Heddon's Gate Hotel

A lovely, clean room and a warm welcome from Pat and Mark, who couldn't do enough for guests. It's a great spot if you want peace and plenty of nature around you.

September 2024: Sadly, the hotel had been sold about a year after our visit and is now being refurbished. I don't know what will happen to Heddon's Gate Hotel. When we stayed, it was exactly what we needed: secluded and quiet, with a clean, comfortable room, good breakfast and welcoming hosts. Mark and Pat made us feel at home and were happy to help with anything. They offered complimentary tea and cake every afternoon, and we could sit on the large patio, chat, read or enjoy the fantastic view. I found it through Google Maps when the pandemic made it hard to find accommodation for our dates. If you want lively nightlife or aren't comfortable on Devon's narrow, winding roads, it may not suit you. Otherwise, it's an ideal destination. I rarely recommend places, but I can't recommend this hotel enough.

Pat and Mark were very welcoming and proudly showed us around the recently refurbished hotel. The rooms were all finished to a high standard, and the dining room was delightful. Food was graciously served on fine bone china with crisp white linen. We shared an offbeat sense of humour with our hosts, which made the stay even more enjoyable. Don't miss Mark's tour of his Doctor Who-like eco boiler, which seems to come after Pat in his affections. They deserve to do well with this new venture.

Short version: warm hosts, comfortable beds, spacious rooms, lovely food and stunning views. Book a stay and you won't be disappointed. We only ended up at Heddon's Gate because another hotel had double-booked us, after we'd already driven for hours with two children. That turned into a lucky break. Pat and Mark made us feel at home right away and fitted us into their last available room. The next night, they moved us to a bigger one so the children had more space. They turned a pretty miserable start into a really happy stay for our family. The hotel sits in beautiful countryside, and there are plenty of shared rooms to relax in. We felt part of the place and were greeted with a smile throughout our stay. We ate there twice, and both meals were great, including a Sunday roast and a tasty curry. The photos don't do it justice, and we're looking forward to returning. It's a good base for walking on Exmoor or taking day trips to Lynnouth, Woolacombe and elsewhere.