The white, sprawled out, Moorland Garden Hotel is situated 20 minutes out of Plymouth in the beautiful Dartmoor National Park. As I drove up the long drive the surrounds were really impressive. After all it had been the byword in glamour when it first opened in the 1930’s, with visitors’ ranging from President Truman to David Niven.
What of its latest incarnation? It has been restored and re-loved by the present owners, Sonia and Brian, who, being the parents of Deborah Meadon, of Dragon’s Den fame, will I am sure know exactly what they are doing.
Every bedroom is being renovated to a completely individual design. Mine was still quite old fashioned but the four poster was comfortable and it was great too having free Wi fi. The bathroom was luxurious and well equipped; although for me the best part were the views over Dartmoor and the nine acres of private garden.
Dinner was delicious. I especially liked my gooseberry fool in lime jelly, decked out with edible nasturtium flowers. Later I met head chef, Bruce Cole, who in his year and half’s tenure at the hotel has won the accolade here of Best Restaurant in the South West. He told me that he has made it his mission to work with local producers in offering the best of what is available within Dartmoor.
Word has also reached me that the Devon cream teas are excellent too – served in either the lounge or the gardens – although this is something that will have to wait for another visit!
As I drove away I looked back at the huge unusual sculpture on the lawn, of a dragonfly. I couldn’t help wondering if it was perhaps a subtle family joke about their own personal dragon connection.
Want to know how much it is to stay at the Moorland Garden Hotel?
Rooms are from £110 per night for 2 people sharing including breakfast.
Moorland Garden Hotel
