49 Best Hotels in The West Country, England

The interior of this enormous 1886 property, surrounded by gardens and perched above the sea, exudes slightly faded Victorian splendor, with chandeliers, marble floors, and traditionally furnished bedrooms that are large and comfortable. It's well worth paying a bit extra for front-facing ones that have balconies and entrancing views across the bay. Note, too, that there's a daily fee for on-site parking.

It's worth the winding drive on some of Cornwall's narrowest roads to reach the tiny fishing village that's home to this waterfront hideaway, where three 17th-century cottages have been given eclectic modern style with bleached Portuguese wood and subdued hues in the small bedrooms. Self-catering lodgings are also available. Seafood is a good choice at the excellent restaurant overlooking the diminutive harbor. There's a terrace for drinks and sunbathing, and on either side of the hotel the rugged coastline tempts you with exhilarating walks. The Lugger is 8 miles east of St. Mawes and 12 miles southeast of Truro.

Used as a guesthouse by the abbots of Cleeve in the 14th century and named for the family that occupied Dunster Castle for some 600 years, this classic inn harmonizes perfectly in style and atmosphere with Dunster village and castle. Opt for a superior or four-poster room for more space and views over the Yarn Market or the small garden. Bar meals and good ales are served in the log-fire-warmed bar, and there's a more formal restaurant.

Formerly a convent, this Georgian B&B sits directly opposite the abbey grounds, with views over the walls. The light and airy rooms are spotless and well equipped, and breakfast is served in a large kitchen, where you share one large table with other guests (choices include an energizing granola and yogurt compote). The three-story building has a chairlift for the mobility impaired; the house is a shoe-free environment (slippers are provided).

Perched on the cliffs above Port Isaac's minuscule harbor, this idiosyncratic lodging was a Victorian schoolhouse until the 1980s, and it nostalgically retains many of the features of its previous role. The hotel reverts to its former incarnation when it serves as the school in Doc Martin, a locally set TV series. Guest rooms are named after various school subjects—Geography, Chemistry, Latin—and vary considerably in size (so think about viewing the rooms before booking); most, however, have superb vistas, and some have small terraces. Bar snacks and full meals are offered in the restaurant, from baguettes to fresh seafood, Goan curry, and sirloin steaks. Limited parking is available—a rare find in Port Isaac.

Rolling parkland surrounds this stately Elizabethan manor house, which is 16 miles east of Exeter and has been converted into a hipster retreat run with energy and enthusiasm. "Fun not formality" is the guiding principle, evident from the moment you step into the grand entrance that now holds a lively bar. Public rooms have a shabby-chic coziness, with blazing fires and deep, soft sofas, while the individually decorated guest rooms are spacious and have fabulous views, as well as bathrooms equipped with roll-top baths and powerful showers. The two restaurants—including one in the garden—use produce sourced from the kitchen gardens or from within a 25-mile radius, which then create such dishes as black truffle risotto, pigeon breast, rump steak, and hake fillet. A range of treatments is offered at the Potting Shed, and you can explore nearby Gittisham, once described as "the ideal English village" by King Charles III.

You can soak up the tranquility of Clovelly after the day-trippers have gone at the 18th-century Red Lion, located right on the harbor in this coastal village. Guest rooms are decorated with a nautical theme; all have sea or harbor views and modern bathrooms. The climb up through Clovelly is perilously steep, but you can drive here via a back road. The restaurant specializes in seafood dishes.

Looking onto a placid sward of lawn in the newly fashionable Royal William Yard district of Plymouth—formerly the navy's victualing quarter—this classic Georgian building once housed naval officers and now offers well-appointed guest accommodations with a touch of class. The rooms are bright and tastefully furnished and come with modern bathrooms. It's a brief walk to a selection of dockside eateries, or a stroll across the square to Bistrot Pierre, which has a range of French-inspired meals at reasonable prices (and is where guests must check in).

Conveniently located at the bottom of the main street, this centuries-old coaching inn has counted Daniel Defoe and Edward VII among its former guests. A modern makeover has transformed the interior without sacrificing its period features and created well-equipped bedrooms that are clean and elegant (some have four-poster beds and spa baths). It's worth upgrading to a Premium or De Luxe room for more space. Hot and cold meals are available in either of the two bars. Note that there is no elevator and some stairs are a bit steep.

This 16th-century inn on the harbor front has low ceilings, exposed timbers, and steep staircases that lead to rooms with simple but stylish modern furnishings. Two rooms have small balconies where you can enjoy the breezes. The split-level restaurant, with oak beams and pillars, serves supremely fresh fish, scallops, and crab dishes.

The most luxurious Rick Stein lodgings in town are distinguished by their sophisticated and minimalist style. Excellently equipped, the spacious bedrooms have polished oak floors and either enjoy views over the harbor and estuary or have glass doors looking straight out onto the walled garden. Booking here guarantees a dinner table at the Seafood Restaurant, where breakfast is also served (unless you order the Continental breakfast in your room). You should reserve as far ahead as possible, and there might be a two-night minimum stay in peak periods.

A cool, contemporary ambience pervades this seaside hotel overlooking Falmouth Bay and fronted by a lush, subtropical garden. The public areas are sleek and nautically themed, and the young staff is especially welcoming to families. Alongside the well-equipped guest rooms are four luxury spa garden lodges, and self-catering beach apartments are also available. The modern, panoramic Brasserie on the Bay offers an adventurous menu, while Nourish serves excellent freshly made tapas and salads all day as well as pizzas in the evening, with no need to book. The pool and gym will give you the opportunity for a good work-out, perhaps followed by a pampering spa treatment.

Facing the cathedral, this former coaching inn built in the 15th century has guest rooms furnished with antiques and done in subtle, restful colors. Check out the rooms first, as some are better than others. A few have four-poster beds, and some have to-die-for views (including Nos. 40, 41, and 42, and the aptly named Cathedral Suite). An adjacent courtyard holds three apartments with contemporary decor. The restaurant serves pub classics and traditional meat and fish dishes.

Facing the churchyard in the heart of Chagford village, this inn dating from the 13th century retains its venerable character, from its part-thatched roof, granite facade, and mullioned windows to the grand inglenook fireplaces. Modern facilities are artfully integrated, most conspicuously in the smart restaurant located within a glass atrium in the courtyard. Although the guest rooms have remained essentially unchanged for several centuries, here too you'll find contemporary comforts including well-designed bathrooms. Everything from pub classics to evening specials is available in the restaurant, and the low-beamed bars exude warmth and conviviality, with St. Austell and craft ales on tap.

Strong on historical atmosphere, this central lodging housed the town's assembly rooms, where news of Admiral Nelson's victory at Trafalgar and of the death of Nelson himself were first announced from the minstrels' gallery in 1805. The Trafalgar Room, lounge, and dining rooms retain their Georgian elegance. A number of the traditionally styled guest rooms have window seats and views over Mount's Bay, though some of the carpets and corridors could use updating. If the reception is unstaffed, check in at the bar, where you might find live music on Tuesdays and Saturday evenings.

In two mellow Victorian buildings overlooking one of Clifton's leafiest squares, this somewhat functional hotel makes a useful base for exploring this part of Bristol. Rooms are decorated in neutral colors and are mostly spacious; rooms 229 and 247 open directly onto a small walled garden. Hotel parking is limited but street parking is available with a permit (both options incur an extra charge). Bus 8 from Temple Meads station stops right outside.

Originally a 16th-century coaching inn, but given a Victorian makeover, this gray, rather austere, turreted pile close to Boscastle's harbor makes a welcome place to return to after an energetic ramble along the coast. The turret rooms are good choices if they are available, but most of the guest rooms are spacious with plenty of quirky historic character. The traditional restaurant and bar serve tasty pub food and Cornish ales, and there are lovely gardens to the rear. Three cozy self-catering apartments are also available.

Guests have been welcomed to this inn since the 15th century (it's even said that Oliver Cromwell stabled his horses here), and the main building retains all the period trappings—cobbled entrance, beams, stone walls, courtyard—while the bedrooms, both in the main building and in a separate wing, are relatively modern. The hotel has a casual but atmospheric bar-restaurant where you can order such dishes as steak-and-ale pie, curries, and burgers; guests who book accommodation direct receive a 20% discount on the restaurant bill.

This venerable 17th-century coaching inn has counted the eminent statesman William Pitt the Elder among its guests, and, since his visit, it has retained much of its antique style. Today, though, the guest rooms are spacious, comfortable, and modern, with all the amenities necessary for a night or two. A range of foods is available in the bar and restaurant, including a hearty brunch.