Historic inn and restaurant on Dartmoor
The Dartmoor Inn is a historic inn and restaurant on Dartmoor, set on the B3357 at Merrivale. However, the building is older than the inn. We have welcomed guests here since 1841. Today we cook over an open fire.
A historic inn and restaurant on Dartmoor since 1841
Merrivale sits between Tavistock and Princetown, so you are deep in Dartmoor National Park. For generations the inn has offered shelter and a warm welcome to people crossing the moor. At first, the building was a row of small cottages. Then it became an inn in 1841. It keeps its original stone walls, because we maintain it rather than rebuild it.
Vixen Tor is about 2 miles away, while Bronze Age stone rows lie close to the door. Therefore the inn sits in a landscape that is thousands of years older than the building itself.
A timeline of the Dartmoor Inn
- 17th century
At first, the building was four or five small cottages. - 1841
The main cottage became an inn, first known as the Merrivale Inn or the Dartmoor Hotel. At that time, it served miners from the local granite quarries, farmers moving livestock and travellers crossing the exposed moor. Also, the 1841 census lists John Harding as the innkeeper. - The 20th century
Builders raised the adjoining cottages in height and joined them to the inn. Then they removed interior walls to create a long bar. In the 1950s they also expanded the large stone inglenook fireplace, using granite from a nearby quarry. - 1950 to 1969
During this time, a family privately owned and ran the inn. - Today
Today we are a live fire restaurant, cooking locally sourced, grass fed beef.
For more, see the Historic England record and this history of Merrivale on Legendary Dartmoor.
Cooked over open fire
Today the inn is a restaurant built around fire. Also, we cook grass fed, traditional breed beef aged for 28 days, along with seasonal vegetables and fish. We serve lunch and dinner by the fire, so it is a warm place to end a day on the moor.
Our menu is a reflection of my fondest memories, the flavours that shaped my childhood and the farming that has been part of my life since school. I ran a butchery for 20 years too, so the meat has always mattered.
Part of the Soil and Sea group
Soil and Sea Hospitality Ltd runs the Dartmoor Inn. Also, our sister venue is Smugglers Hotel & Restaurant in Brixham.
Questions about our historic inn and restaurant on Dartmoor
When was the Dartmoor Inn built?
The building began as small cottages in the 17th century. The main cottage became an inn in 1841, so it has welcomed people at Merrivale for over 180 years.
Where is the Dartmoor Inn?
The inn is at Merrivale on the B3357, between Tavistock and Princetown in Dartmoor National Park. Also, our address is Dartmoor Inn, Merrivale, Princetown, Yelverton, PL20 6ST.
Is the inn an old building?
Yes, it is an historic building with its original stone walls. Therefore you may find access limited in places. However, please call 07495 218911 if you have any questions.
What is the Dartmoor Inn known for today?
We are an inn and restaurant that cooks over an open fire. Our menu features grass fed, traditional breed beef aged for 28 days. Also, we have five rooms overlooking Dartmoor.
Is the Dartmoor Inn part of a group?
Yes, the inn is part of the Soil and Sea group. Our sister venue is Smugglers Hotel & Restaurant in Brixham.
Also, more answers are in our Dartmoor Inn FAQs.