Review: Four-star Dartmoor hotel is a special place for fine food lovers with dogs in tow

From the moment you step foot inside this cosy Dartmoor hotel you'll be greeted with an atmosphere of warmth that you just know will lead to a relaxing experience away from the hustle and bustle of ordinary life - even with the insistent lashings of rain we can't seem to shake in the southwest right now.

Aside from the occasional too-quiet atmosphere and slightly too formal for my taste setting, this four-star former flour mill was a charming place to get away for the weekend and adding to the pleasing experience was its colourful history - being the former residence of Victorian inventor Frank Whittle, who designed the jet engine.

But what truly set this 18th-century hotel apart during my two-night staycation - just an hour from our home in Cornwall - was the exceptional culinary offering and the delightful staff. It's the sort of place you should book in to eat even if you're not staying there, the food is that good. And while, by no means cheap, I've paid double the price for meals that don't come close to rivalling this one.

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The country house hideaway is also within walking distance from a fine selection of stunning walks and forest paths making it the idyllic location for keen walkers.

And as for the food, we were invited by Mill End to stay at the Devon hotel and have a complimentary dinner on one night, but the food was that impressive we opted to eat again on the second night too. Each meal was a culinary journey, with seasonal dishes crafted to perfection and bursting with flavour.

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On the first night, we opted for the smoked haddock with leek veloute, potato bonbon and cold pressed rapeseed oil and the English asparagus with a poached Williams Farm egg, hollandaise and a brioche crouton to start. The amuse bouche of ceviche in a seaweed crisp was a real show-stopper, setting the bar high. The breads and accompanying butters were also rather delightful.

For mains we had the honey glazed duck breast with confit potato, caramelised endive, salsify, orange and vanilla. I opted for the ricotta dumplings with wild garlic, goat's cheese, walnut and butternut squash. Suffice it to say everything tasted as wonderful as it sounds.

The sticky jail ale and walnut pudding with butternut scotch and clotted cream and chocolate bondon with coffee ice cream and Dartmoor whisky cream ended the evening on a true sugary high.

I didn't know how things could possibly improve on the second night but nonetheless they did. The scallops with Jerusalem artichoke and a hazelnut, lemon and chicken butter sauce were cooked to perfection and the cheese and onion soup with cauliflower fritters took a simple-sounding starter to the next level thanks to the nutmeg.

The Cornish monkfish with river reign mussels in a wild garlic risotto and shellfish bisque with orange and fennel was delightful. Our only regret by this point was that we weren't able to try every single dish on the menu. And at £40 for two courses and £49.50 for three, I was really impressed with the portions and the quality.

From the gourmet breakfast spread laid out in the morning boasting pastries, jams and fresh fruits to exquisite dinner options, every bite we ate here was a testament to the team of chefs' culinary expertise. I was even more surprised to find that it was a different chef both evenings - a true testament to their individual expertise.

The dining experience was further enhanced by impeccable service, with attentive staff catering to every need. Without a doubt, this hotel exceeded my expectations, providing a memorable stay filled with fantastic food and unparalleled hospitality.

The added bonuses were the special touches the team have incorporated to make four-legged friends feel welcome. Having been supposed to bring our own fluffy companion along with us, we opted to leave her at home with family because of the horrific weather.

But on arrival, we were given a tour of the doggy boot room complete with towels to wipe down mucky paws and wet bellies. In our room was a delightful box of goodies for our pet including some high-quality treats, a homemade biscuit, tennis ball, poo bags, a tag with the hotel's contact number for their collar (a thoughtful touch for any potentially lost doggies) and a slightly cheesy letter addressed to your dog about the house rules that any dedicated animal lover like myself will just adore.

She was most grateful when we returned home to her a couple of days later and presented her with the Mill End Hotel engraved doggy biscuit, made by Somerset-based business Buddy's Bakery. I know now why the hotel, on the verges of the River Teign, prides itself on its fine-dining restaurant and affordable luxury.

Its array of awards including two AA Rosettes in 2023, GOLD in the Food Drink Devon Awards in the Hospitality category and GOLD in the Taste of the West Awards in the restaurant category as well as being commended by Devon Tourism in 2023 in the: 'Small Hotel of the Year', 'Dog Friendly Business of the Year' categories are all clearly well deserved accolades that speak to the special atmosphere it's worked hard to offer.

And of the staff, it was a breath of fresh air to be greeted with an unfiltered friendliness - but also impeccable humour and a touch of sarcasm that gave the impression they were as delighted to be working there as I was to have stayed.

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