasantly spacious with private entrances, underfloor heating, wood burners, kitchen and sitting areas, and terraces with outdoor sunken baths. These are ideal for couples or friends wanting extra space and added luxuries, and they work well for families when booked together. Southleigh Wood is tucked away by the pool and sauna, with its own kitchen and a fire pit terrace with outdoor fireclay bathtub.

Features include:

• Bathrobes
• Bluetooth sound system
• Coffee / tea making
• Radio
• Toiletries
• WiFi

Eating

Food is central to the Glebe experience, where the monthly-changing set menu is shaped by the kitchen garden, polytunnels and smallholding, plus carefully chosen local suppliers. Surplus produce is pickled, fermented and dried to carry the seasons through the year, while their own Lop pigs are used nose-to-tail.

Dinner was a highlight. We adored the celeriac soup (delicious smell aforementioned) with curd and hazelnut crostini, as well as the Sharpham Elmhurst cheese on toasted malt loaf with honey gastrique. Each course is explained personally by one of the chefs, so you get a sense of the care, technique and story behind every dish. Note that the restaurant is closed on Sunday evenings. 

The wine list is carefully curated to complement the seasonal menus, with bottles from Italy, France, and Spain alongside English wines. Hugo and Olive are passionate about natural and expressive wines, often selecting small producers and boutique vintages that echo the philosophy of their kitchen: ingredient-led, authentic and full of character. There are also inventive cocktails and soft drinks, including homemade kombucha.

Breakfast is equally considered, with the offering changing daily. We started with yoghurt, stewed rhubarb and crunchy granola, then moved on to Aga-cooked eggs with crispy potatoes, smoky butternut squash, local ham with Dijon mustard, and thick slices of their porridge bread with butter. We chose to dine in the garden room this time, the sun beaming through - so much so that I needed sunglasses, despite it being February. It was a perfect start to a day in the Devonshire countryside. 

Features include:

• Bar
• Kids' meals
• Restaurant

Activities

• Dive into the bucolic surrounds with walks from the hand-illustrated Walk Book in your room, from rolling hill loops to coastal paths
• Soak up the views from the sauna, then invigorate in the cold plunge; there's also a swimming pool, tennis court, boules and croquet on offer at the house, plus plenty of quiet corners for reading and board games
• Seasonal experiences include pasta- and bread-making classes, cider-making, vineyard tours, art classes, mackerel fishing and more
• Explore nearby Jurassic Coast villages and beaches, like Beer, Branscombe or Lyme Regis
• Get lost in Devon's glorious countryside with a bottle of wine and a perfectly packaged picnic of larder provisions, all made in-house

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Art classes
• Cooking classes
• Fishing
• Hiking
• Historical sites
• Sauna
• Shopping / markets
• Tennis
• Wine tasting

Kids

Glebe House welcomes children who are happy pottering, exploring and eating well. This is not a high-energy family hotel, but there's lots of outdoor space, a swimming pool in summer (unheated), and freedom to roam.

Best for:

Babies (0-1 years), Teens (over 12)

Family friendly accommodation:

The Old Kitchen and Southleigh Wood are the most family-friendly options, each with space for a camp bed for one child. Babies in cots (under one year) are welcome in the Rose Room, Morning Room, Crow’s Nest 1 and 2, and the Old Boys Room.

Extra Beds Available

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Glebe House is on a hill above the village of Southleigh in East Devon, surrounded by rolling farmland and within easy reach of the Jurassic Coast. 

By Air:
Exeter Airport is the nearest (30km), but Bristol (94km) has more flight routes.

By Car:
A car is recommended for getting to the hotel and exploring the area. If coming from the airport, see our car rental recommendations. Free parking is available on site.

By Train:
Honiton has regular services from London Waterloo. From here, it's a 15-minute taxi journey to the hotel.