Tucked away just off the Tavistock Road, north of Plymouth is one of the nicest surprises we’ve had in a while. The Moorland Garden Hotel is nestled just at the bottom end of Dartmoor and is a real haven of peace and tranquility.
We were en route to Cornwall to spend a couple of days down in one of our favourite counties. After our mini Devon break we were heading to the Talland Bay Hotel near Looe and the Budock Vean hotel near Falmouth.
Moorland Garden Hotel Gardens
One of the first things we noticed about the Moorland Garden Hotel were the beautiful gardens that surround it. The peace and quiet becomes very obvious the minute you step out of the car.
Many of the rooms have balconies overlooking the gardens and being south-facing they really are fantastic for soaking up the glorious sunshine. We were blessed with it in abundance during our visit.
Wildflower Restaurant
The cosy Dartmoor Bar has a warm, friendly atmosphere and is ideal for a pre-dinner drink or two before walking through to the Wildflower Restaurant. Being the proud owner of an AA Rosette, it goes without saying that the food here was very good. My starter of mini Scotch eggs and delicious lamb shank main were seriously good! There’s a great choice on the menu and it was very hard to decide what to go for. Mrs C plumped for the Ox Cheek, so tasty and tender it was falling apart. The staff were excellent throughout, without exception. It really does make a huge difference to the impression gained by any new visitors.
Forget-Me-Not Suite
The room was lovely. We were upgraded to the ‘Forget-me-Not’ executive room, which as well as being huge, had a four-poster bed, a large refurbished bathroom and a big balcony with a ‘double’ deck-chair. It’s a lovely way to spend a warm Summer evening.
The following morning we couldn’t resist walking around the grounds and gardens. There was a combination of lawned, manicured areas and wild flower meadowland. There’s some interesting sculpture scattered around too. This dragonfly really caught my eye!
Its accessibility, being only 10 minutes from the A38 trunk road makes this an easy to get-to bolthole. The hotel is not too far off the beaten track but is far enough to be able to appreciate the beauty and silence Dartmoor has to offer. It’s definitely a place we’d look forward to visiting again.
More Information about Moorland Garden Hotel
The Moorland Garden Hotel offers a picturesque base between the untamed splendour of Dartmoor National Park and Plymouth’s magnificent natural harbour. Guests can look forward to a warm West Country welcome, with the individual style of an independent, family owned hotel. Dining in The Wildflower Restaurant and Dartmoor Bar focuses on seasonal, locally sourced ingredients, with chefs dishing up relaxed ‘British modern’ fare and hearty pub meals.
The hotel has Four Stars and a Rosette by the AA. There are 44 bedrooms, costing from £69 per night on a bed and breakfast basis. www.moorlandgardenhotel.co.uk
