If you're lucky enough to live in beautiful Devon or just visiting for a staycation, stop by The Bedford Hotel for a traditional Devonshire welcome and local, seasonal fare. Found in the heart of Tavistock at the gateway to Dartmoor National Park, The Bedford Hotel takes over a beautiful, historic building with a castle-like aesthetic that looks straight out of a fairytale.
The in-house restaurant is open all day and warmly invites guests and diners to stop by in the mornings for a simple coffee and pastry or the hearty breakfast which includes fruit juices, cereals and granola, smoked kipper fillets, eggs any way and a Devon full English with Howells’ sausage, smoked back bacon, black pudding and sauteed potatoes, just to get started.
Lunch sounds delicious, too, with plates like Jail Ale battered sustainably-sourced, local cod with chunky, triple-cooked chips, as well as smoked brisket pie and Dartmoor lamb rump. If you fancy something a little lighter, there's plenty of sandwich options like smoked salmon or Coronation chicken, as well as soup, sweetcorn fritters or chicken wings, as smaller plates.
Dinner is, of course, the main event and the team are really passionate about showcasing the best of Devonshire's produce and working with local farmers for the highest quality and environmentally conscious ingredients. The evening menu begins with a few nibbles like mini chorizo with hummus and pickled shallots, followed by sophisticated starters like duck and cognac parfait with thyme and pink peppercorn spiced butter, bitter orange marmalade and duck pancetta on brioche. While Billy’s Farm rare breed pork chop with garlic mash is a crowd-pleaser, vegetarian options like plant-based steak and butternut squash and sage risotto sound lip-smacking, too.
Finally, who could resist puddings like Lyn’s warm treacle tart with Dunn’s Farm clotted cream and spiced poached blackberries? And, word to the wise: if sweet treats are your thing, you might want to check out the afternoon tea offering as well.