In today’s fast-paced world, the concept of “slow living” has emerged not as a luxury but as a necessity. Cider House has always felt like a home which loves to be lived in, embracing all who visit in its peaceful stillness.
Our intention was to create a sanctuary where time seems to slow down, allowing guests to reconnect with what truly matters. The historic walls of our 12th century home have witnessed the ebb and flow of countless lives, standing resolute against the modern affliction of perpetual busyness. The Buckland Abbey Estate has always been a place of retreat, from monastic times through sea-faring ownership and now under The National Trust, every custodian has seen the valley and 700 acres as a haven. Surrounded by the natural beauty of the Devon countryside, you’re invited to embrace a different rhythm – one that follows the seasonal changes across the gardens and the natural cadence of sunrise and sunset rather than the incessant ping of notifications, lists, and the busyness of lives stealing our focus.
Morning coffee becomes a ritual when enjoyed from the beautiful garden terrace, watching mist lift slowly from the river valley, while the soft sounds of nature greet the day. Afternoons might find you curled by the open fire with a long-neglected novel, or perhaps wandering the historic corridors of Buckland Abbey itself with your complimentary passes, absorbing centuries of history at your own pace. You can almost hear the whispers of the past resonating through the aged stones, each telling stories of those who walked before. The spacious kitchen with its traditional Aga becomes not just a place to prepare meals, but a gathering point where families reconnect through the simple pleasure of cooking together. The aroma of fresh ingredients from local markets transforms meal preparation from a chore into an experience – unhurried, collaborative, and deeply satisfying. Imagine chopping vibrant vegetables, kneading dough, and sharing laughter as you create something delicious together. Or enjoy an evening stroll across footpaths and country lanes to one of our lovely local pubs.
Our guests often share that it’s the unscheduled moments that prove the most precious during their stay – impromptu board games that stretch into the evening, multigenerational conversations that meander like the nearby woodland paths, or simply listening to the birdsong whilst watching the swallows swoop and dive above the gardens. The laughter of children playing outside or the sound of a cork popping from a bottle of local cider creates an atmosphere of joy and connection. This deliberate deceleration isn’t about doing nothing – it’s about being fully present for everything. It’s about recognising that a life well-lived isn’t measured by tasks completed or emails answered, but by moments fully experienced – the true art of slow living. One of our lovely recent guests reflected, “We came exhausted and left restored. The true luxury wasn’t in the beautiful furnishings or en-suite bathrooms – though those were wonderful – it was in the permission we gave ourselves to simply be.”
This feeling of restoration is palpable in the air, as if the very essence of Cider House wraps itself around you, encouraging you to slow down and breathe deeply. When you return to your everyday life after your time at Cider House, you’ll take with you more than just photographs and souvenirs. You’ll carry a renewed appreciation for life’s simple pleasures and perhaps, a commitment to preserving small pockets of slowness in your daily routine – little echoes of your time here, where you rediscovered the art of slow living. You may find yourself savouring your morning tea for a few extra moments, taking a different route home to enjoy the scenery, or creating a new tradition of family dinners, where the focus is as much on the company as the food. Each small change can lead to a larger shift in perspective, allowing you to embrace the beauty of life at a slower pace.
Cider House offers an idyllic escape for up to 8 guests across 4 luxurious en-suite bedrooms, if however couples or solo travellers are wanting to take slow living to another level so that true switch off and recharge, why not consider our stunning sister company StarBed Hideaways offering immersive, off-grid, luxury cabin escapes, perched on the hillside overlooking Cider House and the Abbey below, the perfect location for creative retreating, romance, spoiling seclusion and the true essence of grounding in nature, invoking connection with self, each other, stillness and all the things that matter most.
