Wilder and less restricted than the rest of Devon, the north of the county has a comfortingly old-fashioned, low-tech feel. Prices are generally cheaper than the more stylish resorts of South Devon, so it’s a great option for large families, large groups and those on a tight budget. Hotels tend to focus on honest service and value rather than ostentation, but there are a few notable options that offer both, and these are included in the selection below.
There’s a wonderful variety of options available, from tranquil manor houses set in landscaped gardens, to amenity-filled Victorian seaside hotels, intimate thatched-roof inns, sophisticated adults-only cottages and fishing cottages. We’ve covered all of North Devon’s main destinations, including Woolacombe, Clovelly and Exmoor National Park, as well as a few more off-beat spots that offer peace and solitude, even in the height of summer. Here are the best hotels in North Devon.
How we review
Each hotel on this curated list has been visited by one of our expert reviewers, who are often hosted free of charge. They stay at least one night, sample at least one meal, and try out other experiences the hotel has to offer.
The best hotels in North Devon at a glance
The sweeping views and huge beds make this one of the most romantic B&Bs in Devon. Set on a lushly wooded hillside overlooking the coastal towns of Lynmouth and Lynton on Exmoor, the six-bedroom house is a great base for outdoor enthusiasts. Each of the six generous rooms has its own ‘special beds’: the Summerhouse has a huge Rococo headboard, the Hollerday has a four-poster bed and The Cleaves has a magnificent six-foot-wide Jacobean bed. Each is dressed in sumptuous silk throws, soft linen and feather-filled pillows, and positioned to take advantage of the views. The strict no-child policy means guaranteed peace of mind.
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One of the best places to stay in North Devon, Northcote Manor offers a quintessential English escape to the countryside, with its tranquil setting amid 20 acres of manicured lawns and native woodland overlooking the River Taw. The comfortable rooms are in keeping with the manor’s surroundings: the Kings Nympton room, for example, has a four-poster bed. Others, such as the Dragonfly suite with its private terrace, have their own special features. The award-winning restaurant is renowned for its creative Devonshire cuisine, with attentive and knowledgeable staff. Make time for the inviting pool and spa during your stay.
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The Red Lion is a welcoming country inn on the harbour side of picturesque Clovelly, offering some of the finest views in the country from its bedroom windows. You can hear the waves crashing from each of the eleven elegant country rooms. The views from the double-aspect windows of Room 5 are some of the best in the UK: on one side the ever-changing sea; on the other side the beautiful Clovelly harbour and the glorious coastline of north Devon stretching into the distance. Meals are served in the restaurant or in the intimate pub, and much of the seafood comes direct from the harbour’s fishing boats.
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On the edge of the coastal town of Woolacombe, the hotel is a five-minute walk from the stunning three-mile-long, dune-fringed Woolacombe Beach. Purpose-built as a hotel in the mid-Victorian era, Woolacombe Bay Hotel is a large, gabled building with attractive period features, including an Edwardian lift that is still in operation. Facilities include a large open-air lido, a smaller indoor pool, a boutique gym, fitness classes, a thirty-seat cinema, tennis courts and a championship-sized pool table, and a truly delightful spa.
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This is a rare breed of hotel that manages to be both family-friendly and romantic, with indoor and outdoor pools, ample lawns and a sun terrace with plenty of space for everyone. What’s more, its beachfront location overlooking the North Devon coastline and Lundy Island is simply stunning. At the quiet end of Woolacombe Bay, the hotel has private steps leading down to Combesgate Beach, a small, sandy cove that’s great for bodyboarding and rock pooling, but is rarely crowded even in the height of summer.
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Budding anglers come to this comfortable country house hotel in Lifton to benefit from expert tuition from one of the UK’s longest-established fishing schools, or to enjoy the hotel’s exclusive 20-mile fishing rights on the River Tamar, as well as six of its tributaries. Best of all, the food, courtesy of chef Steven Pidgeon, is authentic: the best local produce, including Cornish scallops and wild black sea bream, tournedos of Devon beef and local farm cheeses, cooked with care and skill.
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This 14th-century thatched inn is in one of the most beautiful locations in Devon, overlooking Lynmouth harbour, with impressive views across Lynmouth Bay and Exmoor National Park. Inside, it’s wonderfully shabby and unkempt, with a fire-lit bar, Exmoor cask ales, award-winning food and friendly locals. The 14 rooms are individually decorated in a tasteful, traditional style, leading up to the cluttered corridors and narrow, creaky staircases. The restaurant serves traditional pub favourites, using local produce such as Lynmouth Bay lobster caught on the door, Exmoor game and Porlock Bay oysters.
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Surrounded by lush, manicured gardens and neatly trimmed lawns, The Old Rectory is a stark contrast to the wild and bustling surroundings of Exmoor National Park. Among the best boutique hotels in North Devon, there are plenty of nooks and crannies where you can kick up your feet and read your favourite book. But the best place in the house is the Orangery, a large conservatory with big, soft sofas, glossy magazines and garden views. The 11 rooms are decorated in distinctive styles, from rustic French to more contemporary, such as Toiles De Jouy wallpaper in pastel blues and pinks.
Contributions by Anna Turns