Royal Castle Hotel

Five hundred years of history surround visitors to this ancient coaching inn, overlooking Dartmouth's inner harbour. A century after two merchants built adjacent quayside houses during the 1630s, one had become The New Inn and was later joined by its neighbour to become The Castle Inn. Further rebuilds resulted in the battlemented cornice and the front entrance with its Doric columns. Tudor fireplaces, spiral staircases and priest holes are other intriguing features, along with fine antique pieces including four-poster beds. The contemporary Nu first floor restaurant looks out over the river and is open to non-residents. A supporter of Taste of the West's 'buy local' campaign, the hotel offers an extensive seasonal menu that might include Dartmoor venison loin, South Hams beef or Dartmouth crab. Lunchtime sandwiches, jacket potatoes and ploughman's are also served in the bar, supported by a good selection of hot dishes. Curry night is every Tuesday and salt beef lunch every Saturday in the Galleon lounge.