Hotel Endsleigh has a interesting and fascinating history.During the medieval period, Endsleigh was part of the estate of the abbots of Tavistock. It had been given to the Church by the Edgcumbe family of Cotehele, Cornwall, and in 1540, the abbot’s 15,000-acre estate was granted to John Russell, the first Earl of Bedford.The abbots of Tavistock had a hunting lodge at Leigh Barton, southeast of Endsleigh. However, after the Reformation in 1536, it fell into disuse. It wasn’t until the early 19th century that John, the sixth Duke of Bedford, decided to replace “an irregular farmhouse little better than a cottage” near the present house site.

The guiding force behind Endsleigh’s development was the Duke’s second wife, Georgiana. She came from Scotland and was familiar with the picturesque Scottish cottages or lodges belonging to her parents. Inspired by these connections, she encouraged the creation of Endsleigh.Construction of the house began in September 1810, with limited work on the grounds between 1810 and 1814. Humphry Repton, the renowned landscape designer, was consulted in 1814. His proposals for an extensive picturesque landscape were presented in a Red Book. After Repton’s death in 1818, further developments occurred in the grounds.Endsleigh continued as an occasional residence for the Dukes of Bedford.In the early 20th century, the eleventh Duke of Bedford made significant additions to the landscape. Following the twelfth Duke’s death in 1953, the estate was broken up. It wasn’t until 2004 when Olga Polizzi purchased Endsleigh and, together with her daughter Alex, restored the building as a luxury hotel. The hotel, set in 100 acres of fairy tale gardens, woodland, follies, and grottos, retains its historic charm.  The elegant wood panelled dining room is full of character and remains much unchanged since the Duke of Bedfordshire sat and dined there, the family crests are all mounted around the dining room walls. Being a listed building, the Dining room, Lounge and Library are all tastefully decorated and feel very cosy and homely as well as having superb views of the Humphry Repton garden and long border.

The Grade I listed building is surrounded by vast swathes of woodland. There is a lovely walk from the front of the hotel which takes you up and into the Arboretum. Another walk from the back of the hotel, leads through the formal gardens and down towards the River Tamer, returning along the grassy terrace.

Today, Hotel Endsleigh has 21 rooms each individually designed with uncluttered elegance. The furniture is a mix of old and new, with some unusual pieces, we had a lovely, cosy and comfortable room on the second floor overlooking the Stable block. The house has lots of little nooks and crannies where you can just sit, relax and enjoy the wonderful ambience of the building. The library is an amazing room with everything from Zadie Smith to a complete PG Wodehouse. We thoroughly enjoyed our five-night stay at this beautiful hotel, especially at 3.30pm each afternoon when they serve freshly baked scones, clotted cream and strawberry jam, cakes and finger sandwiches.