Ivybridge farm stay named ‘Best in South West’ by national travel guide

A farm stay on the edge of Dartmoor has been named the best place to stay in the South West in a well-respected national travel guide.

Fowlescombe Farm, near Ivybridge, was recognised by The Times and The Sunday Times in their Best Places to Stay 2026 list, which highlights 50 destinations across the UK.

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Judges described the venue as the “UK’s chicest, and most luxurious, full-board farm stay”, praising its all-inclusive approach that combines accommodation with dining and activities.

The business, which opened to guests in 2025, told The Moorlander that the award was a significant milestone for the team.

“We’re very proud. It’s a huge achievement for us and for the team who have brought Fowlescombe Farm to life,” a spokesperson said.

“From the very beginning, our ambition was to create something slightly different, bringing luxury hospitality and a working regenerative farm together in such a way that put the farm at the heart of everything.”

They added that receiving national recognition so soon after opening was “incredibly exciting”.

Since launching last year, the farm says it has seen strong interest from visitors, with guests drawn to the rural setting and connection to food production.

“It has been a pleasure to see how effortlessly the hotel and team has settled into the rhythm of the farm,” the spokesperson said.

“What has been particularly special is seeing how our guests respond to the simplicity of it, the chance to slow down, to reconnect with where our food comes from and the seasonality of it, and to spend time immersed in a working Devon farm.”

The site has also expanded its offer to local diners, with a restaurant known as the Refectory opening to non-residents last summer, allowing visitors to dine on produce grown on the farm.

According to the team, the experience is designed to be small-scale and peaceful, with only ten guest suites available.

“What people often say when they leave is that they feel a little more rested and a little more connected, both to the landscape around them and to the food and farming that sustain it,” the spokesperson said.

“With just ten suites, the experience is intentionally intimate and calm.”

Farm tours are currently popular, particularly following the arrival of newborn animals this spring. 

Guests can also take part in activities such as baking or exploring the surrounding countryside.

The Best Places to Stay guide is published annually and divides the UK into regional winners alongside national category awards.