Prince Hall Country House Hotel & Restaurant

Prince Hall Country House Hotel & Restaurant Driving down between the moss covered trees which lined the driveway you get your first glimpse of the splendour of The Prince Hall Hotel a Country House Hotel nestling in a small valley on Dartmoor. Even as we parked and walked to the front door it gave us a sense of “home”. Inside did not disappoint. Beautifully decorated and warmly inviting we were met by Fi, the co-owner, who made us extremely welcome. She invited us to settle into our room and then sit by the roaring fire in the lounge for a welcoming pot of tea. We sat reading about the history of the building and looking out of the window to the moors beyond. It was a most spectacular view that would bring out the artist in anyone. Our room was spacious with beautiful furniture and fittings. Everything we could need was provided, hairdryer, a variety of teas and filter coffee facilities, dog mats for food and water bowls and biscuits (Rosie tried those out straight away) and an extremely comfortable bed. There were also ample magazines and information plus Wi-Fi.

Pam and husband Steve with their little dog Rosie Our evening meal was a culinary adventure. Although a limited menu it was varied, however the two main meat dishes both had cheese which my husband can’t eat. Not a problem! An alternative was provided with no fuss. Apart from our ordered meal there were tasters in the bar with our aperitif and then an amuse bouche when we were waiting for our starters to arrive. All touches which made the evening special. The wine list was fairly extensive and priced around the £25 per bottle mark. The service was impeccable with a dedicated waiter who friendly and professional and ensured we were happy throughout the evening.

This hotel has all the characteristics of a first class hotel without being pretentious in any way. Dogs were made to feel like part of the family and their every need was catered for. Outside there was a hose to wash off muddy paws and in the huge porch way hung lots of towels to rub them down. There was also a large bowl of fresh water and biscuits to “keep them going” after a long walk.

Prince Hall Country House - bedroom After a wonderful night’s sleep we went down to breakfast which was all we would have expected. Locally sourced produce and freshly made bread set us up for our journey home.

The Prince Hall Country House Hotel is the epitome of a country house hotel: warm, welcoming and with an atmosphere akin to staying with friends. Owner-run and with just eight elegant rooms, the hotel offers a luxurious home from home with an eclectic style all of its own. Set amongst rolling, untamed moorland with views down towards the sparkling River Dart, the Prince Hall Hotel provides the ultimate base for exploring Dartmoor’s wilderness and sampling delicious local produce.

The chefs pride themselves on creating a traditional English seasonal menu with a unique gastronomic flair, using native beef, lamb and poultry, home-reared pork, locally sourced or home-grown, seasonal fruit and vegetables and mouth-watering local cheeses.

Prince Hall Country House - fireside and dog Outdoor enthusiasts will love the wealth of options, from fly fishing the nearby River Dart to walking, riding, shooting and photography, and as one of the most dog friendly hotels in the UK, the Prince Hall welcomes man’s best friend for free.

Rooms cost from £95 per night on a B&B basis or £165 including a three course dinner, based on two people sharing.
Dogs stay free.

www.princehall.co.uk

Places to go

As we were only in the area for one full day it was impossible to visit many places. Add to that the fact that the rain and mist never stopped it kept us from exploring the Moors as we would have liked. However, we did go down to the coast which was only 20 miles away and walked along Plymouth Hoe which was most interesting with The Eddystone Lighthouse (open at restricted times) which had been reconstructed on land and the statue of Sir France Drake. It was fascinating to stand there and imagine all the pilgrims that would have set sail from that spot to a new world in the Americas.

Of course we could have picked any of the seaports along that coast like Salcombe, Dartmouth or Brixham all of which would be well worth a visit and gave a contrast of staying in the remote, tranquil and beautiful areas of Dartmoor with the fun and business of the coastal areas.

There are also places such as Abbeys (Buckfast probably being the most popular) National Trust Houses, Market towns, Wildlife Centres and Activity places with lots of fishing, canoeing and walking available. It would be a photographers heaven and an artist’s delight. This really is an area of diversity with something for everyone in all seasons.

Pam, 58 lives in Fareham with her husband Steve, little dog Rosie and cat Bobby. They are semi-retired and moved to the area 18 months ago to enjoy the benefits of living near the sea. Having travelled throughout Europe and America on family holidays with their two sons and North and South Africa and Dubai on their own they now enjoy exploring areas of France in their caravan which they wouldn’t have visited with young boys and this enables them to take Rosie with them. They also enjoy short breaks in England both in their caravan with Rosie and on their own in hotels and have recently visited Warwick, Hunstanton, London and Christchurch in the New Forest. They love exploring the countryside as well as walking around marinas and coastal paths and good food scores highly on their list of enjoyments when away.

217 people found this helpful
17101

Share Article:

Pam Ridgway

Guest blogger

Leave a comment

*

Sign up to our newsletter to receive the latest travel tips on top destinations.

Join the club

Become a member to receive exclusive benefits

Our community is the heart of Silver Travel Advisor, we love nothing more than sharing ideas, inspiration, hints and tips between us.

Most Recent Articles

There’s something refreshingly nostalgic about the quintessential British coach holiday….

Come feel the love on a Princess cruise. You’ll enjoy the MedallionClass experience others simply can’t, and it’s exclusively for everyone. Visit incredible destinations and be involved in the best experiences around each one of them.

Experience more with Princess and connect effortlessly with the world around you, spend time away with loved ones, take a moment for yourself, and fall in love with your holiday of a lifetime, every time.

With over 20 years of experience, Wendy Wu Tours has mastered the art of creating exceptional, fully inclusive tours which showcase the very best of each destination.

Each tour is led by a world-class guide, who will highlight the very best of their homeland, and includes authentic cultural experiences so you are not just seeing the sights, but truly immersing yourself in local life.

Say hello to ease at sea. Ambassador’s purpose is simple: they want to inspire every guest to experience authentic cruising, effortlessly and sustainably. Passionate about protecting our oceans and destinations, their ships comply with the highest industry emission standards and there is no single-use plastic on board.

On your voyage, you will receive the warmest of welcomes from the Ambassador community as you sail upon the friendliest ships afloat.

This is a global co-operative co-owned by local partners using real local experts and guides, which supports local communities, environments and wildlife. It offers travellers quirky places to stay, activity holidays and learning experiences. Not In The Guidebooks gets travellers off the beaten track into local culture with day experiences and longer, immersive adventures.

From wild wellness breaks in Wales to painting in Portugal, sustainable adventures in Mauritius to food safaris in Brazil, this is immersive, exciting travel.

Seabourn’s five intimate ships carry guests to the heart of great cities, exclusive yacht harbours and secluded coves around the world, while two new purpose-built expedition ships will combine exhilarating adventures in remote destinations with the sophisticated amenities of the world’s finest resorts at sea.

From the luxury of all suite accommodations to complimentary fine wines and spirits, and a no tipping policy, Seabourn exemplifies the definition of travelling well.