The Best Devon Pubs on Dartmoor with a fire

Nothing says “Country Pub” more than a roaring fire to warm your shackles after a hike in the Great Devonshire Outdoors, and, after a day discovering Dartmoor, that’s exactly what you’ll be seeking out. During your stay at Hotel Riviera, we want you to have the best, most well-rounded Devon experience. So, we’ve curated a guide to the best pubs on Dartmoor that come complete with a fire -  so you can cosy-up and enjoy your tipple of choice in one of Devon’s favourite nooks. 

The Old Inn, Widecombe

As you travel from your day exploring Dartmoor, you’ll find The Old Inn en route back to Hotel Riviera. Here, you’ll be greeted with a relaxed atmosphere, log fires in the winter or al fresco options in summertime - perfect for tired wanderers who want to rest their legs and stock up on refreshments. This is one of the pubs on Dartmoor that also hosts events and quizzes throughout the week too, so check their website for information ahead of your visit.

The pub's homely and rustic feel is a warm welcome to all families, with a delicious Sunday carvery for you to tuck into alongside their regular menu. Plus, as an added bonus - if you’ve been discovering Dartmoor with your little ones in tow, they often have deals on to include free kids meals with the purchase of an adult meal, again, check their website to see which promotions they’re running whilst you’re visiting pubs on Dartmoor. 

Oxenham Arms, Okehampton

With the Oxenham Arms, not only do you get the log fire you’ve been seeking out, but you also get a taste of history too. This old coaching house inn is famed for housing the The South Zeal Menhir Standing Stone, carved by Neolithic people over 4,500 years ago which still stands in their Snug Bar today. In the Snug Bar you’ll also find their cosy open fire so you and the family can relax and chat over your days in one of the most historical pubs on Dartmoor.

Situated approximately 48 minutes from Hotel Riviera in a car, you can plan your route back to stop by and enjoy a meal from their extensive menus - whether you’re after a light lunch, hearty home cooked meal or an afternoon tea, the food certainly won’t disappoint. 

The Tors Inn, Belstone

Selling itself as one of the  “proper pubs” on Dartmoor, The Tors Inn offers traditional pub meals made from the very best ingredients. Aside from their cosy fire, they also have their outside kitchen and barbecue where you can enjoy an alfresco meal in those summertime months.

With a bar stocked with Devonshire ciders, gins and Dartmoor ales, as well as plenty of soft drinks for the little ones, The Tors Inn has something for everyone in the family - including a water bowl for your four legged friend. So after a long day of discovering Dartmoor you and the whole family can turn up to The Tors Inn and enjoy a tasty, hot meal and a refreshing drink in front of their welcoming fire. 

Old Exeter Inn, Ashburton

At the Old Exeter Inn, you’ll find a warm welcome from the friendly and efficient staff who will take great care of you whilst you’re visiting them. If you or anyone in your family is a pie lover, then you’ve come to the right place. The Old Exeter Inn is one of the pubs on Dartmoor that is renowned for its homemade pies - including their very own Sunday Roast Pie, served with all of the trimmings.  

For the little ones, they’ve got a fussy-eaters-friendly kids menu so that everyone can enjoy their meal. Pies aren’t the only popular choice at The Old Exeter Inn either, with an equally high accolade to their sought after beers too. Their extensive real ale and cider options have awarded them a spot in the Good Beer Guide every year for the last 25 years. So you can be guaranteed to enjoy your hard-earned, frothy-topped pint whilst you’re there. 

The Ley Arms, Kenn

The Ley Arms is the closest pub to our very own Hotel Riviera out of our pubs on Dartmoor - just a short 30 minute drive from us. This family run pub offers cocktails, pints, soft drinks and all of the usual favourites for you to enjoy at the fireside. Plus, there’s plenty of food options for you to get stuck into too - with their Sunday Roast or the Friday Grill Night alongside their usual menu.

Your little ones can stay entertained during their visit too, just ask their bar staff and they’ll be happy to provide some fun and games for them to enjoy alongside their children's menu. This is another of the pubs on Dartmoor that welcomes dogs, so don’t leave the pups at home, let them enjoy a visit to the Ley Arms too.

Warren House Inn, Postbridge

Not to be forgotten is the infamous Warren House Inn. This pub has earned incredibly high accolade for its “famous fire” which has been burning brightly since 1845. At the Warren House Inn, they pride themselves on their relaxed and welcoming atmosphere - which is exactly what you want after a day out in Dartmoor.

If you’re visiting, you might want to sample their Warreners Pie - their now-famous rabbit pie made from their very own recipe. Or, if a simple and satisfying Sunday Lunch is more your thing, then you’re in luck. They have food and drink to suit the whole family. 

Enjoy Dartmoor from your stay at Hotel Riviera

Whichever of our cosy country pubs you decide to pay a visit to, you’ll always be welcomed back to Hotel Riviera upon your return. Here, we too can give you A Taste Of Devon - quite literally - with our locally caught and sourced fresh ingredients that our AA Rosette restaurant has become renowned for.

Then, when you’re ready to settle in for the night, you’ll be resting up in one of Sidmouth’s best hotels - with our quintessentially British approach, sea views and the finishing touches that really make your stay the luxury escape you’ve been looking for. There’s no better place to escape to after a day of exploring and sampling the pubs on Dartmoor.