An invitation to ANRÁN - the editor reviews

The current owners, Edwin and Mike, have beautifully transformed what had been a derelict Devon farmhouse and buildings into a luxury retreat and events venue. The estate includes a Grade II-listed manor house dating from 1840, converted 18th century farm buildings, gardens, woodland, orchards, a lake and various event spaces.

I was greeted on a rainy Tuesday by a man who graciously offered me his umbrella, despite him not wearing a coat and me bundled up in my winter gear. After being directed to the garden, I met with Head Gardener Jenny Thompson, who invited me to see the powerfully colourful beds in the kitchen garden before heading to 'The Potting Shed' to sample some home-crafted mocktails and bruschetta created with the tomatoes grown on the estate, and local Sharpham cheese.

From the outset I was blown away by the order, tidiness and organisation of the gardens. Being a keen grower myself, I have visited many kitchen gardens in the past and I can honestly say this one is by far the most impressive. Not because of the range of flowers, fruits and vegetables grown (we can all relate to this year's dry summer ruining best laid plans) but by the way the visual displays greet the eye at every turn. Bright flowers lay alongside deep red squash, sunflowers stand sentinel at the doors to the polytunnel which houses too many tomato varieties to count.

Jenny, along with her assistant Camille, gardens with permaculture at the forefront of her methods, and this can be seen just in part by the companion planting. Marigolds and nasturtiums create the lower levels in the polytunnel, along with various varieties of basil, while heritage tomato varieties climb and tower overhead.

We all enjoyed a mocktail or two, created by Louis Russell from Bespoke Bar Bros. 'The Orchard' was wonderfully refreshing; a delicious mix of apple juice and elderflower cordial from fruits and flowers from the farm. Sweet, multicoloured tomatoes paired with a choice of 12 different varieties of basil, picked straight from the plant, inspired many of the guests, myself included, to delve deeper into the seed search for next year's home planting.

Jenny's love of the gardens was palpable. She explained: “I've been working for Mike and Edwin for just over two years now. My background is in hospitality; I grew up in a guesthouse in Paignton and worked for a while as the general manager of the field kitchen at Riverford. This was where I gained a real insight into the importance of soil health and organic growing. I'm largely self taught and after falling in love with the head chef at Riverford and starting a family, my husband suggested I get an allotment. This was when I became obsessed with growing.

“I did a permaculture design course with The Apricot Centre but this is my first full time gardening role. Growing is a craft which you learn by doing, by experimenting, by getting things wrong. Then you learn the land you're working with. Because the garden has no commercial output, I get to grow for beauty, for flavour, for diversity and for curiosity. I love the fact I can grow interesting things and grow new things.”

Although ANRÁN is, among other things, a bespoke wedding venue, all the sales of the plants and produce go to charity, so Jenny doesn't have the restrictions and constraints most kitchen gardens do in that it has to make money. She has the freedom to be creative and intrigued, try new things and develop her own techniques as she learns.

The name is pronounced "an-ran" and is derived from the Chinese for 'peace'. It is this ethos which owners Mike and Edwin weave through every part of the estate. Having lived and worked all over the world, the pair decided to move to Devon and find themselves a small property and peaceful life. However, upon finding Tidwell Farm, they fell in love with it and saw the opportunity to create a haven for peace, creativity and gentle living.

Mike said: “My background is in hospitality and I've worked in many places – South Africa, East Asia, Scotland...I'm now a consultant. What drew us back to the UK was the lifestyle and the people here. We moved back in 2013 and found Tidwell Farm. This isn't a business, it's our home and a passion project which is ever evolving. We want it to be a home for people who can cook, grow, create and share their specific talents. We want to create a platform for a variety of people, understanding seasonality and the outdoors, where food comes from.

“Jenny, in just a few short years, has created something very special. Everything you buy here goes back to charity – to Cancer Research and a charity for veteran's mental health. Our brief to Jenny is 'if it can be done, do it. Bring people together. Repurpose. Re-use'.

“We want people to come and share ideas; share food, experience and knowledge. Create something that's bigger than us. We're interested in people who are interesting. We're very fortunate that everyone who works here is excited about working here. What we've discovered is that life isn't about how much you have, it's about the people you know and the experiences you have, and we're excited to share that.”

And share they certainly do. We were invited to range freely over the whole estate, Mike and Edwin's manor house included. The site hosts a small campsite with a wood-fired hot tub and sauna, where guests staying for weddings can 'glamp' in style. The philosophy is essentially "the entire estate is yours" – guests can take over the property exclusively rather than sharing it with other visitors or events. Couples can have the estate from Friday through to Monday, with accommodation for their guests and different parts of the property used for different parts of the celebration. The estate also offers Airb&b guesthouses and the manor house itself as a Bed & Breakfast at certain times.

After visiting the pigs, Jazz and Mary, who greatly enjoyed the courgettes I fed them, we wandered through the Plant House and orchard, nosy-ed in the manor house, met the alpacas and ended up at The Glasshouse. This beautifully decorated space immediately lends itself to big gatherings of friends and family, holding an atmosphere which is friendly and welcoming. It is a striking tropical/greenhouse-style space used for dining, celebrations and events, which feels simultaneously large and cosy. Here we were presented with a sumptuous feast which was as aesthetically pleasing as it was delicious.

Everything served, aside from the chicken, had been grown and lovingly prepared on-site. Courgette salad with whipped feta, roasted aubergines with baba ghanoush and charming cakes with pineapple sage and raspberries. The colours were delightful and the taste was heavenly.

ANRÁN is available for retreats, private celebrations, corporate events, meetings and creative gatherings. They can also arrange activities such as yoga and meditation, pottery, gardening tours, mixology, clay pigeon shooting and chef's-table dining.

The current programme includes an Autumn Grounding retreat from 27–30 October, centred around the gardens, seasonal food and nature. There's also an annual apple-picking day on 20 September, with proceeds from the apple juice going to charity.

I met some wonderfully friendly people in the other guests for the day – our name badges held a small picture of a fruit or vegetable and we were encouraged to find the only other one. My chilli-friend was Nick Horne, director of The Crab Shed in Salcombe, and great joy was felt at discovering each other in the doorway of the manor house! It was this 'coming together' atmosphere in which we were immersed which gives ANRÁN something special. Although it is a grand events venue, the genuine warmth and desire to share can be felt in everything. The love of the land, and the people who imbue it with their passion, is the secret ingredient which makes ANRÁN truly an inspirational place.