Comfortably located on the outskirts of Chagford is a snug, luxury 4-star hotel ideal for dog-friendly breaks and exploring Dartmoor. Priding itself on delicious food and cosy rooms, Mill End is the perfect country house hideaway.
Arriving at Mill End on a cold and wet evening, a short way off the A30 near Okehampton, it was dark around, and the rural countryside location meant that the only sounds were that of rainfall and water trickling down a nearby stream.
Ahead of us was a warmly lit and inviting 18th century country house, which was originally used as a mill. Rushing inside to escape the weather, guests are met with cosy fires and softly lit lounges. Located at the heart of the main building is a quaint reception, waiting to welcome visitors.
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After quickly checking-in, we were taken to our room, and were informed that we were staying in the newly renovated Teign Suite, which was located on the first floor.
We were delighted to find a spacious suite with a 'quiet luxury' design aesthetic and subtle nods to the hotel's countryside location. It boasts a huge en-suite bedroom and a separate sitting room, with vast picture windows with idyllic views onto the front garden.
The master suite is complemented by plush fabrics and a tremendously comfortable emperor bed. The stylish bathroom has a large bath fitted with a shower, cosy under-floor heating and luxury Temple Spa toiletries. The living area is equipped with a smart TV, enabling guests to finish binging their latest Netflix series. The bedroom has a separate television but it's a little older meaning terrestrial channels are the only viewing option - which didn't really bother us.
Guests can also access the garden and a private deck looking over the river/courtyard direct from the Teign Suite, which was an added bonus. Overall the room was delightfully warm and cosy, with plenty of comfortable spaces to curl up and read a book, which is what I spent a lot of time doing during our visit.
After getting familiar with our suite it was time to head downstairs for our dinner reservation, Mill End asks that guests head down to one of the comfortable lounges to wait to be taken to their tables. We enjoyed a drink and perused the menu (and impressive wine list) next to a roaring log fire before making our food choices for the evening.
Upon being taken to our table we were delighted to find a selection of delicious fresh bread and flavoured butters, the honey truffle was by far my favourite. Shortly after devouring the entire basket, our waiter served a mouth-watering amuse-bouche of salmon tartare, delicate yet flavourful, it was just enough to awaken our taste buds in anticipation of our first course.
I opted for the Pressed Ham Hock, Confit Chicken and Hogs Pudding Terrine, Celeriac Remoulade, Cornichons, Walnut and Date Ketchup. The terrine was flavoursome and well-seasoned, the remoulade bringing a much-needed freshness to the plate and the acidity of the pickles and sweetness of the ketchup tied the dish together perfectly. Safe to say I devoured it.
My husband ordered New Season Asparagus, Poached Williams Farm Egg, Sauce Hollandaise and Brioche Crouton and was similarly impressed.
My starter was followed by Honey Glazed Duck Breast with Confit Potato, Caramelised Endive, Salsify, Orange and Vanilla. The duck was divine, melt-in-the-mouth and with a sumptuous honey sauce, accompanied by creamy, decadent potato and fresh vegetables.
I couldn't resist but to sample the other main dish sitting across the table from me, my husband had opted for the Haunch of Venison with Fresh Pasta, Spiced Carrot Puree, Buttered Spinach, Garlic and Herb Pangrattato. The venison was similarly tender and provided an interesting contrast to the slow-cooked fall-apart meat which accompanied the pasta.
While we were absolutely stuffed at this point, the dessert menu was so tempting my husband and I broke our number one dining out rule by ordering the same thing off the menu. The Baked Vanilla Cheesecake with Rhubarb, Candied Ginger and Almond sounded too good to miss - and it was worth it. Subtle yet fragrant flavours with a creamy cheesecake and crunch for added interest in the form of almond flakes and a delicious biscuit base. The ice cream also deserves a special mention - it was one of the tastiest vanilla ice creams I've tried.
After a delicious three-course meal we drifted back to our room and sank into a full-bellied doze in our exceptionally comfortable emperor bed.
The next morning we managed to find our appetites again and ventured back down to the restaurant to sample the breakfast menu. I was pleasantly surprised to find a varied list of options, from Eggs Benedict with Ham or Smoked Salmon to a Full English, Porridge, Pancakes and Smashed Avocado - not to mention the breakfast buffet.
We both opted for the Mill's Full English, which consisted of Egg, Back Bacon, Butcher’s Old English Pork Sausage, Grilled Tomato, Sauté Mushrooms, Black Pudding, Fried Bread and Hash Brown. The breakfast was fresh and tasty - not at all oily. I enjoyed the addition of black pudding, which isn't all that common and my only tiny gripe was the absence of baked beans.
While the bad weather during our stay scuppered our plans to explore the countryside on foot, we headed into Chagford for a browse and found a number of quaint independent shops. If you're visiting, make sure you check out Beachwood Bakery and grab a pint in the historic and charming Three Crowns. But if you were looking to stay inside, Mill End offers boasts a host of spaces to relax in and enjoy afternoon tea, which looked to be incredibly popular while we were there. In addition to cosy lounges, the hotel also offers a handy boot room, where visitors can de-layer and, if necessary dry themselves (and four-legged friends) off after walkies.
Overall our stay at Mill End was relaxing and luxurious. The food was exceptional for a hotel of its size and the staff were generally friendly and attentive. I'd highly recommend a visit for anyone looking for a base to explore Dartmoor, especially if travelling with a furry friend.
