"a taste of the Exe Estuary in Devon…"

with Michael Caines MBE

Saturday 9th March – Sunday 10th March 2024

Celebrity chef Michael Caines is inviting you to his five* Lympstone Manor hotel for a weekend of pure indulgence and gastronomy as you discover the delights and hidden world of the Exe estuary. One of the UK’s most celebrated and acclaimed chefs, Caines is also a successful and imaginative hotelier – and he is your host for this fantastic weekend!

This taste of the Exe trip is an ideal gift or treat for lovers of travel, and gourmet & regional cuisine. To fully understand the culture of a destination, the best way is to taste its food and drink, especially when you are pampered in the luxury of a celebrated hotel!

Michael Caines retained two Michelin stars for eighteen consecutive years, and two of his restaurants at the Lympstone Manor and Gidleigh Park hotels have won Michelin stars under his leadership.

The Hotel

Lympstone Manor is a luxury country house hotel that is a culmination of Michael’s dream to transform a historic Grade II Georgian mansion into his vision of country house hospitality for the 21st century. With 21 stunning guest rooms and suites named after the birds of the Exe estuary, six Shepherd huts named after woodland animals, three beautiful dining rooms, a world-class wine cellar and 28 acres of gardens, grounds and parkland (including its very own vineyard set in the beauty and tranquillity of East Devon and the Jurassic Coast), a stay at Lympstone Manor is an exceptional experience.

The Exe Estuary

The Exe Estuary is approximately eight miles long, starting on the river Exe south of Exeter and spreading down towards the English Channel and the town of Exmouth. The towns and villages of Topsham, Exton, Lympstone, Dawlish Warren, Starcross and Cockwood all border the estuary.

The Exe Estuary is home to a large variety of wildlife, making it an incredibly special and biodiverse place. It is one of the most highly protected sites in the Southwest and is known for its globally important wildlife and habitats. The vast mudflats are home to an abundance of invertebrate species, and the reason so many wading birds flock to the estuary during winter to access its vital food source.

The Exe Estuary is an area of wet grassland drained by dykes and ditches, and the marshes are an important breeding ground for lapwings and redshanks. The area is of international importance for wintering waders and wildfowl, supporting vast quantities of birds and fish.

SALT

SALT is a wet fish shop run by Tom Williams-Hawkes and his wife Amelia inside the village of Topsham’s Salutation Inn, its name connecting Topsham’s history with salt - a substance used in the preservation of food - most notably fish. Topsham has lovely Georgian architecture, attractive lanes and a wide variety of small independent food shops on its high street. 

SALT was launched during the pandemic's lockdown and exists today to support the area’s fishing industry - all the shop's wet fish is line-caught and sourced locally. SALT offers a wide range of items from the shop, including smoked eel, around eighty varieties of salt, squid and even Exmoor Caviar.

The Salutation Inn, which is joined up with SALT and where you will enjoy lunch on the Saturday, offers highly acclaimed food, prepared under the direction of Michael Caines protégé Tom.

Darts Farm

From its humble beginnings of a farm shop hut nearly 50 years ago, Darts Farm has organically evolved into a unique lifestyle shopping destination, whilst at heart remaining a working farm. A highlight of Darts Farm is its Aladdin’s cave filled with hundreds of local and artisan suppliers. From the best West Country cheeses to incredible artisan breads, pastries and pies, local chutneys, and world-class chocolates, you’ll be sure to experience something new and exciting!

Darts Farm artisans are inspired by the changing seasons. The curious minds of its butchers and bakers, growers, and makers, mean Darts Farm are constantly innovating and developing new seasonal flavours for you to enjoy. The Fish Shed is run by its owner Dave, who likely will have just stepped off a day boat with a fresh batch of locally caught salmon, trout, and cod.

Kenton Park Estate

Kenton Park Estate is a family-owned boutique vineyard, winery and apple orchard situated in a stunning location along the South West Coast of England close to Devon’s beautiful Exe Estuary, and nestling in the gentle foothills of Haldon Forest, adjacent to Exeter Racecourse. The south facing slopes and sandy soil, together with the mild and sunny climate are ideal for growing vines & ripening grapes for wine production.

Kenton Park was first established as a Wine Estate in 2003 and already producing award winning wines. The original Vineyard has now expanded significantly with the planting of 15,000 new vines.