DEVON - England 2012 and the Best of Wales - page 382

Local stables offer day treks on horseback across the moors at the cost of around
£25 per hour with an experienced guide. Try Skaigh Stables, at Belstone
( & 01837/840917; www.skaighstables.co.uk), just off the A30 Exeter-Okehampton
road. Their treks traverse dramatic moorland and take in amazing views. Morning and
afternoon rides are offered from mid-April until the end of September, with 2-hour
rides from £36 per person. Another option is the Doone Valley Stables, Hallslake,
Lynton ( & 01598/741234; www.doonevalleytrekking.co.uk), which offers guided
treks through breathtaking countryside.
Where to Eat & Stay
Castle Inn A good stopover on the road between Okehampton and Tavistock, this
inn dates from the 12th century. With its pink facade and row of rose trellises, it is
the hub of the village. The owners have maintained the character of the roomy old
rustic lounge. The menu is stocked with quality pub food—grilled fish, sausages and
mash, meat pies, and steaks—and it's well priced. Bedrooms are attractively fur-
nished, some with mahogany and Victorian pieces. It's a friendly, peaceful place to
spend the night or stop for dinner.
Lydford, near Okehampton (1 mile off the A386), Devon EX20 4BH. www.castleinndartmoor.co.uk.
& 01822/820241. Fax [phone] units. £65-£90 double. MC, V. Amenities: Restaurant; bar.
In room: TV, Wi-Fi (free).
Cherrybrook Hotel This family-run guesthouse in the center of the Dartmoor
National Park sits inside a rugged 200-year-old farmhouse perched high on a hill
overlooking the moors. The guest lounge and bar, with their beamed ceilings and
slate floors, are meeting places where travelers share their adventures. The rooms
were renovated in 2009, and are pleasantly done up in neutral tones with pine
furniture and colorful throw pillows. Bathrooms contain power showers providing
plentiful hot water. The hotel's perch on a high moor makes it popular with hikers
and cyclists. This is a dog-friendly hotel, and because the owners have dogs too,
it's best for dog-friendly guests.
On the B3212, between Postbridge and Two Bridges, Yelverton, Devon PL20 6SP. www.thecherrybrook.
co.uk. & /fax [phone] units. £79-£90 double. Rates include English breakfast. MC, V. Closed
Dec 22-Jan 2. Amenities: Restaurant; bar; lounge. In room: TV, hair dryer, Wi-Fi (free).
Horn of Plenty Hotel In a gracious, vine-covered Regency house set amid
acres of lush gardens, this elegant hotel and restaurant is popular with travelers and
food critics alike. The decor is tasteful and romantic, with chenille-covered sofas and
peaceful views of green heather-covered hills. Guest rooms are done up in soothing
tones of cream or mauve, with polished wood floors, big comfortable beds, and thick
curtains. Lunch and dinner in the sunny dining room are events: The cooking is
inventive, with an emphasis on fresh, local meats and produce. Later, you can have a
drink on the terrace before wandering up to your welcoming room.
Gulworthy, Tavistock, Devon PL19 8JD. www.thehornofplenty.co.uk. & 01822/832528. 10 units. £160-
£250 double. Rates include English breakfast. Fixed-price 3-course lunch £25; fixed-price 3-course
dinner £48. AE, MC, V. Amenities: Restaurant; bar. In room: TV/DVD, hair dryer.
Lewtrenchard Manor This 17th-century Jacobean house on the northwest edge
of Dartmoor sits almost completely alone in a valley. The craggy stone building has
many original features, including oak paneling, leaded windows, and beamed ceilings.
Its extensive grounds wander through gardens, and across streams and ponds. The
walled garden was recently restored, and the hotel's vegetables are grown there. The

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