Best luxury hotel to stay on Dartmoor that is dog friendly

While millions of visitors flock to Cornwall every year to enjoy our stunning beaches and countryside, where can people living here easily go to get away themselves?

Well one option, despite our differences, but we won’t go there (jam first!), is Devon which is just over an hour away from Falmouth and Truro.

The Mill End Hotel nestles at the entrance to a stunning river valley in ancient woodland (Image: Mill End Hotel)

Not only does it also offer beautiful beaches and scenery but it also has Dartmoor, the jewel in its crown.

I must admit I’d never really ‘got’ Dartmoor despite visiting on a number of occasions, but all that has changed after receiving an invite to stay at the Mill End Hotel on the banks of the River Teign and all I can say now is: “Wow, I get it!”

Mill End Hotel is a 4-star Dartmoor hotel on the banks of Devon’s majestic River Teign near the picturesque moor town of Chagford. This year it won the 'Luxury Hotel of the Year, Dartmoor' in the LUX Global Excellence Awards.

The hotel is next to ancient woodland on the River Teign (Image: The walk to Chagford takes you through ancient woodland along the banks of the river.)

There is also a two AA Rosette restaurant run by head chef Will Broom but more of that later!

The hotel has recently been refurbished and the owners wanted to show off to us what they’d done.

The history books say a mill existed here from the 15th Century until it stopped production in 1922 when the building was converted to a private residence.

A few years later, in 1929, Mill End became what it is today, a country house hotel.

It is dog friendly, with people invited to bring their own dogs with a special dog treat package on arrival and its own separate dining area for people who want to bring their dogs down.

There is also a boot room for taking off those muddy boots after a long walk, for both the dog owners and the dogless.

Mill End dining space fine dining restaurant (Image: Mill End Hotel)

The hotel is just 75 minutes from Truro, five minutes off the A30, on the A382 (leave the A30 at the Whiddon Down junction, and follow the signs for Moretonhampstead).

Soon you are onto the outskirts of Dartmoor and arriving at the Mill End nestled alongside the beautiful River Teign by a bridge.

We were the last guests to arrive and were given a friendly welcome at reception before being taken the “second best room” in the hotel, the recently refurbished Teign Suite. Blimey, if this is the second best we would have loved to have seen the best!

Mill End dining space fine dining restaurant (Image: Mill End Hotel)

The Teign Suite is more like a small apartment than a hotel room, complete with a small lounge with a telly and sofa bed as it can sleep up to five people. It also has its own little sideboard with a mini-fridge.

The lounge where you can also enjoy afternoon tea! (Image: Mill End Hotel)

It is tastefully decorated in neutral grey colours.

The bedroom is through the seating area at the back door, with your own private balcony overlooking the river.

It also contains the biggest double bed I’ve ever seen! Both rooms have gorgeous views overlooking the hills. Watching the sunrise over the hills on a frosty bright morning is something not to be missed.

Teign suite balcony view of the River Teign, Mill End Hotel (Image: Mill End Hotel)

Off the first room is a luxury bathroom with the comfiest bath I have ever laid in for a soak; don’t miss out.

Going down to dinner we were invited into the cosy lounge, where the extremely friendly staff - shout out to our waiter Gary - bring you drinks and snack before taking your order. The menu changes every day so you never get the same choice twice.

Teign suite balcony view of the River Teign, Mill End Hotel (Image: Paul Armstrong)

The team in the kitchen is led by head chef William Broom, who is committed to using all the local area can offer, from fabulous and varied cheeses to wonderful beef and stunning game.

Will has a wealth of experience, working for over two decades in some of London’s most highly acclaimed establishments.

Forest Fungi (V) a Mushroom and Butternut Squash Parcel with Wild Garlic Veloute, Parmesan and Thyme Cream (Image: Paul Armstrong)

The first night my starter was the Brixham Scallops: pan fried scallops with Jerusalem artichoke, hazelnut, lemon and chicken butter sauce, while my dining companion went for the Forest Fungi (V) - a mushroom and butternut squash parcel with wild garlic veloute, parmesan and thyme cream.

For the main I chose the Dartmoor Venison - a haunch of venison with fresh pasta, spiced carrot puree, spring greens, garlic and herb pangrattato - while my partner went for the Wild Brill: grilled brill with Cafe de Paris butter, River Teign mussels, buttered spinach and Pommes Paille. Both were amazing.

The venison was cooked to perfection (Image: Paul Armstrong)

The venison was cooked to perfection and went perfectly with the pasta which I would never have thought of putting together before. My partner described her brill as the "poshest" fish and chips she’d ever had!

The poshest fish and chips she’d ever had! (Image: Paul Armstrong)

For desert I had the baked vanilla cheesecake with rhubarb, candied ginger and almond which was so good I had it again the following night with my partner joining me.

The delicious Baked Vanilla Cheesecake with Rhubarb, Candied Ginger and Almond (Image: Paul Armstrong)

In the morning we had a wonderful cooked breakfast all from local producers as well as a huge choice of cereals, pastries and juices. In addition to the full English, there are a large number of cooked options available including vegetarian options.

However it’s not just the food and accommodation that draws you to the hotel, it is also the stunning location, and you don’t even need to get into your car.

Stunning - Fingle Bridge (Image: Mill End Hotel)

Firstly there is a stunning walk along the Teign River valley to Fingle Bridge where you can enjoy a pint or meal in the picturesque and friendly (everyone’s so friendly here!) Fingle Inn.

A warm welcome at The Fingle Inn (Image: Paul Armstrong)

You can either go straight along the river or turn left and head up towards Castle Drogo, where you can get refreshments at the café there, and then head back down to Fingle Bridge along the top of the escarpment for some incredible views across Dartmoor. I would highly recommend this.

The top of the escarpment for some incredible views across Dartmoor looking back at the hotel with Castle Drogo top right and the Teign River valley we walked back along below (Image: Paul Armstrong)

The other walk from the hotel is again along the Teign River but in the opposite direction through ancient woods to the picturesque town of Chagford with a great array of quirky independent businesses.

Mill End Hotel (Image: Mill End Hotel)

We wanted to go in all of them but unfortunately it was Sunday and they were all closed, so be aware of that, although we did enjoy a drink at one of the three pubs in off the square, The Three Crowns Inn.

I can’t recommend the Mill End Hotel enough, the location is incredible, the food is fabulous, the staff are fantastic and the rooms are luxurious and clean.

We’re already planning our return visit, but next time we’ll bring the dog!

Mill End Hotel  millendhotel.com/

DARTMOOR NATIONAL PARK,
CHAGFORD,
DEVON

TQ13 8JN

TEL: 01647 432282EMAIL: INFO@MILLENDHOTEL.COM

Five minutes from the A30, on the A382 (leave the A30 at the Whiddon Down junction, and follow the signs for Moretonhampstead). 75 minutes from Truro.