Bovey Castle is a rather grand hotel located on a private sporting estate in Dartmoor, this still remains one of my personal favourites, this really is a celebration of British Hospitality. Built in the early 1900’s this hotel has large open fire places, ornate furnishings, and an air of period charm and authenticity which is perhaps a rare statement. We were welcomed by a gentleman dressed in immaculate chic country attire on arrival which was a welcomed sight. We were not disappointed with the service or the facilities and had a wonderful experience during our stay.
We experienced one of their Grand State Rooms, although the room is titled ‘Grand State’, it’s actually a large open plan suite complete with a stunning four-poster bed, a large dining table which overlooks the lawns and extensive grounds around the hotel, a small balcony area, a large bathroom. There is also a large sofa in a seating area so you can unwind while sipping a complimentary Sloe Gin from a cut glass decanter, which I must add is an incredibly satisfying way to spend an afternoon or evening.
"This really is a celebration of British Hospitality."
The bathroom has a roll top bath, from which you can overlook the hotels meandering driveway and a different section of their grounds as seen from the dining table. There is also a corner shower which was incredibly powerful, all of the utilities were finished to a high standard.
The hotel includes several large public drawing rooms downstairs to explore. You can enjoy sitting in front of the roaring fireplaces and admiring the architecture. Guests can also enjoy a wonderful afternoon tea experience or perhaps one of their restaurants, unfortunately their fine dining restaurant "The Great Western" was closed for refurbishment during our visit which is set to reopen as of June 2023. On our most recent visit we visited Smith's Brasserie.
The hotel also offers a number of activities such as four wheel drive driving experiences, falcon displays, and a host of other outdoors activities to keep you entertained during your stay. Inside the hotel you will find a spa along with a large swimming pool, a small gym, steam room and a sauna for those looking to relax.
On our most recent visit, we had the pleasure of experiencing one of their clay pigeon shooting lessons. Hidden away on the Bovey Castle estate is their clays shooting venue. Aimed at beginners and novice shooters, it is an opportunity to try your hand at this exciting country pursuit. They use single barrel silenced 410 shotguns and their traps are set up with an incoming and outgoing target which makes for a great introduction to the sport. We must take our hats off to our teacher who was a perfectionist and had us hitting clays in no time.
I’d recommend Bovey Castle if you're looking for a country escape with stunning views as far as the eye can see. There are plenty of activities in and outdoors, and you will be well looked after by the well dressed staff.
The Bill: £469 per night
