Mr & Mrs Smith

The best devon cream tea experience for us is to be had at nearby Postbridge on Dartmoor. Forget prissy plates and delicate doilies this is the "Proper Job!"
The garage/post office does a takeaway version with piping hot tea in a paper cup, 2 fist sized scones with a mini pot of jam and delicious local clotted cream. Cross the road to the ancient clapper bridge and picnic dartmoor style by the side of the stream. You will then need to take a long walk accross the moor to make room for a fabulous Endsleigh dinner!

Hotel Endsleigh is the perfect place for a weekend break. We booked in for Valentine's and the hotel went to extra effort to ensure their guests were able to enjoy everything. Lovely weather enticed us out onto Dartmoor for long walks, made even nicer by returning to the hotel's welcome. Dinner in the hotel on both nights was a set meal, but excellent nonetheless. The only downside (because we booked late) was that we had Room 12, which was spacious and warm but only has views across the roof.

Hotel Endsleigh in May is stunning and on this trip we were blessed with really good weather. Top tip: ask for a rug and flask of tea (very obligingly supplied) and go and bask by the river under a tree.

Tavistock is worth pottering about in for an afternoon. I picked up some great vintage tea cups and saucers in the market. The cheese shop, on a corner of the market, is also worth a visit. We always come back laden with delicious goodies.

I have booked a couple of massages on weekends at Hotel Endsleigh (supplied by an outside provider). Both times the service has been reliable, of decent quality and good value for money.

A must-not-miss is the Dartmoor Inn at Lydford – a little bit of a drive from the Endsleigh, but well worth it. Food, ambience and service was all top notch!

Nathan Outlaw in Fowey, a fabulous restaurant for a special occasion. It is about an hour from the hotel, so not for the faint-hearted, but it is in a quaint fishing town. Allow plenty of time before the table reservation for parking, as you need to find street parking and it can be quite a walk – however, the plush, cosy environment and fabulous food make it well worth while. Princetown tourist information on Dartmoor are also really helpful. Takes about 20 mins from the hotel, and they know everything there is to know about local walks of varying difficulty. They suggested a lovely easy walk for us, and with plenty of tips too. A valuable resource if you want to make the most of the beauty of the moor.

Hotel Endsleigh is incredible all year round because it is in such a beatiful setting, hidden in valley overlooking the Tamar. The hotel is full of understated charm, with really discrete, helpful staff. It is not at all flash, so do not go expecting room service/spa/cable TV etc. We spent a wonderful weekend walking in the woods, sitting by the fire, drinking tea and watching the mist rolling over the valley.

The afternoon tea is an absolute must. Eat a light lunch! It is served from a large table in the library groaning with a selection of delicate sandwiches and so many cakes!

For this stay, we opted for the lodge. This gave us lots of space and our own fire and fridge, but we did miss being in the main house. It was a bit of a pain driving down the drive for breakfast and meant one of us could not drink at dinner (and Hotel Endsleigh's wine list is very drinkable!)