Mill End Hotel

'Peace and quiet and a blanket of stars at night was what we wanted, and what we got,' writes a visitor to this white-walled former corn mill in the Dartmoor national park, by a bridge over the River Teign. 'Lovely accommodation in beautiful grounds, good hospitality.' The owner, Keith Green, when present, 'keeps everyone happy, lighting fires, delivering drinks, mowing the lawn'. The lounges, with log fires, 'have a homely feel rather than a smart country house look'. The bedrooms vary from a large first-floor suite to standard ones that face the road; there are three south-facing ground-floor rooms, each with private patio. 'Our pretty, light room, in the extension, had large bathroom, lots of hot water. No turn-down service or bathrobes. The window alcove faced a rather scruffy back garden, but there is a nice front garden on the river. You can walk upstream to Chagford and downstream to a wooded gorge below Castle Drogo.' Non-residents and walkers frequent the bar. The mill wheel, which 'revolves with much splashing at the back of the building', is visible from the restaurant. There's a new chef this year, Jay Allen, who uses local ingredients for his modern dishes: we would welcome reports on his cooking. (Cynthia Ritchie, and others)