Dine, Stay And Unwind

At Rockbeare Manor, Devon

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2020 has certainly presented a very new set of challenges to us all ! At the start of the year when we were looking ahead to a busy diary with lots of weddings and events - we could never have imagined that most of those would need to be postponed, or that March 14th would be the last 'normal' wedding that we would host in 2021. But sadly that looks to be the case. The current government restrictions that have been placed on the hospitality and events industry have meant that there has been hurdle after hurdle to jump since March and as it stands at the moment (30th September) only weddings for 15 guests are permitted. 

After the relaxation on the hotel and restaurant sector back in July we saw a surge of people wanting to get away for a relaxed staycation in Devon and Cornwall (we can think of nowhere better!), and it got us thinking! You couldn't get a hotel room for love nor money, and most of the high quality hotels in Devon and surrounding areas were fully booked for the whole summer. With us still unable to hold weddings in any form, we thought that there must be something positive that we could do, until restrictions eased.

That's where the idea for Dine, Stay and Unwind came from and within two weeks of having the idea, by 1st August it was live on social media, on booking.com and Airbnb and we were ready to take bookings! 

The Dine, Stay and Unwind package includes an overnight stay for two in one of our luxurious bedrooms, along with pre-dinner Prosecco and a three course a la carte menu with coffee. You'll then wake up to a sumptuous breakfast starting with granola served with yoghurt and fruit compote, warm pastries or homemade fruit smoothies, then followed by some delicious hot options including a full English breakfast, or smoked salmon and scrambled eggs. 

We have been so astonished but the warm response that we have had from all who have enjoyed Dine, Stay and Unwind so far. It certainly feels good to breathe life back into the venue after such a long period during lockdown where we were unable to welcome guests. Never before has Rockbeare Manor been open to the public in this way which means that it’s an amazing opportunity for our friends, old and new, to come and enjoy the food, stunning gardens and landscape and even have a relaxed overnight stay.

"As soon as you step through the door you are made to feel very welcome and like you are at home. Nothing is too much trouble."

Not only that, guests have plenty of time to explore the grounds, play Billiards, table tennis and garden games or simply relax with drinks in the Library or Drawing Room. There is a real tranquility at Rockbeare Manor - it's only 15 minutes drive from Exeter, yet you really are in the middle of stunning Devon countryside and so it's the perfect place to unwind.

 "Rockbeare Manor is special. The property, the location, grounds, food and staff were first class. To indulge oneself in the Rockbeare experience was a privilege. Thank you"

Dining At Rockbeare Manor In Devon

Food has always been hugely important to us at Rockbeare Manor and so we always aim for it to exceed expectations. We have taken inspiration from our wedding menus when planning the options for Dine, Stay and Unwind and this has worked really well, particularly for Brides and Grooms who are due to have their wedding with us in the future, as they have been able to get a really good idea of not only the style and standard of food, but also service. Dishes are created using the finest local ingredients and prepared by our experienced chefs here at our kitchen at Rockbeare Manor. 

Some of the most popular dishes so far have been our Antipasti platter which guests share as a starter. It includes fine cured meats such as bresola, parma ham and Milano salami, and it's accompanied by asparagus, mozzarella and olives.  For main course, the sirloin of Devon beef really has been a huge hit as well as the fillet of Hake as it's a light but really tasty main course, served with saffron crushed new potatoes and a brown shrimp beurre noisette. 



The desserts are always the hardest thing to choose between! During September and October we used both apples, and damsons from the orchard at Rockbeare Manor which can be found in the Walled Garden. Our apple tarte tatin with vanilla ice cream is a classic dish - light and tasty with so much flavour. Definitely the most popular dessert so far has been our warm chocolate fondant with honeycomb, raspberries and clotted cream ice cream.

"A Great find. Usually a wedding venue and so a much more relaxed and personal experience. Beautiful Manor House, luxuriously furnished with spacious and elegant bedrooms. Definitely recommend and will be revisiting".



 The events were a huge success with many fully booked dates so we can't thank all those that attended for their support whilst we were unable to operate as a wedding venue.