Ruby Wedding Celebration at Lympstone Manor 2018
It is hard to believe but Steve and I celebrated our 40th (Ruby) Wedding Anniversary on the 20th May 2018. I have to say that Steve needs a huge trophy in recognition of him having to put up with me for all this time – as I am sure no-one else would have done!!
We are not really party animals (well I am, but Steve is a bit unsociable) so we decided to splash out and have an overnight stay in a posh hotel not far from where we live and plumped for the Lympstone Manor at Lympstone in Devon. Why? well we did have a meal at Gidleigh Park in Devon which is a hotel that the well known Chef Michael Caines once owned and we enjoyed it very much. After leaving Gidleigh Park he bought an old derelict Grade II Listed Manor House and it has taken 3 years to restore and renovate it to what is now a very special and beautiful hotel. I didn’t know what it was called, but thanks to the internet I managed to find it and as soon as I saw the photos etc we decided that this would be a lovely place to spend our special celebration.
In the morning we opened our cards and Steve had gone to a lot of trouble making me a very personal card which included photos from our actual wedding day and also a romantic poem which was lovely. Although on looking at the wedding photos we did look very young, but then again it was back in 1978.
Ruby Wedding Celebration at Lympstone Manor 2018
The rooms are all decorated uniquely and no expense has been spared on sumptuous fixtures, fittings and furnishings. I have to say that a stay here is expensive with tariffs rising quite dramatically for each rooms and suites and all being named after a bird. We made our choice of The Wheatear which was a deluxe garden view room which looked absolutely beautiful in the photos.
On our arrival we were greeted with an exceptional welcome which included a hot face towel to freshen us up after our long 40 minute journey!!! We were then taken to our room, which to our surprise we had been upgraded The Woodpecker which was accessed by a little wooden garden gate which opened on to its own private outside space including a fire pit and outside marble freestanding bath. It also had a view of the River Exe Estuary. The staff had obviously picked this particular room as the colour scheme was grey with burgundy cushions, which was definitely the right colour for a Ruby Wedding Anniversary Celebration.
It was quite beautiful with a huge bed, sofa, a cabinet which had a complimentary gin tray and water, bedside tables and then another dressing table. It had a rather Art Deco feel to it and had unusual lighting. There was a raised marble floor area where the freestanding bath was situated which was not behind any door and was part of the bedroom. There was a separate toilet and large walk in shower. There was a complimentary gin tray complete with a fresh lime, a coffee machine, home made biscuits and fresh fruit
Then outside was a freestanding marble bath, a fire pit, and outside fitting seating and freestanding whicker chair, where you could sit and take in the wonderful views of the grounds and the estuary. We really couldn’t have been more pleased.
Ruby Wedding Celebration at Lympstone Manor 2018
It wasn’t long before a member of staff brought us a complimentary glass of Champagne, which again was a lovely touch and although we hadn’t been there very long it was very special already.
We then went for a walk around the grounds in the beautiful sunshine and then decided to endulge in a gin and tonic outside, before we got changed in readiness for the eagerly awaited dinner in the restaurant.
It started at 7.00 p.m in the lounge with an aperitif of your choice (which was not included in the menu price) but with it we had a little tray of canapes each (which was part of the menu). At the time of booking it is asked if you have any dietary requirements and as I do not eat any fish or shellfish, the canapes and the menu for me was altered to accommodate this.
There were 3 separate menus which change on a daily basis, an Al a Carte for three courses at £125 per head (yes £125 per head), an Estuary Tasting Menu at £135 per head, which was definitely not going to be a choice for obvious reasons and a Signature Tasting Menu at £145 per head which was 9 courses including coffee and petit fours. As you can imagine the wine list was extensive with the cheapest bottle of wine coming out at around £50. However you would not expect to find a bottle Cote du Rhone for £15 at a luxury establishment like this.
Well as this was going to be a once in a lifetime celebration we chose the Signature Tasting Menu. So the actual meal started at 7.30 p.m. I really cannot remember in detail what each dish was, but Steve had a couple of fishy courses and included was a gorgeous nettle risotto which was absolutely amazing, a duck dish, a beef dish as the main event, cheeses and desserts ,but I have uploaded some photos of each course, but have to admit that we had almost finished the cheese course and forgot to take a photo when it arrived.
Although this was 8 courses with coffee they are as they state “tasting” so it is small amounts but all with superb flavours and all little works of art. There was just the right amount of time between each course and we were actually enjoying our coffee and petit fours at 11.15 p.m. Again a lovely little touch with an Anniversary Congratulations piped in chocolate around the plate.
So it was a very relaxing and memorable dining experience.
We got back to our room which was lit up now as it was dark and looked very pretty.
I have to say that we had a thoroughly enjoyable time and can wholeheartedly recommend this wonderful place. The service we received was second to none and every member of staff we came across were exemplary
We had a very peaceful nights sleep and then our morning tea tray arrived consisting of a pot of tea for Steve and a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice for me and a couple of homemade shortbread biscuits.
It was then down to breakfast where there was a continental buffet in addition to a cooked breakfast choice. We were still full up from the meal the night before so we just had the full english breakfast, which again was beautifully served and of good quality.
After our leisurely breakfast it was check out time and then back to reality and the drive home. It was certainly a lovely celebration for our special Anniversary and one we will not forget. Was it worth the money, well I have to say it was an experience so I would have to say “yes”.
Ruby Wedding Celebration at Lympstone Manor 2018
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