1 / 18
1 / 18
1 / 18
1 / 18
1 / 18
1 / 18
1 / 18
1 / 18
1 / 18
1 / 18
1 / 18
1 / 18
1 / 18
1 / 18
1 / 18
1 / 18
1 / 18
1 / 18
Tech entrepreneur millionaire Michael Birch used to visit the village of Woolsery as a child. His great-grandparents built the shop and Michael’s grandmother was born above it. After selling social networking site Bebo, founded with his wife Xochi, the couple bought the Farmer’s Arms pub in 2014 which was falling into disrepair. During the 4-year renovation, more dilapidated properties were purchased and gradually the shop, chippy, Birch Farm and several cottages including the Old Smithy, were added to the burgeoning ‘collective’ portfolio.
All buildings have been sensitively restored and upgraded with four Shop Rooms and Suites available and three cottages that sleep between 2-8 people. Each space has been individually designed with a different personality - either a vintage Art Deco/1940s feel using velvet upholstery, crafted furniture and pastel bathroom suites or discreetly luxurious Colorado cabin hideaway vibe. All guest accommodation offers superbly tactile comfort, hi-tech Rako lighting, underfloor heating, soothing colour palettes, Sonos sound system, fully stocked minibar and snug seating.
Breakfast is delivered in a hamper. The restaurant is headed by chef Ian Webber using produce from the ‘edible forest’ and animals from the 150-acre farm. Wulfheard Manor is currently under construction and will open as a boutique hotel and a bakery is coming soon.
This impressive project has blown an unexpected blast of cosmopolitan air into an otherwise sleepy outpost making it an utterly unique destination.
Great walks
Cooking classes
Learning
Hotel Entertainment
Families
Foodies
Good wine list
Full of character
Family Suites
Eco
Owner managed
Gourmet
Romantic
Restaurant
Luxury
Traditional
Retro/Vintage
Child friendly
Village
Chic
Historic
Boutique
Rooms
7 rooms in this hotelRestaurant
Good wine list
Bar
Family Suites
Wifi
Suites
Child friendly
Great walks
Cooking classes
Learning
Hotel Entertainment
Renovated cottages and suites with a Michelin-approved pub supplied by the local farm
Originally published by The Times
No spam. Only sweet updates about the latest hotel openings and the best places to stay.