The Hunters' Inn in North Devon

In a word: appalling. We ordered two ham and cheese panninis - nothing too complicated there you'd gave thought. First, they got the order wrong: annoying but not the end of the world. However, we had to wait almost 50 minutes for the food we ordered to arrive, after having chased it three or four times and being told each time that it was coming. The staff were either untrained or incompetent. And we had to pay a 10% service charge!

We stayed in the Lodge that is attached to the Hotel - along with our 2 dogs. It was very clean and very well equipped. Since this is self catering with a full kitchen we did out own breakfast but booked dinner each evening. Food was good - fish was delicious - whole thing made better as the dogs could lay down beside us in the dining room. Staff were very attentive and obliging. The walking is super - even though it was rather cold in the North wind all paths are shale as they are suitable for the disabled "trampers" vehicles. All in all we thoroughly enjoyed our time there and hopefully will go again.

We arrived on June 5th for 2 nights to celebrate my birthday on the 6th. Could not fault our room. Very spacious and clean. Shouldn’t name staff personally but Jodie and Alex deserve a special mention. They have the attitude that if you see a job needs doing, do it. Meals were also well presented and tasty. Enjoyed our walk to Heddon Mouth. We were blessed with lovely weather. Derek the peacock was beautiful. Thank you to all involved for a wonderful stay.

My brother and I decided that we were going to go on an old boys (We're 64 and 62) walking holiday. We used the National Trust Book 100 Great Pub Walks. The walks did not look too arduous and the pubs look good. What an amazing surprise we were in for the walks were gorgeous and the pubs superb. All seven we stayed at obviously were bed and breakfast, some in the book aren't. We decided to head to Devon, Dorset and Wiltshire as an area we did not know too well. This was pub, and walk, One. This pub is hidden deep down Heddon Valley, it is a large character full place. The staff were friendly and our room was perfect, with a balcony and a stunning view down the valley. We had a lovely evening meal and a hearty English breakfast. We had started the adventure with a small amount of trepidation, we didn't know any of the pubs, but this beautiful place put us right at our ease. A brilliant start to the week,

Food mediocre or even terrible. Baked potato with filling. Slow service. Then it seemed like cooked day before and reheated. Vile taste. Really horrid.

Called in here for lunch after our walk to Heddon mouth,the staff were so friendly and the food good. Can recommend the fish and chips and the fish pie.

This hotel could be something incredibly special - it's location is absolutely beautiful (as long as you don't mind a steep country lane drive!) and there is a charm about it. However, there were many things there just didn't sit quite right. We booked through Booking.com and paid to upgrade our room. On checking in, we found our room was the basic kind and whilst it was still a nice, spacious room - it was not what we had paid for. When we returned to ask if we could change, the manager informed us that the hotel was full and stated he would be available to sort a refund on the day we checked out. He was not, and whilst his lovely staff scrabbled around between them to sort the refund on check out, it was clear that they had been left in the lurch.  We booked a table for food on our first night with some friends who were staying in the area - most of whom ordered the various types of burger on the menu. These arrived and looked outstanding, everyone was delighted. Then came my vegan chilli ( I am vegetarian but used to the only vegetarian options also being vegan, totally fine), what I'm not used to, is recieving a thimble of rice and beans. No attempt at garnish or anything to elevate it either. Whilst my thimble provided a great source of entertainment to the burger eaters I was with... I was still hungry. I then treated myself to dessert which came out frozen, when the staff were made aware they replaced it... with a burnt one! The waitresses were lovely, but £17 for the world's smallest portion of basic beans and rice, baffling.  In summary, a great spot for walkers but some real attention required to give the tired hotel rooms some love, a bit of enthusiasm from management and memory of the fact that vegetarians still like food too! 

My husband and I very much enjoyed our stay at The Hunters’ Inn. It was very busy over the Easter period but the manager Ash and his team were relaxed and friendly and happy to help with any queries. Our room was amazing and spotlessly clean -exceptional value for money. We ate in the restaurant two nights. The food was plentiful and good. The position of the hotel is superb with stunning scenery and beautiful walks from the doorstep. We will definitely make a return visit at some point.

Now this is what I call a pub. Ash and his team are amazing. With a great sense of humour! Very helpful. Food was very good. The rooms are clean and amazing. The cleaners are chatty. The bar staff actually take the time to talk to you. The locals, are different 🤣🤣, this one guy called nick! Very dry, But if you understand his sense of humour. Then you’ll get on fine. The costal walks are stunning. Definitely be back. Very memorable weekend.

Great selection of local beers/drinks. Good Food. Lovely good sized room. Best of all were the staff, especially 'Ella', who was great. She was severely multi-tasking, but brilliantly, with excellent hospitality and friendliness!

Stayed for one night. I slept really well but my partner didn't......I had earplugs in! We were above the kitchen and there was a door below that was repeatedly slammed whilst service was going on and it started again early in the morning. Not the wake up call we wanted for our relaxing break. We counted hearing it slam 5 times in the space of a minute. The extractor fan in the kitchen went on all night too. The evening meal was ok but the cooked breakfast was not of a high standard. My tomato was overcooked and tasteless and I would guess the scrambled eggs were powered and microwaved. The black pudding was so burnt and crunchy that I could only attempt to try it by picking it up like a biscuit. So my advice is, check your room is not over the kitchen and have breakfast elsewhere.

Beautiful little pub, girls behind the bar were lovely and attentive. Lots of lunch options to choose from, the kids loved it!

Lovely pub, staff need work bloke with long hair swanning about making a mess by the fire, young girl behind the bar to busy on her phone to deal with customers.

Stayed with our dog for a three day break for our 25th wedding anniversary and couldn't have been looked after any better. We were put in room 3, which was spacious and very clean. Great breakfast, and even our dog got a sausage every morning. The chef was very accommodating to my wife's dietary needs in the evening. The starters were the size of a main course, and everything was homemade. Even the stock used for cooking was made from scratch as our dog was given a stock bone. The prices were surprisingly less than you would pay at some local 'gastropubs', as were the bottles of wine. Excellent location for walking to Woody Bay or Lynmouth from the Inn. Special thanks to Mandy during the day and Zane in the evenings but all the staff were great.

This place used to be so great but it’s really suffered in the last 12 months or so. We were told to pre order when the table was booked, then when we called to pre order we were told it wasn’t necessary. Then when we went to order Sunday roast we were told the beef had run out. The roast we ended up with was fine. Went to order pudding, but no puddings are sold after 3pm (wish we’d known that!). Staff are young and could do with some serious training. We ended up feeling like we were spoiling their party, (playing loud music, shouting to each other, ignoring us). It was only 3:15 and we felt very unwelcome. Such a shame. They gave us a discount on the bill (which we didn’t ask for) which was appreciated, but this place could be (and used to be) much much better. Let’s hope they can turn it around. One pro is that it’s very dog friendly.

We’ve visited at least ten times over the last dozen or so years. Today’s lunch was disappointing. Firstly, there was much less choice on the menu than on the one I’d seen online (though the burgers we had were nice). Secondly, three attempts to produce a fizzy soft drink from the tap produced one which was okay but still not great. Thirdly, the young staff spent much longer talking amongst themselves than serving or clearing tables. And for all of this the management has the cheek to add a 10% service charge to the bill, which you pay at the bar before you’ve eaten. I would strongly recommend that people ask for this charge to be removed and decide for themselves whether a tip is justified.

Awful. The National Trust should be ashamed of itself in outsourcing food at this fabulous location. The meat in the steak and ale pie was OK but everything else was dreadful (the button mushrooms in the pie, the carrots and mange tout, the mash (was this packet?)). The scampi and peas were an overcooked disgrace. For the quality of the meal presented the cost was ridiculously high.

Stayed for 3 nights in Room 7. Room large and extremely comfy. Had dinner all three nights & good quality every night. Second visit and will definitely stay again.

Had dinner with the family in October 2023. Food was good - whoever is in the kitchen did a great job. Front of house was okay but a bit amateur. Main thing that needs attention is the ambience. From the outside the building looks great. Inside it’s a bit formulaic. For example, it’s a Victorian/Edwardian hotel but you sit under bright, modern ceiling lights… there’s no lamps at a lower level. Basically they need someone with a proper eye for design to advise them. It lacks atmosphere. I suspect it’s run by a management operation with a narrow financial focus and little warmth or love for the location.

Disgrace Disgrace Disgrace It was more like a convention for the local village idiot. I heard the F word four times. I was only there 15 minutes. At least McDonald’s staff are properly trained.

We were able to get a short notice booking here on Sunday evening and enjoyed hot food and friendly efficient service. The menu is simple, wholesome and well prepared our of us ate completely different starters and mains and all were served together and without delay. Recommended if you’re in the area - many thanks to the team!

We arrived at The Hunters Inn for our pre-booked lunch, we were greeted by all the staff who made us feel welcome and comfortable. The atmosphere was relaxed and the staff were very helpful. We ordered the Sausage Roll with spicy chutney and the Chicken...

This place is a hidden gem!! We stayed here after a 4.5 hour drive from portsmouth, And we’re so glad we did. The building itself is beautiful. The bedrooms were beautiful. And The breakfast was the nicest breakfast we’ve ever had. But most importantly, the...

We were shown to our table on arrival. But weren't informed that there was a specials board in the other room. Service was very slow. Even though there seemed to be plenty of staff. Food was average

I am a local resident who has always loved the Heddon Valley and, until recently, the Hunters Inn. However, since being taken on as a franchise by "Bespoke Hotels", under licence to the National Trust, standards have really slipped. Sadly, the experience is now anything...

Heddon’s Mouth is an absolutely beautiful place for a walk and having this pub to finish up in is a gem. Fabulous old building, recently acquired by the National Trust, set in the most picturesque place around. The restaurant, bar and beautiful gardens can accommodate...

What a find. Lovely old inn with nicely appointed rooms and wonderful views. Set in a deep valley full of trees but with a wide garden (and friendly Derek the peacock), this inn offers friendly trained staff and a stunning chef. The meals were outstanding....

We visited to find out some information on the inn as a family members relation had previously run it, the current manager and his staff were very helpfull and went out of their way to find us as much information and pictures as they could!...

We had a bacon Brie and cranberry baguette. very good served with salad, crisps and coleslaw and a ploughman’s with fresh bread butter, pork pie, cheese, salad, pickled onion and apple. Both were very good. My only problem was that we were charged a 10%...

It really is paradise!! Beautiful area and fantastic hotel, the staff are so helpful and friendly.. the manager even lent us his office fan on a very hot evening, not that we actually needed it as we had 4 opening windows in our room! Even...

Although we were expecting simple pub grub we both had a really lovely meal. While the soup and beef pie were simple they were cooked well and very generous in portion. The goats cheese and beetroot salad had an unusual combination of flavours and it...

We arrived 15 mins before closing time on a bank holiday weekend. With an infant and young child, we were afraid we had missed last orders, and had no where else to go nearby. Luckily the manager found a way to accommodate us and three...

Disappointing. Bland. Hunters Chicken was dry. Prawn Linguine tasteless. Staff were friendly enough but seemed harassed and too few to serve the numbers booked in for dinner. The restaurant was also advertising for a Chef! Which explained a lot.

It’s very sad to see that the Hunters Inn, which could be an absolute gem has been condemned to a life of National Trust mediocrity, after they bought it 2018. It’s being run for the NT by Bespoke hotels, which from my brief research is...

One of the friendliest, most accommodating places I’ve been in a long time. Lovely staff and a beautiful location with food to die for. Can’t thank the staff enough

Arrived at this lovely location for pre booked table. Ordered 4 main dishes from menu which took 45 minutes to arrive. Unfortunately, the food was not great when it eventually arrived. We also felt with the exception of the man that took our order, who...

After a hard but breathtaking walk along the coastline, Thank goodness we had the foresight to book lunch at the Hunters Inn.A small but perfectly formed menu snd a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere.My husband and I had the shared Ploughman’s - spot on . Lovely pie , cheese pickles etc and anyone that serves me a pickled egg has my vote !!Only irritating thing is I forgot to ask where the exceptional tomato chutney came from which was served with our daughter’s sausage roll !!!Many thanks- we will be back !!!!

Well. What a wonderful weekend my wife and I have had. Arriving at the hotel after a day on Exmoor, it was such a lovely sight to see it at the bottom of the valley and even with the scaffolding on, it was just lovely. Throughout our 2 night stay the staff were amazing and made us feel very welcome. Check in was easy and we were soon in our room - with a 4 poster bed, a lovely view of the surrounding valley and a large bathtub :) The food was fantastic, although I was a bit sad they ran out of chocolate brownie on the second night - far too popular!!! All in all, a great hotel situated in an amazing valley with lovely staff, a great chef and wonderful feel.

Staff amazing. No table available so they made one up for us. Great food and very dog friendly. Perfect place to start or end a fantastic walk . A great country pub . We are going back. Don’t expect Michelin food but do expect a great welcome and a lovely convivial meal. Loved it

We had a lovely walk and lunch this week. We booked a table for lunch, and I’m not sure we would have got in if we hadn’t. There was a significant delay before our burgers arrived, but that wasn’t an issue as we weren’t under time pressure. The burgers were very good.One word of caution - we had our spaniel with us. He’s very used to pub lunches (!) and lay quietly under the table. There were four or five other dogs in the restaurant, several of whom reacted noisily when the pub’s beautiful peacock made an appearance outside the window. I had the impression that non-dog-accompanied lunchers were not happy with that. So I would say this isn’t the place for people who are uncomfortable around dogs.

We stayed at the Hunters Inn in 2011 and loved it. We were staying in the area again over New Year and were walking back from Heddons Mouth, a lovely walk. We stopped in for a drink and snacks in the bar as we had a mucky dog with us - they are very dog friendly. The restaurant was fully booked on New Years Eve and the bar was busy too but the staff were so very accomodating and patient. It's a great pub / restaurant / hotel and on many of the local walks. Ideally situated and we will certainly return again when we are in the area. If you are planning to eat in the restaurant I think it's best to book ahead.

Have been visiting Heddons Mouth & Hunters Inn for many years & the hotel has definitely been smartened up & improved of late.A few days ago, despite the wind & rain we had a very enjoyable walk down the Heddon Valley to the sea & then back for lunch at the Inn.Very friendly & efficient staff & a nice welcome.The soup was probably amongst the nicest we'd ever had & the vegan sausage sandwich was great too, according to our vegan friend. It certainly looked it. Couldn't resist the Malteser & Bailey's Cheesecake.I'm sure we'll be back before too long!

Visited on Wednesday 01st September 2021 After visiting Barnstable we made our way to Martinhoe for a short circular walk to the Heddon's Mouth and back to The Hunters Inn Pub. Access is via a very narrow road both in and out. Car parking is a National Trust operated one nearby to the pub. The pub when we visited had covid access restrictions when ordering but I had to wait at an empty bar for a good few minutes as the 1 bar staff member had to go off to make another customer a coffee. We sat outside and restricted ourselves to a drink, and enjoyable views of the in house peacock which parades around the place, but I've eaten here 20+ years ago and it was nice then! Has a rear garden that doubles up as the access route to the path down to Heddon mouth.

Was recommended by our hosts - worth the drive through very dark and windy country lanes. Food really tasty and decent portions too. Would definitely recommend it

Visited here for lunch after walking the area. Lovely sandwiches (we had the beef and home made fish finger). The table next to us had the scones, which looked delicious and I was sorry I was too full to have one!! . Very Friendly and welcoming staff. Would definitely return when next in the area.

We ate here on a recommendation by a friend. It was worth the trip. The menu was limited but understandable due to time of year and the current hospitality industry staff shortages.The food was great, large portions and the view of the gardens whilst eating were great. Staff were great.After lunch we took the opportunity to walk to nearby heddens mouth through the grounds. Weather dependent I would suggest you do the same.

We stopped for lunch with two dogs and were greeted by a lovely lady, seated quickly and served quickly. Great drinks, great food and wonderful service.

Nestling near the sea in a hidden valley close to the heart of Exmoor this should be a great place for lunch whilst walking . We had a table near the bar , service to order took a while , the food even longer and when it came it was dried out , just edible. Being half term it was busy but I’d hope for much better

Best beef sandwich ever with crisps and salad. Efficient friendly staff in beautiful valley. My wife had salad and cheesy chips.tea had her favourite oat milk

Rather soulless, which is a great shame in such a beautiful location. It felt like a cheap chain pub- overlit and lacking care. Starter good but main (a risotto) poor and small portion, especially regarding the price.

Stayed here for two nights in a very nice room at the top of the hotel. The Heddon Valley is beautiful and it's an easy hike along the river to the sea at Heddon Mouth. The hotel itself is an old Victorian hotel and from the outside is very inviting with a couple of peacocks strutting their stuff in the grounds. Ate there on both nights and also enjoyed a hearty Ploughman's when we arrived at lunchtime, good choice of local Exmoor beers and overall the food was very good but a little expensive and the service was excellent.The hotel is pretty isolated and doesn't have a lot of competition which is a shame as the only thing that let it down is the lack of a good bar which means a lack of atmosphere.The inside has been stripped of all its character unfortunately as somewhere called the 'Hunters Inn' should reflect its past in same way - yes there are a few old black and white photos around but it needs wood panelling, stags heads (whether you approve of hunting or not - and I don't) and a roaring fire, unfortunately the Hunters' Inn has none of this and whether because of Covid I don't know but it didn't even have a bar, so after eating your evening meal you're left to sit at your table in an all too common grey, minimalist stark room, which is a shame. The front 'bar' has the potential to be just that, a warm, welcoming bar to relax in - it obviously was at one time and maybe they'll restore it at some stage, but it was empty with no service and no seating, just a lone ice cream freezer to serve the passers by during the day being the only thing that literally lit it up.As mentioned all this might be down to Covid so I hope in the future the bar area is refurbished and restored because at the moment it's really letting the place down.Rating wise I would give it 'Good' rather than average - but I think it could be a whole lot better.

We had dinner at the Hunter's Inn on night 3 of walking the SW Coast Path. We didn't stay there as it is an expensive option, and so was dinner. The menu had a good choice and the service was friendly and willing. The food tasted good but there were several small things that could have made the way it was served and tasted a better experience. To be fair this was the first week of opening after lockdown so I hope such issues have now been resolved.

Rather unusually this hotel and restaurant is owned by The National Trust. We ate here twice, 8 days apart, and the menu had changed on our second visit – which is good. Both times we had an enjoyable meal, however if you were staying in the hotel you might find that the menu isn’t as extensive as it might be. The restaurant itself is very pleasant, but being in the National Trust Heddon Valley roads in and out are narrow and twisty.

we stopped here for a drink halfway through our coastal psth walk from lynton. It was really busy outside so opted to sit inside. We ended up ordering food , which was well presentd and really tasty(we had chicken burger and chips) .The staff member who served us throughout our stay here was really friendly.The place inside was really clean

Fantastic fresh lunch with local products. Prompt friendly service, large portions, reasonably priced. Lovely place to eat after a walk to the sea. Always made welcome and our 2 dogs also.

After a long walk we were looking forward to a hearty Sunday lunch and a few drinks but ultimately left a bit underwhelmed. It's difficult, I know, for establishments to cope with post covid issues of staff shortages, supply difficulties and social distancing in venues, so of course we must be patient and understanding.The menu, by necessity, was simplified and with limitied choice but unfortunately uninspiring for any of us. Particularly as we had hoped for a Sunday roast option, but they're not doing it at the moment. A few of us had the buttermilk chicken but found it pretty tough. There was nothing wrong with the dishes but they lacked anything particularly flavoursome and it was all fairly safe.When we arrived we were shown to a table tucked away round a corner in a room at the back. After almost 15 minutes I had to get up and go back to the main bar to ask for some drinks to be served. We did then get service and the server was cheery and willing but not experienced - there's no fault in that but we had initially been forgotten about.The place lacked any atmosphere. Or maybe that was just the part of the ground floor we'd been put in. You could see that there has been a fairly recent refurb of the place and they've got the look spot on - with that and the location/setting this place has bags of potential. I hope that our experience was down to Covid teething problems and that they recover to deliver the potential of such a fantastic pub.

We had a very enjoyable lunch stop here during a walk along the South West Coastal path. The ploughman’s was delicious, the staff were very friendly and attentive (despite it being very busy), and the whole meal was good value for money. Could do with a few additional dessert options otherwise very good, and we will be back!

Dropped in for a spot of lunch, having walked the coast path from Lynton. It was very busy on the outside tables, as it was a warm sunny day, but by the time I returned with our drinks, my wife had found a free table. We ordered some food, a cheese and pickle sandwich which was huge, and came with crisps and salad, and a side order of cheesy chips. The food arrived pretty quickly, and was delicious. Perfect fuel for the return walk.

Food was good and service was excellent. We stopped here for lunch after completing the 9km walk. We had sandwiches and shared a portion of cheesy chips. I say sandwiches but this does not really do it justice!! I had the roast beef and my partner had cheese and pickle. Both were served in rustic baguettes. Excellent portion sizes, really fresh. Cheesy chips were smothered!! Perfect!Would recommend (just be warned that is not cheap and is busy!!)

Stopped for a drink whilst on a long costal walk we were doing. Managed to get a table and they were happy to provide just drinks however couldn't resist the cream tea which was simply delicious and presentation was stop on, great friendly quick service even though they were obviously very busy.

A very disappointing lunch. We chose Tuna baguettes, these turned out to be sandwiches made from a very doughy bread. Not at all what we expected. The atmosphere is very much cafeteria, not really what the name implies. Won't be bothered to return

The location is stunning and off the beaten track with an amazing walk to the beach at Heddons mouth. The food we had in the evening was pleasant, the staff were very friendly and efficient and the cost was reasonable

We came across this by pure chance and wow what a find this was, amazing surroundings, lovely inside and out and superb quality food, service was amazing and catered for my allergy- Well worth a visit

Lovely pub with yummy food. A great place to eat before or after walking around the area. Excellent service from friendly staff. Would definitely visit again.

This place is tucked away in a beautiful valley it is not on a main road but certainly is worth finding, good beer and great food, and the staff are very friendly and helpful, great walks all around so worth booking a table for the end of your walk.

Had a fantastic pub lunch here today. Steak & Mushroom baguette on artisan bread and a fish goujon sandwich on fresh white bread, with triple cooked chips. Staff were lively and outdoor vibe was very tranquil. Food arrived quickly and was very much value for money. We had parked in the National Trust car park which was 100 yards away but there were also cars parked on the roadside and there was a car park for residents/patrons too.

Always come here when we are camping nearby. We love the walk down to Heddons mouth. We usually have soup or similar for lunch which is superb. Unfortunately since the National Trust have taken it over, and no surprise, the prices have rocketed. We just had a pot of tea which at £4.50 was probably what we expected but home made fish fingers on a slice of b&b was £9 ???? Not that we wanted that but just showing the extent of new pricing. Childs food over £7. The problem with the NT is they have places that are remote (like Watersmeet) so nothing else there, and no competition. Very disappointed. Beautiful spot though if money no problem.

We had a lovely meal the setting was beautiful, however, £1.50 for a glass of‘FREE’’ tap water seems a bit over the top. We didn’t have starters but they did look large. We would have loved to have stayed longer and gone gone a walk.Service was friendly.

Beautiful location, its a shame this experience was so horrible. With a young family things can always be a bit tricky so we try an be fair where we go.When we arrived parking was a bit of a struggle as hikers use this beautiful area to do their walks, the only parking available is for residents only (keeping in mind they only check in at 15:00 and all you want is a quick family lunch) The COVID parameters and guides are a joke, the staff joke and croud around and when you want to go to the toilet they make you walk around the building, I mean seriously they had 1.5 years to fine tune this. I even overheard another lunch goer complain and actually gave up going to the toilet.The food is serverly overpriced for what you get, we kept asking the waitress how does some items look or come with and she just said I don't know, never bothered to find out or come prepared with any information. When my sons meal (kids querter pounder with cheese burger) arrived it had no cheese, all it was was dried bread with a tiny patty and they ask £7 for this. Most prices are couples night dinner prices and to be honest the food is tasteless. As I said this is a beautiful location and it sad to see service like this. There are other amazing places to go and eat if you want a delicious meal and a fair price. Try The Squires or Barricane Beach Cafe

Great staff, all extremely friendly and very welcoming! The location of B&B is simply stunning and extremely hard to beat! The food was extremely tasty, the service we couldn’t fault at all! Room was good. Sadden that we couldn’t spend more time there! Defiantly will recommend and we look forward to returning in the future!

We’ve visited Hunter’s Inn several times over the years - I even remember the peacocks from when I was about 8! This time we visited for a light lunch after a morning walk. We had to queue for a table but were happy to do so in the summer weather - and it is always encouraging to see somewhere so popular! We sat down within about 15 mins on a table outside with an umbrella for shade. Drinks were brought out quickly, staff were busy but still made sure everyone was seen to and we were happy with the service. The food was lovely, my mum having a GF apple and celeriac soup and me and my husband having crispy chilli beef and a portion of chips. Better still two peacocks made an appearance, sitting up on the balcony for all to see. A great experience and we’ll be sure to visit again soon.

A vovely location and good parking. Beware of the steep hills.Very covid aware set up.Good food but with limited veggie choice. Very friendly waitress served us.

If they haven’t got enough staff to provide a minimum level of advice, perhaps they should reduce the number of customers they are attempting to serve. We arrived Sunday lunchtime at 1:50pm. Sat at an outside table after checking with the waitress that it was table service and waited. Half An hour later, called another waitress over who asked if we wanted our bill (plates from previous customers still waiting to be cleared). Explained no, we’d like to order. She wasn’t able to do this, but would let the other waitress know. 10 mins later managed to catch her eye and ordered. Tea was less than hot and well stewed. When food finally came out, cheese and pickle in rustic baguette had no pickle. Again another wait to catch a waitress but eventually gave up and went to the door to ask for some pickle. Another 10 minutes and we were brought bacon jam as run out of out pickle - didn’t mind that but don’t just ignore that half the main ingredients are missing. My steak and mushroom rustic baguette was cold but I’d given up by then. Cheesy chips are overpriced. Nearly 2 hours for a quick lunch - we perhaps won’t be back until they get some staff as not fair in their existing ladies who are trying

We stumbled upon the hunters inn almost by accident, and what a welcome accident it was. The scenery around the pub is magnificent and so peaceful. We stopped for lunch and the food was excellent. Not the cheapest but a nice treat. The staff were really helpful and friendly, particular shout out to Georgie who served us, she was so lovely. We will definitely return!

Great place to stop for lunch while on a coastal walk. Fish and chips , fish finger sandwich and a pint . Good portions of food all served hot and very tasty , staff all very friendly what more could you want on a sunny day after months locked up.

Stayed for two nights. Rooms were good but food was massively overpriced, very scaled down menu due to covid which is fair enough but no way worth the money. Pre cooked bacon and sausage on the breakfast despite being extremely quiet. Wouldn’t recommend

Great food, had a pie that was one of the best I've ever had, not often you can cut into a Steak and Ale pie and the inside just stays in place, plus the pastry was superb and such a reasonable price.

First time visiting here for dinner. Food was lovely especially the Carrott & Coriander Soup.Covid measures in place quite well. Staff friendly & helpful.The only thing i didn't like was the drive down and out of there in the dark, but it was worth it.

Having visited the restaurant last year with family after a beautiful walk to Heddon Mouth, I was keen to take my husband for a hotel stay. We stayed in a superior double, a beautifully decorated and spacious room with everything that you need plus a very clean ensuite. The whole hotel is following all covid guidelines very well. We enjoyed an amazing meal with drinks in the evening, all table service and the staff were extremely attentive and efficient. The weather was absolutely grim, but we felt so safe and cosy, cwtched up in this beautiful part of North Devon for a couple of days.

We took our two dogs for a few nights away in the Exmoor area. The Hunter's Inn had a self catering apartment attached to the pub, meaning that we could opt in and out of meals, or self cater. On arrival the staff were friendly and at all times helpful during our stay. We were shown to our apartment which was spotless, well equipped and perfect for us and the dogs. We had dinner in the restaurant on the first and third nights. I had some of the strong Exmoor 'Beast' which was excellent, together with a memorable ploughmans. We went for a walk the next day to the beach nearby and had a sandwich lunch, before exploring elsewhere. Our Breakfast on day 2 was very good indeed and we had dinner on the third evening. The highlight of all of the food over the three days was a pulled lamb tagine with rice. Absolutely perfect in every respect.In all we had a memorable three days and will return again as soon as possible. The room was ideal, the surroundings were great and the service was first class and cordial at all times

Great food in terms of taste and quality, plus locally-sourced and free-range meat options, but I was expecting larger main-course portions for the money we paid. The staff were generally very nice too, but I came away feeling a bit short-changed, partly because I was still hungry after the main course and needed a pudding to fill the gap. I really fail to see how a tiny portion of lamb tagine and a small mound of rice with no veg can be priced at £17. The pricing does seem inconsistent, with some larger meals costing less than the smaller ones. There was very little in the way of vegetables so we made a special request (and paid for) additional peas. The standard side dishes on offer all seemed to be chip-based or bread-based. At least our expensive meals provided some help to the National Trust, but I think maybe they are using the location and 'charity' aspect to justify the unreasonably high prices.

We have just spent 4 nights at the Hunters Inn. We would highly recommend it to anyone wanting a relaxing break in breath taking countryside with woodland and coastal walks. Our room was comfortable, clean and fairly big with beautiful views. Good selection of beers and a good menu. The staff were all friendly, polite and very helpful. Places like Watersmeet, Valley of Rocks, Lynton and Lynmouth are all a short drive or a good walk away and well worth visiting. All in all a fantastic stay.

We had a rather unremarkable and expensive (for what it is) dinner at an isolated table in a cavernous room. The service was rather abrupt and the atmosphere destinctly lacking.

Now owned by the National Trust of which we are members. Always visited The Hunters inn and enjoyed the restaurant.We went on 30th August and although the food ( except for the poor frozen chips) and service were good the atmosphere seems to have been sucked out of the placeThe restaurant needs a bit of colour on the walls and a few pictures would look good And less of the NT corporate signage. If I spend £££s on food I expect to look at something more interesting than a badly painted wall or cupboard door.Hopefully the NT can at least restore some buzz like it had under the previous owner.

I always book into the Hunters Inn when I am in the area from Bristol. There are many beautiful walks that start at this point, but we park further out and use this as a halfway point for lunch on our walk. We always have very good quality food. Visited most recently on the 30th Aug. A one way system is in place, the usual screens at the bar etc. A queuing system is in place outside the main entrance which felt much safer than squishing inside. Friendly staff member took our details for track and trace and everything was well organised. Had a lovely ploughman’s lunch this time and sat in the garden which is beautiful. The pub itself is a rather nice building too. There is a wonderful further rear back garden which we have been in before with play items, but is understandably shut at the moment. Can’t wait to return. Have added some photos too.

A wonderful spot to start and end beautiful walks. And good food and drink, plus amazing service. Will visit again!

We booked The Hunters Inn as it is National Trust. The exterior of this Inn looks amazing apart from all the scaffolding at the back. The staff at the Inn do NOT wear masks I found this quite disturbing at meal times when they serve you a meal whilst leaning right across you especially as some staff are relatively young. The dining area looks as if it has been furbished from a junk shop. Miss matched chairs, some sort of black things sticking out of one wall , and the "piece de resistance " was the bucket in the dining room collecting the drip from the ceiling. This is a dog friendly Inn, which we did not object too, however on the table next to us a family were feeding their dog by hand from there own dinner plates, this dog which was smelly was then drooling all over the carpet , not what you want to see whilst eating your main course.The food is poor I have eaten better food at a little Chef.No fresh vegetables just a mound of peas and my fish and chips looked exactly the same shape as the next diners?? my husband had the cheesecake which he needed a knife to cut through it was so hard.The coffee tasted burnt like it had been sitting in a coffee pot for days. The tea was no better.Our room was the twin beds as requested, however the room was at the top of the stairs with a door on either side at night these doors are constantly banging !!The pillows on my bed were like a piece of thin cardboard , I believe the room had been redecorated but they forgot to replace the scruffy carpetI had a possible 4hrs sleep.We did book a two night stay but I really couldn't bear another night so we checked out the next morning.We did speak to the manager who kindly refunded our meal and did not charge us for the second night. He did stress that according to the government regulations the staff are not obliged to wear masks !!I have to say although the guests are told to wear masks when moving around inside some do not and I felt very worried about Covid.There are arrows on the scruffy carpet and hand sanitisers , a bar person was at one point at the bar with his shirt half unbuttoned and a dirty tea towel over his shoulder !! It is not cheap to stay here.PLEASE NATIONAL TRUST SEND SOMEONE TO INSPECT THIS PLACE !!!!!!

We had a two night stay here midweek, it's a fabulous old building (in need of quite a bit of work both inside and out. The food was excellent but the menu is a bit limited. Good beers and wine and (mostly) friendly staff Haley, Rosie and Richard in particular were very professional and friendly. The rather short rotund afternoon barman tho was rude and dismissive!! Lovely walks around with a nice little cove and beach about a mile walk away, other lovely walks around but a bit more challenging for some. Our room appeared to have undergone a makeover but unfortunately not to a very high standard. The shower head was broken, bathroom and wardrobe doors VERY hard to open, dirty stained curtains at the doorway to the shared balcony, rusty dirty table and chairs on the balcony, a loose plug socket front beside the bed and a broken main light shade. This all sounds pretty bad BUT all could be put right quite easily in two/three hours by a decent handyman. This would be a superb place to stay given a little care and consideration and none of the above little issues ruined our stay.

Had a great meal this evening having had drinks earlier in the day. The hotel is set in an amazing building in a beautiful location. The food and beer was excellent, as were the staff. Covid measures are appropriate. Thank you.

We stayed for a two-night break. The location is part of the National Trust and the hotel is managed on their behalf - and we loved it. It is easy to follow the NT walks out and about along the cliffs and out to Heddon's Mouth - just be prepared for the steep paths. We ate at the hotel and enjoyed the food. The staff were excellent - cheerful and attentive. Would love to return.

Outstanding food. First class and polite staff. Nothing was too much trouble. Came for a meal with my husband and the service we received was amazing. Felt totally safe with all the COVID-19 measures in place. My husband is an ex chef and said the cheese garlic bread was the best he had every tasted. Can not recommend Hunter Inn enough

Hunter's Inn has an unbeatable setting and our room, though a bit small, was blessed with a balcony looking out over the trees and hillside - beautiful. The menu is restricted because of the current situation but the food was well cooked and tasty. But their greatest asset is their staff who were universally kind and helpful, from the friendly efficient waitress to the girl on reception (who, when we mentioned dim bedside lamps, changed the bulbs within minutes). Thanks all of you.

We've always loved the Hunter's Inn, for setting, surroundings and, till now food too. So we were looking forward to our first meal in a restaurant since March. We've had some great curries here and Sunday roasts to boast about. But this was a let-down. Barely more than one veggie option and that turned out to be completely lacking in flavour or imagination.We didn't stay for pudding: at around £7.50 a bowl, that was beyond steep.I dearly hope this was a blip, but if it's an attempt to claw back lost earnings from the Covid era, it isn't going to attract repeat business, sadly.Fingers crossed.

We are staying in Coombe Martin and there is not very much on offer however, the Hunters' Inn was recommended to us by the local pet store owner and it didn't disappoint. Set in the Heddon Valley and the food was delicious. We had prawn linguine's and chicken saltimbocca's with sticky toffee puddings and cream teas for dessert. So lovely with great service. A lovely place to eat and explore the grounds with it's own beach well worth a visit.

8pm booking 5th August 2020 with friends who were visiting from Bedfordshire. Some of the food was ok but the prawn cocktail was arranged on a plate, spread out to appear more. Hardly any prawns. All overpriced.Main gripe is the person serving us! We were left waiting far too long to be served for drinks, then the food even longer, one paper napkin for three courses, had to ask for cutlery for the main course. Left so long for dessert that one of our group went out to remind her we were still there. Her whole attitude was abrupt and impatient. We felt neglected and in the way.The whole ambiance was flat and depressing. The waitress had long frizzy red hair. We didnt leave a tip because she didnt deserve it. Definitely needs some customer service training. Horrible evening.

Absolutely loved our visit, plenty of parking, friendly staff, well organised due to Covid19. In one door out another. Good choice of food and drinks on the menu. Loads of seating area inside and out. Ideal for walking. I had the burger with chips and I must say it was the meatiest juiciest burger I have had in a long time. Hubby had the fish and chips which he said was very tasty. Woukd recommend a visit.

The hotel is in the most beautiful place. After a long walk to the sea via Heddons mouth and back we decide to stop for a well earned drink a bite to eat. The drinks very nice reasonably priced. That’s the 3 stars. The food - Oh dear really expensive no stars £8 for a cheese and pickle sandwich OMGRustic sausage rolls also £8, and for £10.50 a pork pie! Seriously!!Sorry you are have a laugh National Trust. If you travel to the lovely village of Dulverton you can have a full English breakfast for little more than the sandwich in a lovely bistro cafe Mortimers. So my advice take a packed lunch and just stop for the drinks

I visited this restaurant on recommendation with my family but was sadly disappointed. Between us we ordered the burger - £13 for a thin, grey frozen burger. The ploughman’s - packet cheddar cheese and coleslaw, and the chicken with tomato sauce and crushed new potatoes - £17 was very average.A poor lunch in lovely surroundings.

Food was fantastic, service was second to none. Catered for my fussy needs. Play area brilliant! Good value for money

Okay so i know we're in difficult times but they really shouldn't have opened if they are not ready. Waited to be seated inside as the day we visited it was very windy and a bit chilly. Waited a while and asked to be seated at a table that was free by the window... lovely view of the garden but was told we couldn't as it hadn't been sanitised and was shown to a table in a huge dining room with only one other table occupied i wish i'd said we would wait for the the table we wanted as we felt we were in a George Orwell novel. Husband ordered a beer to be told they didn't have any??? i ordered a Virgin Mary and was served a glass of Tomato juice with ice.... no spice or celery, if i'd wanted just tomato juice i'd have asked for it. Ordered sandwiches which were just ordinary nothing special for the price. The service was poor and i got the feeling that because it's owned by the National Trust they didn't have to make much effort. Such a disappointment as we've visited here many times and it was lovely but they really didn't seem to care. We do understand that it not easy but they really need to make more effort to welcome people.