South Devon – and Torquay especially - has one of the strongest claims to being official Agatha Christie country.
The world’s best-selling mystery writer was born in Ashfield on the northern edge of the seaside town, which is filled with sites associated with the author’s life.
She wrote her first novel, The Mysterious Affair at Styles, while staying at Moorlands House Hotel on Dartmoor in 1916.
And she met her first husband Archie during a concert at Ugbrooke, near Chudleigh, in 1912, during which they are said to have danced FIVE times – despite her card being full.
Popular girl, Aggie.
While there is no record of her ever having stayed at Orestone Manor, a beautiful luxury boutique hotel tucked away in the back lanes of Torquay near her birthplace, she will have been acutely aware of the country house - because it has its own claim to fame.
In 1857, before Agatha was even a glint in her father’s eye, the original owner John Callcott Horsley painted a portrait of his brother-in-law, the celebrated civil engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel there. It now hangs in the National Portrait Gallery. But not content with that, it was at Orestone Manor that he designed the world’s first Christmas card.
The Manor House has been refurbished and modernised many times since, with some of the 14 bedrooms now boasting outside hot tubs, but it still oozes post-Edwardian elegance, class and style.
And you can work out even quicker than Hercule Poirot why it’s so enduringly popular.
Old English elegance combines with modern facilities, while the food is to die for.
After check-in on a Sunday lunchtime we were shown into the kind of sumptuous drawing room where Miss Marple might have gathered the American socialite, a vicar, the eccentric millionaire and the local WI leader to discuss who had bumped off Roger Ackroyd with the saxophone lampstand – a quirky addition to a charming room.
We chose our Sunday lunch while sipping a sparkling Sharpham Blanc, English wines really can be excellent and this was superb. We selected conservatively because we were also booked in for Sunday dinner – and the Grilled Whole Torbay Sole, with Hazelnut and Coriander Butter was just the ticket.
Chefs use local produce as much as possible at the Orestone in a traditional menu which is classic and delicious.
In the evening main courses included Roast Free Range Devon Chicken, Stuffing, Yorkshire Pudding and Pan Gravy, Roast Loin of Devon Pork, Crackling, Stuffing, Yorkshire Pudding and Pan Gravy and British Loin of Roast Beef with Horseradish, Yorkshire Pudding and Gravy, all served with vegetables many of which were grown in the Manor’s own garden.
Desserts included the truly mouth watering Egg Custard Tart, Rhubarb and Custard Ripple Ice Cream, Dark Chocolate Delice with Orange Textures and Blood Orange Sorbet and a selection of three Artisan West Country cheeses with chutney, fruit and biscuits.
Orestone absolutely is a foodie paradise – so, of course, you need brisk walks to walk off the excesses or hone the appetite, and Orestone caters spectacularly.
Views from the Manor across Lyme Bay are jaw dropping, while the South West Coast Path stretches on the coast away from the hotel towards Teignmouth and Shaldon to the East and Torquay and the picturesque fishing village of Brixham to the West.
The coast path can be picked up at the bottom of a winding lane which descends from the Manor to the sea.
Descends is entirely appropriate.
In their “Invigorating Jaunt” leaflet the hotel leaves in your room pack advises leaving 10 minutes for the walk down, 30 minutes for the walk back, nay, make that ascent.
We took the jaunt because a) we’re intrepid and b) the appealing sounding and beautiful looking Thatched Tavern is at the bottom of the winding lane.
Sadly, at 10 to five on a Sunday evening in late April the pub was closed.
Next time … although the hotel’s Brunel Bar is a fine place to enjoy a tea-time aperitif – or you can take your drinks outside and sit on the patio looking out over Lyme Bay and the enticingly named Mackerel Cove and Blackaller’s Cove.
All but one of the Manor’s 14 character bedrooms have wonderful views, and each is spacious, charming and equipped with every modern facility – including Sky TV and Sky Sports.
Ours had one of those wonderful bay windows where you can perch and gaze out at the gardens and the sea – or read a whodunnit.
What doesn’t need deducing is how Orestone earned its two AA rosettes for fine dining, its four AA gold stars foraccommodation and is consistently rated 5/5 on Trip Advisor.
Genteel English elegance combined with high class service and style. The kind of service you associate with an Agatha Christie novel.
FACTBOX
Prices: Standard double from £110 low season to £150 June-September.
Deluxe Hot Tub Suite with sea views start at £250.
Address: Orestone Manor, Rock House Lane, Maidencombe, Torquay TQ1 4SX.
Telephone number: 01803 897 511
Website: http://www.orestonemanor.com/
