Old Exeter Inn, Ashburton

Candelabra flickering on the tables, mulled wine in your glass, and lots of little nooks and hideaways to hive off with a plate piled high with comfort food. Perfecto! Just what Muddy fancies after a walk on Dartmoor, or a wander around Ashburton’s tempting indie stores. The pub is 900 years old and abounds with tales of Elizabethan derring-do. It’s open all day for food, so you won’t go hungry.

The Chagford Inn, Chagford

The Chagford Inn Devon fireplace and setting

This fabulous family-run Chagford pub serves up a delicious ever-changing gastropub menu all cooked on site, with ingredients sourced from local farms and day boat-caught fish. Their Christmas two or three-course menu rolls in from 1 December, serving up a festive blend of pheasant, hake, venison or risotto for mains, plus homemade mince pies and Christmas pudding parfait. Have a taste of Sunday lunch in the Muddy review.

The Black River Inn, Black Torrington

the bar at The Black River Inn, Black Torrington

A village pub that’s fast making a name for itself for good local food and sustainability. Owners Gill and Alex Pallatt have been recognised by The Food and Drink Devon awards and were finalist in The Great British Pub awards. Unusually, chef Alex cooks on a solid fuel hearth, serving up Sunday lunches and Devon tapas to the delight of locals.

The Warren House Inn, Postbridge

Fireplace at The Warren House Inn, Devon

One thing you can be sure of here is a fire, as this one’s been burning without going out since 1845 (they use beech wood to keep it going at night, apparently). Way up on Dartmoor, this pub is the highest inn in Southern England and possibly the loneliest, right on the road between Princetown and Moretonhampstead. To warm you up? Their rabbit pie is the go-to dish for the moor’s backpackers, or a savoury soup of the day.

The Cornish Arms, Tavistock

A roaring fire, a Bib Gourmand, a Top 50 Gastropub accolade – what more do you want? Okay, let’s throw in a warming bottle of red and Sunday lunch. Part of the St Austell Brewery chain, this town centre Tavi pub has seven rather gorgeously decorated rooms so you can stay on and explore the Western gateway town with its bustling pannier marker and windy walks on Dartmoor.

The Castle Inn, Lydford

This award-winning, contemporary 16th century gastropub has three firesides – and 13 boutique bedrooms – to warm your weary bones, plus a topnotch locally-sourced menu, takeaway pizza options, Sunday roasts and cosy corners a-plenty to scoff them in.

The Tors, Belstone

Where there’s a tor, there’s usually a cosy pub not too far away, and this one is award-winning sitting in the pretty village of Belstone, near Okehamptom. One you’ve wandered the moors, head in by the fire or books in to one of their B&B rooms upstairs, with creaky floorboards, thick snuggly duvets and in winter at least, the potential to get snowed in a-while.

The Hour Glass, Exeter

If there was a hooley blowing outside, I’d happily batten down the hatches at this snug pub, just up from the city’s quayside. Delicious Mediterranean bistro style food, a warm cosy fire and a bar stocked with some of the best beer and wine around.

The Oxenham Arms, South Zeal

Fires, cosy corners and an ancient 5000-year old standing stone, aka the South Zeal Menhir Standing Stone, embedded in the wall which dates back to the 12th century when it was a monastery. The menu is full of crowd-pleasing pub classics with sumptuous roasts (including vegan) on Sundays. And you’re in prime walking country, so don’t forget your hiking boots.

The Ley Arms, Kenn

This is the seat you’re after at this 12th century family-run hostelry, surely the twinkliest pub in Devon. Snuggle down by the fireside with a cocktail, book in for Friday Grill Night or a sumptuous Sunday roast. There’s always something going on, from Elvis Night, to fancy dress parties and the hot ticket, their New Year’s Eve Banquet. Book their nearby cottage, Cramwell, for a stopover – it has an outdoor tub and sparkles almost as much as the pub. Read the Muddy review.

Two Bridges Hotel, Princetown

fireside seats at Two Bridges Hotel, Princetown

A laidback dog-friendly, post-walk Dartmoor pitstop with large, sprawling lounges where you can settle yourself down on a comfy sofa for a hot chocolate or a cream tea, book in for a slap-up Sunday lunch or stay the night in a fancy four-poster if you fancy a sleepover.

The NoBody Inn, Doddiscombsleigh

Here’s a Teign Valley classic on the edge of Dartmoor as delightful as its name. The NoBody Inn harks back to the 13th century, as you can tell by its low beams and brasses over the wood-burner. It’s known for its extensive range of whiskeys and wines by the glass. (Over 250? That’ll do nicely!) Should you fancy sampling a few, there are five comfy rooms upstairs.

Masons Arms, Branscombe

Stone walls, wooden beams and dinners by candlelight every Thursday – this upmarket thatched St Austell Brewery pub feels like an indie, thanks to its quality menu and stylish decor. It was packed on a rainy midweek night, so booking for Sunday lunch, served from 12pm with a choice of two meats, plus vegan and vegetarian options, is essential. Walk it off on the Branscombe to Beer coast path afterwards.

The Pig’s Nose Inn, East Prawle

This quirky 300 year-old inn and one-time smugglers’ lair on Devon’s most southerly tip is known for its amazing ability to bring in big names for its live music (hello Damon Albarn and Atomic Kitten). It’s also a surefire hit for winter, filled with characterful knick-knacks, roaring fires and hearty pub grub from the Devon farming and fishing community.

The Thatch, Croyde

When you’ve had your beach winter walk, here’s where to go to warm your cockles for the regular music and open mic nights, and the excellent locally-sourced menu which includes delicious burgers and their Roast on the Coast made from ethically produced Exmoor beef. They also press their own Crydda Cider with help from Sandford Orchards. It’s as much a pub as a way of life.

The Pilchard Inn, Bigbury on Sea

interior The Pilchard Inn, Burgh Island — Pic credit The Pilchard Inn

A young stripling at a mere 700 years-old, this one-time fisherman’s pub is right on the edge of the stunning beaches of Bigbury and Bantham with the Gatsbyesque Art Deco dream, Burgh Island Hotel, as it neighbour. If you don’t have the dosh for stay in the £400+ a night hotel, here’s the next best thing – an old smuggler’s haunt of a pub with stone flags, low ceilings, open fires and plenty of nooks and crannies to explore.

The Lamb Inn, Sandford

The Lamb Inn has been slaking the locals’ thirst since the 16th century back when it was post house. Perching on ancient cobbles above the square at Sandford near Crediton, locals love this dog-friendly pub with rooms for its twinkly fairy lights and open fire where you can sink into a sofa and knock back a glass of Portuguese Mistico (like Pinot with more flavour) and choose from a weighty plate of home-cooked roast chicken, topside of beef, pork belly and crackling or nut roast.

17 cosy Devon pubs with roaring fires

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