Abutting the Roman city walls, this style-savvy red brick old coaching inn (Young’s Brewery) has a lively atmosphere. Inside, a host of interesting curios including a vintage sewing machine, a ship’s masthead, and splashes of colour lend a quirky yet unpretentious vibe. Microbrewed drinks and traditional pub classics are served all day in the buzzy restaurant. In balmy weather, diners spill on to the large beer garden. ‘Boutiquey’ bedrooms are themed (water, wool, cotton).

A dramatic setting for weddings, family gatherings or a special celebration, the moorland views are just part of the allure of this isolated Georgian mansion, where former visitors are said to have included Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Was he inspired here to write The Hound of the Baskervilles? Possibly. No need to venture far, though. In 7 hectares of private gardens and grounds, the whole house is for hire on a self-catering basis and offers a pack of comforts. There’s a fully equipped farmhouse-style kitchen, leading out to a BBQ area with seating, a large dining room, relaxing lounge with log fire, a lobby and a games room with a pool table, darts, table tennis and football. The hot tub and infrared sauna make relaxing diversions. Twenty people can be accommodated in nine simply decorated bedrooms (extra beds can be arranged). One has a super-king four-poster, another a sleigh bed and ‘lovely view across the moor’.

Six miles from Plymouth, an Elizabethan manor house with an award-winning spa in the grounds. Full of character, the original building retains its oak panelling, ornate ceilings, mullioned windows and stone archways. The fine-dining Gallery restaurant overlooks the beamed Great Hall, which features a coat of arms of King James I above an enormous stone fireplace. Accommodation ranges from the majestic, with four-poster beds, to more contemporary rooms situated in the courtyard and stable wings. Gaia spa has a pool, hydrotherapy pool, steam rooms and saunas, a relaxation room, gym and a salon with a wide choice of beauty treatments.

Overlooking the Blackdown Hills, a welcoming, dog-friendly country pub in an 18th century coaching Inn. It is surrounded by rolling fields and the Neroche Staple Fitzpaine Herepath  (a 13.5 mile off-road trail) is close by.  Bedrooms are neat and comfortable, and supplied with tea, coffee, bottled water; Chard is large enough to accommodate a family of four. In the bar, local ciders and wines accompany home-made food, such as calves liver with crispy bacon, creamy mash and gravy or Dover sole Benoit with Fowey mussels and a white wine crème fraîche sauce, and a choice of vegetarian and vegan dishes, all based on locally sourced ingredients.