Somewhere to stay: Kerrington House, Axminster

After a long journey, nothing is more welcome than a tray of tea and biscuits and somewhere peaceful to sit and enjoy them, and this is exactly how I was greeted at Kerrington House.

This beautifully converted period home on the outskirts of Axminster, just up the road from River Cottage HQ, was bought by Jim and Hilary Reaney nine years ago in a very sorry state. They set about restoring the house to its former glory, and transformed the dark, neglected rooms into light, welcoming spaces in which guests are encouraged to feel at home. Downstairs, original plasterwork ceilings and large marble fireplaces are complemented by a soothing palette of white, cream and ivory, and a selection of elegant antiques. Each of the five en suite bedrooms has been individually decorated in traditional, classic styles; I was very comfortable in the Gardenia room, with its wide wrought-iron bed, sash window, and pretty flower-print fabrics, while down the corridor is the Wisteria room, which overlooks the front garden and has richer accents of colour and a bed made of glossy dark cherrywood.

Breakfast, served in the dining room, was an indulgent affair: alongside the selection of cereals, fruit juices and cooked breakfasts (which come with doorstep-slices of toast), there was the option of kedgeree if ordered the night before. The Reaneys don't serve an evening meal, but guests are welcome to order takeaways from local restaurants. Better, however, to use this as a wonderful excuse to nip over to Axminster to the River Cottage Canteen, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall's restaurant, where you can sample some of the best of the south-west's seasonal fare.

Kerrington House, Axminster, Devon (01297 35333; www.kerringtonhouse.com)