Our time here at Bovey Castle was amazing. Everything here is top class. Beauty and elegance have been combined with imposing grandeur to create a hotel unlike any other. While you can’t be sure of many things nowadays, what you can be sure of is that this place would be an incredible location for a whole host of events. Or alternatively, the next time you feel the need to get away, then look no further - as this is the ideal private countryside escape for an unforgettable time.
Built back in 1907 as a private mansion, this glorious building once belonged to the WH Smiths family. By 1930 it had become a hotel, before being used as a military hospital during the war. Nowadays, not only has this place managed to retain all of its original elegance and sophistication but it has also managed to add incredible hospitality and contemporary style to the mix as well. The result is a 5 Red Star luxury hotel whose imposing charm is all but impossible not to fall in love with.
Address: Dartmoor National Park, North Bovey, Devon, TQ13 8RE
Website: www.boveycastle.com
Conference Sales Contact: Natalie Sherriff - Events and Reservations Manager
Tel: 01647 445066
Email: nsherriff@boveycastle.com
Distance & time from nearest airport: Exeter Airport is located just 24 miles away – 45 minutes by car
Distance & time from nearest railway station:
Exeter St David’s train station is located just 17 miles away – 40 minutes by car. London Paddington takes just 2 hours and 10 minutes.
Official star rating: 5 Red Star
Nestled amidst 275 acres of Devon’s beautiful Dartmoor National Park is the luxury hotel known as Bovey Castle. This glorious hotel has been awarded 5 Red Stars from the AA for exceptional hospitality – the highest accolade they have! So, it goes without saying that standards here are second to none.
From the moment we set our eyes upon the main building we were instantly enchanted by its charm and imposing elegance. Setting foot inside, our love for this place only grew. The reception area is incredibly grand, and the staff here were super friendly. From here, it was easy to access most of the hotel’s rooms, including the spa, pool, restaurant and bar.
Most of the hotel’s 59 luxurious bedrooms are also located in the main building, while a few are situated just over in the detached Mews. As well as these main bedrooms, there are a further 22 incredible three-storey Private Estate Lodges. Although they are just a short walk from the main building, they feel perfectly secluded in the hotel’s grounds.
Aside from the fantastic bedrooms here, Bovey Castle also boasts 4 formal meeting rooms and 3 reception rooms, with all but four of them being situated in the main building. Whilst not having as many conference rooms on offer as some hotels, it is clear that Bovey Castle believes in quality and not quantity. And after staying here – it would be impossible to disagree with them!
Parking: Valet parking and over 100 free spaces
Coach / Bus Pick-up Location at hotel: Coaches can drop off directly outside reception and can wait there
Number of bedrooms: There are 82 rooms here in total. 55 of which are bedrooms, 4 Mews, 1 Rose Cottage and 22 lodges.
Bedrooms: Featuring 59 individually-designed bedrooms, with each room reflecting the luxurious 5 Red Star standard that you will find everywhere throughout your stay here, Bovey Castle really does impress. A range of singles, classics and state rooms amongst others are all available with all of them being incredible. During our stay, our bedroom was classy with amazing view and lots of room – perfection!
Bovey castle also offers 22 three-storey stylish private estate lodges. If you feel like indulging yourself, then look no further than these! With each lodge having 3 ensuite bedrooms and able to sleep up to 6 people, these fabulous granite and oak buildings are tucked away amongst the trees in the hotel’s grounds as individual private sanctuaries.
Number of floors: The main hotel has 3 floors.
Business centre: No, but the staff will gladly do any photocopying or printing that you require.
Wi-fi: Yes. All free and with superb speed.
Fitness gym: Yes and it was excellent. Stocked full, with a fantastic range of Precor cardiovascular and strength equipment.
Spa & Swimming Pool: Offering a superb range of bespoke treatments from their own team of therapists, Elan Spa will surely revive and restore your body, mind and spirit. If being too relaxed and refreshed doesn’t appeal to you and you would rather still exert yourself, then you can always choose to swim as many lengths in their beautiful Art Deco swimming pool as you would like.
Whichever option you go for, you can always choose to relax a little further in their jacuzzi, sauna or steam room as well. The spa facilities are fantastic and befitting of this glorious venue
RESTAURANTS & BARS
The appropriately named, Oak Bar is a gorgeous place to enjoy a drink. With its floor to ceiling oak panels, intricate ceiling, huge windows and lovely fireplace, the Oak Bar is a very welcoming place where you can sit and relax or even take part in a cocktail masterclass.
With 3 AA Rosettes, the Great Western restaurant offers a superb selection of outstanding fine dining dishes using only the freshest, locally sourced ingredients. Whether its private dining for two, or large group lunches for up to 120 covers, you’ll be able to treat your delegates to fabulous food in a relaxed, yet classy, Art Deco environment that they will love. And if you can tear yourself away from the food, there’s the amazing views over Bovey’s glorious grounds. What’s not to love?
Smith’s Brasserie is the hotel’s more relaxed and modern counterpart to the Great Western restaurant with capacity for 100 covers. That said, this stylish 1 AA Rosette awarded restaurant still offers a superb seasonal menu in a welcoming atmosphere along with a roaring fire. There is also the option for BBQ’s on the terrace where amazing views across Dartmoor can be had.
MEETING / CONFERENCE ROOMSBovey Castle has four formal meeting rooms available, with all four being located in the Mews. Each of these rooms has loads of natural light, with clean lines and impeccable décor. Alongside these main meeting rooms are three other reception rooms that are all located in the main house. While each of these three rooms are wonderful in their classic design, it is the imposing Cathedral suite that really has a wow factor – more on this shortly.
As well as the beautiful rooms and top-class service that we found to be everywhere in Bovey Castle, there was a vast range of activities available that you can include as part of the package for your groups.
From a fantastic 18 golf course, clay pigeon shooting and woodland survival skills through to Sloe gin making or falconry, there was something here for everyone for a truly action-packed time.
Bovey specialise is working with you to find the perfect programme for your groups – this would definitely be one of the defining reasons to book your event here. The activities are world class. We tried the Land Rover off-road experience and it was simply brilliant! Our guide, Hannah was amazing and we totally enjoyed the whole experience.
Dartmoor Suite
Located on the ground floor in the Mews is the Dartmoor suite. With lofty ceilings, loads of natural light and its own bar area, it would be perfect for conferences, awards or exhibitions. Able to gold up to 120 people in theatre style, it is the largest room here too. It also has amazing flexibility as it can be divided up, creating a separate breakout area if required – further helping you to create a truly bespoke event. There is a nice space at the rear of the room for refreshments too.
Natural light: Yes
Size: Sq.M: 156
Reception: 120
Theatre: 120
Cabaret: 80
Classroom: 60
Dinner: 80
Location: Ground floor in the Mews Building
AV Equipment included: Built-in projector and screen, PA system
The Bowden
Up on the 1st floor of the Mews is one of the two smaller syndicate rooms. With lots of natural light and able to comfortably seat up to 14 people, this space would be perfect for boardroom meetings or breakout sessions. Very easy to access too – a very nice boardroom to spend a few hours in.
Natural light: Yes
Size: Sq.M: 32.16
Boardroom: 14
Location: 1st floor of Mews
AV Equipment included: 132cm LCD with Touch Screen, DVD/VCR
The Cathedral
With its huge vaulted oak ceiling, imposing stone arches and magnificently ornate fireplace, the Cathedral really is a glorious room. Not to be outdone by the room itself are the stunning views of the castle grounds that can be seen from the colossal windows in here. Best of all, they let tons of natural light in that absolutely floods this place – wow!
Whilst this would be great area for drinks receptions or for breakouts, clearly this space would really come into its own when used for weddings. And with a balcony above, as well as the south terrace being directly outside, this room really is something special.
Natural light: Yes
Reception: 120
Cabaret: 80
Dinner: 60
Location: Ground floor – main building
AV Equipment included: Screen and projector can be provided
Great Western Restaurant
This gorgeous Art Deco style room is not only the hotel’s 3 AA Rosette main restaurant, but it also doubles up for private hire too. Oozing style and able to hold up to 120 people, it would be a fantastic place for award ceremonies, gala dinners or a whole host of celebrations. And with plenty of windows letting in just the right amount of light, it creates a fantastic ambiance that your delegates are sure to love.
Natural light: Yes
Size: Sq.M: 234
Dinner: 120
Location: Ground floor – main building
AV Equipment included: Screen and projector can be provided
For meeting room capacities, layouts and further information please click here:https://www.boveycastle.com/business/meetings-and-conferences/