Holne Chase Hotel and Restaurant by Sarah Shuckburgh

Just inside Dartmoor National Park, and only five minutes from the A38 Devon Expressway, Holne Chase is a haven of a boutique hotel, in a stunning location. A long drive, lined with azaleas and rhododendrons, leads to undulating parkland surrounded by ancient oak woodlands. The river Dart runs through the valley, with two miles of private fishing and lovely walks.

The facilities

The wisteria-clad boutique hotel, once a hunting lodge for the abbots of Buckfast Abbey, today offers a warm welcome, excellent food, and a relaxed, comfortable base for exploring Dartmoor. On a fine day, you can sit with a drink on the terrace and gaze at the view. On cooler days, sit by an open fire with one of the boutique hotel’s many books on Dartmoor.

Owners Sebastian and Philippa Hughes offer livery for horses (£25 per night), and claim to be Britain’s most dog-friendly hotel, with a unique doggy spa offering bath, dry, full clip and pedicure (£42) as well as special beds, towels and dog menus. Children are also welcome at Holne Chase – except in the dining room in the evenings - and there is a baby listening service.

The rooms

There are nine rooms in Holne Chase's main house, of different shapes and sizes, some facing the beautiful view and some not. Some rooms have showers rather than baths. The décor is pleasantly old-fashioned, with sprigs and chintz, old photographs and sporting prints. The former stable block has been converted to make cosy two-storey suites. There is also a cottage which sleeps six, with open fireplace, Aga and private garden. All rooms in this boutique hotel have DVDs, telephones (with no extra charges), and bottles of local spring water.