Review April 2020
Lewtrenchard Manor

A visit to Lewtrenchard Manor is well worth the ride over the moors at any time of the year. This beautiful stone Jacobean Manor House, which dates back to the 1600s is full of character and history. It’s family-run, with attentive and friendly staff. Head Chef Tom Browning makes the most of the home-grown produce from the traditional walled kitchen garden, as well as sourcing fresh food from local suppliers. These credentials make it one of Devon’s great dining venues in my opinion.

Make sure you arrive in time to walk around the glorious gardens. You can also admire the wonderfully carved woodwork and climb the staircase to view the beautiful gallery full of artefacts and antique books in the library.

We were made to feel very much ‘at home’ sitting in the lounge bar, while sipping a drink and nibbling on olives, nuts and delicious canapés.

Our taste buds were truly tickled as we chose to eat from the tasting menu. A paired wine flight is available, but we asked the team to select a white wine, which would go with each dish. A glass of chilled FMC Chenin Blanc was the perfect choice.

What I liked about this menu is that it didn’t give much detail, so when the waitress brought out each course, it was a wonderful surprise. Every dish was delightful, with flavours and colours dancing all over the plate and in our mouths. Tom does a fantastic job in the kitchen, showing off his talent of different styles of cooking with wonderful produce. This is one of those dining experiences you need to try yourself, without me telling you how good it was.