From the sweeping driveway leading to this neo-Elizabethan manor house to the warm welcome from tweed-clad porters, a visit to Bovey Castle in Devon always starts in style.

Bovey Castle is set within 275 acres of lush countryside on the edge of Dartmoor in Devon, and guests can indulge in an array of traditional English country pursuits from clay pigeon shooting and off-road driving experiences to fly fishing and falconry. There’s also an 18-hole championship golf course on-site.

After an action-packed day of activities – or a more leisurely stint of pampering in the Elan Spa – the three-AA-rosette Great Western Grill awaits. Here, head chef Mark Budd puts a modern spin on classic dishes such as red-wine-braised oxtail cottage pie with horseradish mash, braised English peas, lettuce and onions.

The chef makes the most of the estate’s abundant produce, which includes seasonal vegetables, locally reared beef and game, and produce from the kitchen garden. The estate also provides ingredients for some desserts: Bovey Castle Estate honey is used in the lavender peach-melba baked alaska.

For a more informal dining experience, visit Bovey Castle’s Smith’s Brasserie where tapas-style snacks and small plates are served with a Dartmoor backdrop.

Trencherman’s tip

Begin the dining adventure in style with an aperitif at the glamorous Champagne Bar.