Where we have all surely dreamed of a sporting life, of leisure and affluence, Peter de Savary is a man of action. Founder of the St. James Clubs, a collection of five enchanting properties in Antigua, London, Paris, New York, and Los Angeles, and a half-dozen other “lifestyle” estates around the world, de Savary helps his guests realize these dreams, if only for a short stay. Each property features its own unique blend of style, character, and grace, and at Bovey Castle, a 368-acre property in England’s Dartmoor National Park in Devon County, the romance of an aristocratic life of sport and leisure is realized here in all its gorgeous splendor. Built at the turn of the century for the son of business baron W.H. Smith, no expense was spared here. At every turn, the romantic reminder of that period of prosperity and social change is exuded, and today this de Savary club is one of the most extraordinary estates in the the British Isles.

The golf, designed in 1926 by J.F. Abercromby to rival neighbours Gleneagles and Turnberry, received a tremendous facelift in 2003 by Donald Steel and Tom McKenzie, restoring the layout to championship status. Set in the river valley below the castle, guests can look out from Bovey’s gorgeous stone terraces at the course, the gardens, and the Devon countryside, or enjoy the scenery from the comfort of their own suite—one of 65 individually designed bedrooms that each convey the style and affluent spirit of the castle’s golden era. Some particularly nice touches that enhance the ambiance of each room are fresh flowers, arranged by the charming chambermaid staff, a chic line of toiletries, plush towels, and rich linens and fabrics.

Bovey Castle also offers a uniquely private, alternate accommodation. The North Lodge is an exquisite two-bedroom home bordering the golf course, and offers the ultimate in privacy and luxury. Whereas guests staying at Bovey Castle get a distant, panoramic view of the estate grounds and the Dickensian moors beyond, “tenants” at the North Lodge live in that old English countryside. Full marks for authenticity here, and that genuine feel for the land and its traditions is precisely what makes a stay at Bovey so special.

To stay faithful in the kitchens, the menus for each Bovey Castle restaurant, and each individual dish, feature fresh organic Devonian produce. The Palm Court is Bovey’s main dining, a bright and elegant room decorated in the old 1920s art-deco style. During a summer stay, if the weather cooperates, dinners on the Grand Terrace as impressive a venue as can be found anywhere. For a more intimate setting, book a private experience in one of the rooms for reserve, such as the Snooker Room. With enough versatility to seat up to 120 people, dinner parties at Bovey always find themselves in the perfect setting.

For lazy afternoons and after hours, the room choices are just as splendid. Sit back with a cocktail and a good novel in the library, listening to the crackle of the fireplace’s embers, or have a drink in The Oak Room or Piano Bar, sampling from a list of 150 momentous drinks. The Cigar Cave has a great selection for the tobacco aficionado, and any guests who fancy themselves a sommelier will have a grand time exploring the Bovey wine cellar, one of England ’s best.

Out on the 368-acre sprawl of the estate, it is the vision of that old English playground for the wealthy that comes to charming realization. If fly fishing is your niche, wade out into the rivers Bovey, Teign, and Taw and try to catch a take of the trout, sea trout, and salmon that swim these waters. Lawn courts for tennis are an opion. So too is a croquet match before a picnic lunch in the ornate gardens, or a leisurely row on your own private lake. With its setting in Dartmoor National Park , each of these experiences is immensely heightened. Try your hand at shooting, archery, falconry, pheasant shooting, or equestrian. Run a four by four through the muddiest lowlands of the Devon countryside, or take off in a hang glider from the bluffs over Devon ’s beaches. Wherever your heart and instinct take you in leisure, Bovey has an activity to quench that spirit.

For those who enjoy a more relaxed pace or a more intellectual curiousness, there are an equal number of activities. Enjoy a cooking lesson, or a historical walk through Dartmoor National Park , where a variety of sites integral to Devon County ’s cultural heritage can be observed. Another enjoyable tour is the Edwardian Rockery Garden on site, established in 1908, or wander into the hamlet of North Bovey for an afternoon tea or pint at The Ring of Bells, a charming 13^th-century inn. Capping an evening with a pre-dinner sunset balloon trip over the park is the premier choice, of course, letting you observe the Devon countryside spill into the English Channel from the best view imaginable. That view is what attracted Peter de Savary to the property, and what brings guests back for the fleeting pleasure of the simple, affluent life in the English countryside so prized a century ago.