NONSUCH HOUSE

Terrific Devonshire B&B with heart-stopping river views

THE STUNNING CONSERVATORY and terrace of Nonsuch House – a Room for Romance award-winner – simply beckon for pre- and post-dinner drinks. We were soon mesmerised watching the the ebb and flow of the water while the yachts, ferries and trawlers plied up and down the Dart estuary into neighbouring Dartmouth. Had we been more of a dab hand at painting we'd have grabbed our easels there and then – it's a vista worth bottling to take home.

This grand Edwardian townhouse – just the kind of little romantic weekend getaway we love – has been converted into an outstanding family-run B&B, perched on a hill with heart-stopping views across the estuary to the Devonshire port of Dartmouth with its castle, cottages clinging to the hillside and yachts bobbing on the tide.

Inside, the house is cosy and intimate, with sunny colours, log fires, well-chosen fabrics and a beautifully cared-for feel. South-facing bedrooms, named after the shipping forecasts, are large and airy, bright with sunlight and reflected water all year-round.
Dinner to order

Dinner is served here four nights a week. There’s a set menu, though you can always plan ahead and ask chef-patron Kit to recreate your favourite meal or a seduction special. Remember to bring your own bubbly or wine (there’s no license) and the stage is set. Dartmouth is just a five-minute ferry ride away.

Dinner at Nonsuch House is served four nights a week, and owners Penny and Kit encourage guests to tell them what they like. As there is no liquor license you can bring your own wine (so no big drinks bills) and they will ensure it's nicely chilled in time for pre-dinner nibbles (which are on the house). Salmon fishcakes and home-made waffles have helped breakfasts here win awards, while peckish moments can be sated with meltingly good home-baked cakes and cookies.
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The four bedrooms are piled with home-from-home comforts and come with gleaming bathrooms. One has a private balcony, another has access to a balcony and all have picture windows framing ever-changing sea views. A little cracker.


Nonsuch House was reviewed for Room for Romance by Tim Treyman

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SUNDAY SAVINGS AT NONSUCH HOUSE - Westcountry
 
Make your weekend escape last longer at Nonsuch House.

Look over the fabulous Dart estuary in coastal Devon from Nonsuch House – our favourite Devonshire B&B. Stay a minimum of three nights between Sunday and Thursday and pay GBP 117.50 per night (usual rate GBP 125). Offer excludes bank holidays, Regatta dates and weekends.
 
* Quote High Season Breaks on our Booking Inquiry form.

Click on any picture to enlarge it and move through the gallery.

Dining in
All meals at this luxury B&B are made to order – so the  dinner menu changes daily according to what’s available locally and guests’ requests. Typical menus might include black bream grilled with garden herbs on creamed spinach, best end of local lamb simply roasted with rosemary and wild garlic and pan-fried diver scallops with pancetta and balsamic vinegar. Start your evening with drinks in the conservatory, soaking up the views. 

Dining out
Head into Dartmouth (you’ll love the ferry ride across the river) for  dinner at The Embankment, Anzac Street Bistro, The New Angel (formerly The Carved Angel) or The Spice Bazaar. Alternatively try The Oyster Shack at Aveton Gifford, a 30-minute drive away.

See & Do
Start by exploring the River Dart along the riverside and coastal paths. Dartmouth and the medieval town of Totnes (you can travel there by boat) are good for shopping, while there are beaches at  Slapton Sands. Well worth visiting are the art deco house of Coleton Fishacre, and Agatha Christie’s former home Greenway. Boat lovers and painters flock here, as does seafood maestro, Rick Stein. Breezy coastal paths start almost from the front door, and you can set off with a tasty picnic lunch at the ready. Nonsuch House's friendly owners have been known to rescue those too tired to walk back, and can also arrange fishing and boating trips.

Spa
Guests can use Dart Marina Spa across the river – just the place for some exotic Elemis treatments or a facial.

Shop
Head to the medieval Totnes for markets and shops.

Play
Take in Dartmouth by night while having a coffee or nightcap on the terrace. If it’s chilly, cosy up by the fire, play board games, get to know your fellow guests or head for beddy-byes.

Dates
August
Join the landlubbers and sailors at Dartmouth Regatta.

October
Taste all that’s good and local at the Dartmouth’s Food Festival.

GETTING THERE

Location
Church Hill, Kingswear, Devon TQ6 0BX

Parking
There’s free guest parking.

Trains
Totnes station – eight miles, or Paignton – six miles

Taxis
GBP 20 from the station.

Airport
Exeter and Plymouth – 30 miles

ESSENTIAL INFO

Rates guide
GBP 100 - 135

Open/closed
Open all year

Check-in
3pm or earlier by arrangement.

Check-out
11am or later by arrangement.

Minimum night stay?
Two nights at weekends, three during bank holidays, Christmas and the Regatta.

Breakfast
Full breakfast is served until 9.30am or later on request. Get ready for scrumptious home smoked haddock with poached eggs, and scrambled egg with local smoked salmon.

Room service
No

Children
Children over ten welcome

Pets
No

Air conditioning
No

Languages
English, a little French and Spanish

Wedding license?
No

Eco conscience
The hotel recycles, composts and uses energy saving light bulbs where possible. It also tries to use organic local food and changes towels and bathrobes on request.

Coming soon
Digital TV is coming soon

Your contacts
Kit and Penny Noble – owners