The Dartmoor Inn at Lydford

There are countless country inns where you can turn up in muddy boots after a moorland walk. For a smarter experience, The Dartmoor Inn has established itself as a destination for contemporary dining on Dartmoor.

Chef Jay Barker‑Jones and wife Tess, who leads front of house, have earned numerous awards for the pub since they opened its doors in 2019 – including Best Pub at the Trencherman’s Awards 2024.

In the kitchen, new head chef Luke Wheeldon works alongside Jay to create refined food that’s served in an unstuffy setting. Local, seasonal ingredients are found in dishes like Brixham scallops with cucumber, white sturgeon caviar, dill and butter sauce, and Middle White pork chop with crispy belly, walnut ketchup, braised hispi, cider apple, mash and sage.

The drinks offering is given equal attention. An expansive wine list is curated by Sovereign Wines in nearby Tavistock and spans producers from around the world, while a strong selection of cocktails and non-alcoholic options also feature.