Bovey Castle - Newton Abbot

Olivia H

From the moment we drove through the rolling green hills of the estate and Bovey Manor (it’s not a castle so never quite worked out why they called it one?) emerged before us, we fell under the spell of this incredible place.|Not only was the hotel magnificently furnished, the staff seemed to love their jobs and all seemed so passionate. |We stayed in a 3 bedroom villa which was enormous and although not as well furnished as the hotel rooms where our friends were staying, it was a great option for us. Fully equipped with a washing machine, full kitchen etc, we really relaxed into the lifestyle.|The highlight was two-fold - the stunning property with majestic views over the hills with many walking paths and some truly great activities. We did archery, clay pigeon shooting and even learnt to make apple cider and flavoured gin! The cost of the activities was reasonable (around £30 each) and the staff were fabulous. In fact we enjoyed Matt’s company at archery so much, we went back for a second round. Isaac took us clay pigeon shooting and was so compassionate and gentle with our nervous son, he instilled confidence and then pride in him. It was beautiful to watch. Even Harry who looked after the ferrets and chickens gave such a great show explaining how he takes care of them, we were completely transfixed. The falcon guy had everyone entranced for what felt like an hour as he flew eagles and owls through the hallways of the hotel and out across the terrace. It was a magical experience.|To wonderful Bovey Castle (Manor!), thank you for the most incredible few days. We will be back as we left feeling there was so much more to do.

Meg Pope

What an incredible place! We visited for a night away and I just we’d had longer there.
The hotel itself is absolutely stunning, set in beautiful surroundings but the overall vibe and the service are what makes it. For a 5 star spot it’s the perfect balance of luxury but still very laid back and not stuffy or snooty in the slightest. The rooms are beautiful and cosy and have everything you could need. There’s so much to do-we swam in the pool, walked the grounds and even caught a surprise falconry display. Excellent cocktails and food too-honestly couldn’t fault it and can’t wait to go back.

Claire Wilson

We have just returned from a stay at Bovey Castle over the Christmas holidays and had a wonderful and relaxing experience as always. This is a such a beautiful hotel and we have always found the staff to be professional, friendly and helpful.

We stayed in the Chairman's Suite which was beautiful. It was spacious and quiet with stunning views of the ground. One suggestion I would make is for the main bathroom to be redesigned as there is too much empty space and the bath is not particularly comfortable nor does it have anywhere nearby to place shower gels or shampoos on. However, the rest of the rooms are well decorated, comfortable and warm, and there is plenty of space for everyone.

Dinner at the Great Western Hotel was incredibly good. It's expensive but we felt it was a special enough experience to justify this. I had an enjoyable experience at the spa with Daisy as my therapist and Kelly was incredibly helpful in tracking down my husband's lost swimming trunks at the pool reception! We didn't have to wait long at the bar for drinks to be served and dinner at the Brasserie was lovely on both occasions. There was a good atmosphere, the staff were attentive and the food was very good. The shop is also rather lovely with a good array of clothing and boots. On a final note, the whole hotel was beautifully decorated for Christmas! It gave a luxurious, festive and welcoming feel to our stay which we loved. Thank you!

Katie M

Outstanding from start to finish!|We had a pre as break and loved every minute…. The staff were exceptional, all of them, from reception to cleaners to activities staff. We enjoyed the pool, some activities and the beautiful views from the room.|For families this is second to none because of the activities. |The room service menu is excellent. There was a into|Problem with a Xmas pudding being sent as a chocolate cake but this was something and nothing considering that the stay exceeded all expectations and allowed to create precious family memories and there is something for everyone of all tastes and hobbies to enjoy.|Thank you for being wonderful staff and for looking after the place so well.

Chris G

Absolutely stunning place. The staff are superb, the rooms and building are beautiful and the facilities and activities are super well organised. Gin tasting with Isaac and the Birds of Prey display were absolutely amazing. We arrived in the snow and left in the rain and wind, and it was still a phenomenal weekend. The staff are the stars of the show - nothing was too much trouble. 10/10 - will stay again!

Tina Haigh

Izaak who ran the cider and gin making session was excellent. Friendly, knowledgeable, informative, and fun. He made us feel welcome and had us laughing and keen to participate.
We had an excellent day out at Bovey Castle. The bar staff were not as ready to interact, or even serve us as Izaak was, but everyone else was lovely.

David Brown

We were looking for a Devon based wedding venue to host our special day and keen to do something a little bit different. From the very first moment we visited Bovey Castle, it was hard to imagine getting married anywhere else. Our wedding day in August 2024 went beautifully, and we felt everything just ran smoothly around us, without us needing to worry about a thing. The food, drinks, service were all wonderful and they even pulled out all the stops to make sure our cheese cake did not collapse on a very warm August day! The venue is stunning for photos and the suite we stayed in was absolutely incredible, and made the whole event feel even more special. On the morning of the wedding the housekeeping team could not have been more accommodating, delivering everything from an ironing board to extra towels with a smile. Leah who helped with all the wedding planning, and Duncan who assisted throughout our wedding meal, as well as all staff from the porters, to the bar team and even the local taxi driver, were fantastic. Thank you so much Bovey Castle, and your lovely team, you really helped to make our wedding a day to remember. Clare & David

James Clarke

I’m overjoyed to have weddings booked at the magnificent Bovey Castle in 2025 and 2026. This five-star venue, set in the heart of Dartmoor National Park, offers an unparalleled combination of luxury, grandeur, and breathtaking scenery.

The castle’s opulent interiors, sweeping staircases, and stunning grounds provide endless opportunities for truly spectacular wedding photography. I’ve read so many glowing reviews about the exceptional team at Bovey Castle, and I’m looking forward to capturing timeless moments for my couples at this extraordinary venue.

Best regards,
James Clarke
Just James Wedding Photography