The Best Bed and Breakfasts in Devon

On the edge of Dartmoor – a national park with forests, lakes and hilltop castles – you’ll find a home at Grade II-listed Weeke Barton. Exposed beams, wood panelling, roaring fires and free-standing, in-room bathtubs welcome you. Grab a book from the lounge library and relax in your sheep-skinned window seat, looking out at the rolling hills. You’ll love the honesty bar – open 24/7 and fully-loaded with sparkling wine from the neighbouring vineyard, Dartmoor botanical gin and local whisky.

Character shines through this B&B as owner Jane’s special touches will leave you smiling. On arrival, expect homemade biscuits and local fudge or a cream tea served in the summer house. Breakfast is a full English – plus Jane’s homemade preserves – served in the delightful farmhouse kitchen, with locally sourced ingredients including eggs from the nearby family vineyard. Each of the four rooms is decorated with a different pastel colour featuring wooden furniture, floral bedspreads and fresh flowers.

Find this woodland-surrounded retreat in the blossoming rural village of Kentisbury. Sandy beaches, babbling brooks and seemingly endless lavender fields are a stone’s throw away. The former Georgian rectory is Grade II-listed and it shows: think vintage rugs, classic furniture and shuttered, sash windows. You’ll find total peace and privacy, plus you can enjoy candlelit dinners in the grand, chandelier-topped dining room.

Traditionally rural aesthetics meet modern chic at this AA five-star luxury guest house, where you’ll find four-poster beds, colourful statement wallpaper and log-burning fires by bare brick wall. Best of all is the 16th-century manor house’s panoramic sea views over the sand-lined Start Bay. The award-winning beaches are close, as well as nature reserves and National Trust properties like Greenway, the home of Agatha Christie. Does it get more quintessentially British than that?

This beautiful, lavender-adorned cottage offers all you need for a relaxing stay during your outdoor Devon adventure. The 17th-century, Grade II-listed B&B has a selection of rooms featuring a vaulted ceiling, original cast iron fireplace and swivel snuggle chair for ultimate comfort. Breakfast – served in a quaint dining room with wood-burning stove – offers everything from a traditional cooked breakfast to syrupy French toast. Situated near Dartmoor National Park, there’s endless nature to explore, as well as landmarks such as Buckfast Abbey.

It’s hard to leave Tor Cottage. The unique bedrooms have different themes, from Art Deco to classic, with over-bed drapes and scattered wall decorations. Garden Rooms feature log fires and private outdoor areas, some by a babbling stream. Special touches, like homemade organic fudge, add to a welcoming stay. Enjoy your multi-course breakfast in the unique conservatory or flower-laden outdoor terrace. The highlight is the heated outdoor pool, where you can swim under the glittering countryside stars.

Watch the sun set behind the trees over Tamar Valley from this 170-year-old farmhouse. Bedrooms boast fireplaces, original oak flooring and soft colour themes for a warm, cheerful stay. Play a board game by the lounge’s log fire or, if you arrive in the afternoon, enjoy complimentary tea with freshly baked scones in the dining room. Rambling the nearby hills? Take Beera’s Picnic Lunch with posh roast beef sandwiches, homemade sausage rolls, shortbread and more.

Head through the colourful, flowery garden to quaint Whitnage Cottage. Wander picturesque, lakeside Tiverton – located ten minutes away – or enjoy activities in the surrounding countryside like cycling, horse riding or even hot air ballooning. The cottage has a traditionally rural-style kitchen and dining room complete with piano, where you’ll enjoy a breakfast with all the English staples. Bedrooms are located in a converted barn with a private entrance. The colours, classic furniture and joyful wall art make for a pleasant countryside stay.

There’s a story behind this 1834 listed townhouse, built by ship captain Thomas Green – and you can feel the history in its walls. The interior reflects its classic status: dark wood bedroom furniture, vintage-looking patterned drapes and tassel bedside lamps. Located in the hilly coastline of Exmoor National Park, the house views are spectacular. Breathe in the fresh sea air, as waves crash against rocks and the hills roll out before you.

A warm welcome awaits with all the traditional smells, sounds and tastes of a classic British pub. The rooms are impressive – with roll-top copper bathtubs, vintage furnishing, gold-gilded mirrors, quirky wallpaper, ensuite rain showers and super king beds. But drag yourself out for the pub’s award-winning food, from slow braised ox cheek to the Cornish Ploughman platter. Hilly, historic Tavistock surrounds the property.

A harmonious balance of old and new, this B&B is modern and warm, with characteristics of its Victorian heritage. Bedrooms feature exposed brick, overhead beams and luscious views from every window. The suite offers a four-poster bed and freestanding bath. Enjoy a British breakfast in the dining room, then head out to explore South West Devon such as nearby Dunster Castle and Kilve beach.