Harden's survey result
Summary
“Wow, what a treat… old world style and service… food all locally supplied, including from the hotel’s own kitchen garden… thoroughly deserving their new Michelin star!” – chef Chris Eden has delivered the goods at Andrew Brownsword’s stalwart destination, which lost its long-held accolade from the tyre men in 2019 and finally won it back in spring 2023. There’s nowhere else quite like this large, comfortable property, whose “lovely country house vibe” isn’t completely of a piece with its Tudorbethan styling, which would not be out of place in Surrey – yet here it is down a winding lane, beautifully situated in gardens on the fringes of Dartmoor. It became famous over 40 years ago under the Hendersons who were pioneers of the boutique hotel format, and has been owned by Brownsword since 2005.
Summary
“Set majestically on the upper reaches of the River Teign, on the very edge of Dartmoor”, Andrew Brownsword’s luxurious if remote Tudorbethan pile has set the standard for British country-house dining over four decades (initially under Paul & Kay Henderson, who sold up in 2005). “Service and ambience are, as always, unsurpassed” and “Chris Eden’s menu is superb” – even if he is yet to fully match the level of esteem achieved by some of his illustrious predecessors as chef, among them Shaun Hill, Michael Caines and Michael Wignall.
Summary
There is still the odd reporter who feels that Andrew Brownsword’s 100-acre Tudorbethan pile – long a gourmet destination – has lost its edge since Michael Caines left in 2016, but despite such nostalgia, reports this year were almost wholly praiseworthy. Chris Eden (who joined in 2019 from the Driftwood Hotel, where he was the first Cornish chef to hold a star in his home county) now oversees this “haven of gastro delights'', where meals “exquisite in every detail” contribute to “an exceptional experience” that's “ideal for a romantic weekend” featuring “lovely walks through the estate” (on the edge of Dartmoor).
Summary
Possibly “not as good as in the days of Michael Caines… but still a joy to behold”. It’s SatNavs at the ready, as you charge down single-track lanes on the fringes of Dartmoor to discover this plush gourmet Shangri-la, set in 100 acres of picturesque grounds. Andrew Brownsword’s famous Tudorbethan manor house has long been one of the UK’s foremost culinary destinations, but has not hit a proper stride since Michael Caines left (after 21 years) in 2016. Since that time, the hotel has seen a steady succession of new chefs. Michael Wignall came and went. Then Chris Simpson, lasted a year but he moved on in January 2019. Then, in October 2019, the establishment lost the second of the two Michelin stars it formerly held. The upheavals of this period have notably decreased the volume of survey feedback we receive, and there is also the odd disappointing report, too. What’s more eye-catching, however, is the resilient quality of the team, and the relative consistency of both ratings and commentary we receive (for example – “we got there and the executive chef had left two weeks before. The head chef had taken over and still did a brilliant job, the sommelier also did a stunningly good job; I am not always the best customer as I like to ask questions, but the service was absolutely excellent throughout”). In September 2019, Chris Eden joined from Cornwall’s Driftwood – perhaps he’s the man finally to capitalise on the enduring potential and appeal here?
For 33 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Gidleigh Park?
Chagford, TQ13 8HH
Restaurant details
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dinner | £135.00 |  |
 |
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| Drinks |
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|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £35.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £5.00 |
| Extras |
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|---|---|
| Service | 10.00% |
Chagford, TQ13 8HH
Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | 12 pm‑5:30 pm, 6 pm‑8:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑5:30 pm, 6 pm‑8:30 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑5:30 pm, 6 pm‑8:30 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑5:30 pm, 6 pm‑8:30 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑5:30 pm, 6 pm‑8:30 pm |
| Sunday | CLOSED |
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