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 Devon Hotels
Devon & Cornwall, England's West Country: scintillating coastlines, bucket-and-spade seaside villages, wild moorland, secret valleys and deep, high-sided lanes. On Cornwall's south coast there are sparkling seas, hidden coves and tropical gardens, while the north coast is known for its sweeping surfing beaches. Devon's countryside is as impressive as its two very different coasts, with Dartmoor and Exmoor rising from a landscape of patchwork fields, thatched whitewashed cottages and traditional longhouses. Our favourite hotels are either dramatically sited on the coast or lost deep in countryside. Many of them reflect the region's chic new image, spearheaded by Olga Polizzi's Hotel Tresanton; others are cosy old favourites. The hotels are listed by price category, and their order bears no reflection on our preference.
 Reviews by Fiona Duncan |
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| Luxury: Personally-run Elizabethan manor house with something for everyone |
| Location: GITTISHAM; South Devon, in own estate just outside Honiton |
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| Nothing quite prepares you for the first sight of Elizabethan Combe House, with a wildly romantic Caroline interior. Set in its own park in picture-perfect Gittisham, this is one place where the idea of a special break really does live up to its promise, with luxurious rooms (including a divine cottage for two), lovely gardens and excellent food in the beautifully muralled dining room. Romance, and comfort, in spades. |
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| Luxury: Dartmoor retreat as luxurious as it's secluded |
| Location: CHAGFORD; in Dartmoor National Park |
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| A deeply secluded setting in 45 acres of magnificent grounds makes this luxurious Arts and Crafts house the perfect escape from the hurly-burly. With a change of ownership and thorough refurbishment, its stylish yet countrified rooms are furnished with antiques, fine English fabrics, and the latest technology. Chef Michael Caines retains two Michelin stars for his inspired cooking. Impeccable service; inspiring views; luxury: a treat. |
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| Luxury: Historic shooting lodge, wonderfully sited in its own valley |
| Location: MILTON ABBOT; in the Tamar valley, near Tavistock |
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| The Duke of Bedford’s charming 1812 'cottage ornée' is Olga Polizzi’s latest country hotel, run by her daughter Alex. Beautifully decorated, yet full of its original character as a sturdy shooting and fishing lodge, the house stands in a stunning setting: in a secret valley, with gardens by Humphrey Repton and richly coloured woods. Good food, languorous terrace, peace, quiet and elegance assured. |
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| Mid Price: Colonial-style house with Mediterranean views across Torbay |
| Location: TORQUAY; overlooking the sea 3 miles from Torquay in Maidencombe |
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| Every room has a sea view at this handsome house, Edwardian in style with Colonial overtones, where the fine sea views take on a Mediterranean feel. All different, the bedrooms are spacious, gracious and full of personality, furnished with antiques. Excellent food and first rate service from uniformed staff contribute to an atmosphere of calm, delivered by owners with many years experience as local hoteliers. |
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| Mid Price: Traditional, long-established fishing hotel |
| Location: LIFTON; close to Dartmoor and the border with Cornwall |
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| Flock to the Arundell Arms; there are so few places like it left. Personally run for the past 45 years by charming Anne Voss-Bark, it offers extensive fishing on the Tamar, its tributeries and a beginners' lake, plus a warmly welcoming atmosphere, pretty, comfortable, up-to-date bedrooms and wonderfully fresh, locally sourced food in a beautiful dining room. A perfect West Country base for everyone, not just fishing and shooting parties. |
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| Mid Price: Great views, good food, stylish room |
| Location: GULWORTHY; near Tavistock, overlooking the Tamar valley |
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| A restaurant-with-rooms for 40 years, this secluded, creeper-covered house has never looked better, having had a stylish yet characterful makeover at the hands of its current owners, Paul and Andie Roston and chef (for the past 16 years) Peter Gorton. Built for the mine captain, when the Tamar valley was filled with copper mines, it offers glorious views, lovely grounds, gorgeous rooms, a palpable sense of peace and great food. |
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| Mid Price: The epitome of a well-run, unstuffy country hotel |
| Location: ASHWATER; just off A388, four miles south of Holdsworthy, in 20 acres |
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| Don't be put off by Blagdon's isolated situation: it lies plumb in the middle of the West Country, so no place of interest is really very far away. For a quiet stay, with the highest of standards, you couldn't ask for more. Warm and genuine owners Steve and Liz Morey know just how to make their guests comfortable, with open fires, books, fresh flowers and pretty decoration. Rooms are beautifully equipped, the six-choice dinner is excellent and there's an attractive conservatory for superb breakfasts. |
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| Mid Price: Small and friendly seaside bolthole |
| Location: BIGBURY-ON-SEA, beyond the town, towards the sea |
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| Originally built as a holiday cottage during Edwardian times, the Henley has a beach house feel and spectacular views that stretch from the Avon estuary to Burgh Island – and a private cliff path to a stretch of pristine beach. Bedrooms are simple, comfortable and spacious, the dining room overlooks the sea, and dinners, prepared by owner Martyn Scarterfield are the best sort of sophisticated home cooked food, including locally caught fish. Warm, friendly and well run. |
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| Mid Price: Delightfully informal country house hotel run on house party lines |
| Location: DITTISHAM; in quiet valley, one mile outside the village |
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| An old farmhouse, restored by Richard Johnson 25 years ago, near the beautiful river Dart. Inside, no reception but a pub-style bar, informal sitting room and panelled dining room where guests eat together or separately as they wish. Excellent French-inspired cooking; breakfast ‘any time after nine’. It's run on house party lines where guests (children and dogs welcome) relax and have fun the Fingals way. |
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| Inexpensive: Homely, beautifully run guesthouse in deepest Devon |
| Location: OAKFORDBRIDGE; in the Exe valley near Bampton |
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| A perfect Devon hideaway, smothered in wistaria. After an excellent breakfast, spend the day on Exmoor, returning for tea and homemade cake in the homely sitting room. Enjoy dinner in the candlelit dining room, then tuck up in one of the five comfortable bedrooms. Bliss. New owners, Martin French and Melanie McKnight, have recently taken over from Alasdair Kameen; we trust that standards will remain has high as ever. |
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| Inexpensive: Delightful guesthouse overlooking Dartmouth and the sea |
| Location: KINGSWEAR; across the river from Dartmouth |
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| A very special guesthouse with four charming, warmly-decorated bedrooms and stunning views out to sea and over to Dartmouth. Occupying a tall slim house, it is a haven of peace despite the bustle of the river and town. Owner chef Kit Noble prepares a superb dinner four nights a week, using local fresh seasonal and organic ingredients, with (not surprisingly) an emphasis on seafood. He also produces award-winning breakfasts. |
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