Duchy House B&B in Princetown, Dartmoor
Jill Pendleton's review of this Bed and Breakfast on the 26th of May 2010.
It was a dull and miserable day when Jane and I popped over to take a look at Duchy House and we were at least 20 minutes late, but Ernie part of the husband and wife team didn't mind a bit and immediately offered us tea.
We asked if we could see the accommodation first, so he took us off on a tour of the guest sitting room and four bedrooms.
Many places these days are striving to get a contempory feel for guests. With standard white crockery, bland walls and predictable furnishings. Duchy House is not like that, it's very much a family home which Hilary and Ernie share with visitors from all over the world. There are family photos around the place and ornaments that make a house a home.
It's an Edwardian house with generously proportioned rooms. The residents lounge on the first floor also enjoys the view, has a large comfy suite and large screen t.v. It has books and information leaflets on local attractions for guest's use.
The layout of bedrooms at Duchy House covers all requirements. A double, a twin, a family room and a single bedroom.
Room 1 is a larger than average light and airy room at the back of the house.
Which has the benefit of a large en-suite shower room with dark crimson suite. Note the large radiator above.
Room 2 is also a large room which overlooks the garden and courtyard at the back of the house.
It has a wash hand basin.
Room 3 at the front is a very large family room complete with double and single bed and a view of Dartmoor.
It also has a wash hand basin.
Room 4 is the single room right next to the family room, so if a family with a teenagers and toddler arrive, the perfect solution is right here. Toddler in with Ma and Pa and an older child just a wall away.
Rooms 2, 3 & 4 share a shower room. Each room comes with a hospitality tray and a bowlful of chocs.
The breakfast room with separate tables is on the ground floor.
You can order a packed lunch at £5 if you are going off walking. Full English breakfast is of course included in the price. There are 2 local pubs, both serving food are an easy walk away.The bed and breakfast offers plenty of off road parking.
And Ernie is happy to help carry your bags in.Over tea in the kitchen, Ernie tells us that in their list of regulars are a couple from Italy who never miss a year without a dose of Dartmoor at Duchy House and a lady prison visitor who travels down via train, bus then taxi. She arrives in a tired state, but as Ernie says "we soon help her to recover and she does enjoy her visit to Dartmoor whilst she's here".
As ever on the way back, Jane and I chatted about the visit and summed it up, we thought it's a bit like a visit to
your favourite Auntie's house. Not smack bang up to the minute trendy, but very comfortable and somewhere you
know you'll feel utterly welcome and will want to visit more than once.
Duchy House B&B, Princetown, PL20 6QF Telephone: 01822 890552, Email.
To see more of my reviews click below
All photos by me Jill Pendleton of www.dartmooraccommodation.co.uk
