The Old Rectory Hotel

An enviable rural location overlooking the Exmoor National Park, with delightful rooms set across three historic buildings

Devon

Barnstaple EX31 4QT

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Amenities

  • Mobile hoist

Around the hotel

  • Areas under stairs are closed in or adult height to avoid collision
  • Art can be removed from guests' rooms upon request
  • Audible alarm system throughout
  • Clear walkways/corridors throughout
  • Closed risers on stairs
  • Dimmable lighting
  • Doors to public areas kept open
  • Even light/ no pools of light and dark areas
  • Free of loose rugs
  • Handrails easy-to-grip
  • No thresholds over 5mm
  • Step-free route available
  • Windows that open

Babies and young children

  • Microwave
  • Some rooms with baths
  • Staff can access fridges for guests

Bathroom

  • Bath bench/board provided upon request
  • Bath seats provided upon request
  • Empty surfaces adjoining washbasin in bathrooms
  • Fragrance free bathroom products upon request
  • No noisy hand dryers in bathrooms
  • Shower stools available on request
  • Showers have non-slip surfaces or mats
  • Standalone showers

Bedrooms

  • Additional pillows provided upon request
  • At least one seat with rigid arms in bedrooms
  • Bed mattress firm
  • Blackout curtains
  • Level surface in bathroom
  • Light switches reachable from bed
  • No flowers or plants in bedrooms
  • Phones reachable from bed
  • Synthetic bedding
  • Windows have safety locks

Designated accessible bedroom

  • Gap under beds for mobile hoist in accessible room

Dining

  • Access routes of at least 800mm wide in restaurants
  • Dairy free, gluten free, nut free, fish and shellfish allergies can all be catered for
  • Large print menus
  • Restaurant menus available online in advance
  • Wheelchair can fit under restaurant tables

Experience

  • Lots of natural light

Hotel Policy

  • Designated spending area for service animals
  • Doors can be unlocked from outside in emergencies
  • Emergency evacuation procedures for guests with disabilities
  • Familiarisation tour
  • Fire extinguishers in public areas
  • Hotel can refrigerate medication for guests
  • Welcomes service animals

Housekeeping

  • Hypoallergenic detergent used

Outside the hotel

  • Car parking is available next to the hotel
  • Drop off area with dropped kerb
  • Hotel entrance at least 800mm wide
  • Level car park
  • Mats or non-slip surfaces at entrance
  • On-site car park
  • Well lit car parking area
  • Well lit entrance

Public toilets

  • Public toilets contrast marked or contrasting colour
  • Slip resistant flooring in public bathroom

Reception

  • At least part of reception desk wheelchair height
  • Early check-in and late-check out options on request
  • Seating and tables near reception
  • Seating with rigid arms in reception area

Staff

  • Additional assistance can be arranged in advance
  • Staff made aware of guests who may require additional assistance
  • Staff trained in welcoming guests with disabilities

Around the hotel

  • Free of loose rugs

Babies and young children

  • Microwave
  • Some rooms with baths
  • Staff can access fridges for guests
  • Staff can access microwaves for guests

Bathroom

  • Showers have non-slip surfaces or mats

Bedrooms

  • Blackout curtains
  • Safe
  • Windows have safety locks

Experience

  • Family-friendly attractions nearby
  • Games available to borrow
  • IP TVs

Hotel Policy

  • No smoking throughout the hotel building

Outside the hotel

  • Car parking is available next to the hotel

Design

  • Maximises use of natural light

Dining

  • Composting programme
  • Food waste reduction programme
  • Some organic food
  • Vegan menu choices

Energy/ Emissions

  • Low energy consumption lighting
  • Offsets carbon footprint

Experience

  • Space reserved for nature

Hotel Policy

  • Complimentary toiletries cruelty free
  • Complimentary toiletries vegan
  • Food and drink ethically/sustainably sourced wherever possible
  • Food and drink locally sourced wherever possible
  • Goods and services locally sourced wherever possible
  • Low flow toilets
  • No plastic bottles
  • Publicises and encourages use of local businesses
  • Seasonal menu choices
  • Self-sustaining water system
  • Some food grown on site
  • Supports pro-environmental initiatives or organisations

Housekeeping

  • Option to forego towels being laundered daily

Religious/cultural

  • Vegetarian menu choices

Transport

  • Bikes available to hire or borrow nearby
  • Hybrid car service

Waste

  • All glass recycled
  • All paper recycled
  • All recyclable plastics recycled
  • Alternative to PVC room key cards
  • Complimentary toiletries in recycled/recyclable plastic packaging

Amenities

  • Golf course nearby
  • Jogging map

Around the hotel

  • Windows that open

Babies and young children

  • Staff can access fridges for guests

Bedrooms

  • Bathrobes and slippers provided
  • Blackout curtains
  • Blackout curtains or blinds available in some bedrooms

Dining

  • Some organic food
  • Vegan menu choices

Experience

  • Lots of natural light
  • Space reserved for nature
  • Views of nature from hotel
  • Walking maps for local area available on reception

Hotel Policy

  • Bed linen made from natural materials
  • Complimentary toiletries not tested on animals
  • Food and drink ethically/sustainably sourced wherever possible
  • Food and drink locally sourced wherever possible
  • Goods and services locally sourced wherever possible
  • Hotel supports local organisations and/or charities
  • No plastic bottles
  • No smoking throughout the hotel building
  • Publicises and encourages use of local businesses
  • Publicises and encourages use of public/eco friendly transport
  • Seasonal menu choices
  • Some food grown on site
  • Supports pro-environmental initiatives or organisations
  • Training and development opportunities for hotel employees

Religious/cultural

  • Vegetarian menu choices

Regularly named one of the UK’s most romantic hotels, this former Georgian rectory in a tiny hilltop hamlet in Devon, offers 12 en suite bedrooms — including five suites, each beautifully finished to a standard befitting the elegance and charm of the Exmoor countryside. Each room at the Old Rectory presents a distinct character with luxurious beddings matched to big cosy chairs and heavy curtains, while particular comforts such as walk-in showers and King Sized beds are specific to each room. Room highlights include: the duplex Cottage Suite tastefully finished with an inglenook and enough space for three; the Watersmeet Suite in the Coach House, with a roll-top bath and power shower; and the charming ground floor rooms in the rectory that look out through bright windows to the idyllic gardens. 

Regardless of your room choice, guests can expect all of the usual modern comforts (including super-fast internet, tea and coffee making facilities and spring water on tap) and a thoroughly relaxing atmosphere enhanced by the owners’ genuine hospitality and attention to detail.

The Old Rectory’s environmental policies extend beyond the hotel to the local rural community, with food waste feeding local sheepdogs, and old IT equipment recycled through Devonshire charities. Staff take part in regular environmental and social training, and rainwater is harvested for use in the thriving kitchen gardens.

The Old Rectory’s guest-only restaurant takes advantage of Devon’s extraordinary wealth of produce, with local meats and vegetables sourced ethically from local farms and fish delivered fresh from the local Appledore Fishmarket. The award-winning wine list, however, is abundantly international, and lovingly curated by the owners Huw and Sam who favour genuinely enjoyable wines and surprising grape varieties over superstar vineyards. 

Dinners at the Old Rectory are convivial and homely, with modern dishes expertly crafted by head chef Thomas Frost, while breakfasts are classically British (Exmoor breakfasts are delicious and served with local eggs and bacon) and enhanced by fresh fruits and cereals. Ideally located for contemplation and relaxation with village-framed vistas of North Devon’s unspoiled undulations, the Old Rectory offers a serene retreat perfect for city-dwellers looking for an authentic English countryside escape. Here, walkers have easy access to the stunning scenery of the South West Coast Path, and the charming villages of Clovelly, Croyde and Saunton Sands are all nearby. But anyone just wanting a cosy countryside escape will be well-served by the Old Rectory’s tranquil gardens and delightfully snug communal spaces.