01803 722252
About Us
“Great location. Friendly, welcoming hosts. They have thought of everything. Comfortable room with a view! Great breakfasts. Don't want to leave!”
Paula and David, Burley-in-WharfedaleDuring the mid 1990s, having built up our own successful businesses in the corporate world, we came to realise that we yearned for a more relaxed and less stressful lifestyle. We sold our house in the Thames Valley and took a “sabbatical” – Karen to indulge her passion for pottery and stained glass whilst Ian satisfied a long-held dream by learning traditional boat-building skills.
Moving to South Devon in 1996 we set about searching for a suitable property that would allow us to create a comfortable home combined with the style of country guesthouse that we ourselves had come to enjoy in our travels around the UK.
Built originally as a pair of farm labourers cottages around 1900, Downton Lodge has undergone several changes over the last century. During the 1960s for example it was a holiday home, playing host to celebrities such as Spike Milligan. A local farmer told us how – in the depths of a snowy winter - he transported members of the Rolling Stones on the back of his tractor from Downton Lodge to the local pub!
When we acquired the house in 2000 it was suffering from years of neglect and we set about a complete programme of restoration and extension, scouring local architectural salvage yards to enable us to re-instate many of the period features that had been ripped out in earlier (less enlightened) years. Throughout the restoration we tried to be faithful to the age and style of the original house and we hope you will agree that we succeeded with this. Perhaps, however, we got a bit carried away when we spotted a superb solid mahogany Victorian staircase at an auction. It was a challenge to fit but we simply couldn’t resist that magnificent carved newel post!
We have incorporated several leaded glass panels into the refurbishment – all hand made by Karen using traditional techniques to period designs. Ian has applied his woodworking skills to much of the internal joinery to recreate the period detail so rare today but so typical in Victorian and Edwardian times.
The result is a unique and beautiful home and we are delighted to be able share it with our guests.
“Every aspect of our stay was a sheer delight. You just have to see the wonderful stained glass windows throughout the house. With every attention to detail, our stay was an absolute joy from beginning to end. Thank you”
Steve and Eileen, Bolton
Downton Lodge Country Guest House - Dartmouth Bed & Breakfast