Royal Castle Hotel

Commanding the best site overlooking the small harbour and the Dart estuary beyond, this handsome old coaching inn is a most welcoming and comfortable place to stay. Originally four Tudor houses built on either side of a narrow lane, which now forms the lofty and attractive hallway, it boasts period fireplaces, spiral staircases, oil paintings, a magnificent Bell Board, while priest holes are other intriguing features, along with fine antique pieces including four-poster beds. Of the two bars, the Harbour Bar is distinctly pubby and lively throughout the day. The Grill Room restaurant on the first floor looks out over the river. A supporter of Taste of the West's 'buy local' campaign, the hotel offers an extensive seasonal menu that includes Dartmoor venison, South Hams beef and Dartmouth crab. Lunchtime sandwiches and ploughman's are served in the bar, supported by a good selection of hot dishes, perhaps lamb shank with rosemary jus and game pie with wild mushroom sauce.