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Great Bidlake Manor

Bridestowe, near Lydford, Devon (Ref. 975845)

4.9

Helpful Holidays rating

  • 12 Guests

  • 6 Bedrooms

  • 6 Bathrooms

  • Pets Yes

  • Show on map

Features

  • Electric car charging
  • Off road parking
  • Open fire
  • Garden / Patio
  • Cot available
  • Highchair available
  • Washing machine
  • Dishwasher
  • Games Room
  • Broadband / WiFi

Reviews & Ratings

Accuracy of the listing
Cleanliness
Comfort
Facilities and Maintenance

* Based on a combined average customer score

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49 Customer Review(s)

  • Libby

    “We had another great week all be it eventful week at Great Bidlake, Carole was extremely helpful and had great local knowledge.”

    All three generations love the house and we are really looking forward to coming back next year.

    All three generations love the house and we are really looking forward to coming back next year.

    - Libby, February 2024

Summary

  • Over three levels
  • Five first floor bedrooms with option of being super king double or twin, all with en suite bathroom or shower room
  • Top floor super king double or twin bedroom and bathroom with bath, shower, hand shower, WC and basin
  • Ground floor dining hall with open fire
  • Sitting room with open fire
  • Library with open fire
  • Music room
  • Breakfast room
  • Kitchen
  • Hall
  • Boot room
  • First floor games room and small kitchen.
  • Central heating, open fire, underfloor heating with wood burning stove
  • Induction Hob, Microwave, fridge-freezer, tumble dryer, washing machine, dishwasher, Smart TV, WiFi, Phone, Fuel and power inc. in rent
  • Bed linen and towels inc. in rent
  • Cot and highchair available on request
  • Outdoor table tennis table with bats and balls provided
  • Off road parking for 15 cars
  • Two 7kW Electric Vehicle Charging points available, payment via an App
  • Two well-behaved dogs welcome, there is a second pet charge of £25
  • Sorry no smoking
  • Professional catering available
  • Additional Z-bed available, by arrangement
  • Note: Retreats such as Yoga or writing workshops may be arranged with special approval of the owner
  • Note: Check-in time 4.30pm

The property

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 with huge fireplace (open fire) 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).

Floorplans

2nd Floor1st FloorGround Floor

Kitchen Library Breakfast Room Boot Room Storage Entrance / Dining Hall WC Sitting Room Snug Music Room

Note: This property has a Good Housekeeping bond of £500.

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About the location

Bridestowe, nr Lydford

Nestling among mature woodland on the western slopes of Dartmoor, the historic village of Lydford is a jewel in this area of outstanding scenic beauty. To the north, just half a mile away, the high tors come right down to the village edge, while to the south the River Lyd winds its way through Lydford Forest on its tumbling course northwards.

Note: Arrival after 4.30pm.
Note: Retreats such as Yoga or writing workshops may be arranged with special approval of the owner.
Note: This property has a refundable Good Housekeeping bond of £500

This property offers the following short breaks:

  • Winter
  • Off-season
  • Last minute