Bovey Castle Hotel & Spa

Dartmoor National Park, Newton Abbot, TQ13 8RE

From £299.50 per person

Our customer rating: 5/5

About

The glorious Dartmoor National Park is wild and wonderful at the same time, and the fabulous Bovey Castle Hotel provides a dramatic base from which to explore the area. The building itself is spectacular, offering a sense of history and an air of elegance. Outside, you'll find a stunning golf course and hundreds of acres of natural beauty.

With Dartmoor right on the doorstep, you'll find plenty of things to do and see nearby. The towns of Torquay and Paignton are within easy reach, so be sure to visit the celebrated English Riviera. The delightful city of Exeter, with its superb shops and picturesque cathedral, is also just a short drive away.

The hotel offers 60 supremely comfortable bedrooms and more than 20 self-catering rural lodges, so overnight stays are always a pleasure. Make sure you spend some quality time in the luxurious Elan Spa, with its iconic art deco swimming pool. Fine dining can be enjoyed in the Great Western restaurant, which boasts 3 AA Rosettes, as well as in the stylish Smith’s Brasserie.

Popular Facilities

  • Swimming pool
  • Poolside whirlpool
  • Sauna
  • Steam room
  • Solarium
  • Relaxation room
  • Gymnasium
  • Sun terrace
  • Wellness Studio
  • Smith's Brasserie
  • Great Western Grill
  • 18-hole Championship golf course
  • Outdoor activities
  • Bike hire

Packages

Bookings & Advice024 7671 6192

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Spa Deal - SAVE UPTO 35%

1 Night Time to Relax Spa Break

  • 1 treatment, up to 55 minutes
  • Overnight accommodation
  • £50pp allocation towards dinner in Smith's Brasserie or the Great Western Grill (food only)
  • Full English breakfast
  • Full use of the leisure facilities
  • Complimentary use of towels, robe and slippers
  • Check in from 4pm - Room departure 11am
View full details

From £299.50 per person

2 Night Time to Spa Break

  • 1 treatment, up to 55 minutes
  • 2 Night accommodation
  • Full English breakfast
  • Full use of the leisure facilities
  • Complimentary use of towels, robe and slippers
  • Check in from 4pm - Room departure 11am
View full details

From £419.00 per person

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Get in touch

Contact us for bookings and advice

Prices from £NaN per package

Details

Towel and robes providedYes
Length of pool18m
No. of treatment rooms5
Dual treatment roomsYes
Lockers availableYes
Product houseTemple Spa, BeautyLab and Jessica Nails
Dress for lunchNo
Minimum age16
Local attractionsDartmoor National Park,The Miniature Pony Centre, Exeter Cathedral, National Marine Aquarium Plymouth, Pennywell Farm and Beaches of South Devon
No. of bedrooms60
Check-in time16:00
Use facilities before check in timeYes
Dress codeSmart/casual (no jeans or sportswear)
Hotel Accessible accessYes
Car parkingComplimentary valet parking
Pets welcomeYes, £25 per night

Facilities

  • Swimming pool
  • Poolside whirlpool
  • Sauna
  • Steam room
  • Solarium
  • Relaxation room
  • Gymnasium
  • Sun terrace
  • Wellness Studio
  • Smith's Brasserie
  • Great Western Grill
  • 18-hole Championship golf course
  • Outdoor activities
  • Bike hire

The Spa & Wellness at Bovey Castle Hotel & Spa

Check-in, then-chill out at the Elan Spa at Bovey Castle. This sanctuary within a sanctuary feels far away from the bustle of modern life. Echoing the flow of the River Bovey beneath you, everything here is designed to help you drift into bliss.

Put your worries down, and your feet up, cocooned in the comfort of your warm, fluffy robe. There’s a sprinkling of chic deckchairs to lounge on at the fabulously art deco swimming pool, with windows overlooking the river. Or feel the sun on your face when, in the summer months, these spill out onto the sun terrace.

Soak up the heat at the sauna or steam room, or enjoy the poolside whirlpool. Then it’s time for your decadent treatment. Try a tailor-made Templespa facial, for skin that glows with natural health and beauty. Body treatments are transformed into relaxing rituals, while massages help you rediscover your inner calm. There’s also luxurious gentlemen's treatments on offer so everyone can float out of the Elan Spa feeling brand new.

The Gym & Fitness at Bovey Castle Hotel & Spa

Turn your spa break into the start of a healthy new you with a trip to the gym at Bovey Castle. With a full range of Precor cardiovascular and strength equipment, it’s ready to work out whenever you are. There’s also the Elan Studio for virtual and face-to-face wellness sessions including yoga, pilates and meditation.

Prefer to exercise in the sunshine? Reconnect over tennis or croquet, or go on a power walk. Get lost in the grounds by yourself or join an organised walking tour, like the one-hour romp around Bovey Castle’s deer park. It costs £30 but it’s worth it to learn all about these beautiful creatures.

Hire a bike and helmet from reception and cycle around the grounds, or lace up your walking boots to discover Dartmoor. There are 275 acres of it on the hotel’s doorstep, but if that’s not enough, friendly staff can suggest plenty of scenic strolls around the local villages and beyond.

Restaurants & Food at Bovey Castle Hotel & Spa

The indulgence continues after a day spent pampering. Pack your glad rags because the restaurants at the Bovey Castle Hotel reflect all the glamour of the glorious building itself.  

Built back in 1907 as a private mansion, it once belonged to the WH Smith family. Not only has Bovey Castle Hotel & Spa managed to retain all of its original sophistication, it also adds its own incredible hospitality thanks to not one but two AA-rosette-winning restaurants.

Smith’s Brasserie

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served in the relaxed, one AA-rosette-winning Smith’s Brasserie. Tuck in to a Mediterranean-inspired menu, served with a side order of stunning views across Dartmoor National Park. Relax on cosy seating while savouring homely classics like fish pie or a club sandwich, or share a selection of small plates after a morning lounging by the pool.

Great Western Grill

Enjoy fine dining in fabulous art deco surroundings at the Great Western Grill. With three AA rosettes, you know you’ll be in for a treat. The food is the star of the show as it showcases the very best of Devon, from Exmoor beef to seafood from local coves. There’s a full à la carte menu to enjoy so sit back, relax and pretend you’ve been transported back to a bygone, glamorous era.

Spa Location

Bovey Castle Hotel & Spa

Bovey Castle Hotel & Spa

Dartmoor National Park
Newton Abbot
TQ13 8RE
01647 445 000

Get Directions

How to get to the Spa?

By train: The nearest train station is at Newton Abbot, a 35-minute taxi ride away. Or there’s Exeter St Davids, which is a 42-minute drive. Both Newton Abbot and Exeter St Davids offer direct trains to London Paddington.

By bus: Bovey Castle Hotel & Spa is in the wilds of Dartmoor, so bring walking boots and a sense of adventure if you want to get there by bus. From Exeter you can take a bus to Moretonhampstead, then change onto a 671 going towards Newton Abbot. The stop nearest Bovey Castle is still a 22-minute walk away.

By car: The postcode for your satnav is TQ13 8RE, but the hotel strongly recommends you follow these directions or you might get stuck down some of the very narrow lanes Devon is famous for.

From the A30: exit at Whiddon Down, the junction signposted Moretonhampstead A382. Stay on the A382 for 5.5 miles then turn right to follow signs for Postbridge and Princetown, marked B3212. Stay on the B3212 for approximately 1.5 miles, Bovey Castle is on the left.

From the A38: exit at the Drumbridges roundabout signposted Newton Abbot/Moretonhampstead/Bovey Tracey. Turn left to Moretonhampstead on the A382 and stay on this road for 9 miles into the centre of Moretonhampstead. Turn left, towards Postbridge (B3212) and continue for approximately 1.5 miles. The entrance to Bovey Castle is on your left. 

Parking: Even the parking at Bovey Castle Hotel & Spa is luxurious! Enjoy complimentary valet parking as soon as you pull up the drive.

Reviews

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Anniversary celebration
  • 5 Service
  • 5 Quality
  • 5 Satisfaction

We were greeted by smart & friendly staff throughout our stay. The hotel kindly upgraded our room and left chocolates for our 25th Wedding Anniversary. The spa was very relaxing with massages and time around the pool. The grounds are beautiful and we were lucky to have warm sunny days which meant we could enjoy coffee on the terrace. The bars & lounges feel very luxurious and are nice to spend the evening in. The Brasserie is more modem and the food was lovely. Breakfast felt more special in the Great Western Grill. We will definitely look forward to returning.

Emma Tayler, Devon

Beautiful location
  • 5 Service
  • 2 Quality
  • 4 Satisfaction

Bovey Castle is a very special place the visit. The spa treatment rooms and area are very relaxing and well presented. The pool is separate from this and for the use of other hotel guests and children too. There is one steam room and one sauna (which was out of service when we were there) so this area is limited and the changing rooms have seen better days. The set menu however was lovely and overall it was great value for an enjoyable spa evening.

Charlotte Hobbs, Ivybridge

Blissful day relaxing
  • 5 Service
  • 5 Quality
  • 5 Satisfaction

I had a fantastic day relaxing at Bovey Castle spa yesterday. The staff at the Elan spa were so kind and friendly and my treatments were wonderful. Lunch was delicious, and the grounds are just breathtaking. If I were to give any constructive feedback, it would be the steam room seats. The temperature was perfect in there, really hot, but it meant it was very uncomfortable sitting on the marble which was also very very hot! No big deal, I took a towel in! But just advice to others. Really wonderful day, thank you so much.

Kate Ward, Exeter

Bovey brilliance
  • 5 Service
  • 5 Quality
  • 4 Satisfaction

A lovely spa break, one of the best facials I have had. The hotel was amazing, real 5 star treatment. We were expecting to eat in the Western restaurant but sadly it was closed which was disappointing. The food in Smiths Restaurant was still good though. Fabulous breakfast. We will definitely return. Thank you.

Sharon Eddy, Kent

Sort of relaxing
  • 5 Service
  • 4 Quality
  • 3 Satisfaction

We arrived at a frantic time. The spa was filled with splashing children and the noise level matched what you’d expect at Butlins but not in a relaxing spa. Despite signs that jumping wasn’t allowed nobody was there to enforce this and so it was impossible to use the pool because of screaming and jumping children. The changing facilities were small. What saved the experience was the level of friendliness of the staff and a wonderful meal at the end of the experience. I’d probably come back to the Brasserie but I’m somewhat disappointed with the spa experience.

Ute Behr, Exeter

Peace and Serenity
  • 5 Service
  • 5 Quality
  • 5 Satisfaction

I was desperate for a peaceful weekend away from all the stress, and I found just that when I visited Bovey Castle. The first thing you notice about the place is the serenity, and I’m pleased to say it stayed that way from Friday right through to the Sunday. The food was wonderful, the grounds were impeccable and the spa was the most relaxing place I’ve ever visited. I have every intention of coming back again soon, and I have a feeling I might become a very regular visitor!

Emma James, Bristol

Loved it!
5 / 5

Lovely place to stay - beautiful well maintained grounds, and staff were so caring and attentive. Big thank you to the young man at reception and housekeeping who were with us within 2 minutes of...... Read more

Mixed bag, dog tolerant not friendly, beware of hidden surcharges.
3 / 5

Mixed bag. This is the second time we have stayed at Bovey Castle but the first with our dog. My brother kindly got us a Virgin Experiences gift voucher for a one-night stay with a spa treatment...... Read more

A Tranquil Retreat at Bovey Castle
5 / 5

From the moment I arrived, the exceptional staff surrounded me with warmth and genuine hospitality. Their unwavering commitment to ensuring an enchanting stay was evident throughout my visit. The...... Read more

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Bovey Castle Hotel & Spa do afternoon tea?

Of course! And it would almost be rude not to try one, seeing as you’re in Devon. Each afternoon tea menu is freshly prepared each day and served in the whimsical art deco surroundings of the Great Western restaurant. 

On the menu you can expect to find the finest collection of finger sandwiches, puff pastry savouries and fruit scones that arrive at your plate, warm and straight from the oven. All of which are accompanied with authentic teas in china cups, or a glass of something blonde and bubbly.

Does Bovey Castle Hotel & Spa have a swimming pool?

It does, and it’s a beauty. The heated, indoor swimming pool is 18m long and lets you do laps in glamorous, art deco surroundings, all admiring stunning views over Dartmoor National Park. Lounge on a deckchair or enjoy the poolside whirlpool, steam room and sauna. The swimming pool is adults-only from 7am to 9am and again after 5pm until it closes at 8pm.

Does Bovey Castle Hotel & Spa have accommodation?

There are 60 individually-designed bedrooms across this historic manor, so you'll be spoilt for choice when it comes to picking a room for your spa break. Every room oozes elegance - expect delicate taupes, greys, sage greens and pinks, along with sumptuous fabrics and high-spec fittings. When you’ve finished admiring the decor, you can pour from your own decanter of estate-made sloe gin.

The Classic rooms boast king or queen-sized beds and views over the courtyard or woodland. Valley Rooms enjoy sweeping Dartmoor views, or try Grand and Junior State rooms for your own separate living spaces and dining tables.

What are the check-in and check-out times for overnight stays?

Check-in time at Bovey Castle is 4pm, but you’re welcome to arrive earlier and use the facilities, have lunch and make yourself at home. And you’ll check-in in style! There’s valet parking (sometimes by a member of staff wearing tweed plus-fours) and a personal concierge to carry your bags. Check-out time is 11am but the hotel is flexible here too, subject to availability.

Is Bovey Castle Hotel & Spa family-friendly?

Very. Children can splash in the indoor heated pool between 9am and 5pm, and younger spa-goers can try the Power Breakfast Facial or have a manicure and pedicure if they’re accompanied by an adult. 

There are lots of family-friendly rooms and cots, highchairs and stair gates can be provided. Let them work up an appetite on the swings, slides and trampolines in the play area, before a delicious home-cooked meal at the laid-back Smith’s Brasserie. They can even have their own afternoon tea.

Activities are laid on during the school holidays when, for an extra charge, those aged 7 to 14 can try their hand at camp fire building, archery, air rifle challenges or even off-road driving. Little ones can feed the fawns or baby goats, collect the eggs or meet some friendly ferrets. You can hire bikes, or get everyone out on a walk. They’ll love the Brass Rubbing Trail - a clue-led adventure around the grounds.

Is Bovey Castle Hotel & Spa pet-friendly?

Bovey Castle is so dog-friendly it’s won awards for its hos-paw-taility. As long as your four-legged friend is at least six months old and house-trained, one medium-sized dog can stay in Single, Mews and Classic rooms while a maximum of two medium-sized dogs can stay in other room types. Dogs are charged at £25 a night, per dog, with advance notice.

Furry family members can let off steam in the 275-acre estate - pick up a booklet from reception that’s full of great ideas for walkies. Dogs are welcome to join you for afternoon tea or dinner in the Cathedral Room, and back at the room they’ll have their own bed and bowl.

Does Bovey Castle Hotel & Spa have a golf course?

Yes it does. The championship 18-hole golf course surrounds the historic manor house and it was designed in 1926 by one of the leading British golf course designers of the last century, J F Abercromby. Both challenging and beautiful, with its Dartmoor backdrop, there’s also a driving range, putting green and short game practice facility. Visitors are welcome to play throughout the year, but do book in advance.

Do you need a handicap to play golf at Bovey Castle Hotel & Spa?

Yes. The golf course at Bovey Castle asks that all visitors have an official CONGU handicap – a maximum of 36 for men and 54 for ladies. There’s also a dress code of soft spike golf shoes, and no jeans, tracksuits or trainers (but you can wear shorts with sports socks).