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Great Bidlake Manor

bridestowe, nr lydford, devon
  • 12 guests
  • 6 beds
  • 6 bathrooms
  • Pet Friendly

Description

Great Bidlake Manor is an outstanding, Grade II* listed manor house on the edge of the Dartmoor National Park, a mile from Bridestowe, recently renovated to a luxurious standard in partnership with English Heritage. Since 1268 it has been the ancestral home of the Bidlake family, who are now celebrating 750 years as custodians, and was rebuilt around 1594 in the Elizabethan style. The estate was once vast, but Henry Bidlake, an ardent Royalist, sold part during the English Civil War to pay fines to Cromwell. Charles I reputedly stayed at Great Bidlake in 1644.The manor is surrounded by 13½ acres of gardens, woodland, two ponds (unfenced) and paddocks with uninterrupted views over rolling Devon countryside. The gardens are split into different areas with, at the front, a lawned courtyard (croquet), mature planting and specimen trees, large terrace (lighting, barbecue, chimenea and outdoor table tennis table with bats and balls provided) surrounded by striking stone walls, and lawns with bench looking over the River Lew valley (lovely sunsets) and ample space for outdoor games. To the rear of the house are a number of historic outbuildings, including an old cider press. Approached via an impressive tree-lined drive, the house sits grandly facing its gardens and land, a wonderful fairyland for all generations for games, alfresco dining, relaxing and star-gazing (telescope provided).The house has masses of space and a multi-room Sonos music system. An impressive dining hall bearing the family's historic coats of arms greets you. Off this, a library and elegant living room, both with grand fireplaces (open fires); a cosy smart TV room; a fun music room with baby grand piano, guitars and other instruments; a big breakfast room (woodburner) off the kitchen (two dishwashers, microwave, fridge-freezer, electric range/ Induction Hob, Italian granite worktops); rear hall with boot/cloak room (good selection of outdoor games); ground-floor loo. Two sets of stairs up to a huge landing called the 'Solar' with ancient barrel-vaulted ceiling and quiet seating area (chess board), leading to five gorgeous bedrooms with 6' zip-linked beds (or twin) and either en suite bathrooms or shower-rooms; a simple games room (pool table, darts, smart TV, PlayStation 3, beanbags) on this level leads down 3 steep steps to a second modest fitted kitchen (washing machine, tumble drier, microwave, fridge-freezer, oven/separate hob). A further flight of stairs leads up to a sixth large bedroom (6' bed or twin) in the Tower on the second floor with its bathroom (suite plus hand-shower and separate shower) on the first floor. All beds have fine Egyptian cotton linen; bathrobes provided. Country Life magazine described Great Bidlake Manor as a rural idyll; it's a magical place for all kinds of gatherings with masses of room for everyone and easy access from the A30.

Bridestowe: village (pub, PO/shop) on the edge of Dartmoor, 2 miles from beautiful open high moorland and on the Granite Way cycle/walking trail between Okehampton (small town, golf, tennis, indoor swimming pool, cinema) and Lydford. Okehampton by road, 7 miles; Tavistock and Launceston (historic Cornish town), both 11 miles. Good base for touring Devon and Cornwall (easy access to A30).


Your dates


Everything you'll need

  • Wifi
  • Baby Friendly
  • Dishwasher
  • EV Charging
  • Garden / Patio

What guests are saying

5.0
Based on 68 reviews
Accuracy of the listing
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Cleanliness
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A beautiful house, comfortable and well equipped, also left for us a delicious sponge cake, which we enjoyed.

M
MichaelSep 2026

Had a wonderful time celebrating our wedding anniversary at the manor.

From arrival and the introduction to the property to closing the door a week later we cannot fault this venue. The only comment I would make is that the Wi-Fi was unreliable and therefore meant we were unable to use the Sonos system. Many thanks and would definitely return

S
SimonSep 2026

Such a beautiful place to stay.

Everything you could possibly want provided. Indoor and outdoor spaces very well kept and excellent array of outdoor games provided. All bedrooms had superb bathrooms.. Welcoming and very helpful housekeeper.

C
ClareSep 2026

Good to know

House Rules

  • Good housekeeping bond

    This property has a Good Housekeeping bond of £500

  • Smoking

    Not permitted

  • Property notes

    Note: Arrival after 4.30pm.

    Note: Retreats such as Yoga or writing workshops may be arranged with special approval of the owner.

    Note: All bookings at this property can only ever start on either a Friday or a Monday, if you would like to enquire about an alternative day please call to discuss.

Stay Information

  • Check-in / Check-out

    16:30 / 09:30

  • Property ref

    975845

  • Parking

    Off Road Parking

Guest & Pet Policy

  • Pets

    Allowed

  • Children

    Children and infants welcome

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