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Inn

The Rugglestone Inn

Stay at The Rugglestone Inn, a cosy 4.6-star inn with a fireplace bar, pet-friendly amenities, and a 2-bedroom cottage near Dartmoor National Park, UK.

Widecombe in the Moor, Newton Abbot TQ13 7TF, United Kingdom View on map
9.2/10
Exceptional Based on 918 recent guest reviews
Wi-Fi Parking Pet-friendly Kid-friendly Bar
What recent guests emphasize

The Rugglestone Inn

A cosy, character-filled inn known for its welcoming atmosphere, good food and drink, and scenic Dartmoor setting.

Guests often praise

  • Charming and cosy atmosphere, enhanced by the working fireplace in cooler months.
  • Excellent food, especially popular dishes like hot baguettes and deep-fried Brie with redcurrant jelly.
  • Good selection of local beers and ciders, appreciated for variety and quality.
  • Friendly, polite staff offering efficient service in a traditional countryside pub setting.
  • Ample garden seating with a pleasant stream, suitable for visitors and dog-friendly.

Worth knowing

  • Service experience may vary; some guests noted the landlady appeared less welcoming during busy times.
  • Portion sizes and accompaniments can feel limited, such as scarcity of bread and pickled onions on platters.
  • Drinks crowd includes local regulars who can be lively, potentially affecting atmosphere.
  • No fitness centre or pool on site, but free parking is available opposite the inn.
  • Wi-Fi is available; the inn is family- and pet-friendly, but smoke-free indoors.

Best for

  • Visitors seeking a cosy, traditional pub experience on Dartmoor.
  • Families and couples looking for a relaxed setting with outdoor garden space.
  • Guests interested in exploring nearby outdoor attractions like Dartmoor National Park and Haytor Rocks.
  • Pet owners wanting dog-friendly facilities and nearby walking routes.
  • Those valuing local food and drink specialties in a countryside inn setting.
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About this property

Welcome to The Rugglestone Inn

The Rugglestone Inn is a cosy 19th-century establishment located in Widecombe in the Moor, Newton Abbot. Combining traditional charm with practical comforts, it features a welcoming restaurant and bar centered around a fireplace, creating a homely atmosphere appreciated by many visitors. In addition to the main inn, a converted barn nearby offers a two-bedroom cottage for guests seeking more private accommodation.

Facilities include complimentary Wi-Fi, on-site parking, and a smoke-free environment. The inn welcomes families and pets alike, making it suitable for a variety of travellers. Reviewers frequently praise the quality of food and drink options, including local ales and ciders, as well as the friendly and efficient service, although some guests have noted occasional variability in customer interaction.

Situated just over five miles from the A38 road, the inn serves as a convenient base for exploring the surrounding natural landscape. Notable nearby attractions include Dartmoor National Park, Haytor Rocks, and the ruins at Hound Tor, all offering extensive outdoor activities such as hiking, horse riding, and guided tours. The location appeals particularly to visitors interested in countryside walks and rustic settings.

Travel options are accessible with Exeter Airport approximately 42 minutes away by car, while Cardiff and Cornwall airports are within two to three hours’ drive. Nearby accommodations vary from highly rated hotels to charming country houses, providing choices for guests preferring alternative lodgings in close proximity. Overall, The Rugglestone Inn is a practical choice for those seeking a comfortable, informal stay in a rural environment on Dartmoor.

Summary compiled by GoHotelly editors from verified guest reviews, partner descriptions and editorial notes.
Facilities & essentials

What's on-site and what you should know before you arrive

The short version: what's available day-to-day, and the key practical details most travelers search for.

Most popular facilities

Wi-Fi
Parking
Pet-friendly
Kid-friendly
Bar
Smoke-free

Not available at this property

Pool
Fitness center
Verified guest reviews

What recent guests are actually saying

Reviews from travelers who stayed here in the last 12 months, grouped to help you spot the pattern quickly.

TK
tessa knight Apr 20, 2026
10

We went for a drink and booked lunch for the following day with friends. Very friendly and efficient team in a charming country pub with excellent food, beer and cider choices. We all loved it, thank you.

JK
Jayne Kerridge Apr 08, 2026
8.0

It's such a beautiful cosy old pub full of lovely atmosphere. Perfect place to go after a blustery walk on the moors. Good ales and ciders too. The only thing I'd say is that the landlady did not appear to really like having to serve customers. I don't know if anything awful had happened over Christmas but it felt like asking for several pints and a lemonade was a massive imposition. She also gave me a hard time for trying to bring empty glasses to the bar as we left, saying something about being cut too many times by glasses stacked together. If you don't mind those sort of vibes (or maybe if she's had a nicer day) it's a wonderful pub.

BB
Bogdan Brindusan Apr 04, 2026
10

One of the best pubs I've been to. The food was delicious. Beer & cider selection was very good. Vibe & atmosphere were . Visiting from late October you can expect the fireplace working, which adds another level of coziness, with the specific smoky smell that spread in the area and greets you when you get out of the car park.

RA
Rob Amphlett Mar 16, 2026
8.0

Lovely location, good service, plenty of seating in the garden, dog friendly. Stopped in for lunch and a few drinks. Food was pretty good, hot baguettes were very nice and good value for money. The Rugglestone platter was nice but there wasn't enough bread and there was only one pickled onion which felt abit stingy. Overall pretty good

KP
Keith Pittaway Feb 09, 2026
10

Excellent little pub on Dartmoor. Large free car park opposite. Food and drink are excellent with a friendly service. Garden seating is available with a stream running through it.

VN
Vince Napper Feb 03, 2026
10

Visted today with my Partner Jane. She had worked here as a barmaid 30+ years ago... We had the hot Bagettes (Jane had Brie and had Pork) very tasty We sat outside over the little bridge in the garden Really lovely break before tackling Saddle and Haytor

DA
Darren Adams Jan 22, 2026
10

The Rugglestone Inn was a cozy character filled pub with polite friendly staff. The food was incredible, the deep fried battered Brie with redcurrant jelly was especially delicious. If you’re anywhere near Dartmoor this place is definitely worth a visit.

DH
Dave Hewlett Jan 03, 2026
8.0

Great pub classic Dartmoor location. Good for families and couples alike, but the drink locals can be a bit of a handful! But give as good as you get and you'll be fine! Good selection of local beers and ciders. Nice to use the outside space when you can.

Location & neighborhood

Where you'll find The Rugglestone Inn

Newton Abbot, United Kingdom

This cosy 1832 inn with a converted barn is 5.5 miles from the A38 road and 11.5 miles from Castle Drogo country house.

  • Car Park 7 min Walk
  • Cardiff Airport 2 hr 45 Car · 4 hr 32 Transit
  • Exeter Airport 42 min Car · 2 hr 34 Transit
  • Cornwall Airport Newquay 1 hr 40 Car · 4 hr 29 Transit
Things to do nearby

Worth the walk or a quick ride

Curated spots travelers usually pair with a stay in Newton Abbot. Distances are rough real-world times, not straight-line.

Dartmoor National Park 15,602 reviews

Dartmoor National Park

United Kingdom

4.8 · National Park
Haytor Rocks 1 reviews

Haytor Rocks

Haytor Vale, Newton Abbot TQ13 9XS, United Kingdom

4.8 · Historical Landmark
Hound Tor 208 reviews

Hound Tor

Newton Abbot TQ13 7TT, United Kingdom

4.9 · Mountain Peak
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