Dartmoor Inn Merrivale
This Bar & Grill truly shines with its prime location, offering a unique atmosphere that's well worth seeking out. A fantastic addition to its appeal is the delightful al fresco dining area. Whether you're looking to soak up the sun or enjoy a warm evening breeze with the views of Dartmoor this outdoor space provides the perfect setting to
enjoy your meal and drinks. While the beer selection may be curated, this offers a wonderful opportunity to engage with the lovely and knowledgeable staff. They are more than happy to share fascinating details about each offering – from the brewery's story to the volume and unique characteristics of each drink. This personal touch transforms simply ordering a drink into an engaging and informative experience. We're already planning our return, eagerly anticipating the chance to sample the large, juicy steaks which come highly recommended. Adding to its distinct appeal, the pub is conveniently located making it an excellent stop for those exploring the rich heritage of the area. It's a place where friendly service and promising culinary delights combine with a captivating setting.
P&P
Background....
The Dartmoor Inn in Princetown, or more accurately, the Dartmoor Inn at Merrivale (which is near Princetown), has a long and interesting history. It's believed to be made up of four or five cottages that date back to the 17th century, with the original inn likely being just one of these cottages that served as a coaching stop. The building to the left of the current inn is thought to have originally been the stables.
Here are some key points about its history:
Early Records: The earliest record of an inn at Merrivale dates to 1841, with John Harding listed as the innkeeper in the census of that year.
Expansion and Alterations: In the early 20th century (around 1920), the adjacent cottages were incorporated into the inn, and their height was increased to create a more uniform appearance. Most of the dividing walls of the former cottages were removed to create a long "through-bar." The large inglenook fireplace, originally a domestic fireplace, was enlarged in the 1950s using granite from a nearby quarry.
Water Supply: The inn's water supply comes from the Grimstone and Sortridge Leat.
Local Importance: At the turn of the 20th century, the area had a much larger population due to the nearby quarrymen's cottages and farms, making the inn a busy and important site for local trade.
Briefly a Petrol Station: In the 1950s, the front of the inn was covered with slate shingles (later removed), and it also served as a petrol station, a business that ceased in the early 1960s.
Hauntings: The Dartmoor Inn is said to be haunted by two ghosts: an unseen spirit named "Mary" and the spectre of a small girl who walks the upstairs corridor.
It's important to distinguish between the Dartmoor Inn at Merrivale and other historic inns in Princetown itself, such as The Plume of Feathers, which is considered the oldest building in Princetown, built around 1785, and the Prince of Wales, which was one of two large inns built during the Napoleonic Wars.
So, while not strictly "in" Princetown, the Dartmoor Inn at Merrivale has a deep and fascinating history as a long-standing establishment on Dartmoor, evolving from a collection of cottages to the inn it is today.
