INTERVIEW
Paul & Lynnie Jolly
‘JOLLY by name and jolly by nature’ is how this delightful Cornworthy couple won best B&B in a recent episode of Channel 4’s Four in a Bed.
aspects of their businesses. During the programme, which was filmed in april and screened in october, Paul and Lynnie visited Grade l stately home anstey Hall in Cambridge; the naturist Clover Hotel and spa in Birmingham; and the angel Hotel in the wye Valley. they then hosted the contestants in their five-star boutique Higher Gitcombe B&B. Lynnie said: “we set out to enjoy the
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experience and were happy just to have taken part. “It was a very intense two weeks. we
were wired up with microphones from seven in the morning until midnight so had to be very careful what we were saying. ‘we had a member of the
production team with us all the time to stop us from plotting with the other contestants. “there were some fantastic, and also
very strange, moments – like being served Pimms in the hot tub by a naked man at the naturist B&B! “there was not the usual nastiness
among the contestants. Paul even went to the same school as the owner of anstey Hall so they got on like a house on fire. “actually, we all got on really well
and are still in touch with one another, which is really nice.” Paul said they were a little nervous about putting themselves on a reality television show but the gamble has paid off with an increase in bookings. “we’d watched a few reality
programmes and seen how they thrive on tension, friction and competition,” he added. “we took a chance and it worked in our favour. “since the screening we’ve had guests from Cornwall, Cumbria, Cambridge and Kent – all four corners of the country. “Guests think they’ve already met
you because you’ve been on the television in their lounge. the first thing
he popular reality show sees four B&B owners stay in each other’s properties and award marks for
they do is give Lynnie a hug.” Paul and Lynnie opened their boutique B&B in april this year. they wanted to create something different and more luxurious in the market. they’ve certainly succeeded. there’s a very serene atmosphere to the house with beautiful views and gorgeous
décor in the bedrooms. the three main rooms – the cream, pink and blue rooms – each have their own character. there are several of Lynnie’s original oil paintings displayed around the house. an ingenious system of inter-joining doors can create family groups of rooms. Fresh flowers, white Company linen, extra large beds, fresh milk and scones on arrival are some of the many personal touches which make Higher Gitcombe such a tranquil place to stay. Lynnie said: “with so many B&Bs
around we wanted to offer something different and thought about what we would like if we needed to stay anywhere. “our guests come for a night of
pampering and respite. we have bookings from all over the country and local people too. You don’t need to go 100 miles to have a night away.” Paul and Lynnie like to serve a really good selection of healthy and hearty breakfasts, including as a ‘starter’ Lynnie’s signature ‘Jolly Breakfast sundae’ which is full of delicious ingredients. wherever possible, all their ingredients are organic or free range and sourced locally. “our aim is that our guests leave
Higher Gitcombe feeling better than when they arrived, feeling rested, looked after and well fed,” Lynnie added. Paul was born in London and spent
his early childhood years in Dousland on Dartmoor. His father was Dr Hugh Jolly, an
eminent pediatrician who wrote books on childcare. Dr Jolly was the only pediatrician in Devon and Cornwall in the 1950s. He was also Professor of Pediatrics in west africa for two years and at London’s Charing Cross Hospital. Paul said: “I had a lovely idyllic childhood growing up in Devon with my brother and sister. then we were dragged screaming and kicking up to London when I was aged 11. But it meant I spent my teenage years in richmond, London, which was lots of fun.”
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