IF YOU fancy a spy-themed New Year's Eve getaway then head towards Exmoor this December (2015/16) to an intriguing little hotel thought to have been a hideaway for spies.

To link with its history as a safe house and training centre for intelligence staff in the 1960s and 1970s, the Dunkery Beacon House Hotel near Dunster is offering a spy style break where the only things to die for are the views.

The three-night stay is more gold leaf than gold finger, as guests dine in the hotel's award-winning à la carte restaurant, which uses, wherever possible, home grown ingredients or those sourced nearby with lots of additional pzazz.

The hotel in Wootton Courtenay's high-end, New Year's package includes a James Bond theme quiz and information on the house's own connections with Mi5/6 too.

Dunkery Beacon Country House Hotel, which this summer (2015) received a TripAdvisor® Certificate of Excellence for the fourth year running under its current ownership and has also been awarded a Taste of the West Gold Award for its restaurant, is also offering New Year's Eve pre-dinner martinis – shaken not stirred – and an evening menu you'd be hard pushed to say Dr. No to.

Guests are invited to arrive on Wednesday, December 30 and will be greeted with a glass of hot mulled wine and homemade cake served in the hotel's lounge where they can also warm themselves in front of the log burner. In the evening, the hotel's Coleridge Restaurant will serve a seasonal three-course meal.

On New Year's Eve morning guests will wake up to stunning views looking out across the rolling countryside and moor, and the smell of freshly baked bread made from flour from the nearby working mill in the medieval town of Dunster.  

After a traditional, hearty breakfast, there's a chance to explore Dunster with its quaint shops and picturesque castle and views to the sea or go for a walk or a scenic drive and discover the beauty of Exmoor with its rolling hills, deep, wooded coombes and pretty chocolate-box villages.

After an afternoon admiring the view, reading a good book or snoozing in front of the lounge fire, start the evening celebrations in true Bond style with a martini before sitting down to enjoy a delectable black tie spy-themed dinner.

During the evening each table will be invited to join in with a Bond quiz and the highest point scorer will win a bottle of Berry's Claret or Sauvignon Blanc. As the midnight hour approaches, the corks will fly and everyone will be invited to welcome in the New Year with a glass of champagne.

After a restful night's sleep, breakfast will be served later on New Year's Day morning to allow for a much needed lie-in. Guests wishing to immerse themselves in country pursuits are invited to follow the New Year's Day hunt, which will be meeting in nearby Exford, or to take a trip on the West Somerset Railway aboard one of the steam trains running a special itinerary throughout the day. In the evening a further three-course meal will be served in the restaurant.

On Saturday, January 2 guests can partake of a full Somerset breakfast at the normal time.

Your hosts throughout the break will be the establishment's hands-on owners John and Jane Bradley, who are keen to celebrate the property's mysterious past.

Jane said: “Colonel Purvis Smythe, who ran the hotel in the Sixties, reputedly worked for Mi6. We have been told by various sources that the hotel was just a 'front' and the real purpose of the business at that time was a contact point and training centre for people sent by GCHQ.

“A couple of years ago, a lady dropped in wanting to re-familiarise herself with the hotel as she said her grandfather used to run the place and she spent time here when she was younger.

“So we gave her the grand tour and it was during our conversation that she suddenly declared, 'You do know that he worked for Mi6, don't you?'. Well we had heard rumours about a spy connection but had thought he was Mi5.

“She went on to say that he later died under mysterious circumstances climbing the Matterhorn. Just recently, while working in the garden, John found an old piton, used for climbing, which may well have belonged to the Colonel!”

In addition, although uncorroborated, John and Jane believe they have had a couple of former intelligence officers stay recently, who first came to do a spot of 'training' when the hotel was under the Colonel's ownership.

John says: “We may even have had Ian Fleming staying here back in the day. No one really knows or is prepared to say. It's all very hush, hush but we're fairly certain that recently we've had a few former intelligence experts now retired return, but this time for a civilian style break!”

John has more than 25 years' experience in catering, notching up numerous top chef roles in this country and overseas.

Jane also has a background in hospitality and worked in the wine industry for more than 15 years.

She says: “We pride ourselves on offering luxury accommodation for those wishing to escape the humdrum of day-to-day life and to unwind in a truly tranquil location with stunning scenery all around. You can go for lovely walks, star gaze in the evenings, as we're one of the few areas where there is very little light pollution in the UK, or just sit still and enjoy the gorgeous views and breath in the fresh, Exmoor air.

“If you want to bring your dog for a break too, then you can. Just get in touch and let us know what your requirements are.

“Our restaurant offers relaxed yet sophisticated dining with a seasonally changing, à la carte menu and a focus on locally-sourced produce. Our extensive wine list is supplied by top London wine merchants Berry Bros. & Rudd and we think we're the only establishment in the area to have such an exclusive wine selection available to diners.”

Prices for the three-night stay during New Year (based on double occupancy) start at £299 per person. A luxury first floor four poster suite is priced at £398 per person for the three-night stay.

All rooms are en-suite apart from the second Floor Twin which has its own private shower room.

Two dog friendly rooms are available at a small additional charge of £5 per night per pet.

To find out more about Dunkery Beacon Country House, please call 01643 841 241 or visit www.dunkerybeaconaccommodation.co.uk.

ENDS 

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