Survive - Devon and Cornwall - page 578

Directory A-Z
Accommodation
B&Bs & Guesthouses
The great British B&B (bed and breakfast) is thriving across the West Country, ranging from larger, modern professional
affairs to eccentric old-fashioned enclaves. Styles vary: there's crisp white linen in smart city streets, rustic rooms in re-
mote villages, and clashing carpets in bucket n' spade resorts.
Some still have shared bathrooms but most are en suite (although bathrooms are often tiny). Most still serve the kind of
belt-busting breakfast that means you don't have to eat till the evening.
Across the region, prices vary wildly. Expect to pay anything from £50 for a very basic double with shared bathroom,
to £130 for a double, en suite room in a smarter guesthouse. Single travellers normally face a premium of anything
between 25-50 percent.
Some further B&B tips:
» Booking by phone can be cheaper because some B&Bs have to pay an online transaction fee to third-party websites.
» Advance bookings are wise, and are essential in busy places during peak periods and in small villages.
» Some B&Bs don't take credit or debit cards and instead require cash or cheque.
» Rates rise at busy times, but some places cut prices for longer stays.
» When booking, check where the B&B actually is. In country areas postal addresses include the nearest town, which
may be 20 miles away.
BOOK YOUR STAY ONLINE
For more accommodation reviews by Lonely Planet authors, check out http://hotels.lonelyplanet.com . You'll find
independent reviews, as well as recommendations on the best places to stay. Best of all, you can book online.
Bunkhouses & Camping Barns
Devon and Cornwall's bunkhouses and camping barns are basic, budget places to bed down for the night. They're usually
in gorgeously rural locations and aimed primarily at hikers and cyclists.
Individual places vary but bunkhouses tend to have more facilities. Expect dorm style accommodation plus bathroom
and cooking facilities, but you'll still need to bring a sleeping bag. Camping barns are more primitive - often just a sleep-
ing platform, cold running water and a flush toilet - so bring all your camping kit except the tent.
Rates for both categories are around £8 to £15. Many are run by the Youth Hostels Association (YHA), which has five
camping barns in Devon and Exmoor. The YHA also has two bunkhouses in Devon and Exmoor, and one bunkhouse in
Cornwall. Other barns are independent - we provide details in the On The Road chapters.
Useful information sources:
Dartmoor National Park Authority ( www.dartmoor.gov.uk )