Dartmoor Devon B&B's, Hotels, Self-catering, Camping & Youth Hostels and Camping Barns

The White Hart Hotel at Moretonhampstead. Please note this hotel is now closed.

Jan 2012
Hotel Closed.
Food review dated
Tuesday 3rd August 2010.

by Jill Pendleton

Very much a case of good kerb appeal, the entrance columns
at The White Hart Hotel in Moretonhampstead proclaim
this to be a hotel of substance.

The window boxes are well tended and the reception
area is bright and cheerful.
So we are surprised that there are not more customers when
Pat and I call in for lunch in
the early days of August.
Let's hope that the food is as good as front of house.

Let's check it out.

I recognise the two customers sitting in the smart lounge at the front of the hotel where the reception desk is, and not wanting them to call out 'Hello Jill, are you here to carry out a food review?' we head for the bar at the rear.

Where the barman, well barboy to us really, greets us with a cheery word and hands over the menu which tells us that terrine is on offer at £6.50. I ask him terrine of what? And he dashes off to the kitchen and coming back to tell us that today's choice is a smoked ham hock. That sounds good to me and Pat opts for fresh sardines at £5.95.

 

Pat is one of those amenable dining chums who will happily share a side order of chips with me, so that also went on the tab. Sad to say there is only one other customer here too. A lone chap sits at the bar reading and draining a beer glass, and before long he disappears too. Pat nips to the loo and 2 older aged very obvious tourists arrive in the room.

 

She comes with lipstick and expensive gold jewellery. He is decked out in up to the minute golfing sportswear. She too nips out to the lavatory and he snatches the menu and I'm instantly reminded of the American guest of Fawlty Towers who demands that Basil bring him a Waldorf Salad when the hapless Basil clearly doesn't know what that might possibly be. The couple have spoken very little but I pick up what I think is a Canadian accent. He cannot avoid making small growling sounds as he scans the menu, putting it down and then picking it up at least 4 times. Mrs. returns and smilingly asks him what he has decided. ' I've decided we're off' he says, and strides out of the door!

Well that's a shame really because Pat and I enjoyed our meal. See photo left ! My chunky pate is very tasty and improved even further by the spoonful of gooseberry chutney on the side of the plate. The chips were 10 out of 10.
I see from their website that the White Hart has a November special offer coming up. Spend £75 in our award winning restaurant and bar, then stay in one of our superior rooms including English breakfast for free. If that means that the bill for 2 people comes to £75 then you get free bed and breakfast then that's a real bargain. I only live about 3 miles away from the hotel, but you never know, I might even consider that one for us, after all we could share a bottle of
wine then and not have to think about driving home until after breakfast the next day couldn't we? It's our wedding anniversary early on in November, so that's a good plan. Will let you know how we get on. I always like staying somewhere on Dartmoor. A short drive, no airport, food that you like and great walks to enjoy.

I have just rung the hotel and the deal is indeed for £75 bill for 2 people. So here is the link for you to have a look.

My favourite tearoom (Dartmoor Tearooms) is to be found in Moreton, but sadly it is closed until next Spring,
as they have 'something serious to attend to' with their roof.
Maybe if the building work becomes too depressing they could move into the White Hart for a few nights in November !

 

The bill for our lunch came to under £20. Will I go there again ?
Yes and I am surprised that we didn't see more customers. By the way, they do have a car park.

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