The Old Rectory Hotel

We always come away thinking why can’t other hotels be like this. Huw, Sam and staff are brilliant, breakfast and dinner are a delight topped off by afternoon tea in the garden. It’s so quiet and relaxing and everything ticks along so efficiently. If your retirement goes to plan we wish you the very best, if not we would love to return next year.

A fabulous three day stay; food was divine, from Sam's magical mushrooms at breakfast to Hugh's beautiful soups, canapes, fish and meat courses, all beautifully cooked and presented. Oh yes, and the afternoon tea and cake ... yum. Everything was perfect and such a relaxing place to stay and explore Exmoor from. We also enjoyed chatting to other guests (clearly a lot of return visitors). Thank you Hugh and Sam (also Debbie, who's a delight). We look forward to returning in the Spring.

As it says at the entrance "a quintessential country hotel" if that's your bag it's a must. Beautiful rural location with great walks and that's its strength and weakness. Can't fault the homely cooking and hospitality, including the guest.

We returned to The Old Rectory having not been for 10 years and it is as superb as it always was. It was great to see Huw and Sam who run this beautiful hotel. Everything is to a high standard and the food is amazing. If you’re a Walker the coastal path along with many other walks is on their doorstep with such beautiful scenery.|We have already booked for next year!

This is an elegant, yet friendly hotel with superb cuisine! Sam and Huw are multi talented hosts and have created a truly memorable vacation experience. Huw Helped us out with hiking and touring advice which greatly enhanced our stay.||We stayed in the Arlington, which is a lovely, spacious and well planned room which was always a treat to come home to. The king sized bed was extremely comfortable with an excellent top quality mattress.||We stayed five nights in September 23 and wished it could’ve been longer. Breakfasts are very nice and the service is always efficient and attentive. Then, from 3:30 to 4:30 tea and cake is served. Usually we were sitting with another couple so we got to know many of the other guests which was quite delightful. Similarly we went down for drinks and canapés about 40 minutes before dinner, and again sat with other guests and conversed as we sipped our beverages.||The dinners are incredible! As I mentioned, we were there for five nights, and each night we had a different and superb starter, followed by a lovely soup and excellent to sublime main course. Wow!||The hotel is expensive, but reasonable for what one receives. It is also a memorable experience. It is no wonder many couples were there for repeat visits. Many thanks to Huw and Sam. |

We have stayed at The Old Rectory many times since 2011 as a couple and with friends and were happy to book for our Anniversary weekend. The quiet Hotel has lost none of its allure in all that time. Welcoming Hosts, excellent choices for Breakfast, then Afternoon Tea and Cake in the Garden or the Orangery if you get back before 4.30pm and excellent evening meals with a choice of Starters, then delicious Soup, Meat, Fish or Vegetarian Mains and a choice of Desserts. There is a good choice of comfortable rooms either in the main Hotel or in the Coach House. There are some good walks with beautiful scenery from the Hotel.

We went with friends who had been before but this was our first visit and we were very impressed.|Sam and Huw have created an excellent location where you are greeted like old friends and you feel like you are being hosted at a personal dinner party.|The bedrooms are stylishly designed and the public rooms are very comfortable. The orangery is magnificent and we were lucky to stay with beautiful weather which showed it off at its best.|The gardens are also beautiful - a tranquil sanctuary.|Tea and cakes are served around 3.30 and then drinks and canapés are from 6.45. The selection of local gins is particularly impressive.|Dinner is at 7.30 and the food is excellent with great service.|Breakfast is also very good with a fine choice of food. The homemade marmalade is particularly good.|We had a perfect stay and are in the process of booking for 2025

It is a fortnight since I got home and when I close my eyes I can still see those views from the coast path. They call this section the rainbow bay because even on cloudless days little rainbows form in the mist over the water. We were lucky enough to see them. If you are energetic you can walk via Valley of the Rocks or Heddon’s Mouth and climb the breathtaking headlands under your own steam, or if you are less athletic you can pop down the road from the hotel and emerge from the trees right on the high point. My tip at the Rectory is to get Sam to help choose a wine. He knows the dishes as well as the wines and has a talent for matching. We got three really good wines this way, and they were surprisingly good value. Whenever I walk through the door here I immediately relax, because I know that everything will be just right. There are very few places that can do that and this is one of them.