A Weekend Break at Pickwell Manor, North Devon

the front of the jacobean Pickwell Manor in devon

I love Devon, although I’m a little biased. I was born in south Devon and brought up just over the border in Cornwall so I know the area well.

However, the north coast of Devon has always been a bit of a mystery to me. It was like going over to the dark side, all brooding and rugged with the wild Atlantic Ocean unforgivably battering the beaches.

So, I was delighted when my family and I were invited* to stay at Pickwell Manor near Braunton for a few nights. Pickwell Manor has been named the best alternative to Centre Parcs by The Guardian and their Laundry Room features in the Wall Street Journal’s Year in Photos, with it often being quoted as having the laundry with the best view!

I don’t think I’ve ever been so excited to see a laundry room and with Pickwell Manor now staying open for the winter, including Christmas and the New Year, I was curious to see what it had to offer for the colder months.

The Grand Manor House of Pickwell Manor

We arrived after a very long journey (my fault for being overly optimistic that it would be fine to head down the M27 just before rush hour!) and were able to find Pickwell Manor and our apartment easily.

We were staying in Constance which sleeps up to 4 people, 1 double bedroom and a partitioned bunk room with built-in bunk beds within the lounge which my kids absolutely loved and couldn’t wait to get to bed!

We were warmly welcomed with freshly cut flowers, homemade brownies, a bottle of white wine from the region (which I can confirm was delicious) and plenty of information on Pickwell Manor and surrounding areas all contained in a tablet for you to use. I loved this idea as it’s a great way of cutting down on paper.

a double bedroom in a holiday apartment which leads out onto a decked area

After an extremely comfortable night’s sleep, we went for a walk around the grounds. We took the kids to the Games Room first before going to explore the rest of the apartments and tree houses which sit in the surrounding woods. gloriously unaccompanied.

Pickwell Manor – Main House

a games room with ping pong and table football — The games room

Pickwell Manor itself sits on six acres of garden and grounds with views to the Devon coast and surrounding countryside. It has been divided into 10 individual apartments, all with their unique style and includes a 16th-century private chapel with an outside bath!

The Snug

We entered Pickwell Manor through a lovely courtyard and into a reception area with an imposing grand staircase which is in keeping with the Jacobean style of the manor. Through the reception, there is a long hallway with doors that lead you into “The Snug”.

a kitchen with large island and wooden flooring — The large kitchen

This runs along the south-facing ground floor of the manor and includes a ballroom, seating area around a wood burner and a large open-plan living area with a kitchen and separate island I could only dream of!

This area can be hired out as a venue in itself, or it can be used as a “hub” when the apartments Grace, Bliss, Affinity and The Chapel have been booked together (which combined can sleep up to 30 guests!)

a kitchen and living area with wood burner

Bliss – Sleeps 10

Coming out of The Snug and heading up the grand staircase takes you to two large apartments. Upstairs to the right is Bliss which still has the original oak panelled doors, high ceilings and feature fireplaces.

Bliss consists of 4 bedrooms, my favourite being the large super-king bedroom with an in-room bath, kitchen with large range cooker and a huge lounge and dining room that can easily accommodate all the guests in the apartment. I particularly liked the raised seating area looking out over the south-facing gardens and the pops of colour in this room.

a small galley kitchen with wooden beams

a bedroom with fireplace and huge patterned head board

Affinity – Sleeps 7

Next door to Bliss is Affinity which consists of three bedrooms, again one bedroom with an in-room bath, a self-catering kitchen and a large dining table and seating area. The lounge looks out of the south facing old mullion windows with a galley-style kitchen running along the full length of the room.

The rooms are huge and have retained a lot of the character and personality of Pickwell Manor which adds to the essence of staying in Affinity.

a dining table in a living room with huge wooden mantel around a fireplace and oak beams

kitchen with large wooden ceiling beams, a galley style kitchen and dining table

Grace – Sleeps 9

This had to be my favourite apartment within Pickwell Manor. I loved the use of old and new, dark and light colours, views across the south-facing grounds and north-facing courtyard and the huge amount of space!

a dark blue bedroom with white standalone bath

Grace comprises of 4 bedrooms with my favourite bedroom of the Manor having an in-room bath and a wonderful contemporary shower room.

There is also a shared family bathroom, private laundry room and wet room, a huge lounge with seating for 12 people centred around a wood burner for cosy autumnal evenings and an incredibly large country kitchen with a double electric AGA-style oven.

a large dining table in a holiday cottage

a living area with white and blue colour palette and a dining table

a bedroom with dark green walls and white decor

Pickwell Manor also consists of 6 smaller apartments, 4 of which are on the 1st and 2nd floors of the Manor, one an old converted Chapel and the other the old laundry, Amity! It also has 3 Tree Houses located in the woodland around the Manor, which you can read about here.

To access the Pickwell Manor apartments, you enter to the side of the manor, through a boot room (which is well stocked with wellies and outdoor wear and a cupboard of useful stuff!) and in through a cosy reception with green leather chesterfields.

Jubilee – Sleeps 6

a contemporary kitchen with grey and white decor

3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a bright, modern and airy kitchen with dining table and a cosy lounge area with south-facing stone mullion windows overlooking the countryside.

Liberty – Sleeps 4 + 2

Liberty consists of 1 double bedroom, 2 single beds and a double sofa bed in the lounge. It has a lounge diner which can comfortably accommodate 6 people and a fully furnished kitchen.

Serenity – Sleeps 3 + 2

a small living room in a holiday apartment

Serenity is on the second floor of the Manor and is a firm favourite with guests. It is light and airy and has wonderful views over the Devon countryside. It has a modern fitted kitchen with a dining table.

Divine – Sleeps 2 + 2

a small kitchen and seating area in a holiday apartment

A warm and cosy apartment with a fully fitted kitchen and angled lofty ceilings in the bedroom.

Amity – Sleeps 2

the old laundry room turned into a holiday cottage

This was the former laundry and is now a cosy cottage for two people. It has an airy beach-hut feel with a mezzanine bedroom, bathroom and fitted kitchen.

an open plan holiday apartment with mezzanine level

The Chapel – Sleeps 2

This is a 16th-century chapel that has been modernised to provide a “camper-van” style getaway. Again, it has a fully fitted kitchen, a private decking area and a large outside bath!!! But don’t worry, for those cold winter months, there is a double shower in the wet room inside The Chapel.

Pickwell Manor Treehouses

The newest additions to Pickwell Manor – The Treehouses – complete the huge variety of accommodation Pickwell has to offer. The 3 Treehouses consist of The Den – a 4-bed Treetop beauty, The Loft – which sleeps 2 comfortably, and The Hideaway – which also sleeps two. Each one has its own hot tub and outdoor seated balcony.

If you would like to see more details about the Treehouses and read about our stay at The Den, check out our posts >>>

Treehouse Rentals at Pickwell Manor, North Devon

Things to do Near Pickwell Manor Braunton

With the beach a short walk away, you may just find that Pickwell Manor, Braunton and the beach are enough to keep you busy! However, it would be a shame to go all the way to North Devon without exploring the stunning coast and countryside nearby.

Here is a quick overview of things to do near Pickwell Manor, Braunton;

Outdoor Activities: The area offers a variety of outdoor activities, including surfing lessons at Croyde Bay and the Museum of British Surfing.
Walking: For those who enjoy walking and hiking, the Baggy Point Easy Access Walk is a great option. This short and manageable route offers spectacular views of the coastline, making it suitable for families and individuals looking for a leisurely outdoor experience.
Beaches: Croyde Bay is a must-visit for beach lovers. Renowned for its beauty, it’s a popular spot for both relaxation and surfing, capturing the essence of North Devon’s stunning coastal landscape.
Natural Beauty: The North Devon Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) offers breathtaking coastal scenery, beautiful beaches, coves, and cliffside walks. It’s an ideal place for nature enthusiasts to explore and enjoy the diverse landscapes and wildlife.
Putsborough Sands: Known for its expansive and less crowded beach, Putsborough Sands is perfect for a tranquil day by the sea, offering a picturesque setting for picnics, walks, or just soaking up the sun.
Saunton Sands: This picturesque beach is backed by impressive sand dunes, offering a touch of wilderness and opportunities for exploration.
Town Hopping: Visit Braunton, Ilfracombe and the amazing seaside town of Woolacombe.

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Pickwell Manor. They have thoughtfully planned for all weather eventualities with books, games and entertainment systems in all apartments, a large and fully stocked playroom for the children, a tennis court, basketball hoop, woodland trails, an animal area, croquet and giant chess set to name but a few.

The beach is a brisk walk away or 5 minutes by car and of course, you have the wonderful rugged and sandy coastline of North Devon all around you. We can’t wait to get our next visit booked soon and stay in the Pickwell Manor Treehouses!

A Weekend Break at Pickwell Manor, North Devon