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4- and 5-star hotels in Barnstaple
A shortlist of 4- and 5-star hotels in Barnstaple, North Devon, drawn from properties with guest ratings and reviews. It suits couples, families and drivers who want a riverside base close to the town centre or a quieter stay out towards Exmoor and the coast.
Staying in Barnstaple
Barnstaple is the gateway to North Devon, with sandy beaches at Instow, Saunton Sands and Croyde, and the wild landscape of Exmoor National Park within reach. The town itself mixes independent shops, theatres and riverside walks, and the Tarka Trail cycle and walking route follows the old railway line through it. Visitors come for history, culture and easy access to both coast and countryside.
The hotels on this shortlist sit in different parts of the area. The Imperial Hotel on Taw Vale Parade, The Park Hotel on Taw Vale and Yeo Dale Hotel on Pilton Street are all around 1.6 to 1.7 km from the centre, so they suit a short break on foot. The Barnstaple Hotel on Braunton Road is 2.5 km out, with indoor and outdoor pools and family rooms. The rest lie further afield, from Kentisbury Grange at 10.4 km to The Old Rectory Hotel at 17.6 km, and favour couples and drivers exploring Exmoor and the beaches.
The shortlist
Ranked by hotel class, then guest rating and number of reviews.
The Fox and Goose
Parracombe, Barnstaple, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers · Travelling with pets
- Free car parking
- Lounge
- Pets allowed
Why stay hereA 5-star country inn in Parracombe, 14.5 km from Barnstaple, with a riverside garden and terrace that make it an easy base for exploring the surrounding countryside. The restaurant and bar keep evenings simple, pets are welcome, and parking is free. Guests rate it 4.7 out of 5 across 241 reviews, so it suits couples and walkers who want a quiet rural stay with a comfortable lounge to return to.
See The Fox and GooseThe Barnstaple Hotel
Braunton Road, Barnstaple, United Kingdom
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Indoor pool
- Sauna
- Free car parking
Why stay hereThe Barnstaple Hotel sits on Braunton Road, 2.5 km from the centre, with indoor and outdoor pools, a fitness centre and a sauna for days when the weather does not cooperate. Family rooms, a garden and a picnic area make it workable for families, and there is free parking plus a 24-hour front desk. Its 4.4 out of 5 rating comes from 849 reviews, a solid choice for a fuller facility stay near town.
See The Barnstaple HotelThe Imperial Hotel
Taw Vale Parade, Barnstaple, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers · Breakfast
- Free car parking
- Breakfast in room
- Lounge
Why stay hereOn Taw Vale Parade, 1.7 km from the centre, The Imperial Hotel puts a restaurant, bar and lounge alongside river-facing grounds, with room service and a concierge for guests who want things handled. Lifts, laundry service and free parking add convenience. The 4-star hotel earns 4.6 out of 5 from 609 reviews, which suits couples and business travellers wanting a central-ish base with a bit of polish.
See The Imperial HotelWatersmeet Hotel
Mortehoe, Barnstaple, United Kingdom
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Indoor pool
- Spa
- Free car parking
Why stay hereWatersmeet Hotel in Mortehoe is the coastal pick, 15.8 km from Barnstaple, with a private beach and sea on its doorstep. An indoor pool, outdoor pool, jacuzzi and massage give it a resort feel, and family rooms plus free parking make it practical for longer stays. At 4.6 out of 5 from 480 reviews, it suits guests who would rather wake up near the water than in the town centre.
See Watersmeet HotelKentisbury Grange
Kentisbury, Barnstaple, United Kingdom
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Free car parking
- Breakfast
- Lounge
Why stay hereKentisbury Grange, 10.4 km out in Kentisbury, offers a restaurant, bar and room service on site, with a jacuzzi for unwinding afterwards. Pets are allowed, there is free parking, and a golf course nearby gives another reason to stay put. The 4-star hotel holds 4.6 out of 5 from 348 reviews, so it fits couples and pet owners after a countryside escape within reach of Barnstaple.
See Kentisbury GrangeThe Park Hotel
Taw Vale, Barnstaple, United Kingdom
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Free car parking
- Breakfast in room
- Family rooms
Why stay hereThe Park Hotel on Taw Vale, 1.6 km from the centre, has a garden, terrace and river setting, plus a bar and restaurant for meals without going far. Family rooms, cots, a 24-hour front desk and free parking cover the practical side. Rated 4.5 out of 5 from 844 reviews, this 4-star hotel suits families and couples who want to be close to town with some outdoor space.
See The Park HotelYeo Dale Hotel
124 Pilton Street, Barnstaple, United Kingdom
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Free car parking
- Breakfast in room
- Family rooms
Why stay hereYeo Dale Hotel on Pilton Street is 1.6 km from the centre, with a restaurant, bar and room service, and family rooms with sofa beds for groups. Golf, fishing, horse riding and surfing are all within reach, and free parking plus a playground help family stays. It scores 4.6 out of 5 from 126 reviews, a good fit for active guests and families who want a small hotel near town.
See Yeo Dale HotelHunters Inn
Heddon Valley, Barnstaple, United Kingdom
- Lounge
Why stay hereHunters Inn at Heddon Valley, 16.5 km from Barnstaple, keeps things simple: a bar, restaurant, lounge and garden, with terraces for fine days. Multilingual staff, lifts and non-smoking rooms round it out, and it draws 4.4 out of 5 from 1138 reviews. This suits walkers and couples who want a rural inn base with dining on site rather than a town-centre stay.
See Hunters InnThe Mole Resort Lodges
The Lodges At The Mole, Barnstaple, United Kingdom
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Indoor pool
- Sauna
- Free car parking
Why stay hereThe Mole Resort Lodges, 15.8 km from Barnstaple, are built for longer family stays: indoor and outdoor pools, a fitness centre, sauna and jacuzzi, plus a games room and playground. Lodges come with kitchens and dishwashers, pets are allowed, and parking is free. At 4.4 out of 5 from 628 reviews, they suit self-catering families and groups who want resort facilities in one place.
See The Mole Resort LodgesThe Old Rectory Hotel
Martinhoe, Barnstaple, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers · Breakfast
- Free car parking
- Breakfast
Why stay hereThe Old Rectory Hotel in Martinhoe, 17.6 km from Barnstaple, is a small 4-star stay with breakfast and free parking as its listed essentials. Its 4.7 out of 5 comes from 27 reviews, so it is a quiet, low-key option for guests who want a coastal-corner base rather than a full facility hotel.
See The Old Rectory HotelBracken House
Bratton Fleming, Barnstaple, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers
- Free car parking
Why stay hereBracken House in Bratton Fleming sits 8.3 km from Barnstaple and keeps to the basics: free parking and card payment accepted. With no guest rating in the data, it suits travellers who want a straightforward countryside stop within a short drive of town rather than a serviced hotel.
See Bracken HouseStoke House Bed and Breakfast
Higher Davis Stoke Rivers Barnstaple, Barnstaple, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers · Business trips
- Free car parking
- Free Wifi
Why stay hereStoke House Bed and Breakfast, 6.2 km from Barnstaple, offers a garden, free parking and free wifi, plus a conference room and connecting rooms for groups. Non-smoking rooms and a restaurant are listed. It works for small gatherings or families wanting a rural B&B within easy reach of town, with no guest rating recorded.
See Stoke House Bed and BreakfastThe Spinney
Shirwell, Barnstaple, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers
- Free car parking
- Free Wifi
Why stay hereThe Spinney in Shirwell, 3.6 km from Barnstaple, is a 4-star guest house with a garden and picnic area, free wifi and free parking. Fishing, horse riding and surfing are within reach, and special diets can be catered for. It suits couples and outdoor-minded guests who want a quiet stay close to town; no guest rating is listed.
See The SpinneyTravellers Rest Old Church Debon B&B
Cobbaton Chittlehampton Umberleigh, Barnstaple, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers · Breakfast
- Parking
- Breakfast
Why stay hereTravellers Rest Old Church Debon B&B, 7.7 km from Barnstaple, offers breakfast, a bar and restaurant, a garden and a library, plus a picnic area and barbecue. Parking is free and non-smoking rooms are available. It suits guests who want a characterful rural B&B with dining on site; no guest rating is recorded.
See Travellers Rest Old Church Debon B&BThe Mole Resort Hotel rooms
Chittlehamholt, Barnstaple, United Kingdom
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Indoor pool
- Sauna
- Free car parking
Why stay hereThe Mole Resort Hotel rooms in Chittlehamholt, 15.7 km from Barnstaple, come with indoor and outdoor pools, a gym and fitness centre, plus archery, aerobics, fishing and massage among the activities. A restaurant, bar, games room and free parking cover the rest. It suits active couples and families wanting a resort-style stay; no guest rating is recorded.
See The Mole Resort Hotel rooms
The shortlist side by side
| Hotel | Class | Guest rating | Reviews | Parking | Breakfast | Pool or spa | Pets | To the centre |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Fox and Goose | ★★★★★ | 4.7 | 241 | Yes | – | – | Yes | 14.5 km |
| The Barnstaple Hotel | ★★★★★ | 4.4 | 849 | Yes | Yes | Yes | – | 2.5 km |
| The Imperial Hotel | ★★★★ | 4.6 | 609 | Yes | Yes | – | – | 1.7 km |
| Watersmeet Hotel | ★★★★ | 4.6 | 480 | Yes | Yes | Yes | – | 15.8 km |
| Kentisbury Grange | ★★★★ | 4.6 | 348 | Yes | Yes | – | Yes | 10.4 km |
| The Park Hotel | ★★★★ | 4.5 | 844 | Yes | Yes | – | – | 1.6 km |
| Yeo Dale Hotel | ★★★★ | 4.6 | 126 | Yes | Yes | – | – | 1.6 km |
| Hunters Inn | ★★★★ | 4.4 | 1,138 | – | – | – | – | 16.5 km |
| The Mole Resort Lodges | ★★★★ | 4.4 | 628 | Yes | – | Yes | Yes | 15.8 km |
| The Old Rectory Hotel | ★★★★ | 4.7 | 27 | Yes | Yes | – | – | 17.6 km |
| Bracken House | ★★★★ | – | – | Yes | – | – | – | 8.3 km |
| Stoke House Bed and Breakfast | ★★★★ | – | – | Yes | – | – | – | 6.2 km |
| The Spinney | ★★★★ | – | – | Yes | – | – | – | 3.6 km |
| Travellers Rest Old Church Debon B&B | ★★★★ | – | – | Yes | Yes | – | – | 7.7 km |
| The Mole Resort Hotel rooms | ★★★★ | – | – | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 15.7 km |
From each hotel's own listing on this site; a dash means it is not listed.
How to choose
For families
The Barnstaple Hotel has family rooms, cot, indoor and outdoor pools and a playground-friendly garden. The Mole Resort Lodges offers family rooms, play areas, games room and both pools. Yeo Dale Hotel adds family rooms, high chairs and a playground, with bowling, fishing and horse riding nearby.
The Barnstaple Hotel · The Mole Resort Lodges · Yeo Dale Hotel
Couples' retreat
The Fox and Goose in Parracombe pairs a 5-star rating with bathrobes, a garden and a river setting. Kentisbury Grange has a Jacuzzi, patio and golf course. The Old Rectory Hotel in Martinhoe keeps things simple with breakfast and free parking, and the highest rating on the list.
The Fox and Goose · Kentisbury Grange · The Old Rectory Hotel
Close to the centre
The Imperial Hotel and The Park Hotel sit on Taw Vale and Taw Vale Parade, 1.7 km and 1.6 km from the centre respectively, both with river frontage.
Wellness and pools
Watersmeet Hotel at Mortehoe has indoor and outdoor pools, a Jacuzzi, massage, a private beach and sea views. The Mole Resort Hotel rooms add a gymnasium, indoor and outdoor pools, massage and a Jacuzzi. The Barnstaple Hotel offers a fitness centre, sauna and both pools.
The Barnstaple Hotel · Watersmeet Hotel · The Mole Resort Hotel rooms
Plan your stay
Getting there and around
Barnstaple is reached by road via the A39 and the North Devon Link Road (A361), which joins the M5 at Junction 27. Barnstaple railway station is the terminus of the Tarka Line from Exeter, a scenic route through the Devon countryside. The town has a bus station with services to Ilfracombe, Bideford and South Molton. Within Barnstaple the town centre is compact and walkable, with the Pannier Market and Butchers Row at its core, and local buses and the Tarka Trail give further options for exploring.
When to go
Late spring and summer, from May to September, bring mild weather and the surrounding countryside and beaches at their best. The town hosts events in this period, including the Barnstaple Fair in September, held for centuries. Autumn can also be pleasant, with fewer crowds and the changing colours of the nearby Exmoor landscape.
Questions, answered
Which hotels have parking?
Free car parking is listed at The Fox and Goose, The Barnstaple Hotel, The Imperial Hotel, Watersmeet Hotel, Kentisbury Grange, The Park Hotel, Yeo Dale Hotel, The Mole Resort Lodges, The Old Rectory Hotel, Bracken House, Stoke House and The Spinney. Travellers Rest Old Church Debon B&B also lists parking.
Do any of these hotels allow pets?
Pets are allowed at The Fox and Goose, Kentisbury Grange and The Mole Resort Lodges. None of the other hotels on this shortlist lists pets among its facilities, so check directly if you plan to bring an animal.
Which hotels have a pool or spa facilities?
The Barnstaple Hotel has indoor and outdoor pools, a sauna and a fitness centre. Watersmeet Hotel has indoor and outdoor pools, a Jacuzzi, massage and a private beach. The Mole Resort Lodges and The Mole Resort Hotel rooms each have indoor and outdoor pools and a Jacuzzi.
Which hotel is closest to the centre of Barnstaple?
The Park Hotel on Taw Vale is 1.6 km from the centre, with Yeo Dale Hotel on Pilton Street also at 1.6 km.
Which is the top-rated hotel on this shortlist?
The Fox and Goose in Parracombe and The Old Rectory Hotel in Martinhoe share the highest guest rating, 4.7 out of 5, based on 241 and 27 reviews respectively. The Imperial Hotel, Watersmeet Hotel, Kentisbury Grange and Yeo Dale Hotel all follow at 4.6.
Which hotels are best for families?
The Barnstaple Hotel, The Mole Resort Lodges and Yeo Dale Hotel all list family rooms and cots. The Mole Resort Lodges and the Barnstaple Hotel add pools and play areas, while Yeo Dale Hotel has a playground and high chairs.
Which hotels suit a stay near the coast or Exmoor?
Watersmeet Hotel at Mortehoe, 15.8 km from the centre, has a private beach and sea views. Hunters Inn in Heddon Valley is 16.5 km out, and The Old Rectory Hotel at Martinhoe is 17.6 km. The Fox and Goose in Parracombe, 14.5 km out, sits by a river.