Stay in a Devon B&B this National B&B Week

12th March 2020

Categories: Visitor News

Following the success of last year’s National B&B Week, the organisation are once again coordinating another week long celebration to highlight the importance of guest houses and B&Bs across the country. This year’s celebration will run from 16^th-22^nd March, so why not stay at one of Devon’s incredible B&Bs or Guesthouses?

There are a whole host of amazing B&Bs and Guesthouses to be found all over the county, each with their own charms and each offering those tantalising, locally produced full English breakfasts.

If you’re someone who likes a walking holiday, take a look at the Heddon Gate Hotel where the South West Coast Path dips down to the coast at Heddon’s Mouth. The property is hidden away at the end of a private drive and has its own gardens and woodlands, giving you plenty of space to explore, you can even bring your dogs with you! Breakfast is served every morning in the dining room and with eleven ensuite bedrooms to choose from many of which have panoramic views across the garden.

Nearby attractions include Watermouth Family Theme Park and Castle where you can learn about the region’s history while also enjoying all the fun of a theme park. Of course, staying at a B&B means that you have plenty of chances to enjoy the local food scene and there are plenty of places with ever changing seasonal menus in the region to visit.

Image: The Waterfront Inn. 

The Waterfront Inn can be found in Westward Ho! offering bed and breakfast accommodation beside an award-winning beach. Visitors can expect quality, comfort and a real home from home feel with every stay and you have a choice of eleven rooms, many of which are dog friendly.

The village of Westward Ho! and the neighbouring Bideford have plenty of things to do to keep everyone entertained. The Big Sheep is a family friendly attraction less than 2 miles away that has something for everyone!  For those of you wanting to get out and enjoy the natural world, visit Skern Lodge where you can find a whole host of adventure activities. For a spot of dinner or lunch, don’t forget to check out the Pier House, Westward Ho!’s only seafront bar and bistro or for something a little less casual, the Regency Restaurant at the Royal Hotel in Bideford has an ever changing menu of fresh, local produce.

Image: Old Bakery.

Another option in the north of the county is the Old Bakery, where you can choose from bed and breakfast or self catering accommodation which is comfortable, relaxed and friendly. Serving a fully cooked breakfast with home made bread and eggs as well as a continental option and vegan and gluten free options, this is somewhere you can be sure of a hearty start to your day.

Situated in Exmoor, the Poltimore Inn  is an attractive traditional country pub offering B&B accommodation. There are five bedrooms within the pub including doubles and family rooms as well as four lodges on the pub grounds. Famous locally for the quality of their home cooked food, this is a great base for anyone visiting the North Devon and Exmoor area, whether that’s for business or pleasure. The bar also stocks a wide range of local ales, beers and gin distilled in the Wolf Valley.

If you like the sound of a rural B&B, why not book a farm stay? Huxtable Farm B&B is set within an award-winning 16^th century farmhouse with quality ensuite accommodation and panoramic views right on the doorstep. Being on a farm, you’re surrounded by wonderful walks and all manner of wildlife, as well as the resident Jacob sheep. The farm is just a stone’s throw from the Exmoor National Park and has six bedrooms all with their own bathrooms and of course, an amazing home cooked farm breakfast. Breakfasts here consist of a freshly cooked to order meal using only the best local produce, including that from the farm itself, all served in the medieval dining room.

Image: Huxtable Farm.

A farm stay is ideal for families or those looking for a tranquil country retreat. If you want to get out and about in the wider area, Quince Honey Farm is nearby and has a wide range of activities and events throughout the year.

Alternatively, West Down Guest House in Umberleigh provides a superb dinner as well as bed and breakfast accommodation. All rooms are ensuite with large bedrooms, TVs and complimentary treats including teas, coffees and biscuits. The ground floor rooms are also wheelchair accessible making it a great choice for those who need additional space. Staying at West Down gives you easy access to miles of sandy Blue Flag Beaches, including those at Croyde Bay, Woolacombe and Saunton Sands as well as some of the region’s most popular towns and villages, such as Ilfracombe and Bideford.

For those of you who fancy a trip to Mid Devon you can still enjoy a farm stay. South View Farm Bed and Breakfast is based on the outskirts of Exeter is a delightful 4 star award winning B&B offering ensuite double, single and tin rooms with free WiFi in peaceful surroundings. The property is just three miles outside the city centre and can be easily accessed from the M5, A30 and A38. Staying somewhere like this gives you the best of both worlds if you struggle to decide between a city or countryside stay. Being so close to the city, there are plenty of things to see and do if you’re staying in this area, including Haldon Forest Park which is perfect for anyone who loves the great outdoors.

Another farmhouse option is The Granary B&B, a first floor barn conversion located on Borough Farm near Tavistock. The B&B retains much of the barn’s original features including antique oak flooring and exposed beams and has a wonderful view over Dartmoor. Guests have a range of breakfast options made up of local and home grown ingredients, plus their own garden with outdoor seating to enjoy the Devon countryside.

Image: Lee Byre.

If you can’t get enough of those amazing home cooked breakfasts, why not book a stay with Lee Byre, which is nearby. This award winning B&B offers premium bed and breakfast as well as the option to book an exclusive dinner and guided walks. The property sits on the side of a hill, half way along an old bumpy farm and mining track with woodland, trails, river and farmland all around. Visitors can choose from three bedrooms with exposed stonework and quirky oak ceiling beams in a refurbished barn.

If you want more nature to explore, Roadford Lake  is only a few miles away, as are Tree Surfers and Tamar Trails .  Staying in the Mid-Devon area is ideal for those who want to explore, this part of the county allows you to easily access the whole county. You can easily access the coast, countryside and you have the city of Exeter with its shopping opportunities, eateries and events.

Another popular choice of region is the south of Devon where you have the famous towns of Torquay, Paignton and Brixham. This region has sea, sand, sun and amazing heritage and is ideal for families, couples and groups alike.

Grosvenor House is a charming guesthouse in a quiet location in central Torquay. This property is behind the heritage attraction, Torre Abbey and has some amazing views of the town as well as putting you in the heart of the ever popular English Riviera. For those of you in town for a conference, the house is just 400 meters from the Riviera International Conference Centre making it an ideal base and for everyone else, you can find the beach, South West Coast Path and a host of attractions in the vicinity. 

Just a few minutes from Torquay and Meadfoot Beach is Haytor Hotel B&B, a beautiful Victorian villa which really shows off the grandeur that this resort is known for. The hotel has wonderful gardens and twelve rooms over three floors, with plenty of space and guaranteed peace and quiet. If you’re looking for a B&B which is children free, take a look at Heathcliff House which runs an exclusive adult only accommodation. Located in Torquay, this is an award winning bed and breakfast with a bar that prides themselves on offering a relaxing stay with a great night’s sleep in warm, clean rooms and an award-winning locally sourced breakfast menu each morning with everything freshly cooked to order, just as you like it.

There are plenty of things to see and do in Torquay, including the Dinosaur World, Living Coasts, and Babbacombe Model Village. Babbacombe Cliff Railway  is another great place to visit, particularly if you’re into your heritage and Kents Cavern has an extensive calendar of fun events.

Nearby in neighbouring Brixham you’ll find a host of charming bed and breakfast properties overlooking the harbour. One is Beacon House, an iconic Victorian house which has been lovingly refurbished to give you modern comforts without sacrificing its historical charm. Herve and Nathalie, your hosts, source their produce for their amazing breakfasts locally. Everything is freshly prepared and there really is something for everyone.

Image: Driftwood Boutique.

Another option is Driftwood Boutique B&B, which you may recognise from Our Dream Hotel off the TV! This B&B is in the heart of the harbour with breath taking views from each of the four bedrooms. Breakfast is served in the bright, spacious dining room where you can indulge in a hearty Driftwood full English, made with freshly cooked, locally sourced ingredients. Thanks to its elevated position, guests have some incredible views and tranquillity, plus all the shops and eateries that Brixham has to offer.

This part of Devon is a real haven for B&Bs and guesthouses, but if you didn’t want to base yourself in the English Riviera, there are lots of other places for you to choose from. Bulleigh Barton Manor  in Newton Abbot is close enough to the Torbay area for you to take advantage of everything it has to offer, while also giving you access to places like Totnes and Bovey Tracey. This property is an AA Five Star rated B&B has far reaching views across the countryside and the house dates back to the 1400s giving it a real heritage charm.

Of course, this is just a small sample of the B&Bs and Guesthouses in the county, click here to see more options for this year’s B&B Week.