Pubs with Rooms: Devon [2023]

I just love a gastropub with accommodation – great grub, a few drinks and then you can get straight up to bed without calling a cab or wandering through an unfamiliar area in the dark. Pubs with rooms Devon are some of the best of all, as I simply love south west England. Dorset, Devon and Cornwall in particular. The former is where I live, while I often have holidays in the more south-westerly neighbouring counties.

Some pub accommodation in Devon is near the coast, too, which is my natural habitat. Pubs with accommodation in North Devon are among my all time favourites. We often take breaks in Croyde or Woolacombe. Not least because we love the Red Barn – it’s become an annual tradition to call in for a Hawaiian burger and a G&T by the sea. We meet our friends in the area every year, and always end up in this seafront pub at some point.

Apart from the stunning and surf-battered coastline, other highlights of heavenly Devon include the countryside – fields and hills carpeted in green and dotted with grazing livestock. Twisting lanes with birds twittering in the hedgerows, while tractors roll along past snug farmhouses. Scones, jam and lashings of local clotted cream at a cosy thatched tearoom by a river or canal. Dartmoor and Exmoor. Smart seaside settlements like Salcombe, and enchanting little villages such as Beesands.

Seaside pubs with rooms make for great weekends away – especially for couples seeking a romantic stay that includes a slap-up feast, cosy accommodation and a picturesque setting. Here are my favourite gastro pubs with rooms in Devon.

Pubs with Rooms in Devon Comparison Table

Name	Location	Style	Room Rate
The Cricket Inn	Beesands, Kingsbridge	Nautical pub	££
The Fortescue Inn	Salcombe	Seaside pub	££££
The New Inn	Coleford, Crediton	Country pub	£
The Thatch	Croyde, North Devon	Surfy pub	£££
The Cornish Arms	Tavistock	Town pub	£££

Five of the Best Pubs with Rooms, Devon

The Cricket Inn, Beesands, Kingsbridge

Listed by Telegraph Travel as one of the best pubs with rooms in England, The Cricket Inn is located in the Devon village of Beesands, near Kingsbridge and right beside the South West Coast Path. Expect a local flavour, lots of delicious seafood and fresh, New England style accommodation.

The Cricket Inn Kingsbridge Food and Drink

Not surprisingly, the focus at The Cricket Inn is on seafood – as well as excellent service. The restaurant has a relaxed atmosphere, and like the rooms features lots of nautical shades of cool blues and whites, offset by warm wood tones. Their dedication to local produce is very real, with the freshest seafood delivered by a Beesands fisherman.

The Cricket Inn Starters

Named ‘1st Innings’, the starters menu at The Cricket in Beesands showcases seafood specialities such as crab soup, whitebait and king prawns. For those who prefer meat or vegetables, choices typically include mushroom Kiev, a chicken liver parfait or soup of the day.

The Cricket Inn Mains

It’s not all about fish on the main menu. Josper’ Grill also serves up fare like succulent steaks, veggie burgers and kebabs. Beer battered cod, fish pie and seafood linguine are the seafood dishes, alongside the must-try seafood pancake – a delectable crepe packed with scallops, white crab, prawns and cod.

The Cricket Inn Desserts

A combination of classic English and other desserts makes up the options for those with a sweet tooth. Think sticky toffee pudding, fruit crumble, local ice cream and sorbet, offered alongside desserts like baked Alaska or chocolate fondant. There is also a cheese selection for those who prefer savoury.

The Cricket Inn Drinks

Not surprisingly, the bar of The Cricket Inn near Kingsbridge is often busy with walkers taking a break from hiking the nearby South West Coast Path. Apple juice and cider come from the Heron Valley, and soft drinks are sourced from Luscombe, with some of the beers and spirits made down the road in St Austell, Cornwall.

The Cricket Inn Rooms

Five of The Cricket Inn’s seven rooms have sea views, and three are also large enough for families. En-suite shower rooms have huge overhead showers, while two have four poster beds. The Oval even boasts its own large window seat. All rooms have sporting names like The Botham Suite, Lords, Old Trafford and Headingley, and that bright, nautical feel with neutrals and splashes of bright blue.

View the latest special offers for The Cricket Inn, Beesands here

The Fortescue Inn, Salcombe

Salcombe pubs with rooms don’t come much better than this – and it’s slap bang in the centre of this coastal Devon town. This place is a real hub of the community, also also very welcoming to guests visiting this lovely seaside spot. Sleek, simple rooms, sports on TV, deluxe bathrooms and snooker tables makes this place a friendly, laid back pub near the sea.

The Fortescue Inn Food and Drink

As the position right by the local lifeboat station might lead you to believe, there is certainly an emphasis on seafood at The Fortescue Inn, Salcombe. freshly prepared, wood fired pizzas are also a speciality, and are served from 4pm daily.

The Fortescue Inn Starters

Start a meal at The Fort – as it’s known for short – with soup of the day or a seafood chowder, or opt for a bowl of whitebait or fresh crab salad. There are also dishes like Thai style fish cakes with sweet chilli dip or breaded Brie with redcurrant jelly.

The Fortescue Inn Mains

Being as popular a lunch destination as it is for dinner, The Fort in Salcombe offers extensive menus for both. British pub favourites like ham and eggs, beer battered fish or scampi with chips are featured earlier in the day, alongside pasta, risotto, tacos, steaks, burgers, sausages, salads and more. For dinner there is more of the same, as well as a tempting selection of other dishes. These could include veggie or monkfish Thai Curry, fish tacos and a noodle salad as well as fish and beef with ale or blue cheese pies. Locally dressed crab is also a speciality.

The Fortescue Inn Desserts

Salcombe Dairy ice cream and sorbet is offered at The Fort, Devon, as well as richer puds, typically featuring lemon, toffee and chocolate. There is also a West Country cheeseboard option, and diners can order a glass of dessert wine to accompany the end of their feast.

The Fortescue Inn Drinks

The Ship’s Bar is a lively, convivial spot, packed with local residents and holidaymakers alike – particularly during summer. Hotel guests can also use an Astroturf decked roof terrace to catch a few rays while sipping a cool drink.

The Fortescue Inn Rooms

The Fort’s owner has invested heavily in soundproofing, so that room occupants are protected as much as possible from town centre and pub sounds upon retiring. Rather than using a seaside or nautical theme, residents are cosseted within accommodation featuring fresh, clean decor such as whitewashed walls, wood beams and flooring and pale linens with a touch of plaid. Every room has a uniquely styled bathroom – one with a copper bath and one of stone. The views from the shuttered, double glazed windows are of the beer garden or Fore Street.

See the latest price per night for The Fortescue Inn, Salcombe here

The New Inn, Coleford, Crediton

This historic Devon thatched pub ticks so many location boxes. It is nestled among rolling green English countryside, between Exmoor and Dartmoor. Exeter is just a 20 minute drive away, and the pub grounds are characterised by delightful gardens with a stream and weeping willow trees. Seven en-suite rooms are decorated in a relaxed, contemporary country style and the tasty food is served in generous portions.

The New Inn Food and Drink

Hearty, traditional pub food done extremely well is the ethos of The New Inn. Locally sourced, super fresh produce is used throughout the seasonal menu.

The New Inn Starters

Seafood starters at The New Inn, Coleford typically include battered fish bites or crispy squid. Diners may also share a baked camembert, or opt for garlicky wild mushrooms or the day’s featured soup.

The New Inn Mains

On Sundays there is of course the ubiquitous Sunday roast – what British country pub would be complete without it? Otherwise choices include veggie or meaty burgers, fish and chips, aged steaks, the fish special or a tasty meat free option such as a vegetable tagine. As with starters, the produce used to create the main courses comes from a mid Devon butcher, a Brixham seafood supplier and Dart Fresh Produce, while the eggs are laid on a Crediton farm.

The New Inn Desserts

Like the other courses, desserts here are made to tempt the tastebuds, while portion sizes satisfy the stomach. Save room for English-style puddings that are as filling as they are tasty, or go for a lighter option with some delicious Devon ice cream.

The New Inn Drinks

Local cask ales served in a thatched country inn tick the quintessentially English box once more. The bar gets busy, with locals and visitors alike sharing stories and supping fine wines and spirits as well as beer and West Country cider.

The New Inn Rooms

The range of seven rooms at The New Inn near Crediton includes an Executive Suite as well as doubles and triples. King sized beds, traditional country style decor, fluffy white towels and flatscreen TVs make a stay here ultra comfortable.

Discover room rates and reviews for The New Inn, Coleford here

The Thatch, Croyde

If you’re looking for the best pubs with rooms in North Devon, look no further. The Thatch is a local legend, and packed to the rafters in high season. Food is good old-fashioned English pub fare – without frills but delicious and filling. If you have any love for the sport of surfing, then a feed, a few drinks and a stay at The Thatch is a must. Along with the Red Barn in nearby Woolacombe, this is surely one of Britain’s most surfy boozers. You cannot stay more centrally in Croyde than this, and you’re also close to the other world-class beaches at Putsborough, Saunton and Woolacombe. There is a footpath from behind the pubs that leads directly to the beach by the quickest possible route. Everyone is welcome at this human and pet friendly pub.

The Thatch Food and Drink

The Thatch Starters

We always order the nachos to share when visiting The Thatch. A towering stack of tortilla chips, which come topped with salsa, peppers, jalapeños, cheese and sour cream. You can also add veggie or beef chilli too.

The Thatch Mains

Think burgers – veggie, chicken, fish or beef – as well as the usual pub favourites like lasagne. The Thatch also specialises in chilli somewhat, with beef and meatless variants available as main courses as well as as additions to a heap of nachos.

The Thatch Desserts

Devon ice cream and rib-sticking English classics characterise the dessert menu at The Thatch, with a list of the latest specials displayed on a chalkboard.

The Thatch Drinks

The Thatch is a free house, serving an interesting range of beers and ciders on tap. Expect to pay London prices, though – this much character and atmosphere doesn’t come cheap. It is worth it – I think so, anyway!

The Thatch Rooms

Ironically some of the rooms offered by The Thatch are not actually on site. The accommodation upstairs comprises a range of simple rooms with shared bathroom, or more spacious en-suites. As the owners are also in charge of Billy Budd’s, some rooms are there – but there’s no need to worry about a long walk home as it’s right next door and the two Croyde pubs joined by a front beer garden. One of the rooms above Billy Budd’s can accommodate a family of four. The owners also have 18th century Crosscombe Cottage, directly opposite the 16th century Thatch, plus The Priory behind that. These offer larger, more luxurious accommodation in a more peaceful position. All can accommodate anyone from a solo traveller to a couple, family or small group of friends who’ve come to soak up North Devon’s surf culture.

Find out more info about The Thatch, North Devon here

The Cornish Arms, Tavistock

Have your jam and cream whichever way round you like at The Cornish Arms in Devon. This Devon hostelry has been listed in the Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropubs numerous times, and also has comfortable rooms available. The name is derived from the fact that this was once the last coaching inn reached before tired travellers finally made it to Cornwall. Food is unfussy, but cooked and served with flair.

The Cornish Arms Food and Drink

Good food made with locally sourced produce where possible is the philosophy of The Cornish Arms’ team. Flavour is first and foremost. During summer, diners can eat al fresco in the pub’s lovely beer garden.

The Cornish Arms Starters

Meals at The Cornish Arms in Devon begin with ‘nibbles’ or ‘small plates’ rather than starters per se. Share a platter of olives, breads, teriyaki chicken wings, shepherd’s pie croquettes or fishcakes with satay mayo. Larger plates may include the likes of garlic king prawns, cauliflower soup, a pheasant scotch egg, mushrooms and truffle arancini, haddock omelette, beetroot and blue cheese salad or duck’s liver pate.

The Cornish Arms Mains

Meat eaters should be delighted by the selection here, which includes mains like seared venison loin, steak burger, roasted lamb belly, pork chop, braised ox cheek or a 6ox beef fillet. There are plenty of other options too, however. Fish lovers may choose sea bream or fish and chips, while the chicken curry and Ploughman’s apparently have a distinctly Cornish twist.

The Cornish Arms Desserts

If you’ve still got space for pud, then choose between sweet treats like fruit souffle, chocolate delice, rhubarb trifle – and of course sticky toffee pudding. At the time of writing, one of the desserts offered consisted of treacle tart with blue cheese, apple and walnut. It’s certainly different, and you know what they say about the proof of the pudding…

The Cornish Arms Rooms

Individual vintage finds, stylish fabrics and strong shades create a cosy feel in each of the seven unique rooms – Mallard Stag, Pheasant, Toad, Red Squirrel, Partridge and Hedgehog. All have rain shower en-suites, soft , super king sized beds and luxury toiletries. Mallard has its own private courtyard entrance, while both Mallard and Stag have copper baths with roll top. Hedgehog and Red Squirrel can be booked as a twins or doubles. Bold colours, panelled walls and headboards and herringbone tiling are features that give this property bags of character.

Read more about The Cornish Arms, Tavistock here

Which of the best Gastropubs in Devon will you eat and sleep at?

Which of these pubs ticks your boxes best – a cosy country inn, a surfer’s haunt in North Devon, a town pub with a top reputation, a smart seaside place or a seafood specialist?

The beautiful county of Devon is of course worth far more of your time than just a day or two. As these gastropubs in Devon are in different areas, you could always sample several while visiting Dartmoor, the countryside or the north or south Devon coastline.

Whichever you pick, have a fabulous time, and I hope that this guide has been helpful. Now all you need to think about is jam or cream first. Devon does the latter, and Cornwall the former. At least I think it’s that way round…

Polly x

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• North Devon accommodation
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• Pubs with rooms in Northumberland

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