I popped the Bluetooth speaker on, and we ate dinner in the dining room, marvelling at our surroundings. Although I’m used to working with an Aga, I opted for the conduction hob and oven for speed (the Aga is lit between October and May). We were hungry so I whipped up a quick supper – the kitchen a dream to work in, with lots of workspace and plentiful equipment. We quickly unpacked and trotted back downstairs. We discovered two further bedrooms down the stunning hallway with Grade II listed, original 16 th century cruck beams - each stunningly decorated, and a large family bathroom with a second bath and huge walk-in shower. Hurrying upstairs we feel in love with the master bedroom, home to a bed knobs and broomsticks wrought iron bed, gorgeous wooden floors, two windows with views over the gardens and a wonderful en suite with a deep bath – a good soak was on the agenda! Finally, the grand yet welcoming sitting room, complete with brown velvet sofas and wood burner. The dining room bedecked in gorgeous pomegranate wallpaper, huge dining table and massive wood burner – the perfect setting for dinner parties. We made our way inside Elysium and excitedly explored each floor, the kitchen with its cosy Aga, amazingly well-provided for kitchen and a lovely welcome of local goodies. We stood in awe, hearing nothing except the playful screeches of the swallows wheeling in the sky above, in awe of the peace that had descended on us. Elysium itself, a 16 th century cottage and former church meeting house, bathed in the glorious golden light, its frontage bedecked in lilac-toned wisteria. What we encountered was simply breath-taking – nestled in a small valley with fields and woodland rising in front of the house, Elysium is set in three quarters of an acre of beautifully maintained gardens, where rhododendrons, peonies, irises, and countless other flowers trail in huge swathes, all the way to the bottom of the garden. We found the gate, drove up the gravel driveway and parked up, eagerly stepping outside. Finally, we spotted the spire of the hamlet’s church, knowing that our home for the weekend, Elysium, was set just in front.

And I was looking forward to exploring this hidden corner of the county.ĭue to work commitments, we arrived around six, carefully navigating the winding roads towards our destination, the golden light of the evening sun making the trees, fields and hedgerows glow a beautiful emerald green.

Friday afternoon saw us heading down the A30 towards Devon – although I know Dartmoor and the south well, this weekend was all about Exmoor, right on the border with Somerset – somewhere completely new to me.

Shades of elysium unpacked