The Ilsington Country House Hotel is a family owned and run hotel situated in 10 acres of its own land inside the boundaries of the Dartmoor National Park within sight of the spectacular Haytor rocks. The hotel prides itself on its relaxed atmosphere, friendly staff and award winning cuisine. The Restaurant at Ilsington has held 2 AA rosettes for over ten years and Mike O’Donnell has been Head Chef for over 20 years. This ensures excellent quality, consistency and seasonality. There is also the Blue Tiger Inn - the onsite Bistro which offers an a la carte menu and is open throughout the day in a more informal atmosphere with the addition of al fresco dining.
There is a range of accommodation from the standard ground floor rooms through to the newly refurbished deluxe rooms and suites - offering luxury bathrooms and plenty of comfort. All rooms have lovely Moorland views.
The hotel’s Spa won South West Tourisms Spa and Wellness experience 2017 and offers a truly relaxing experience. The Spa includes: heated indoor pool, hydrotherapy pool, sauna, steam room, fitness suite and treatment rooms. Also, nearby is an all-weather tennis court should you wish a more vigorous form of exercise.
Hotel Details
The hotel has been owned and run by the Hassell Family since 1998. Fourth generation, Devon hoteliers with a keen eye for detail and with staff who know how to make you feel at home. Packed with traditional character and a laid-back vibe unwind in whatever way takes your fancy. The two beautiful lounges are perfect for a game of afternoon chess and a cream tea (there are three to choose from) or book some pre-dinner spa time either in the pool or with one of the therapists.
Every bedroom is individual, all are comfortable and homely finished in what is best described as a country style. A rolling renovation progression means the introduction of extra little touches like tropical showers into some of the more deluxe rooms. All rooms are en suite with tea/coffee making facilities and complimentary homemade flapjack, 32-inch flat screen televisions and designer toiletries. The far-reaching views out over Dartmoor are captivating whatever the season.
ROOM TYPES
- Standard Rooms
- Country Rooms
- Superior Rooms
- Deluxe Rooms
- Suites & Family Rooms
- Single Rooms
Free WiFi is available throughout the hotel.
Ilsington Country House Hotel and Spa Dartmoor National
The Ilsington has one of the most acclaimed restaurants in South Devon. The proud holder of two AA rosettes it offers the perfect balance between traditional classics and comforting Modern English cooking served with sweeping views up towards Haytor. Alternatively, try the Blue Tiger Inn for a light and lazy lunch. Traditional Devonshire cream teas with homemade scones can be taken inside or enjoyed on the lawn.
Fresh local produce inspires a diverse and regularly changing restaurant menu. Cheese is all from the West Country and free-range eggs are laid on site. Carnivores are well catered for with lamb, beef and pork born and bred on the moor, fish is from the day boats at Brixham and travels no distance at all. Head Chef Mike O'Donnell has been at the helm since 1997 and has consistently developed his food as trends have changed. Whether foraging for ingredients around the hotel grounds or collecting eggs from the hotel's hens he is keen to make the most of Dartmoor's larder.
Conveniently located within the hotel, the Blue Tiger Inn is the hotel's own 'bistro' style dining and drinking area and combines rustic charm with contemporary touches. It offers a simpler menu served all day and a more relaxed atmosphere than our main restaurant. Pop in for a restorative morning coffee, enjoy a light snack on the large sun terrace or invite friends over to supper.
The meat (Bresaola, air dried ham and salami) and fish (salmon and mackerel) on the sharing platters are all smoked and cured in house using the hotel's own recipes. Other sharing dishes include cheese fondue, a selection of dips served with homemade flatbreads and the family favourite - chocolate fondue served with fresh fruit. For something more traditional try one of the well-hung prime Dartmoor sirloin steaks or maybe the homemade pork, leek and apple sausages. On the bar are several well kept local cask ales from Devon favourites like Otter and Dartmoor Brewery to help with rehydration along with premium sprits and mixers to enhance that pre-dinner cocktail.
Weddings
With its unique location, nestled in between the picturesque rolling hills of Dartmoor, The Ilsington provides the ideal backdrop for a romantic wedding. The glorious countryside setting combined with first class service and award-winning food, together create the components for the perfect day. Whether you require an intimate wedding ceremony or extravagant reception, The Ilsington will assist in every way with the arrangements for your special day.
The hotel is ideal for smaller intimate weddings with rooms suitable for both the ceremony and reception. The Ilsington can accommodate up to 60 without the hotel needing to be booked exclusively (dependent on time of year and entertainment requirements). For larger weddings over and above 60 people, the hotel can be booked exclusively for your special day. With use of the lounges, Restaurant and Hound Tor Suite along with the grounds of the hotel this gives you plenty of flexibility to have the wedding of your dreams.
Maximum numbers: Formal dining up to 120, plus an extra 30 for an evening function. The Islington are licensed to hold civil ceremonies enabling couples to get married in fabulous surroundings overlooking the magnificent Dartmoor National Park.
Meetings
If you need to inform, inspire or motivate your colleagues or conference delegates, The Ilsington is one of the most well located conference venues in Devon. Boasting spectacular Dartmoor views, award-winning food and a countryside setting, The Ilsington is perfect for smaller meetings and team building sessions. Located midway between Exeter and Plymouth, yet only 4 miles from the A38 the hotel is easy to get to.
The team at the hotel have many years of experience organising conferences and will be on hand to organise a programme to suit your requirements. What's more, the extensive grounds and proximity to open moorland and tors make outdoor activities easy to organise for any size conference group.
A highlight of all overnight conferences is the superb food and relaxing Spa which is why many Companies return time and time again to Ilsington.
Location
Dartmoor covers some 365 square miles and is a walker's paradise not to mention the cycling, horse-riding, kayaking and climbing it offers. Its wild landscape has been defined over millennia by forests, fast flowing rivers, vast stretches of open moorland and volcanic rock formations called tors. The hotel sits perched high on its eastern flank in one of the most spectacular parts - in the shadow of the iconic 1,500 feet high Haytor - perfect for working up an appetite on. The bright yellow gorse and abundant purple heather put on a mesmerising show through late summer and into autumn. Conan Doyle's 'hound' used to roam these parts and Steven Spielberg chose the area to shoot parts of his film 'War Horse'.
With the hotel just 3 miles from the main A38, the glorious coastal towns and harboursides along the South Devon coast sit only slightly further away - Dawlish is about 16 miles as the raven flies. Nearby towns like Tavistock, Bovey Tracey and Moretonhampstead are all worth a visit. The Ilsington's location allows you to enjoy the best of coast and country, open moor and frozen in time villages - all the ingredients for an idyllic Dartmoor holiday.
