The Old Church House

4.7★

24 Guests
11 Bedrooms
11 Bathrooms
Pets Yes
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Features

Off road parking
Open fire
Garden / Patio
Highchair available
Washing machine
Dishwasher
Games Room
Broadband / WiFi

Reviews & Ratings

Accuracy of the listing

Cleanliness

Comfort

Facilities and Maintenance

* Based on a combined average customer score

36 Customer Review(s)

Charlie
September 2024

“A truly magical place and a wonderful host who really wants you to enjoy the experience of running a pub.”

This was our second stay at the Old Church House Inn. Everything from pulling your own pints through to sitting around the atmospheric fireplace of a historic Inn is fantastic. I really can’t recommend staying here highly enough. Thank you and we’ll definitely be coming back.

This was our second stay at the Old Church House Inn. Everything from pulling your own pints through to sitting around the atmospheric fireplace of a historic Inn is fantastic. I really can’t recommend staying here highly enough. Thank you and we’ll definitely be coming back.

- Charlie, September 2024
Phillip August 2024

“Really enjoyed our stay, everything we needed was to hand, the building was beautiful and having a whole 13th century pub all yo ourselves was magical.”

The large industrial kitchen was brilliant and made cooking for 19 people a breeze and also allowed multiple people to cook in the kitchen at the same time. Rooms were very cozy and full of character, everything was clean and well presented. Our only issues were the often times patchy wifi in many of the rooms, and low water pressure in some of the showers. One of our beer taps wasnt working properly when we arrived however the owner was very quick to respond and got a technician out to fix it within 24hrs. Overall an amazing experience and I would highly recommend the stay to any groups.

- Phillip, August 2024
Andrew August 2024

“Alll in all we had a great stay.”

Good location. Enjoyed the bar and games area on an evening. All rooms comfy. Kitchen obviously well equipped. BBQ would be a good addition and seating closer to the kitchen would be a benefit (out of the kitchen doors) would definitely recommend and would visit again.

- Andrew, August 2024
Derek May 2024

“We very much enjoyed our stay at Old Church Inn.”

The property is quite unique and it was great fun having our own private bar stocked with local ales. Amanda was extremely helpful and gave us a very warm welcome. My only suggestion for improvement would be to add a few more large cooking pans and utensils to the kitchen as it was quite a challenge to cook meals for our large group.

- Derek, May 2024

Excellent suggestion Derek- many thanks, I will get on to this. It's often difficult to work out what would be the best combination of equipment, so practical feedback is great. Really pleased you enjoyed your stay. Amanda Property Owner
John May 2024

“Our stay over the Bank Holiday week-end was enjoyed by all, The Old Church House Inn exceeded our expectations and we would recommend it as a great place to have a family gathering.”

John & Maureen

- John, May 2024
John March 2024

“What an amazing place.”

We booked The Old Church House for a special get-together for family and friends. We could not have been more delighted with the accommodation. All our guests loved it. Amanda was brilliant getting everything ready, laying on the barrels and providing additional seating for the dining area for some extra people joining us for a meal. The team came in discreetly during the week to make up some rooms for new guests. So much to take in while staying in such a historic building. Rooms very comfortable and we managed to navigate our way around the huge kitchen . Being able to have your own bar and pull a pint for your friends was great fun. We cant wait to do it all again next year.

- John, March 2024
Tom March 2024

“This place is a complete gem- my 2nd visit & will be coming back again.”

Couldn’t have a better host than Amanda, always a solution & we had the best time.

- Tom, March 2024
Jennifer February 2024

“We really enjoyed our visit, lots of room and games for the children to play.”

Adults enjoyed playing darts and poole and lager on tap! The area has lovely walks and also near to the beaches. Amanda was very helpful with any information we needed. It was very warm and all the showers were great. Having en suite with all rooms was also an added advantage. It would be lovely to see the outside wall in Summer when the wisteria is in flower and the use of outside areas.

- Jennifer, February 2024
Zoe February 2024

“We have just returned from a fabulous long weekend celebrating my husband’s 60th birthday.”

The Inn is amazing, very cozy with a real feeling of history and a proper ‘old inn/pub atmosphere’. The rooms were lovely and comfortable, beautifully decorated, with plenty of hot water. We had a fabulous time, using the pool table, darts board and holding our own pub quiz. We were a group of 21, all taking turns doing the cooking in the large kitchen. We stocked the bar ourselves, in addition to the keg provided in the rental. There was plenty of room in the wine fridge to store all the drinks and the ice-machine worked well. Nice walks nearby and the church opposite is very interesting . Amanda, the owner, was very attentive, nothing was too much trouble. Highly recommended!

- Zoe, February 2024
Pam December 2023

“Huge place.”

We used all 11 bedrooms and everyone remarked on how good the showers were. Lovely comfortable lounge area with log burner (everything supplied and extra as required). Snooker and darts used extensively by our children and grandchildren! Bar area a huge success - our disabled daughter was able to be central to the gathering and had the best time being a bar maid

- Pam, December 2023
Alan December 2023

“A super venue that had been thoroughly prepared for our arrival.”

..complete with a lovely open fire and lots of wood. The bar area is the centrepiece of the communal areas but the comfortable lounge, snooker room, games area, snug as well as the large dining room creates ample opportunities for a large group to engage in a wide variety of activities...if staying in the bar isn’t enough! The bedrooms are all individual and really inviting plus there is plenty of hot water. A great venue for large group/family gatherings.

- Alan, December 2023
Lindsay November 2023

“The Old Church House Inn was all we wanted and more.”

It was just as lovely and cosy as pictured, and the facilities were in good condition. I found it very helpful that the owner left very clear directions on how to use all the appliances. Guests should keep in mind that there aren't any pantry staples in the kitchen (such as spices or cooking oil) and in some of the bathrooms you could use only the bathtubs, no shower. This did not detract from our stay, however, and we would gladly go back again!

- Lindsay, November 2023
Mike July 2023

“The owner was very accommodating and helpful during our stay.”

Loved the house - great for a family get together. The setting is very peaceful and it was very relaxing. Its former life as a pub meant that it had plenty of space and we loved sitting at the bar. Rooms and en-suites of very good quality.

- Mike, July 2023
Marilyn May 2023

“Had a great stay at The Old Church House.”

It’s a wonderful building with amazing history and suited our large family very well. All the bedrooms are spacious and have en-suite bathrooms, and there is plenty of space in the downstairs bar and lounges. All together has a great atmosphere, and a great base for walking on Dartmoor or having a day on the Devon coast. We were pleased to arrange for Wendy to cook our evening meals, and she provided great home cooked food... and plenty of it. Thoroughly recommended.

- Marilyn, May 2023
Andrew April 2023

“A truly unique location for a large multigenerational family celebration.”

Very comfortable historic former pub with plenty of space for both large catered meal and smaller areas to split into. Log fires and and beer on the bar. Bedrooms individually themed and decorated though will need to mind heads on beams in some. Amanda was very helpful before and during our stay, sorting any issues quickly. Would highly recommend.

- Andrew, April 2023
Kevin April 2023

“We really had a great time, 22 of our family spent a week here.”

We had a party of 12 kids and 10 adults and the property was perfect for us. We opted for full self-catering and took full advantage of the commercial kitchen which made cooking for a large group easy and enjoyable. Plenty of fridge, freezer and storage space for everything we needed. We stayed for a week. All the rooms have ensuite and are decorated with care and warmth, all the bathrooms look new, were warm, and had plenty of hot water. We were pleasantly surprised to have this in a building so old. The owner couldn’t be more helpful and for any issues you have, she is helpful and lives nearby. The bar area is the heart of the building and if you like hanging a bar in the evening then this is quite the treat. There are also a couple of other snug areas to play cards, darts, or snooker. Open fires add a lovely touch and are available for your use. The wi-fi wasn’t high-speed fibre, but good enough to successfully streamed sky sports and attended a few work teams meetings, and for the kids to play Nintendo online, all with no interruptions. If you have a large group and want a great holiday where everyone gets involved with as little or as much as they want we would highly recommend this property.

- Kevin, April 2023
Paul March 2023

“We hired the old church inn for a long weekend, it was a great experience, the owner is on hand and cannot do enough to make your stay a good one.”

There is plenty of options for entertainment, bands etc and a good selection of catering options, along with a great selection of beers of your choice that can be ordered. The rooms were spotlessly clean and comfortable although a little tricky if over 6 feet tall :-). It's hard to find relaxed venues that have 11 en suit rooms but this works and is stepped in history. A great place for a family or special occasion.

- Paul, March 2023
Jackie November 2022

“Fantastic! What an absolute gem of a find.”

Booked for my husband’s 60th birthday. The owner was on hand to meet us & settle us in. All ex rugby players & members of the armed forces. I hope she didn’t have too much trouble getting rid of the mountains of empties! Everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves, the rooms were immaculate, we had fun cooking in the kitchen. Most attended the memorial service in Ipplepen such a lovely village. The pub was home from home for all of the guys, us ladies haven’t laughed so much in years. We all want to arrange a return over Christmas some time

- Jackie, November 2022
Janine August 2022

“Beautiful period building with all mod cons.”

Suited our family get-together perfectly. Bit of a rabbit warren at first but we quickly got used to the layout and the children loved playing hide and seek. All on-suites were good and the beds were very comfortable. Overall the property was clean and well maintained. The owner was extremely helpful and available if needed (thankfully not needed). Perfectly suits a large family or group of friends and shops are only a 10 or 20 minute drive away. Dartmoor National Park is only about 35 minutes away and well worth the time for a visit. Just be aware this is Devon and the country roads can be very narrow so don't be in a rush. Hoping we can make a return visit as we all thoroughly enjoyed our time there.

- Janine, August 2022
Caroline July 2022

“Amanda was a helpful, friendly host who was on hand for any needs.”

The pub has everything you would need for a stay with a large party. All of the bedrooms were beautifully furnished. We loved using the bar, snooker table and darts alley. It’s in a great location, although it feels very remote, there is lots to do within 15/20 minutes drive. We were a party of 20 + dogs and had a fantastic time. Couldn’t recommend this place enough, it really was magical.

- Caroline, July 2022
Deborah July 2022

“A unique property.”

Perfect for a large get together with family and friends.

- Deborah, July 2022
Malcolm June 2022

“Fabulous place.”

Well kept. Incredible support from Amanda (the owner), even though she had broken her leg the week before. Even having only spotty cell-phone coverage was fine: a true get-away-from-it-all place.

- Malcolm, June 2022
Gina May 2022

“We booked the Old Church House as a family of 18 to celebrate our mothers 80th Birthday.”

It was lovely to be able to have all rooms on suite and we plenty of space for all of the generations . Ages 2 to 80. While having the bar and commercial kitchen was not a novelty - we own a pub, having these facilities was a big plus and stress free in being able to cater for all of us together. Amanda was a fantastic hostess and was on hand without being intrusive with the queries we had. We had a great stay in a relaxed and cosy environment.

- Gina, May 2022
Ann-marie April 2022

“We had a lovely week at the Old Church House Inn.”

Fantastic venue for a large family gathering with plenty of space for everyone. We had our own pub quiz, made good use of the pool table and the darts, lit the fire in the lounge a few evenings and enjoyed the sunshine on the patio at the back. The pub garden was great for an Easter egg hunt for the little ones too. Amanda was very helpful and full of interesting information about this historic pub!

- Ann-marie, April 2022
Richard April 2022

“Great confusion with light switches!”

Lacking bright enough lights for reading etc in sitting areas An exciting venue for children Lovely location with easy access to outdoor activities

- Richard, April 2022
James March 2022

“Dear Amanda, thank you so much for all your help in making it such a memorable amazing weekend at your fantastic property.”

I've already been recommending to a lot of friends and family and hopefully we can make a return visit next year! Many thanks, James

- James, March 2022
Allan February 2022

“We were a mixed group of family and friends staying for a long weekend to celebrate my wife's birthday.”

The accommodation and facilities was superb for a group together. The kitchen was easy to use even with a large group of people in it. The areas downstairs catered for all our needs. We hope to stay again

- Allan, February 2022
Hannah December 2021

“We had a fantastic New Year break, ideal place for all the family to gather, we did our own pub quiz in the bar and had lots of lovely country walks.”

Rooms were clean and comfortable and the commercial kitchen was great when cooking on a large scale. It’s a bit of a rabbit warren and there was a lot of ducking through door ways but that was expected given its age. We also went prepared for chilly nights in such an old building but the heating was incredible, we didn’t even get the wood burners going because we’d of over heated. We’d love to go back in the Spring/summer and make the most of the pub garden.

- Hannah, December 2021
Valerie November 2021

“We were a party of 18 staying in this unique inn for a weekend which proved to be a fantastic venue to celebrate a very special birthday.”

The spacious bar area lent itself to accommodating traditional pub activities e.g bar skittles, shove ha'penny karaoke which my family put on. The fact that the kitchen was upstairs and the dining room downstairs proved to be quite a workout for the younger and fitter members of the party. I was a bit surprised by the lack of any guest soap in the bedrooms given the current advice on frequent hand washing.Perhaps this is the government guidance for self catering establishments. However as we all had bath/shower products it was not insurmountable. We would definitely stay here again.

- Valerie, November 2021

We are really pleased you enjoyed your stay. We supply soap, hand sanitiser and paper towels in all our common areas: downstairs' shared toilet facilities, kitchen, and bar kitchen. We do not supply personal products in en suites. We'll certainly take on board your comments however and provide guest soaps in en suites going forward. We invite guests staying with us in the future to comment on this any any other improvements we can make. Thanks for taking the time to give us constructive feedback. Property Owner
Helen August 2021

“The Old Church House Inn is a lovely place to stay.”

All my family thoroughly enjoyed our visit and the owner was very responsive and helpful which made our stay all the better. Big thank you to Amanda. Definitely think we will be coming back. The location was great too. So much to explore.

- Helen, August 2021
Nicola June 2021

“This was a fabulous holiday.”

The pub is amazing with so much character and near to lots of great places for days out. It has everything we needed as a large family and the owner is nearby to help out if you need anything.

- Nicola, June 2021
Mark June 2021

“What can I say ?”

This is an absolutely amazing place to stay we were there in June, just the 6 of us and loved every minute so peaceful and full of character. We stayed for 7 nights used all the facilities. The host was really friendly and helpful. Definitely would like to visit again !

- Mark, June 2021
Steve August 2020

“Really nice accomodation in an excellent rural location.”

All the rooms are very well equipped and comfortable. We enjoyed staying in a "real" pub which added to the atmosphere.

- Steve, August 2020
John August 2020

“The setting and the accomodation were outstanding and the owner was extremely ...”

The setting and the accomodation were outstanding and the owner was extremely helpful nothing to much trouble facilities were excellent and the rooms were so comfy would highly recccomend we took a family of 24 plenty of space to do your own thing

- John, August 2020
Lauren August 2020

“Fab venue, everyone had a great time just wish we had booked for a bit longer and that it was closer to us so we could book for the weekend!”

- Lauren, August 2020
Hollie August 2020

“Wanted to say a big thank you to Millie in particular from the Sykes team.”

She couldn't have been more helpful and understanding, she saved our wedding weekend! Loved staying at The Old Church House, the host was very kind and helpful. The property could not be more perfect for an intimate wedding with family. The kids loved it too.

- Hollie, August 2020

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Summary

11 bedrooms all with en suites
Badger: king-size and single bed, en-suite with bath/shower
Bee: Double bed, en-suite with shower (seat and grab rails)
Otter: king-size bed, en-suite with bath/shower
Fox: double bed, en-suite with walk-in shower, separate snug
Songbird: king-size bed, en-suite with bath. Butterfly: king-size bed, en-suite with bath
Pheasant: single bed, en-suite with walk-in shower
Stag: twin with 2 small double beds, en-suite with walk-in shower
Dragonfly: king-size bed, en-suite with shower
Rabbit: double bed and single, en-suite with bath/shower
Ladybird: double bed, en-suite with bath/shower
First-floor commercial kitchen
Utility room
Split-level dining areas provide flexible seating for up to 24
Social area with bar, woodburning stove and 58" TV
Snug with woodburning stove and library
Games area with snooker table, darts alley and board games area
Oil central heating
Oven and gas hob, 2 x microwaves, fridges, freezer, commercial dishwasher
Laundry with Miele washing machine and tumble dryer
Utility area with irons/ ironing boards and hair dryers
Note: Available on request for a small additional fee: mini room fridges, and serving chafers (to keep food hot using gel fuel)
TV and WiFi
Fuel and power inc. in rent
Bed linen and towels inc. in rent
Travel cots and highchairs available at property
Cot bedding available on request
Ample off-road parking available in private, gated car park
Lawned garden and rear garden
Two well-behaved dogs welcome, at a charge of £50 per dog, per stay
No smoking
Shop 1.1 miles, pub 1 mile
Note: Bar stock can be provided for self service or with bar server if required with prior arrangement and at an additional cost
Note: Available on request for a small additional fee: mini room fridges, and serving chafers (to keep food hot using gel fuel)
Note: There are various steps throughout the property
Note: This property has a Good Housekeeping bond of £500
Note: The Old Church House does not accept bookings for Hen and Stag parties

The property

Stay in a historic Devon inn!

This enchanting Grade II*-listed inn provides spacious and stylish accommodation to cater to the needs of your celebratory getaway with friends and family.

The Old Church House in Torbryan is one of England's oldest and most unique inns; dating from the 13th century it is steeped in history and folklore.

Add to that its special location nestled in a picturesque village between majestic Dartmoor and Devon's glorious south coast, and you have the perfect venue for a special getaway.

The venue comfortably accommodates up to 24 people and can provide a range of services tailored to your needs, whether it's a family celebration, friends getaway or business away event.

The venue is centred around the atmospheric bar, which over the centuries has welcomed Elizabeth I, Henry VIII (see the indentures on the walls) and, more recently, Arthur Conan Doyle, who is reputed to have developed the idea for The Hound of the Baskervilles at the inn.

On arrival, your choice of ale, cider and lager will be on tap (first barrel included in the price - there is a surcharge for some products), along with a tailored selection of wines and spirits if required.

A range of tasting/ mixology classes can be arranged at the bar to enhance your 'private pub' experience.

Surrounding the bar, there are multiple leisure areas to enjoy; a cosy lounge/library centred around a large log fire, a snooker room, a darts alley and snugs.

The inn has a large kitchen with fridges, freezers, dishwashers and a large cooker; you can enjoy any meals you prepare here in the split-level dining room.

Or if you'd prefer a touch of luxury local chefs and caterers can be organised to supply anything from a buffet to a Hog roast!

On sunny days take advantage of the beer garden with its large lawned area and ample seating, or head back inside to utilise the bar; a band can be organised to play for you on request.

At the end of your day choose from eleven bedrooms each based on Dartmoor life!

If you can tear yourself away from this magnificent property, the picturesque Dartmoor National Park offers a wealth of walking, hiking and cycling trails and a range of outdoor activities; an outdoor enthusiast's haven!

The breathtaking coast of Devon is also within reach, hop in the car to reach the popular seaside town of Paignton where you can while away sunny days on the stretches of golden sand or head to Torquay for an idyllic stroll around the harbour; either way, the views are amazing!

Make unforgettable memories with the whole family at The Old Church House!

Please note: A maximum of 2 dogs are welcome at this property. There is a £50 pet supplement per pet per week, DO NOT APPROACH FOR EXTRA DOGS.

Note: The Old Church House does not accept bookings for Hen and Stag parties

Please note: The property has a £500 good housekeeping bond

Note: This property has a Good Housekeeping bond of £500.

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About the location

TORBRYAN

Ipplepen 1.3 miles; Newton Abbot 5 miles; Totnes 6 miles; Torquay 8.7 miles.

Torbryan is an ancient farming hamlet nestled in the heart of the South Devon countryside yet not far from Totnes, Dartmoor and the beautiful beaches of the English Riviera. Torbryan is centred around the iconic Old Church House Inn, with it's namesake church opposite. Ipplepen, the neighbouring village, is only one mile away and has a small supermarket, a post office and a pub. Torbryan is surrounded by equally pretty villages, all with dining pubs including Denbury, Broadhempston and Staverton. Torbryan provides a great base for a cottage holiday and is ideally situated for exploring Devon and the South West. Totnes, only five miles from the village, sits beside the picturesque River Dart, and is steeped in history with its many original Elizabethan buildings. A few excursions from Totnes not to be missed include the breathtakingly beautiful river trip to Dartmouth and the steam train journey along the Primrose Line to Buckfastleigh. Dartington Hall, with its beautiful grounds, is nearby, hosting many music festivals each year. Dartmoor National Park can be reached within 30 minutes' drive of the property, offering 365 square miles of rugged moorland peppered with isolated villages. Ideal for getting away from it all, walking and simply gazing at the incredible views of South Devon, Torbryan provides the perfect base for your next escape.

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Reviews & Ratings

“A truly magical place and a wonderful host who really wants you to enjoy the experience of running a pub.”

“Really enjoyed our stay, everything we needed was to hand, the building was beautiful and having a whole 13th century pub all yo ourselves was magical.”

“Alll in all we had a great stay.”

“We very much enjoyed our stay at Old Church Inn.”

“Our stay over the Bank Holiday week-end was enjoyed by all, The Old Church House Inn exceeded our expectations and we would recommend it as a great place to have a family gathering.”

“What an amazing place.”

“This place is a complete gem- my 2nd visit & will be coming back again.”

“We really enjoyed our visit, lots of room and games for the children to play.”

“We have just returned from a fabulous long weekend celebrating my husband’s 60th birthday.”

“Huge place.”

“A super venue that had been thoroughly prepared for our arrival.”