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4- and 5-star hotels in Totnes
A shortlist of 4- and 5-star hotels in Totnes, from riverside inns in the town to country estates and cottages in the surrounding villages. It is for visitors who want South Devon as a base and a high-standard place to come back to.
Staying in Totnes
Totnes pairs a 15th-century gatehouse and a Norman castle with a high street of independent shops and a well-known alternative, sustainability-minded culture. The Eastgate arch stands at the top of the town, the castle looks out over the area, riverside walks run from the centre, and the markets keep the streets busy. The town sits well for South Devon, with the coast and Dartmoor National Park within reach.
These hotels are spread across the town and its villages rather than one district. The Old Forge is on Seymour Place, the King William IV on Fore Street, and the Steam Packet Inn on St Peters Quay, all in Totnes itself. Several addresses name smaller places around it: Cornworthy, Staverton, Ashprington, Blackawton and Harberton. That split suits couples and short breaks in the town, families and groups wanting space and facilities such as pools, kitchens and gardens, and business travellers using the conference and dining options of the larger properties.
The shortlist
Ranked by hotel class, then guest rating and number of reviews.
Higher Gitcombe Boutique Bed and Breakfast
Cornworthy Cornworthy, Totnes, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers · Business trips
- Parking
- Free Wifi
Why stay hereHigher Gitcombe Boutique Bed and Breakfast gives you a 5-star base 2.0 km from Totnes, with a garden to unwind in and a restaurant on site for meals without driving back into town. Free Wifi and parking keep the practical side covered, and the shuttle service is useful if you would rather not take the car. It suits couples or solo travellers who want a quiet countryside stay with a little more service around them.
See Higher Gitcombe Boutique Bed and BreakfastSwallows
Swallows Abbey Road Cornworthy, Totnes, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers
- Parking
- Kitchen
Why stay hereSwallows is a 5-star self-catering option 2.2 km from Totnes, built around a kitchen with dishwasher, oven, microwave and refrigerator, plus a washing machine for longer stays. The fireplace and garden give the place a lived-in feel in the evenings, and there are cots and high chairs for families. Non smoking rooms throughout. Best for those who want to cook and settle in rather than eat out every night.
See SwallowsKingston Estate
Kingston Estate Staverton, Totnes, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers · Travelling with pets
- Free car parking
- Pets allowed
- Kitchen
Why stay hereKingston Estate sits 10.0 km from Totnes and works well for a group wanting space: a kitchen with dishwasher and oven, a washing machine, a fireplace and a patio and terrace to use in good weather. The jacuzzi is the standout extra, and pets are allowed. Free Wifi, free car parking and wheelchair accessibility are all in place. Laundry service helps on longer trips. Choose it for a self-contained stay where the setting matters more than being close to town.
See Kingston EstateKerswell Farmhouse
Kerswell Farmhouse, Totnes, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers · Step-free access
- Free car parking
- Kitchen
- Wheelchair accessible
Why stay hereKerswell Farmhouse is a 5-star farmhouse just 1.9 km from Totnes, with free parking and free Wifi making the short run into town straightforward. Rooms come with bathrobes, slippers and toiletries, and breakfast items include coffee, with special diets catered for. A garden, terrace and picnic area extend the stay outdoors. It suits guests who want a traditional farmhouse feel close to Totnes rather than a self-catering cottage.
See Kerswell FarmhouseDray Cottage
Totnes, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers · Pool and spa
- Indoor pool
- Free car parking
- Fitness Center
Why stay hereDray Cottage is a 5-star property 7.5 km from Totnes where the draw is the indoor pool, steam room and fitness centre, backed by a garden and free car parking. A kitchen with dishwasher and a washing machine make it practical for families, and cots are available; pets are allowed. Free Wifi and internet access cover the practical side. It fits guests who want swimming and a workout on site and don't mind being outside the town centre.
See Dray CottageGitcombe Retreat
Gitcombe House & Country Cottages, Totnes, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers · Pool and spa
- Outdoor pool
- Sauna
- Free car parking
Why stay hereGitcombe Retreat is one of the 5-star properties at Gitcombe House & Country Cottages, 1.6 km from Totnes, and it is built for active stays: an outdoor pool and swimming pool, sauna, tennis court, games room and fishing all on the estate. Inside there is a kitchen with oven, microwave and dishwasher, a fireplace and a washing machine. Free car parking. Families and groups who want sport and grounds on the doorstep are the obvious fit.
See Gitcombe RetreatGitcombe House
Gitcombe House & Country Cottages, Totnes, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers · Pool and spa
- Outdoor pool
- Sauna
- Free car parking
Why stay hereGitcombe House shares the Gitcombe House & Country Cottages setting 1.6 km from Totnes and leans towards comfort: a fireplace, kitchen, jacuzzi and sauna, with an outdoor pool, tennis court and games room outside. An Ipod dock and hairdryer are provided, and parking is free. The garden adds somewhere to sit. It suits guests who want the estate's leisure facilities without giving up a proper kitchen and living space.
See Gitcombe HouseGarden House
Gitcombe House & Country Cottages, Totnes, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers · Pool and spa
- Outdoor pool
- Sauna
- Free car parking
Why stay hereGarden House sits at Gitcombe House & Country Cottages, 1.6 km from Totnes, and matches the estate's outdoor offer: outdoor pool and swimming pool, tennis court, sauna, jacuzzi, games room and fishing. The kitchen has a dishwasher, oven and microwave, and there is a fireplace and washing machine for longer stays. Free car parking. Good for families or friends who want to alternate between the pool, the court and days out from a self-catering base.
See Garden HouseCourt Prior Cottage
Court Prior Farm Cornworthy, Totnes, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers · Travelling with pets
- Parking
- Pets allowed
- Kitchen
Why stay hereCourt Prior Cottage is a 5-star cottage 2.2 km from Totnes with fishing and a golf course nearby for days out, plus a garden and fireplace at the property. The kitchen includes a dishwasher, microwave and refrigerator, and a washing machine covers longer visits; high chairs are available and pets are allowed. Parking is on site. It suits couples or small families who want a rural cottage with plenty of outdoor options around them.
See Court Prior CottageThe Old Forge
The Old Forge Seymour Place, Totnes, United Kingdom
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Free car parking
- Breakfast in room
- Family rooms
Why stay hereThe Old Forge is a 4-star property 4.8 km from Totnes rated 4.7 out of 5 from 124 reviews. Breakfast in room, a terrace and balcony, and free Wifi and free car parking are the things most guests will use, with family rooms, cots and special diets covered. Housekeeping, laundry and dry cleaning services help on longer stays. It fits families and guests who want a relaxed base with breakfast brought to them rather than a hotel dining room.
See The Old ForgeKing William IV
45 Fore Street, Totnes, United Kingdom
Best for: Travelling with pets
- Pets allowed
- Free Wifi
Why stay hereKing William IV stands on Fore Street in Totnes, a 4-star inn rated 4.5 out of 5 from 317 reviews, with a bar and restaurant on site so evenings need no planning. Free Wifi and internet access are provided, and pets are allowed. Rooms are non smoking, with hairdryers and toiletries supplied. The address puts you in the town itself rather than out in the countryside. It suits guests who want a pub-style stay within walking distance of everything.
See King William IVSteam Packet Inn
St Peters Quay, Totnes, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers
- Free car parking
- Free Wifi
Why stay hereSteam Packet Inn is a 4-star inn at St Peters Quay in Totnes, rated 4.4 out of 5 across 1293 reviews, with a bar and restaurant on site and free car parking plus free Wifi. The quay setting is the reason to pick it: you are by the water rather than on a main road. Note that a surcharge applies. It appeals to guests who want a busy, well-reviewed pub stay and easy access to the riverside end of town.
See Steam Packet InnThe Durant Arms
Ashprington, Totnes, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers · Breakfast
- Free car parking
- Breakfast
- Free Wifi
Why stay hereThe Durant Arms is a 4-star inn in Ashprington, 2.1 km from Totnes, rated 4.7 out of 5 from 35 reviews. A bar and restaurant handle meals, breakfast is available, and there is free Wifi and free car parking. Sailing and fishing are listed among the local options. With only a handful of reviews it feels like a smaller, quieter find. It suits guests who prefer a village pub base just outside Totnes over staying in the centre.
See The Durant ArmsThe Normandy Arms
Blackawton, Totnes, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers
- Free car parking
Why stay hereThe Normandy Arms is a 4-star inn in Blackawton, 4.5 km from Totnes, rated 4.4 out of 5 from 5 reviews, with a bar and restaurant on site and free car parking. Coffee is provided and there is free internet access in the lounge, along with hairdryers and ironing facilities. Rooms are non smoking. It is a small, simple village base best suited to guests touring the area by car who want food and drink downstairs.
See The Normandy ArmsChurch Barn
Harberton, Totnes, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers
- Free car parking
- Free Wifi
Why stay hereChurch Barn is a 4-star property in Harberton, 4.1 km from Totnes, with free Wifi and free car parking and a garden to sit out in. Breakfast items include coffee, special diets are catered for, and bathrobes and hairdryers are supplied. The activity list is unusually broad, from canoeing and fishing to horse riding, tennis and diving. Laundry service helps on longer trips. It suits active guests who want one base for outdoor days around the Dart valley.
See Church Barn
The shortlist side by side
| Hotel | Class | Parking | Breakfast | Pool or spa | Pets | To the centre |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Higher Gitcombe Boutique Bed and Breakfast | ★★★★★ | Yes | – | – | – | 2.0 km |
| Swallows | ★★★★★ | Yes | – | – | – | 2.2 km |
| Kingston Estate | ★★★★★ | Yes | – | – | Yes | 10.0 km |
| Kerswell Farmhouse | ★★★★★ | Yes | – | – | – | 1.9 km |
| Dray Cottage | ★★★★★ | Yes | – | Yes | Yes | 7.5 km |
| Gitcombe Retreat | ★★★★★ | Yes | – | Yes | – | 1.6 km |
| Gitcombe House | ★★★★★ | Yes | – | Yes | – | 1.6 km |
| Garden House | ★★★★★ | Yes | – | Yes | – | 1.6 km |
| Court Prior Cottage | ★★★★★ | Yes | – | – | Yes | 2.2 km |
| The Old Forge | ★★★★ | Yes | Yes | – | – | 4.8 km |
| King William IV | ★★★★ | – | – | – | Yes | 4.9 km |
| Steam Packet Inn | ★★★★ | Yes | – | – | – | 4.5 km |
| The Durant Arms | ★★★★ | Yes | Yes | – | – | 2.1 km |
| The Normandy Arms | ★★★★ | Yes | – | – | – | 4.5 km |
| Church Barn | ★★★★ | Yes | – | – | – | 4.1 km |
From each hotel's own listing on this site; a dash means it is not listed.
How to choose
For families
Kingston Estate, Gitcombe Retreat and Garden House all come with kitchens, gardens, high chairs and cots, and Gitcombe Retreat and Garden House add games rooms, tennis courts and pools. Swallows in Cornworthy offers a cot, high chairs, a kitchen and a garden in a quieter village setting.
Kingston Estate · Gitcombe Retreat · Garden House · Swallows
For pets
Kingston Estate, Dray Cottage, Court Prior Cottage and the King William IV all state that pets are allowed. Dray Cottage also has a garden and an indoor pool, and the King William IV is on Fore Street in Totnes, so a dog can join a town stay as easily as a country one.
Kingston Estate · Dray Cottage · Court Prior Cottage · King William IV
For pools and spas
Dray Cottage has an indoor pool and a steam room. Gitcombe Retreat, Gitcombe House and Garden House share an outdoor pool, a sauna and a Jacuzzi, plus tennis courts, and all three sit at the Gitcombe House & Country Cottages address 1.6 km from the centre.
Dray Cottage · Gitcombe Retreat · Gitcombe House · Garden House
For couples
Higher Gitcombe Boutique Bed and Breakfast is a 5-star with a restaurant, massage and a garden 2 km from the centre. The Old Forge has a 4.7 guest rating from 124 reviews, with breakfast in room and a terrace. The Durant Arms in Ashprington is a 4-star with a bar and restaurant and a 4.7 rating.
Higher Gitcombe Boutique Bed and Breakfast · The Old Forge · The Durant Arms
Where to stay in Totnes
Cornworthy
Cornworthy is a village setting outside the town, named in the addresses of these hotels rather than described in the town's own guidance. Higher Gitcombe Boutique Bed and Breakfast, Swallows and Court Prior Cottage are all here, between 2.0 and 2.2 km from the centre, with gardens and, in the farmhouse's case, fishing.
Our picks here: Higher Gitcombe Boutique Bed and Breakfast · Swallows · Court Prior Cottage
Staverton
Staverton appears in the Kingston Estate address, 10.0 km from the centre. The estate lists a garden, terrace, patio, Jacuzzi and wheelchair access, with pets allowed, so it suits a country stay away from the town itself.
Our picks here: Kingston Estate
Ashprington
Ashprington is named in the Durant Arms address, 2.1 km from the centre. The inn has a bar and restaurant and lists fishing and sailing among its facilities, which fits a village base close to the water and the surrounding countryside.
Our picks here: The Durant Arms
Plan your stay
Getting there and around
Totnes is accessible by road via the A38 and A385, and by rail on the Great Western Railway from London Paddington, Reading and Exeter; the journey from Reading takes around three hours. Bus services connect the town with nearby towns. Once in Totnes, the town centre is compact and walkable, with most attractions within easy reach, and local buses and taxis cover trips further afield such as to Dartington or the coast. Cycling is popular in the area, with routes along the River Dart.
When to go
The best time to visit Totnes is spring and summer, from May to September, when the weather is mild and outdoor activities are enjoyable. The town hosts several festivals and events in that period, including the Totnes Festival in September. Autumn can also be pleasant, with fewer crowds, while winter is quieter and some attractions may have reduced hours, so it is advisable to check opening times before visiting.
Questions, answered
Which of these hotels is closest to the centre of Totnes?
Gitcombe Retreat, Gitcombe House and Garden House are 1.6 km from the centre, the shortest distance on this list. Kerswell Farmhouse is 1.9 km, Higher Gitcombe Boutique Bed and Breakfast 2.0 km, and the Durant Arms in Ashprington 2.1 km. Kingston Estate is furthest at 10.0 km.
Do any of these hotels allow pets?
Yes. Kingston Estate, Dray Cottage, Court Prior Cottage and the King William IV all list pets allowed. The King William IV is on Fore Street in Totnes, while the others are country or village properties, so there is a choice between a town stay and a rural one with a dog.
Which hotels have a pool?
Dray Cottage has an indoor pool, a swimming pool and a steam room. Gitcombe Retreat, Gitcombe House and Garden House each list an outdoor pool, a swimming pool, a sauna and a Jacuzzi, and they also share tennis courts and games rooms at the Gitcombe House & Country Cottages address.
Which is the top-rated hotel on this list?
Among the hotels with a guest rating, the Durant Arms and The Old Forge are both rated 4.7 out of 5. The King William IV follows at 4.5 from 317 reviews, the Steam Packet Inn at 4.4 from 1293 reviews, and the Normandy Arms at 4.4 from 5 reviews.
Is parking available at these hotels?
Many of the properties list parking, including Higher Gitcombe Boutique Bed and Breakfast, Swallows, Kingston Estate, Kerswell Farmhouse, Dray Cottage, Gitcombe Retreat, Gitcombe House, Garden House, Court Prior Cottage, The Old Forge and the Steam Packet Inn. Several of these specify free car parking.
Do any hotels have family rooms or equipment for children?
The Old Forge lists family rooms. Cots and high chairs appear at Swallows, Kingston Estate, Gitcombe Retreat, Court Prior Cottage and The Old Forge. Kingston Estate, Gitcombe Retreat, Garden House and Court Prior Cottage also have kitchens, gardens and games rooms or outdoor space.
Which hotels serve food or have a restaurant?
Higher Gitcombe Boutique Bed and Breakfast, the King William IV, the Steam Packet Inn, the Durant Arms and the Normandy Arms all list restaurant or bar facilities. The Old Forge offers breakfast in room, lunch and special diets.
Can I stay in Totnes without a car?
The Old Forge on Seymour Place, the King William IV on Fore Street and the Steam Packet Inn on St Peters Quay are in Totnes itself. The town centre is compact and walkable, with most attractions within easy reach, and buses and taxis are available for trips further afield such as Dartington or the coast.