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A few for the food lovers: places to stay in Devon

Guest Expert

5 min read

Devon is a real treat for food lovers with a smorgasbord of independent foodie retailers and heaps of pubs and restaurants championing all the superb local produce on offer from the green fields of the county. A trip to Riverford Field Kitchen is a must, it’s incredibly popular, so best to book ahead, while Geetie Singh’s The Bull Inn, Totnes, does wonderful stuff with vegetables. Stay at any of our selection of places here and you can be sure of a top-notch meal as well as a comfy bed for a night or three. Plus you can discover local vineyards, take courses in bread and pasta making and explore all the gorgeous countryside on offer.

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The Royal George

A foodie and friendly reinvigorated old pub, with floor to ceiling estuary views. Fresh food, skilfully cooked, is at the heart of the affair with inventive dishes sitting alongside some classics. Plus, there are good options for children and it’s fine to bring the dog. Stay a few days in a sea-faring room to try excellent fish, Exmoor lamb, local pheasant, a great burger; good wines and a range of beers with a different local guest ale every week. Breakfast is a treat too: could be classic, poddibly with chilli and avocado. If you love the sourdough you can order a loaf to take home. Walkers have the coast path, cyclists the Tarka Trail, surfers Westward Ho! and Saunton.

Guest Marta: It’s such a beautiful place! Well curated rooms with super comfortable beds, amazing views of the river, and friendly members of staff. Would definitely come back.

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Underhill Barn

There’s no processed food at Underhill Barn, so you won’t find baked beans on your breakfast, but with what you do find, you’ll hardly notice. In the four-course version, Kefir shots, fresh fruit and Greek yoghurt give way to pastries followed by your choice of cooked breakfast, which is a local tour of producers, bakers, growers and butchers. There’s every chance that it’ll lead straight into a mid morning nap, but if you manage to get out, you have plenty to explore along the Jurassic coast. When you’re done with beach basking and cliff walking, the cosy surrounds of the barn await, with seating in the beautiful courtyard garden for when the weather’s nice, or on the deep sofas in the lounge when the clouds roll in off the sea.

Guest, Katharine: From the welcome tea and delicious cake in the lovely lounge to Ant’s delicious breakfasts each morning, everything was a delight.

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Glebe House

A joyful, inviting house on a 15 acre smallholding in Devon, inspired by Italian agriturismo. Check out the polytunnel, meet the chickens and pigs, then tuck into all the delicious food on offer: home baked bread, homemade charcuterie and pickles. If you fancy, join a bread or pasta making session, take a wine tour at a local vineyard or fish for mackerel and enjoy a twilight supper on the beach. The house is bright, eclectic and colourful with spacious bedrooms and a fire in one of the sitting rooms. Take a picnic out on a country walk, stroll through the valley to The Kingfisher in Colyton for lunch, return to knock a few balls around the tennis court or dip in the outdoor pool.

Guest Nicole: We spent our time swooning over the interiors, admiring the artwork and soaking up the rural setting before enjoying freshly baked treats sent straight from the kitchen.

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Turtley Corn Mill

You’re looked after very well at this ivy-covered inn. It has a relaxed feel, acres of manicured grounds, comfortable bedrooms and great food. Stay in one of the lodges and your continental breakfast can be brought to you or head to the main building for a feast: traditional porridge, granola with Greek yogurt, Cumberland sausages, posh baked beans or crushed avocado, buttermilk pancakes and veggie alternatives. Dartmoor and beaches are near. Riverford Field Kitchen is a 15-minute drive and The Bull Inn at Totnes is 20-minutes, otherwise tuck into posh pub grub here: fish and chips, fusion dishes and very good steaks.

Guest Ellen: The team couldn’t have been more welcoming or helpful. We had a wonderful sundowner in the garden, a restful night’s sleep in a very comfy bed, followed by an absolutely delicious breakfast!

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The Horn of Plenty

The hotel’s team of talented chefs trained under the Roux brothers and the menus burst with traditional and gourmet dishes with a French influence. Evenings are for fine dining and breakfast is served in the restaurant – continental, full English with local produce as often as possible and Prosecco if you want to add sparkle to your morning. Lunch is served every day too. Comfortable bedrooms are either in the main house or in two exterior buildings. Wander the walled garden, find a lounger and enjoy the birdsong. Explore the wooded valley then head back for afternoon tea either in the drawing room with its big bay window or the library upstairs, cosier and with an open fire – perfect after a long walk.

Inspector Claire: Retreat to this beautiful corner of the Devon countryside to enjoy wonderful views across the Tamar Valley and the ever-changing seasonal menu from the hotel’s renowned restaurant.

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Carmen McCormack

Guest Expert

Carmen is a freelance writer specialising in travel. She once lived in a bus in north Wales, skipped off to study in Barcelona, and now calls Bristol home. When she’s not tapping away on her laptop, she can be found reading (a lot), lake swimming (a little), and pottering on the allotment with husband and two kiddos. She’s currently dreaming about cold cerveza and torta in Mexico.

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